Remember those times when you just craved something sweet, warm, and utterly delicious, but the thought of a complicated recipe made you sigh? That’s exactly how I felt one afternoon, and that’s when this magical 2 Ingredient Donuts Recipe came into my life! It’s become my go-to for a quick treat, bringing smiles and a little bit of homemade joy without any fuss. Seriously, it’s so easy, it almost feels like cheating. But in the best way possible!
Why You’ll Love This 2 Ingredient Donuts Recipe
- These donuts are incredibly quick to make – perfect for a spontaneous treat!
- You only need two simple ingredients for the dough, which you probably already have.
- They come out wonderfully soft and fluffy on the inside, with a perfect golden crispness outside.
- It’s a fun, easy recipe that even beginner bakers can master with delicious results.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Self-Raising Flour: This is key! It contains leavening agents already mixed in, so your donuts will puff up beautifully without needing yeast or baking powder.
- Greek Yogurt: The secret ingredient! It provides the moisture and acidity needed to activate the self-raising flour, creating a tender dough and that classic donut texture. Use plain, full-fat Greek yogurt for the best results.
- Oil for Frying: A neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil, works best for deep frying.
- White Granulated Sugar: For that classic sweet coating.
- Ground Cinnamon: Pairs perfectly with the sugar for an irresistible cinnamon sugar coating.
How to Make 2 Ingredient Donuts Recipe Step by Step
First things first, let’s get our frying oil ready. Grab a heavy-based pot and pour in about three inches of oil. You want enough depth for the donuts to float and cook evenly. Set it over medium-high heat and let it warm up while you prepare the dough. This is where the magic happens!
Now for the dough itself! In a medium bowl, simply combine your self-raising flour and Greek yogurt. Give it a good mix until it comes together to form a shaggy dough. Don’t worry if it looks a little rough at first! Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for just about a minute. This helps incorporate any remaining flour and brings it into a smooth, cohesive ball.
Next, it’s time to shape your donuts. Using a small spoon, scoop out about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a neat little ball between your palms. Repeat this until all your dough is used up. Before you start frying, make sure your oil is hot enough – ideally 180°C (350°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test it by frying one donut first; it should puff up and turn golden in about 2-3 minutes. Fry your donuts in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan, and once they’re golden, use a slotted spoon to remove them and drain them on paper towels or a wire rack for a minute. While they’re still warm, toss them in that delicious cinnamon sugar mixture. Enjoy!
My Top Tips for Success
- I always recommend using full-fat Greek yogurt. It makes the donuts super tender and moist.
- Trust me on this one: don’t overcrowd the pot when frying. It drops the oil temperature and leads to greasy, unevenly cooked donuts.
- In my experience, rolling the dough balls evenly helps them cook consistently.
- Always coat the donuts in cinnamon sugar while they are still warm so the sugar sticks perfectly.
- Keep a close eye on the oil temperature; too low and they’re greasy, too high and they burn.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not heating the oil to the correct temperature: If the oil isn’t hot enough, your donuts will absorb too much oil and be greasy. If it’s too hot, they’ll burn on the outside before cooking through. Use a thermometer or test donut.
- Overcrowding the pot: This lowers the oil temperature dramatically, leading to greasy, soggy donuts. Fry in small batches.
- Overworking the dough: Kneading for too long can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough donuts. Just a minute of kneading is perfect.
- Not coating donuts while warm: The cinnamon sugar won’t adhere well to cold donuts. Toss them immediately after draining.
How to Store 2 Ingredient Donuts Recipe
- Room Temperature: 1-2 days in an airtight container. They are best enjoyed fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these donuts in an air fryer?
While you can, the texture won’t be the same as deep-fried. Air-fried donuts tend to be a bit drier and less fluffy. For the best result, I recommend frying.
Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Greek yogurt is essential for this recipe because of its thickness and acidity. Regular yogurt is too thin and will change the dough consistency. Stick to Greek yogurt for success.
What if I don’t have self-raising flour?
You can make your own! For every cup of all-purpose flour, add 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder and a pinch of salt. Sift them together thoroughly before using.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
It’s best to make and fry the donuts immediately. The leavening in the self-raising flour activates once it’s mixed with the yogurt, so letting it sit too long can reduce the puffiness.
Can I add other flavorings to the dough?
You can! A little vanilla extract or lemon zest can be lovely. Just be mindful not to add too much liquid, as it can alter the dough consistency.
I hope this 2 Ingredient Donuts Recipe brings a little bit of simple, delicious joy to your kitchen. It’s such an easy way to whip up a warm, comforting treat. Give them a try, and let me know how they turn out – I’d love to hear about your donut adventures!
Print2 Ingredient Donuts Recipe
Whip up these incredibly easy, fluffy, and golden donuts with just two simple ingredients and a delicious cinnamon sugar coating.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 12-15 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cups / 190g Self Raising Flour
- 1 Cup / 250ml Greek Yogurt
- Oil for Frying
- 1/4 Cup / 50g White Granulated Sugar
- 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Fill a heavy based pot with about 3 inches of oil.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 180°C (350°F).
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour and Greek yogurt.
- Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Tip the dough out onto a floured surface.
- Knead the dough for about 1 minute until all the flour has been incorporated and the dough is smooth.
- Using a small spoon, take about a tablespoon's worth of dough.
- Roll the dough into a ball.
- Continue rolling balls until you have used all of the dough.
- Check the oil temperature with a thermometer (180°C or 350°F) or by frying one test donut.
- Fry the donuts in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Cook each batch for about 2-3 minutes, until they puff up and turn golden brown.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts from the oil.
- Drain the fried donuts on paper towels or a wire rack for about 1 minute.
- In a separate bowl, combine the 1/4 cup white granulated sugar and 2 tsp ground cinnamon.
- Transfer the warm donuts to the bowl with the cinnamon sugar.
- Toss the donuts gently while they are still warm to coat them evenly.
Notes
Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the best texture and moisture.
Do not overcrowd the frying pot; fry in small batches for even cooking.
Ensure oil is at the correct temperature (180°C/350°F) for perfectly cooked, non-greasy donuts.
Coat donuts in cinnamon sugar immediately after frying while they are still warm for optimal adhesion.


