Peanut Butter Donuts
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These Peanut Butter Donuts are about to become your new favorite. Made with pre-made biscuits and a creamy peanut butter glaze, they deliver that warm, bakery-style indulgence without the fuss. Whether you’re whipping them up for a weekend brunch or a sweet afternoon snack, this shortcut recipe brings big flavor with minimal effort.
My family loves peanut butter desserts so I am always trying to create, easy, fun recipes like my: Reese Cup Poke Cake and my Butterfinger Cupcakes. Make them for your peanut butter fans.
Why this Peanut Butter Donut Recipe Works
It’s quick enough for a weekend treat, fun enough for kids to help with, and indulgent enough to impress guests. Whether you dip or spread, every bite delivers cozy, homemade flavor with zero fuss.
- Speed and Simplicity: Using pre-made biscuit dough drastically cuts down on prep time, turning homemade donuts into an easy 20-minute treat.
- No Yeast Required: You bypass the lengthy process of kneading and proofing, making this recipe beginner-friendly.
- Nostalgic Flavor Combo: The classic pairing of fried dough and a rich, sweet peanut butter glaze is an irresistible combination that everyone loves.
- Minimal Ingredients: The ingredient list is short and relies on pantry and refrigerator staples.
- Great Weekend Fun: Frying the donuts is a quick and satisfying activity, making it a great recipe for a weekend morning treat.
Can I Bake these Donuts Instead of Frying?
Yes, you can. Arrange the donuts on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. However, the texture will be less like a traditional donut and more like a soft biscuit, lacking the classic fried crust.
Pro Tip Donuts
Keep your oil temperature steady at 350°F for perfectly golden donuts. Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer—if the oil’s too hot, the outside will brown too fast and leave the inside doughy; too cool, and the donuts absorb oil and turn greasy. Fry in small batches to maintain heat and give each donut room to crisp evenly.
Ingredient Notes for Homemade Donuts with Glaze
These doughnuts are soft and fluffy with a thick peanut butter frosting. Then they are finished with delicious crushed peanuts, perfect to satisfy your sweet tooth. There is no need for a lot of wet ingredients or dry ingredients to make a donut batter, These are super simple.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Pre-made biscuits: They offer a shortcut to a light and fluffy, golden donuts without the need for yeast or rising time—perfect for quick prep.
- Melted peanut butter: Adds rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture to the glaze, making each bite feel decadent.
- Crushed peanuts: Bring crunch and visual appeal, turning a simple glaze into a bakery-worthy topping.
Variations and Substitutions to Make the Donuts
It is so easy to change up these donuts. Try making them light a peanut butter cup and use a chocolate glaze. A chocolate peanut butter donut is always a hit.
- Pre-made Biscuits: Pre-made pizza dough (cut with a donut cutter), Frozen dinner rolls (thawed)Pizza dough gives a slightly chewier texture.
- Peanut Butter Glaze: Nutella (melted), 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (melted), 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)Substitute with other melted spreads or use a chocolate glaze.
- Peanut Garnish: Mini chocolate chips, Finely chopped pretzels, Rainbow sprinkles, Sea salt flakesUse any fun topping that pairs well with peanut butter.
- Powdered Sugar: Omit and use 1/2 cup melted marshmallow fluff insteadCreates a sticky, chewy, marshmallow-peanut butter glaze.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Peanut Butter Donuts
To make a fluffy peanut butter donut you will need a few handy tools. No donut pan just a few handy things.
- Dutch Oven or Deep Pot: Necessary for safely holding the 3-4 inches of oil required for frying.
- Candy/Frying Thermometer: Absolutely essential for monitoring the oil temperature. If the oil is too cool, the donuts will be greasy; if too hot, they will burn outside and be raw inside.
- Cooling Rack and Baking Tray: The rack allows excess oil to drip off, ensuring the donuts aren’t soggy.
- Donut Cutter or Cookie Cutter Set: To cut the centers out of the biscuits.
How to Make Peanut Butter Donuts with Glaze
You will be making these donuts every Sunday morning for an unforgettable treat for your family and friends.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep & Heat Oil: Set a cooling rack over a baking tray. Heat oil in a Dutch oven to 350°F using a candy thermometer.
- Shape & Fry Donuts: Cut out the center of each biscuit and stretch slightly to widen. Fry one at a time for 1 minute per side until golden. Transfer to the cooling rack.
- Make the Glaze: Microwave peanut butter for 25 seconds. Stir in sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1–2 tablespoons of milk until thick and spreadable.
- Glaze & Garnish: Dip each donut or spread glaze onto each donut, then top with crushed peanuts if desired. Let set on the rack until the glaze forms before serving.
Prep Ahead Suggestions
These peanut butter flavor donuts can be prepped ahead.
