Crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside, and rolled in cinnamon sugar — this 2 ingredient donuts recipe is genuinely one of those “wait, that’s it?” moments in the kitchen. I made these on a lazy Sunday and honestly could not believe how good they turned out.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This 2 Ingredient Donuts Recipe
No yeast. No waiting. No mixer. Just two simple ingredients — self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt — and you’ve got a dough that comes together in minutes.
These little golden bites are crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy center. Tossed in warm cinnamon sugar, they taste like something from a bakery window. And they’re done in under 20 minutes flat.
They’re also endlessly riffable. Once you nail the base two ingredient doughnut recipe, the variations are limitless. More on that later.
2 Ingredient Donuts
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Heavy-based pot
- Slotted spoon
- Thermometer (optional)
- Wire rack or paper towels
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 ½ cups self-raising flour
- 1 cup Greek yoghurt full-fat preferred
Frying
- neutral oil enough for 3 inches in pot
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy pot to about 180°C (350°F), ensuring it is deep enough for frying.
- In a mixing bowl, combine self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 1 minute until smooth and slightly tacky.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into small balls.
- Test the oil by frying one piece; it should sizzle and turn golden in 60–90 seconds.
- Fry donut balls in batches for 2–3 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
- While still warm, toss donuts in cinnamon sugar until fully coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need. Short list — I told you.
| Category | Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dough | Self-Raising Flour | 1 1/2 Cups / 190g |
| Dough | Greek Yoghurt | 1 Cup / 250ml |
| Frying | Oil (neutral, for frying) | Enough for 3 inches in pot |
| Cinnamon Sugar Coating | White Granulated Sugar | 1/4 Cup / 50g |
| Cinnamon Sugar Coating | Ground Cinnamon | 2 tsp |
A note on the yoghurt: Full-fat Greek yoghurt gives the best texture. Low-fat versions can make the dough a little sticky and harder to work with.
How to Make 2 Ingredient Donuts Step by Step
Let’s walk through this together. It’s easier than you think — I promise.
Step 1: Heat the Oil
Pour oil into a heavy-based pot until it’s about 3 inches deep. Heat it over medium-high heat. While it’s warming up, you’ll have just enough time to make the dough.
Don’t rush this part. Oil that isn’t hot enough leads to greasy, sad donuts. The goal is a sizzling, confident fry.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt. Stir until a shaggy dough starts to form. It’ll look a bit rough at first — that’s totally normal.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about a minute until everything is smooth and the flour is fully incorporated. Don’t over-knead — you’re not making bread here.
“The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. If it’s sticking to your hands, just dust a little more flour on the surface.”
Step 3: Shape the Donuts
Using a small spoon, scoop out roughly a tablespoon of dough at a time. Roll each piece between your palms into a smooth ball. They don’t need to be perfect — rustic is part of the charm.
Keep going until you’ve used up all the dough. You should end up with around 15–18 little donut balls depending on how generous your spoonfuls are.
Step 4: Test Your Oil Temperature
This step matters more than people think. Use a kitchen thermometer if you have one — you’re aiming for 180C / 350F. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop one donut ball in and watch it.
If it sizzles immediately and starts to turn golden within 60–90 seconds, you’re good to go. If it just sits there looking sad, give the oil more time.
Step 5: Fry in Batches
Gently lower the donut balls into the hot oil in small batches — don’t crowd the pan or the temperature will drop. Fry for about 2–3 minutes, turning occasionally.
You’re looking for that gorgeous deep golden-brown color on all sides. The donuts will puff up and float as they cook, which is honestly one of the most satisfying things to watch.
Step 6: Drain and Coat
Use a slotted spoon to lift the donuts out of the oil. Let them drain on paper towels or a wire rack for about a minute — this keeps them from getting soggy.
While they’re still warm, toss them straight into the bowl of cinnamon sugar. Give them a good roll until they’re fully coated. The warmth helps the sugar stick perfectly. These are best eaten right away while they’re still warm and crispy.
If you love simple desserts like these, you’ll also want to check out these mini Oreo cheesecakes — another crowd-pleaser that comes together with barely any effort.
Expert Tips for the Best Two Ingredient Doughnut Recipe
Get the Oil Temperature Right
Too cool and the donuts absorb oil and turn greasy. Too hot and they brown on the outside before cooking through. Aim for that sweet spot of 180C / 350F and maintain it throughout frying.
If you’re frying multiple batches, give the oil a minute between each one to come back up to temperature.
Don’t Skip the Knead
One minute of kneading makes a real difference. It activates the gluten just enough to give the donuts that chewy, satisfying bite instead of crumbling apart.
