What are Chinese buffet donuts?

Chinese buffet donuts, also called Chinese sugar donuts, are bite-sized, deep-fried dough balls found at the dessert tables of American Chinese restaurants and buffets. They feature a crispy golden exterior and a soft, airy inside, generously coated in granulated white sugar. This version adapts the traditional Chinese "you tiao," a long fried dough stick eaten for breakfast. Unlike classic donuts with holes, these are solid rounds perfect for quick snacking. They're popular for their simple, addictive sweet crunch and pair well with coffee or tea. Expect about 100-150 calories per donut, depending on size and coating.

What ingredients do I need for homemade Chinese sugar donuts?

The simplest recipe uses just three main items: one can (10-12 biscuits) of refrigerated canned biscuits like Pillsbury, 1 cup granulated white sugar for coating, and 4-6 cups vegetable oil (or canola) for frying. No yeast or rising time needed—the canned dough puffs up perfectly when fried. This yields 10-12 donuts. For best results, choose flaky-style biscuits. Prep takes under 5 minutes, with frying adding another 10-15. Sugar sticks best to warm donuts, creating that signature crunchy shell. Scale up for parties by using multiple cans.

How do you make Chinese buffet donuts at home?

Heat 3-4 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep pot or fryer using a thermometer. Separate canned biscuits into rounds (no need to cut holes). Fry 3-4 at a time for 1-1.5 minutes per side until deep golden brown, turning once. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain briefly (10-20 seconds). While hot, roll in a bowl of granulated sugar to coat evenly. Cool on a wire rack. Total time: 20 minutes. Maintain oil temp between batches to avoid greasy results. Serve warm for peak crispiness—makes 10-12 donuts.

How should I store and reheat Chinese sugar donuts?

Enjoy Chinese sugar donuts fresh for the best crispy texture and flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 48 hours; avoid refrigeration, as it makes them soggy. For parties, fry 1-2 hours ahead and keep covered loosely. Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for 60 seconds to restore crunch, or a 350°F oven/toaster oven for 6-8 minutes. Microwave for 10-15 seconds if you prefer softer donuts, but it reduces crispiness. Freezing alters texture, so skip it. Proper storage keeps them tasting buffet-fresh.

Why are my homemade Chinese donuts greasy and how do I fix it?

Greasy donuts usually mean the oil temperature dropped below 350°F, causing dough to absorb oil instead of frying quickly. Fix by using a deep-fry thermometer to hold steady at 350°F—test with a scrap dough piece first. Fry in small batches (3-4 max) to avoid crowding and temp drops. Drain on paper towels immediately after frying, and roll in sugar while warm to seal the surface. Pat biscuits dry before frying if needed. Result: light, non-greasy donuts every time. Common with first batches; adjust heat as you go for perfect buffet-style treats.

Chinese Buffet Donuts: Easy Recipe To Make At Home

Name: Chinese Buffet Donuts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: – 1 can (10 count) refrigerated canned biscuits for dough; – 1/2 cup granulated white sugar for coating; – 4-6 cups vegetable oil for deep frying

Ingredients

– 1 can (10 count) refrigerated canned biscuits for dough

– 1/2 cup granulated white sugar for coating

– 4-6 cups vegetable oil for deep frying

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Instructions

1-First Step: Preparation and Setup Begin by gathering all your ingredients and equipment. You’ll need a deep pot or Dutch oven, a kitchen thermometer, a slotted spoon or spider strainer, paper towels, and a shallow bowl for the sugar. Open the can of refrigerated biscuits and separate them into individual rounds. Do not cut holes in the centers these donuts are solid rounds, unlike traditional American donuts with holes.

2-Second Step: Heating the Oil Pour 4-6 cups of vegetable oil into your pot, aiming for about 3-4 inches of depth. Heat the oil to exactly 350°F (175°C). This temperature is critical too cold and the donuts will absorb too much oil, becoming greasy; too hot and they’ll burn on the outside before cooking through. Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain this temperature throughout the cooking process.

3-Third Step: Frying the Donuts Once the oil reaches the correct temperature, carefully drop 3-4 biscuit rounds into the hot oil. Avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the oil temperature to drop dramatically. Fry the donuts for 1 to 1.5 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Use your slotted spoon to gently flip them halfway through. Watch carefully, as they can go from golden to burned quickly.

4-Fourth Step: Draining and Sugar Coating Remove the donuts with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain for just 10-20 seconds. While still warm, immediately roll each donut in the bowl of granulated sugar, ensuring complete coverage. The residual heat helps the sugar adhere perfectly, creating that signature sweet coating. Place the sugared donuts on a wire rack to cool slightly.

5-Final Step: Serving These Chinese Buffet Donuts are best served warm for the optimal balance of crispy exterior and soft interior. They make an excellent dessert or snack, especially when paired with vanilla ice cream, fresh fruit, or simply enjoyed with hot coffee or tea. For a complete Chinese buffet experience at home, serve them alongside your favorite Chinese dishes as the perfect sweet ending to your meal.

Last Step:

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Notes

🌡️ Monitor oil precisely at 350°F—too low makes greasy, too high burns them.
🚫 Fry small batches only to keep oil hot and donuts crispy.
🔥 Coat in sugar right away while piping hot for perfect sticky adherence.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Deep Fried
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: 293 kcal
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 435mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg