Homemade Doughnut Recipes for Kids

Q: Can I make doughnut holes with this recipe?

Yes. Save the centers from each cut doughnut and fry them just like the larger doughnuts. Doughnut holes are perfect for glazing, rolling in cinnamon sugar, or dipping in chocolate.

Homemade doughnuts are a fun yeast dough project for kids who are ready to practice measuring, proofing yeast, rolling dough, cutting shapes, glazing, and decorating. Adults should always handle the hot oil, while kids can help with the dough, glaze, toppings, and creative finishing.

Whether you spell it doughnut or donut, this recipe is a delicious way to introduce young bakers to yeast dough. Kids can watch the dough rise, roll it out, cut doughnut shapes, mix a simple glaze, and decorate with sprinkles, coconut, nuts, chocolate, or other favorite toppings.

Because these doughnuts are fried, this is a supervised family cooking activity. Let children handle the safe jobs, then have an adult fry the doughnuts and transfer them to a cooling rack before kids glaze and decorate.

Start Here: Homemade Doughnut Lesson

New to yeast dough? → Start by learning how to mix and proof doughnut dough.
Practicing dough skills? → Kids can help roll, cut, and shape doughnuts.
Using hot oil? → Review doughnut frying safety before cooking.
Ready to decorate? → Try the simple doughnut glaze and topping ideas.
Want a filled doughnut? → See the jelly and cream doughnut ideas.
Make it a book activity → Pair this recipe with the If You Give a Dog a Donut cook-with-books activity.

Kids Cooking Activities Teaching Materials

Teaching kids to cook? Save time with ready-made lesson plans used by parents and teachers. Browse teaching materials →

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Homemade Yeast Doughnut Recipe

This homemade doughnut recipe starts with a soft yeast dough. Kids can help proof the yeast, mix the dough, roll it out, cut doughnut shapes, make the glaze, and add toppings. An adult should always handle the frying.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105-115 F)
Pinch of sugar
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening
5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
Oil for frying

Directions

In a glass measuring cup, combine the yeast and warm water. Sprinkle with a pinch of sugar and set aside until the yeast becomes foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, salt, eggs, and shortening.
Add 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth.
Pour in the proofed yeast mixture.
Add the remaining flour gradually and mix until the dough forms a soft ball.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for several minutes until smooth.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rest for about 30 minutes.

Rolling & Cutting Doughnuts

After the dough has rested, kids can help roll it out and cut the doughnuts. This is one of the best hands-on parts of the recipe because children can practice using a rolling pin, cutting even shapes, and gently moving the dough to a baking sheet.

How to Shape Doughnuts

Lightly flour your work surface.
Place the dough on the floured surface.
Roll the dough into a large rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters to cut doughnut shapes.
Save the centers to make doughnut holes.
Place the cut doughnuts on a lightly floured or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Gather the scraps, gently reroll, and cut more doughnuts until the dough is used.
Cover the cut doughnuts and let them rise for about 30 minutes before frying.

Kid Job

Children can roll the dough, press the cutter, move doughnut holes to the tray, and help count how many doughnuts were made. Remind kids to press straight down with the cutter instead of twisting, which can seal the edges and affect how the doughnuts rise.

Doughnut Frying Safety for Kids

Frying doughnuts is exciting, but hot oil can cause serious burns. Children should help with the dough preparation, glazing, and decorating, while an adult handles the frying. This lets kids enjoy making homemade doughnuts while keeping the activity safe.

Before Frying

Prepare the glaze, toppings, cooling rack, and paper towels before heating the oil. Having everything ready helps the frying process go smoothly and safely.

Adult Job

An adult should heat the oil, carefully lower the doughnuts into the fryer or pan, turn them while cooking, and remove them from the hot oil.

Kid Jobs

Kids can watch the doughnuts puff up, mix the glaze, measure toppings, decorate the cooled doughnuts, and help with cleanup after the oil has cooled.

Cooling

Allow the doughnuts to drain on paper towels and cool for several minutes before glazing or decorating. Warm doughnuts hold the glaze best, but they should not be too hot to handle.

Adult frying homemade doughnuts while kids observe safely

Frying the Doughnuts

Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350F.
Carefully lower a few doughnuts into the hot oil without overcrowding the pan.
Fry for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until both sides are golden brown.
Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove the doughnuts from the oil.
Place them on paper towels or a wire rack to drain any excess oil.
Allow the doughnuts to cool slightly before dipping them into glaze or adding toppings.

Kitchen Science

As the doughnuts fry, the water inside the dough turns to steam while the yeast-created air pockets expand. This makes the doughnuts light, fluffy, and golden brown.

Working with Dough Cooking Camp

Want a complete printable dough lesson? This camp includes bread, rolls, pizza dough, pretzels, and more hands-on dough activities for kids.

Homemade Doughnut Glaze & Decorating Ideas

Once the doughnuts have cooled for a few minutes, it's time for everyone's favorite part-decorating! Kids can dip the warm doughnuts into a simple vanilla glaze or experiment with chocolate, maple, or colorful frostings. Finish each doughnut with fun toppings to create your own bakery-style treats.