Frying donuts at home can be a fun and tasty hobby. With the right frying pan, you’ll be able to churn out delicious homemade donuts that are light, crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. But with so many different types of frying pans on the market, how do you choose which one is best for frying donuts?
What to Look for in a Donut Frying Pan
Here are the key features to consider when selecting a frying pan for frying donuts:
- Shape – Round or square pans work best to ensure even frying.
- Depth – Pans should be at least 2 inches deep to allow donuts to float while frying.
- Heavy base – A thick, heavy bottom conducts heat evenly.
- Nonstick coating – A good nonstick surface will prevent donuts from sticking.
- High sides – Higher sides prevent oil splatters and overflow.
- Helper handle – A helper handle provides extra control and stability.
- Durable material – Cast iron or heavy stainless steel work well.
The Best Frying Pans for Donuts
Based on the criteria above, here are top recommendations for frying pans to use when making donuts at home:
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron is ideal for deep frying with its superior heat retention and distribution. This Lodge skillet has a 10.25 inch diameter cooking surface, offering plenty of room for frying several donuts at once. The 2 inch depth creates ample space for the donuts to float while cooking. Cast iron provides great browning and develops a natural nonstick surface after seasoning. The handle includes a helper handle for control. As a bonus, this pan can go straight from stovetop to oven after frying.
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Fry Pan
This affordable Cuisinart option has a handy helper handle and high sloped sides to prevent splattering. The hard anodized construction quickly conducts and spreads heat evenly. The Quantanium nonstick coating is durable and enables easy donut release. An extended rim makes it simple to slide donuts out onto a paper towel. The pan is oven safe up to 500°F.
T-fal Professional Total Nonstick Fry Pan
T-fal makes excellent nonstick cookware. This fry pan is made from hard anodized aluminum for quick, even heating. The reinforced nonstick material is scratch resistant and safe to 550°F. The 10.5 inch size provides ample cooking surface. A unique extended handle protects hands from oil and heat. The pro grade construction offers durability. An affordable price makes this a great choice.
Lékué Donut Pan
For bakers who want neatly uniform donuts, a donut pan is the perfect solution. This Lékué pan has 7 round nonstick cavities for evenly shaped donuts. The steel plate quickly and evenly conducts heat for a crisp exterior and tender interior. Simply pour the batter into the silicone molds, allow to proof, then transfer the whole pan to hot oil to fry. The donuts lift out easily when golden brown.
Choosing the Right Size Frying Pan
When selecting a frying pan for donuts, opt for one that gives you enough cooking surface to fry several at once, but not so large that it’s unwieldy. Here are some guidelines for choosing the right size:
| Pan Size | Number of Donuts |
|---|---|
| 8 inches | 1-2 donuts |
| 10 inches | 2-4 donuts |
| 12 inches | 4-6 donuts |
Keep in mind the donuts need room to float and rotate in the oil as they cook. Crowding too many into a small pan prevents them from browning evenly.
Preparing a Frying Pan for Donuts
Properly preparing your frying pan is key to donut success. Follow these tips:
- Wash with hot soapy water before first use to remove any residue.
- Season cast iron or carbon steel pans according to manufacturer’s directions if needed.
- Apply a very thin layer of neutral oil to conditioning nonstick surfaces.
- Heat oil slowly over medium heat. Do not let it smoke before adding donuts.
- Fry in 2-3 inches of oil so donuts can float freely.
- Heat oil to 360-375°F and verify temp with a thermometer.
- Adjust heat to maintain proper temperature while frying.
- Have a slotted spoon and paper towels ready near the stovetop.
- Fry donuts 1-2 minutes per side until deeply browned.
- Remove donuts gently with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Oil Options for Frying Donuts
Choosing the right type of oil for frying is essential for achieving the classic light and crispy donut texture. Here are guidelines for selecting the best oil:
Refined Oils
Refined oils have a high smoke point and neutral flavor best suited for frying:
- Peanut oil – The most popular for frying donuts. Has a high 446°F smoke point.
- Vegetable oil – Affordable option with a smoke point around 440°F.
- Canola oil – Mild flavor and 400°F smoke point.
- Grapeseed oil – Delicate taste. Smoke point of 421°F.
Unrefined Oils
Avoid unrefined oils like olive oil and coconut oil. Their low smoke points and strong flavors do not pair well with donuts.
Shortening
For a classic cake donut, use shortening like Crisco. It will give a soft, dense texture. Fry at 360-370°F.
Frying Donut Tips and Tricks
Follow these helpful tips for frying picture-perfect donuts:
- Use a deep fat thermometer to verify oil temperature.
