Chocolate Doughnuts Recipe – Easy Indian-Style Fried Treats

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Chocolate Doughnuts Recipe – Easy Indian-Style Fried Treats

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, you have a serious sweet tooth. And honestly, is there anything more comforting than a warm, fluffy doughnut? I’ve been perfecting this chocolate doughnut recipe for ages, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home, and the result is so much better than anything you can buy in a store. Plus, the aroma while they’re frying? Pure magic!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These aren’t your average doughnuts. They’re soft, slightly spiced, and coated in a rich, decadent chocolate glaze. They’re perfect for a weekend treat, a special occasion, or just when you need a little pick-me-up. And the best part? They’re made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry! This recipe brings a little bit of that classic doughnut shop experience right into your Indian kitchen.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious chocolate doughnuts:

• 4 ¼ cups Maida (all-purpose flour) – about 500g
• 2 ½ teaspoons Baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons Baking soda
• ¼ cup Butter – 60g
• 2 Eggs
• ¾ cup Buttermilk – 180ml
• 1 cup Sugar – 200g
• ¾ teaspoon Cinnamon powder
• ½ teaspoon Nutmeg powder
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• Oil for deep frying

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients for a sec, because a few things can make all the difference!

• Maida Flour: We’re using maida, which gives these doughnuts that lovely soft texture. You can also use cake flour for an even lighter crumb, but maida works beautifully and is readily available.
• Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds a lovely tang and helps create a tender doughnut. If you can’t find buttermilk in India, don’t worry! You can easily make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to ¾ cup of milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg: This spice blend is key. It adds warmth and complexity to the doughnuts. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking – I love a good dose of cinnamon!
• Oil for Deep Frying: You can use any neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point. Sunflower oil, vegetable oil, or even groundnut oil work well. Just make sure you have enough for the doughnuts to float freely.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get baking (and frying!).

1. First, in a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This takes a little elbow grease, but it’s worth it!
2. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, pour in the buttermilk and mix until combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the maida, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix – a sticky dough is what we’re aiming for.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours. This is important! It allows the gluten to relax and makes the dough easier to work with.
6. Once chilled, lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about ½-inch thickness.
7. Use a 2.5-3 inch cookie cutter to cut out doughnuts. Then, use a smaller cutter to create the center holes. Re-roll the scraps and cut out more doughnuts – don’t let anything go to waste!
8. Heat the oil in a deep pan over medium heat. It should be hot enough that a small piece of dough dropped in sizzles immediately.
9. Carefully fry the doughnuts in batches for about 1.5-2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
10. Remove the doughnuts with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Now for the best part… the glaze!

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter, milk, and corn syrup together.
2. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract and chocolate until smooth.
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar, whisking until the glaze is thick and glossy.
4. Dip the warm doughnuts into the chocolate glaze, coating them completely.
5. Place the glazed doughnuts on a wire rack to set for about 30 minutes before serving.

Expert Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the pan: Frying in batches ensures the oil temperature stays consistent and the doughnuts cook evenly.
• Temperature is key: Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is between 350-375°F (175-190°C).
• Drain well: Getting rid of excess oil is crucial for light and fluffy doughnuts.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are a few ideas:

• Vegan Adaptation: Use plant-based buttermilk (soy or almond milk with lemon juice) and an egg replacer like flaxseed meal.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute the maida with a good quality gluten-free flour blend. You might need to adjust the liquid slightly.
• Spice Level: My friend Priya loves to add a pinch of cardamom to the dough for an extra fragrant twist.
• Festival Adaptations: These are amazing around Christmas and New Year’s! I often make them with festive sprinkles for a fun touch.

Serving Suggestions

These doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, with a cup of chai or coffee. They’re also fantastic as a dessert after a hearty Indian meal. My family loves them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Storage Instructions

Store leftover doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best enjoyed within the first day, though!

FAQs

Let’s answer some common questions:

• What type of Maida flour is best for doughnuts? Regular maida works perfectly! You can also use cake flour for a softer texture.
• Can I make the dough ahead of time? Absolutely! You can make the dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator.
• What is the ideal oil temperature for frying? Between 350-375°F (175-190°C) is ideal.
• How can I prevent the doughnuts from absorbing too much oil? Make sure the oil is at the correct temperature and don’t overcrowd the pan.
• Can I use a different glaze flavor instead of chocolate? Of course! Vanilla, maple, or even a simple powdered sugar glaze would be delicious.

Enjoy these delightful chocolate doughnuts! I hope they bring a little sweetness to your day. Let me know in the comments how they turn out for you!