Description

Recreate the famous crispy, airy texture of Long John Silver’s donuts at home with this simple, yeast-free batter recipe using basic pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
3/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable, canola, or peanut oil (for frying)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg until smooth, then stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula just until the flour is moistened. Do not overmix; a few lumps are acceptable.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the batter for at least 30 minutes to allow the flour to hydrate and gluten to relax.
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
Pipe the batter into rings or bars directly into the hot oil, frying in small batches to maintain temperature.
Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown, flipping gently with tongs once the first side has set.
Remove donuts from oil and drain on a wire rack set over paper towels.
While still warm, dip in glaze or roll in cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure baking powder is fresh for proper rise. Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough donuts. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to prevent greasy results. Batter can be substituted with gluten-free flour blend or dairy-free milk for dietary restrictions.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: 175
Sugar: 10
Sodium: 150
Fat: 9
Saturated Fat: 2
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 1
Protein: 3

Keywords: Long John Silver's copycat, homemade donuts, fried dough, easy donut recipe, yeast-free donuts, weekend brunch, comfort food