Light, airy, and perfectly sweet, these sourdough donut holes are a delicious way to use up your starter! The subtle tang of sourdough enhances the flavor, making them even more addictive. Whether you fry them for a crispy, classic texture or bake them for a lighter treat, these little bites are perfect for rolling in cinnamon sugar or drizzling with glaze. Enjoy them fresh, warm, and straight from the kitchen!
Ingredients
Dough:
- ½ cup (120g) sourdough starter (active or discard)
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, warm
- 2 tbsp (30g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp (30g) melted butter
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
Frying:
- 3 cups vegetable oil
Coating:
- ½ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon (for rolling)
- OR powdered sugar for dusting
Tools Needed:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Rolling pin
- Small round cutter (1-inch wide) or bottle cap
- Deep pan
- Baking sheet + parchment paper (for baking option)
- Thermometer (for frying oil temperature)
- Tongs
- Paper towels (for draining)
Instructions
1. Make the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together sourdough starter, warm milk, sugar, vanilla, egg, and melted butter.
- Add flour, salt, and baking powder and mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover and let the dough rest for 30-60 minutes (optional, but enhances flavor).
2. Shape the Donut Holes
- Lightly flour a surface and use a rolling pin to roll the dough to ½-inch thickness.
- Use a small round cutter (or bottle cap) to cut out 1-inch rounds.
- Roll leftover dough together and repeat until all is used.
Frying Method (Classic & Crispy)
- In a deep pan or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) (use a thermometer).
- Fry a few donut holes at a time, flipping with tongs or chopsticks, until golden brown (about 2 minutes per side).
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Baking Method (Lighter & Still Delicious!)
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange donut holes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush with melted butter and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
Final Coating
- While still warm, roll in cinnamon sugar or dust with powdered sugar.
Optional Additions
⭐ Fill them! Use a piping bag to inject jam, Nutella, or vanilla custard.
⭐ Glaze them! Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tbsp milk for a simple glaze.