Use Full-Fat Greek Yoghurt
It gives a richer flavor and a dough that’s much easier to handle. Avoid low-fat or flavored varieties here — plain, thick, full-fat is the move.
Keep Them Warm Before Coating
Coat the donuts in cinnamon sugar immediately after draining. The residual heat helps the coating stick and creates that irresistible caramelized, crackly exterior.
Variations and Twists
2 Ingredient Baked Donut Recipe
Want to skip the frying? You can bake these instead. Shape the dough into rings or balls, place on a lined baking sheet, and bake at 190C / 375F for about 12–15 minutes until golden.
The texture is slightly different — more bready than crispy — but still absolutely delicious. This 2 ingredient baked donut recipe is a great option if you’re cooking for kids or just want a lighter result.
Coating Variations
Cinnamon sugar is classic, but you’ve got options. Try rolling them in powdered sugar for a simple snow-dusted look. Or go all in with a chocolate glaze. A little drizzle of honey also works beautifully.
Add Flavor to the Dough
A teaspoon of vanilla extract stirred into the yoghurt adds a lovely warmth. You could also mix in a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a slightly spiced dough recipe that feels a little more grown-up.
For another fun minimal-ingredient treat, try these 3-ingredient Lucky Charms treats — super simple and just as satisfying.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Dough Too Sticky
If the dough is sticking badly to your hands or the counter, add flour a tablespoon at a time until it becomes manageable. This can happen if your yoghurt is on the runnier side.
Donuts Too Dense
Over-kneading the dough is usually the culprit. Remember — just about a minute is all you need. Too much kneading tightens the gluten and makes the donuts tough and heavy.
Burning on the Outside, Raw Inside
Your oil is too hot. Lower the heat and let the temperature settle back to 180C before continuing. You want a steady, consistent sizzle — not a raging fry.
Not Puffing Up
This usually means the oil wasn’t hot enough when the donuts went in. Make sure to test with a thermometer or a single test donut before frying the whole batch.
Storage Instructions
| Storage Method | Container | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Airtight container | Up to 1 day |
| Refrigerator | Airtight container | Up to 3 days |
| Freezer | Zip-lock bag or freezer-safe container | Up to 1 month |
How to Reheat
The best way to bring these back to life is in the air fryer at 170C for 3–4 minutes. They get crispy again like magic. An oven at 180C for about 5 minutes also works great.
Avoid the microwave if you can — it makes them soft and a little rubbery. If it’s your only option, 20–30 seconds is all they need.
No-Waste Kitchen Ideas
If your donuts have gone slightly stale, chop them up and use them as a topping for ice cream or yoghurt parfaits. They also make a surprisingly good base for a quick bread pudding with a drizzle of vanilla custard.
Leftover cinnamon sugar mix? Save it in a jar — it’s perfect for sprinkling on toast, oatmeal, or stirring into coffee.
2 Ingredient Donuts Recipe FAQs
Can I use regular flour instead of self-raising flour?
Regular all-purpose flour won’t give you the same result on its own. You’d need to add a leavening agent — about 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder per cup of flour. Self-raising flour is the easiest shortcut for this donut recipe.
What oil is best for frying these donuts?
Any neutral, high-smoke-point oil works well — vegetable oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil are all great choices. Avoid olive oil for frying as the flavor is too strong and the smoke point is lower.
Can I make these ahead of time?
These are honestly best fresh out of the oil. However, you can prep the dough a few hours ahead, cover it with cling film, and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to fry. Just let it come to room temperature for 10 minutes first.
Are these the same as air fryer donuts?
Same dough, different method. If you want to try the 2 ingredient baked donut recipe version in the air fryer, shape them, lightly spray with oil, and air fry at 180C for about 8–10 minutes. The result is less crispy but still really tasty.
What can I serve with these donuts?
They’re amazing on their own with the cinnamon sugar coating, but a small bowl of jam, Nutella, or caramel dipping sauce takes them to another level. For a fresh contrast, serve alongside this strawberry Dole Whip — the combination is seriously dreamy.
More Easy Recipes You’ll Love
If this two ingredient doughnut recipe has you on a “why did I not make this sooner” kick, you’re going to want to try this lemon blueberry bread next.
It has that same “simple ingredients, big reward” energy. And if you need something savory to balance out all these sweet treats, this one-pan creamy Tuscan chicken is weeknight dinner perfection.
Try This Recipe and Share Your Results
Seriously, make these this weekend. They take less than 20 minutes start to finish, use ingredients you probably already have, and they disappear way faster than you’d expect.
If you try this 2 ingredient donuts recipe, I’d love to know how it went. Leave a comment below with any tweaks you made or coatings you tried. And if you loved them, please share this recipe on Pinterest — it helps more people find simple, delicious ideas like this one.
Happy frying!
