The best chocolate-glazed donut recipe—light, fluffy, and perfect for a holiday breakfast or a weekend treat. These homemade donuts are quick to make and use canned biscuit dough for an easy shortcut. Ready in minutes and delicious every time.
If you love baking during the holidays, this chocolate-glazed donut recipe is a must-try. It’s a family favorite for Christmas morning, but simple enough to enjoy any day. The donuts are tasty, straightforward, and perfect for a festive breakfast or an easy dessert.
These donuts are soft and airy inside with a rich dark chocolate glaze on top. Using canned biscuit dough keeps things fast without losing that classic fried-donut flavor. With minimal ingredients and a quick cook time, this recipe is a great go-to when you want a special treat without a long time in the kitchen.
This recipe is ideal for cooks of all skill levels and makes a fun activity for families when the frying is handled by an adult. Below you’ll find ingredients, tools, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips to get the best results.
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Grands flaky biscuits (16.3 oz)
- About 3 oz dark chocolate (or milk/semisweet/white, if preferred)
- Sprinkles (optional)
- Vegetable oil for frying (enough for 1″ depth in your pan)
Kitchen Tools
- Large deep skillet or pan
- Slotted spoon or spider (a fork can work but be cautious with hot oil)
- Candy thermometer (recommended to monitor oil temperature)
- Cooling rack and/or paper towels
How to Make Donuts Using Biscuits
- Prepare the dough: Open the biscuit can and roll each biscuit flat on a cutting board. Use a small round cutter or a bottle cap to press a hole in the center of each biscuit to form the donut. Save the centers to fry as donut holes.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet so it’s at least 1 inch deep. Heat over medium until it reaches 375°F (190°C). A candy thermometer helps keep the temperature steady.
- Fry the donuts: Fry 2–3 donuts at a time. Cook about 30 seconds on the first side, flip, and fry another 20–30 seconds until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a cooling rack or paper towels. Fry the donut holes as well until golden.
- Glaze the donuts: Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Let the donuts cool for 5 minutes, then dip the top into the melted chocolate, lift, and let excess drip off. Add sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet if desired.
Pro Tips
Test your oil: Use a candy thermometer or drop in a donut hole to check. It should bubble immediately and begin to color. If it soaks up oil, it’s too cool; if it browns too fast, it’s too hot.
Caution — hot oil: Frying can be dangerous. Keep children away from the stove and handle hot oil carefully.
Use the right bowl: A shallow, wide bowl makes dipping easier and neater.
Cool before glazing: Let donuts rest for at least 5 minutes so the chocolate adheres properly and doesn’t run off.
Common Questions
Store leftover chocolate-glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They can be eaten cold or warmed for 8–10 seconds in the microwave to soften.
Yes—wrap donuts in foil or place in a freezer bag and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave.
More Holiday Sweets
Try other festive treats for the season—cookies, edible cookie dough, or holiday bark make great companions to these donuts.
Christmas Tradition
These chocolate-glazed donuts were a special holiday treat in my family—my mom would make them on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, and they became a memory I still cherish. The secret is the canned biscuit shortcut, which makes it easy to enjoy fresh fried donuts early in the morning without spending hours in the kitchen.
This recipe is fast, kid-friendly (with adult supervision for frying), and perfect for keeping the focus on family time instead of a complicated breakfast. I still make them every year and hope they bring the same joy to your holidays.
Happy Eating!
Chocolate Glazed Donut Recipe
Caitlyn Erhardt
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Ingredients
- 1 16.3 oz can Pillsbury Grands flaky biscuits
- 3 oz Dark chocolate, melted
- Sprinkles Optional
- 7 cups Vegetable oil* For frying (adjust as needed)
Instructions
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Pour vegetable oil into a large deep skillet and heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C).
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While the oil heats, use a bottle cap or small round cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit. Reserve centers for donut holes.
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Fry 2–3 donuts at a time for about 30 seconds on the first side, flip, then fry 20–30 seconds more until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a rack. Repeat with remaining dough and the donut holes.
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Melt chocolate in 20-second microwave intervals, stirring until smooth. Once donuts have cooled for a few minutes, dip the top into the chocolate, let excess drip off, and add sprinkles if desired. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Leftover Storage: Store at room temperature in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Freezer Option: Freeze wrapped donuts up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave briefly to reheat.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 31 g
Protein: 4.5 g
Fat: 18.8 g