- Glaze Ingredients: Measure out and mix the dry powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract ahead of time. Keep the peanut butter separate. Combine and melt the peanut butter just before dipping the donuts.
- The Dough: You can pop the biscuit can open and cut out the donut shapes up to 30 minutes before frying. Place the raw cut donuts on a parchment-lined tray and cover lightly.
- Garnish Prep: Crush the peanuts or prepare your desired toppings ahead of time, as you need to press them onto the glaze immediately after dipping.
Alternate Cooking Methods – Baked Peanut Butter Donuts
Not a fan of frying? Then you can bake the donuts or use your air fryer for a smaller batch.
- Baked Donuts: Arrange cut donuts on a parchment paper lined sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until golden. Glaze and serve.Less fat, but the texture is much softer and more bready.
- Air Fryer: Spray the donuts lightly with oil. Place in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd). Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
How to Store and Use Leftovers
Fresh is always best with baked goods but if you need to store here are a few ways to do it.
- Store: Place the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.Refrigeration will cause the dough to dry out quickly and the glaze to harden.
- .Use Leftovers: Donut Bread Pudding: Cube leftover glazed donuts and use them in place of bread for a rich, sweet bread pudding. Parfait Layer: Crumble the leftover donuts and layer them with whipped cream and fruit in a glass.
Common Questions These Peanut Butter Glaze
Do not waste them! Fry the donut holes just like the donuts, but they will cook much faster (about 30-45 seconds per side). Glaze them and serve them as “munchkins.”
It’s not recommended for the glaze. Natural peanut butter (the kind that separates) tends to seize up or remain too liquid when mixed into a glaze. Use a standard creamy peanut butter for the best consistency.
Expert Recipe Tips for Peanut Butter Donuts
- Maintain Oil Temperature: The 350°F temperature is non-negotiable for a perfect donut. If the temperature drops (which it will when you add dough), give it time to recover before adding the next donut. Fry one at a time to keep the oil steady.
- Sift the Powdered Sugar: Sifting the powdered sugar for the glaze is important to prevent lumps and ensure the final glaze is silky smooth.
- Glaze Consistency: For a thinner, dripping glaze (great for dipping), use the full 2 tablespoons of milk. For a thicker, spreadable glaze (like the recipe suggests), use 1 tablespoon of milk and add the second only if needed.
- Drain Immediately: Place the hot donuts directly onto the cooling rack. If they sit on a plate, they will steam and absorb the excess oil, becoming soggy.
- Glaze While Warm (But Not Hot): Wait about 5 minutes after frying before glazing. If the donuts are too hot, the glaze will run right off. If they are too cold, the glaze won’t adhere well. They should still be warm to the touch.
- If you Love Peanut Butter try: my Peanut Butter Cookies, my Reese’s Peanut Butter Poke Cake and my Peanut Butter Bars.
More Recipes You Might Like
Peanut Butter Donuts
Equipment
- Cookie Cutter
Ingredients
- 16.3 ounces Pre-made Biscuits
- ½ cup Peanut Butter, melted
- ⅓ cup Powdered Icing Sugar, or more as needed
- 1-2 Tablespoons Milk, as needed
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Crushed Peanuts, optional garnish
Instructions
- Place a cooling rack over a baking tray and set aside.
- Place your frying oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Use a candy thermometer to ensure you bring the oil to 350F.
- Cut out the center of each biscuit and then stretch the biscuit a bit to make the hole and biscuit donut wider-approximately by 1/2".
- Once oil is hot, fry each donut individually for about 1 minute per side, until golden brown.
- Set each fried donut on the cooling rack to allow excess oil to drip off.
- Once all donuts have been fried, turn off the heat for the oil.
- Melt the peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 25 seconds, stir and reheat as needed.
- Sift the powdered sugar into the melted peanut butter, then stir in 1 Tablespoon of milk and the vanilla extract.
Christina’s Notes
- Use flaky-style biscuits: They puff up beautifully when fried, giving you that classic donut texture with minimal effort.
- Stretch gently before frying: After cutting out the centers, widen each biscuit slightly to ensure even cooking and a more donut-like shape.
- Monitor oil temperature closely: Keep it steady at 350°F using a candy thermometer. Too hot and the outside burns before the inside cooks; too cool and they’ll absorb excess oil.
- Fry one at a time: This keeps the oil temperature stable and ensures each donut gets evenly golden and crisp.
- Let them drain properly: A cooling rack over a baking sheet helps excess oil drip off without making the bottoms soggy.
- Make the glaze thick but spreadable: Start with 1 tablespoon of milk and adjust as needed. A thicker glaze gives you that bakery-style coating that clings beautifully.
- Add toppings while glaze is wet: Press crushed peanuts on immediately so they stick and set as the glaze firms up
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
