Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy: No yeast required, so there’s no waiting for dough to rise.
Moist and fluffy: The addition of ricotta cheese creates the perfect soft and tender texture.
Customizable: Top with Nutella, powdered sugar, or any of your favorite toppings.
Perfectly sized: Mini donuts are perfect for portion control and fun snacking.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Donuts:

32 oz ricotta cheese (full fat)
1 egg
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder

For Frying:

Neutral oil (for frying, such as vegetable or canola oil)

For the Drizzle (optional):

1/2 cup Nutella

Directions

Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, sugar, and baking powder. Mix well until smooth, then add flour and stir until fully incorporated.
Roll the dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Lightly dust the dough and roll it out to about 1-inch thickness.
Cut the donuts: Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter (or a glass) to cut out circles. Use a smaller 3/4-inch cutter to remove the center. Gather the dough scraps, roll them out, and repeat the cutting process until all dough is used.
Fry the donuts: Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F (190°C). Fry the donuts in batches, cooking each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oil and place on a cooling rack.
Drizzle with Nutella: Place Nutella in a ziplock bag, snip the corner to create a piping bag, and drizzle the Nutella over the cooled donuts. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar instead.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 30 mini donuts
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Variations

Toppings: You can drizzle the donuts with caramel, chocolate syrup, or even a simple glaze.
Flavorings: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract to the dough for extra flavor.
Fried or baked: For a lighter option, bake the donuts instead of frying them.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds or in the oven to maintain their softness.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Ricotta cheese is key to the texture of this recipe, but mascarpone could also work as a substitute.

How do I know when the oil is the right temperature?

Use a frying thermometer to keep the oil between 350-375°F for the perfect donut.

Can I bake these donuts instead of frying them?

Yes, you can bake them at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, but the texture will be different from frying.

Can I make these donuts ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it, but it’s best to fry the donuts just before serving.

What if I don’t have a donut cutter?

You can use a regular cookie cutter and a smaller cutter (or even a bottle cap) to create the donut hole.

Conclusion

These mini donuts are a delightful treat, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. Their moist, tender crumb paired with a sweet drizzle of Nutella or powdered sugar makes them irresistibly delicious. Easy to make and fully customizable, they’re a fun way to indulge in homemade donuts without the wait!