Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to 1000 donut-industry questions.
27 results in Troubleshooting and Tips
Why are my cake donuts tough?
Your cake donuts might be tough if you overmixed the batter. You should only mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined.
Why are my donuts too greasy?
Your donuts might be too greasy if the oil temperature is too low. Try increasing the heat to make sure the oil is hot enough before you fry them.
Why are my donuts too hard?
If your donuts are too hard, you might have used too much flour in the dough. Try using a little less flour next time for a softer donut.
Why are my donuts raw inside?
If your donuts are raw inside, the oil temperature might be too high, cooking the outside too fast. Try lowering the heat to cook them all the way through.
Why did my donuts not rise?
Your donuts may not have risen if the yeast was old or the water was too hot. Always use fresh yeast and warm, not hot, water.
Why are my donuts tough?
Tough donuts are often caused by over-mixing the dough. Mix the dough just until it comes together to keep it from getting tough.
Why do my donuts have a white ring around them?
A white ring on your donuts is a good thing! It means they were proofed just right and are light and airy.
Why are my cake donuts crumbly?
Crumbly cake donuts can happen if you mix the batter too much. Mix it just until the ingredients are combined for a better texture.
Why do my donuts taste like oil?
If your donuts taste like oil, the oil might be old or not hot enough. Use fresh oil and make sure it is at the right temperature.
How to fix sticky donut dough?
If your donut dough is too sticky, you can add a little bit of flour. Add one tablespoon at a time until it is easier to handle.
How to fix dry donut dough?
If your donut dough is too dry, add a little bit of milk or water. Add a small amount and mix until the dough is soft.
Why did my donut dough not double in size?
If your dough didn't double, your yeast might not be active. Make sure your yeast is fresh and you use warm water to activate it.
Donuts are browning too fast. What should I do?
If your donuts are browning too fast, your oil is likely too hot. Turn down the heat to let them cook through without burning.
Donuts are not browning enough. What should I do?
If your donuts are not browning, your oil is probably not hot enough. Turn up the heat to get that nice golden-brown color.
How to prevent donuts from going stale?
To keep donuts from going stale, store them in an airtight container. This will keep them fresh for a day or two.
How to revive stale donuts?
You can make stale donuts soft again by warming them in the microwave for a few seconds. Just 10-15 seconds should do the trick.
Donuts are absorbing too much oil. What should I do?
If your donuts are absorbing too much oil, the oil temperature is too low. Make sure the oil is hot enough so the donuts cook quickly and don't soak up oil.
Filling is leaking out of donuts. What should I do?
To keep filling from leaking, make sure you seal the donut well after filling it. Also, don't overfill the donut, as that can cause leaks too.
Donuts are uneven in size. What should I do?
For donuts that are all the same size, try rolling out your dough to an even thickness. You can also use a donut cutter for consistent shapes.
How to prevent air bubbles in donuts?
To prevent big air bubbles, you can gently press down on the dough after it has risen. This will push out any large air pockets before you cut the donuts.
Why do my donuts have a weird taste?
A weird taste can come from old oil or ingredients that are not fresh. Always use fresh ingredients and clean oil for the best taste.
How to fix salty donuts?
If your donuts are too salty, you probably added too much salt to the dough. You can try to balance it with a sweet glaze on top.
How to fix bland donuts?
If your donuts are bland, you might need to add more sugar or vanilla to the dough. A flavorful glaze can also help add more taste.
Tips for frying in cold weather?
When frying in cold weather, it might take longer for your oil to heat up. Be patient and make sure the oil is at the right temperature before you start.
Tips for baking at high altitude?
When baking at a high altitude, you may need to use less yeast and a little more flour. The air pressure is different, which can affect how your donuts turn out.