Old Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Recipe

Name: Old Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 3/4 cup buttermilk; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled); 2 large eggs plus one egg yolk; 6 cups vegetable oil; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/3 cup water

Published by Melissa on March 26, 2023 | Updated March 13, 2025 | 104 Comments

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This buttermilk donut recipe creates the most tender, perfectly crispy donuts you’ll ever make at home. The tangy buttermilk ensures a light, fluffy interior while the quick fry gives them that irresistible golden-brown crust.

A close-up of glazed donuts, possibly inspired by a buttermilk donut recipe, with white icing in the foreground. Behind the donuts, a glass jar filled with milk complements the scene. The softly blurred background highlights these delectable treats and creamy milk.

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These donuts are crisp on the outside but tender and moist on the inside with a sweet glaze that you’ll want to lick off your fingers.

An old-fashioned donut was never my first choice at a donut shop. Recently, though I’ve fallen in love with old fashioned buttermilk donuts, and these are now a close favorite along with fall-flavored pumpkin donuts.

Simple pantry ingredients transform into magic in this classic recipe, handed down through generations of home bakers. The secret lies not just in the buttermilk, but in letting the dough rest just long enough for the gluten to relax, resulting in donuts that practically melt in your mouth rather than turning tough or chewy!

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Why You’ll Love This Buttermilk Donut Recipe
Ingredients
How to Make Old Fashioned Buttermilk Donuts
Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips
Serving Suggestions
How to Store Leftovers
Delicious Donut Recipes You Should Try
Old Fashioned Buttermilk Donut Recipe

Three glazed donuts are stacked on a cutting board with a white and brown checker pattern, reminiscent of a King Arthur Brownie. A glass of milk is blurred in the background. The top donut has a light, glossy icing.

Why You’ll Love This Buttermilk Donut Recipe

Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is likely already in your pantry – flour, buttermilk, eggs, and basic baking staples mean no special shopping trips required.
Customizable Toppings: Endless options for glazes, sugars, and sprinkles, allowing for creativity and personalization. Whether you prefer a classic sugar coating or a decadent chocolate drizzle, you can tailor these donuts to your taste.
Crowd Pleaser: Whether you’re serving kids or adults, these classic donuts hit all the right notes – crispy exterior, tender inside, and that nostalgic homemade taste that store-bought can’t match.
Irresistible Flavor: The buttermilk adds a tangy richness, resulting in donuts that are tender, moist, and perfectly balanced. The subtle tang pairs beautifully with sweet toppings, creating a flavor that’s hard to resist.

🍩 Apple cider donuts are one of those things you just have to make when the leaves start turning—it’s like a rule, but way more delicious.

Ingredients

Flour
Sugar
Baking powder
Baking soda
Ground nutmeg
Buttermilk
Unsalted butter
Eggs
Vegetable oil
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Old Fashioned Buttermilk Donuts

In a large mixing bowl, mix together 1 cup of flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
In small mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk, butter, and eggs. Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix on medium speed for about 30 seconds.
With speed on low, gradually mix in the remaining flour a little at a time. Add more or less flour as necessary to make a soft dough that is moist and slightly tacky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
Place oil in a Dutch oven and heat to 375°.
Prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, vanilla and water until smooth. Add additional powdered sugar or water if necessary for a thin glaze.
On a lightly floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll out the dough to ½ inch thick. Use a floured donut cutter or a large and a small biscuit cutter to cut out the donuts and donut holes. Gather scraps together and roll out again to cut more donuts. Lightly score the donuts three times, making a triangle in the ring of the donut to help create the “petals”.
Cook several donuts at a time scored side up, flipping them over as they rise to the surface and turn golden brown, about a minute per side. Drain on a wire rack. Before frying another batch, make sure oil temperature has returned to 375° and cut one open to make sure they are cooked through. The exteriors should be deep brown and light and not doughy.
Remove the donuts from the oil and set them on the rack to drain and cool slightly.
While still warm, dip the donuts, petals side down, into the glaze. Swirl the donut in the glaze a little, then pick it up and let the excess glaze dribble back into the bowl.
Return the glazed donut to the rack to let the glaze dry.
Repeat the process until all donuts and donut holes have been cooked and glazed.

Seven donuts topped with a white glaze are displayed in a close arrangement on a white surface, showcasing a tempting delight that could rival any King Arthur brownie recipe in its irresistible appeal.

Recipe FAQs

Can I bake these donuts instead of frying them?

Yes, but baking will produce a different texture. This buttermilk donut recipe uses frying as the cooking method, which creates the signature crispy exterior that old-fashioned donuts are known for. Baking will result in a softer, cake-like donut.

How can I tell when the oil is hot enough?

Making sure your oil is at the correct temperature is the key to successfully frying donuts. An instant-read thermometer is an essential tool to make sure the oil is back up to temperature between rounds of donuts.

What is the difference between a cake donut and an old fashioned donut?

These two donuts vary greatly in appearance but also how they are cooked. Old fashioned donuts are fried at a lower temperature and produce a bumpy, cracked surface that also resembles petals of a flower — this buttermilk donut recipe will result in super yummy old-fashioned donuts!

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it, tightly covered, for up to 12 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before rolling and cutting. This can save time in the morning and even enhance the flavor as the ingredients meld together

Two glazed donuts are stacked, with a bite taken out of the top one, revealing its fluffy texture reminiscent of a King Arthur brownie. Other donuts are blurred in the background, alongside a hint of a milk jar, creating a cozy and inviting scene.

Expert Tips

Don’t Skip Scoring: Lightly scoring the tops of the donuts before frying helps create the iconic “petal” shape and provides extra crispy edges.
Work in Small Batches: Fry only a few donuts at a time to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can drop the oil temperature and result in uneven frying.
Glaze While Warm: Dip the donuts in glaze while they’re still warm to ensure an even coating that sets beautifully with a shiny finish. Use a cooling rack for glazing as it allows excess oil to drip off and prevents the donuts from becoming soggy.
Keep the Dough Chilled: If the dough becomes too soft or sticky while working with it, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. Chilled dough is easier to handle and helps the donuts hold their shape better during frying.

top view of circular glazed old fashioned donuts on a drying rack.

Serving Suggestions

These buttermilk donuts are best served fresh and warm for the ultimate indulgence. Pair them with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, a glass of cold milk, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.

For a fun twist, set up a DIY donut bar with an assortment of toppings like chocolate glaze, caramel drizzle, sprinkles, or crushed nuts, allowing everyone to customize their own.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If glazed, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

For longer storage, freeze unglazed donuts in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in the oven or microwave for a few seconds to restore their freshness.

Delicious Donut Recipes You Should Try

If you enjoyed this old fashioned donut recipe, you’ll sure love these recipes.

Baked Cake Donuts are light, fluffy, and perfect for a quick breakfast or dessert without the hassle of frying.
Warm, cozy, and packed with flavor, Banana Bread Cinnamon Chip Donuts combine the best of banana bread and donuts in every bite.
Indulge in the decadent goodness of Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtle Donuts, a rich combination of chocolate, caramel, and crunchy pecans.
For a simple but irresistible classic, try the Chocolate Glazed Donuts, featuring a smooth and shiny chocolate coating that melts in your mouth.

A stack of old-fashioned donuts with white icing, one with a bite taken out, on a white background. The text reads Old Fashioned Donuts and BarbaraBakes.com.

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