- Fry 2-4 donuts at a time. Avoid overcrowding.
- Flip donuts halfway through frying time.
- Work in batches to maintain proper oil temperature.
- Let oil return to temperature between batches.
- Fry cake donuts 1-2 minutes per side.
- Fry yeast donuts 1 1/2 – 2 minutes per side.
- Place fried donuts on a paper towel lined platter.
- Sprinkle warm donuts with sugar or cinnamon immediately.
- Allow oil to fully cool before straining and storing.
Cleaning and Caring for Your Donut Fry Pan
Proper cleaning and storage will keep your donut fry pan in top condition. Follow these steps after each use:
- Allow oil to fully cool before removing pan from heat.
- Carefully pour out cooled oil into heatproof container.
- Wipe away any leftover oil and debris with paper towels.
- Wash with hot soapy water and sponge or scrub.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly with soft towel.
- Apply light coat of vegetable oil to condition surface.
- Store pan in dry location when fully cooled.
- Avoid harsh scouring pads or abrasive cleaners.
- For tough residue, simmer water for 5 minutes to loosen.
- Re-season cast iron pans occasionally.
Safety Tips for Frying Donuts
Here are some key safety considerations for frying donuts at home:
- Use caution when cooking with hot oil.
- Keep children and pets away from the stove.
- Wear an oven mitt or pot holder when frying.
- Turn pan handles inward to avoid accidental spills.
- Heat oil slowly over medium heat.
- Attach splatter screen if available.
- If oil starts smoking, remove pan from heat immediately.
- Allow oil to fully cool before disposal.
- In case of minor burns, run under cool water.
- Never try to move a pan with hot oil.
Storing Leftover Oil
For the most economical use of your frying oil, safely strain and store remaining oil after each use:
- Line a strainer with cheesecloth or coffee filter.
- Slowly pour cooled oil into the strainer.
- Discard leftover crumbs and particles.
- Transfer filtered oil to an airtight container.
- Label container with type and date.
- Store in cool dark place up to 2 months.
- Avoid reusing oil that smells or looks off.
- Discard oil if it starts to smoke sooner.
Signs It’s Time For New Oil
Here are signals that your frying oil has degraded and needs to be replaced:
- Oil is dark in color.
- It has a strong unpleasant smell.
- Fried food absorbs more oil.
- Food has greasy instead of crispy finish.
- Smoke point decreases.
- Bubbling and foaming occurs sooner.
- Oil starts smoking sooner.
Disposing of Used Oil
Once your frying oil has reached the end of its lifespan, dispose of it properly:
- Allow oil to fully cool.
- Pour into sealable container or resealable bag.
- Check if your community accepts used cooking oil recycling.
- Some auto stores accept used oil.
- Mix with an absorbent like cat litter.
- Place sealed container in trash.
- Never pour oil or grease down a drain.
Donut Frying Troubleshooting
Use this troubleshooting guide if your homemade donuts aren’t turning out quite right:
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Burned exterior | Oil too hot | Lower temperature to 365°F |
| Greasy donuts | Old oil used | Replace oil |
| Dense, heavy interior | Not fried long enough | Fry 1-2 minutes longer |
| Fallen donuts | Dough too soft | Refrigerate dough longer before frying |
| Irregular shapes | Batter too thin | Add more flour to thicken |
Donut Recipe Ideas
Now that you’ve selected the perfect frying pan, try out these delicious homemade donut recipes!
Classic Glazed Donuts
Soft and fluffy yeast-raised donuts dipped in sweet, shiny glaze.
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Rolled in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar right after frying for warmth.
Powdered Sugar Donuts
Tossed in powdered sugar for a sweet coating with just a hint of crunch.
Chocolate Glazed Donuts
Vanilla donuts dunked in rich chocolate fudge glaze.
Maple Bacon Donuts
Topped with crispy chopped bacon and drizzled with maple glaze.
Apple Cider Donuts
Perfect for fall, made extra moist with apple cider in the batter.
Blueberry Donuts
Filled with juicy blueberry jam and dusted with lemon zest sugar.
S’mores Donuts
Graham cracker crust, marshmallow filling, chocolate drizzle.
Conclusion
With so many excellent frying pans to choose from, every home cook can find the ideal pan for whipping up delicious homemade donuts. Look for a sturdy pan with high sides, preferably cast iron or heavy stainless steel. Match the size to the quantity of donuts you plan to fry. Season the pan properly before use and always heat the oil slowly to the right frying temperature. Follow safety precautions when cooking to prevent burns. Now you’re ready to delight your family with the fun treat of warm homemade donuts!