Sourdough Discard Maple Donut Recipe

One of the first bread products that I wanted to learn was donuts

They have gotten expensive at the store and they are a family favorite

But it took several tries for me to figure out a recipe that works for me.

I wanted them a pretty color that has a firm outside

But they needed to be light, fluffy and soft on the inside

Lastly, I wanted to be able to use sourdough discard and potentially the sourdough starter instead of adding yeast

I love that slight sourdough taste and the health benefits that come with it

I finally got it and now I’m sharing it with you!

Enjoy!!

Ingredients:

For donuts:

½ cup sourdough discard

2 cups of flour

¼ cup milk

2 tsp dry active yeast

¼ cup maple syrup

1 egg

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp vanilla

oil for frying

For glaze:

2 tbsp melted butter

⅓ maple syrup

1 cup powdered sugar

¼ tsp Maple syrup extract

Pinch of salt to taste

Instructions:

Add everything for the donuts except the flour to a mixer and start mixing on low with the dough hook

Add the flour to form a dough

If it is dry then add a small amount of water until it is sticky but not unmanageable

Allow ro knead until smooth

Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and allow it to rise for an hour or until doubled in size

I like to heat my oven for a few minutes and shut off the heat before rising the dough in there

This allows the dough to rise in a very warm spot without needing to heat the house

Lightly flour your working surface and place dough onto it

Sprinkle some flour on top of the dough and roll it out to about a 1/2 inch

Using a desired shape, cut the donuts from the dough I used the round cutter from my homemade uncrustables set

But a glass or a cup work work too

Then take something smaller, like a shot glass, to cut out the donut hole

Place the donut and donut hole onto a parchment lined cooking sheet

Continue until all the dough is used

I like to use the last of the dough to make more donut holes

Cover and allow to rise another hour

Before the hour is done, heat frying oil to 350 degrees

I like to use peanut oil but any neutral oil will work

Once heated, place a couple of the donuts in the oil and cook until they are golden brown

Allow donuts to cool before adding the maple glaze

In a bowl, add all the ingredients for the glaze and mix well

Dip the cool donuts into the glaze and twist to ensure good coverage

Remove and return the donut to the tray

The glaze will get smooth on its own

Allow the donuts and glaze to dry for 1 or 2 hours to firm or enjoy fresh!

Can I air fry the donuts instead of using oil?

Yes, you can air fry instead of fry these donuts in oil

To do this, lightly spray each size of the donut dough after the second rise with oil

Place in your air fryer that is preheated to 350 degrees

Cook for 4 minutes and flip them half way through

Pay attention toward the end to avoid overcooking them

Then the rest of the recipe is the same!

Do I need to use instant dry yeast?

These donuts need yeast

You can use the dry yeast like I did so that you can use sourdough discard and make them faster

But you can use active sourdough and remove the yeast

Keep in mind that the rise times will take way longer if you do that

Does this recipe work for other donut flavors?

Yes!

You can skip cutting the donut holes and make cream filled donuts

Or you can replace the maple glaze with any topping you want

Or you can get creative, like voodoo donuts, with your toppings

The donut base is a clean slate for you to do whatever you want

My family just likes maple the most!