Twisted Donuts (Korean Recipe)

Make donuts like never before with this simple, delicious, and satisfying Korean Twisted Donuts recipe!

Instead of cooking the classic donuts, try this new and fun way of making and serving donuts. Your family and friends will surely enjoy how creative these donuts are, especially when they taste them.

They’re crunchy outside yet soft and moist on the inside. In this recipe, you will learn how to deep fry the perfectly seasoned dough. Trust me; you’ll love every bite of these Twisted Donuts!

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With its beautiful form, delectable texture, and delicious flavor, you won’t believe that you can make this Korean version at home just by deep frying

How to Make Twisted Donuts

Add a twist to your snacks or desserts with some homemade Twisted Donuts. Once you know how to make the dough, all you have to do is deep fry everything until golden brown, crispy, and perfectly delicious.

Now, you will have more than one way of making donuts!

twisted Korean donut

Ingredients

Here’s a list of ingredients you need to make the Twisted Donuts:

Flour 

You can’t make donuts without flour.

It is the main ingredient that gives the dish its shape and texture. The flour will make it easier for you to roll and twist the dough. Once you knead the dough, you will activate the gluten in the flour to form the donuts easily.

It also reacts with the yeast for the dough to rise for a fluffy quality. The flour also binds the ingredients together for a good flavor from the inside out. I also use it for Ghanaian Dry Bofrot, Banana Puff Puff, and Nigerian Coconut Buns!

How do you usually use flour?

Yeast 

For the leavening agent, I suggest using yeast.

These donuts are not just twisted but also fluffy and soft. With the help of yeast, the dish will have an airy and light texture inside. It is usually used to make bread, cakes, and other baked goods.

The yeast will also make the dough manageable for easy kneading. I also use yeast to make Chicken Pizza, Air Fryer Bread, and Braided Bread. Don’t forget to add the leavening agent for the best texture ever.

Egg

In making dough, you will always need an egg.

Did you know that an egg has leavening properties too? It will help the yeast give the dough the proper rise for the right texture. The egg yolk also gives the donuts a creamy and rich quality.

Moreover, the egg makes the dish chewy, fluffy, and bouncy – everything you’re looking for in a donut. You can also use eggs for Coconut Cake, Plantain Bread, and Banana Bread.

Sugar 

To give Twist Donuts the best flavor, add some sugar to the dough.

As the sugar caramelizes, it will give the dish a golden brown and crunchy quality. It can also make the donuts fluffy and soft – just the right texture you would want to taste in these donuts.

You will also need sugar to garnish and coat the donuts for better flavor and appearance. If you love sugar in your snacks, then I suggest making Flat Chin Chin, Fluffy Donuts, and Pancakes!

Cinnamon

When it comes to donut seasoning, cinnamon is on top of the list. It gives the donuts a sweet, woody, citrusy, and warm flavor that can give you a comforting feeling at each bite.

There’s no surprise that it’s one of the best seasonings for snacks and desserts. It even gives the dishes a distinct aroma.

Seasoning

Remember to add your seasoning to make the donuts tasty inside, even without garnish. In this recipe, use nutmeg and salt to balance all of the flavors and tone down the sweet taste.

You can use other spices to make the recipe your own. Other good options include vanilla extract, maple syrup, and more.

Butter 

A little bit of butter already goes a long way. Give the donuts a flaky, crunchy, and rich quality by adding butter to your dough. It also makes the dish chewy and fragrant from the inside out.

The Flavor Bender mentioned that butter helps with the kneading process. I used melted butter for this recipe to easily distribute the flavor and texture throughout the dough.

Korean donuts
Evaporated milk 

Any recipe with dough needs moisture, so add evaporated milk to keep the donuts moist and tender. It also adds a mildly sweet, creamy, and milky quality to the dish. The milk will surely help with both flavor and texture.

The milk even complements the egg and butter for a golden brown color and crusty texture. Aside from using dairy milk, you can also use plant-based milk such as Almond Milk.

Rapeseed oil

Whenever you deep fry, remember to use oil with a high smoke point. I prefer using rapeseed oil because of how pure it is. According to All Recipes, rapeseed oil is good for high-heat cooking. You can also use it for your favorite stir-fry recipes.

Can these simple ingredients be transformed into appetizing, satisfying, and astonishing twisted donuts? Find out by learning how to make it at home!

Directions

After this, you will be an expert in making Twisted Donuts.

  1. In a small bowl, mix the yeast with water and set it aside. 
  2. Mix flour, sugar, nutmeg, and sea salt in another bowl.
  3. Then, add evaporated milk, melted salted butter, active yeast mixture, and egg.
  4. Mix the batter with your hands until combined. 
  5. Cover the bowl with cling film.
  6. Leave to rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
  7. Deflate and knead the dough.
  8. Mold the dough into a cylindrical roll.
  9. Slice into pieces with a dough cutter.
  10. Flatten each piece and roll towards the inside while flattening each time you roll. 
  11. Roll it between your hands for a thin log-shaped dough.
  12. Then, twist the dough.
  13. Seal the end by pinching and cutting the dough.
  14. In a deep frying pan, heat cooking oil over medium fire.
  15. Gently lower the donuts on the pan.
  16. Keep turning the donuts until well-fried and golden brown all over with a skimmer spoon.
  17. Once cooked, transfer to a lined tray.
  18. In a resealable bag, add sugar and cinnamon.
  19. Put some twisted doughnuts inside and shake until well-coated. 
  20. Transfer onto a plate and indulge in the delightful flavors and textures! 
how to make twisted donuts

Aren’t these the easiest, crunchiest, and fluffiest homemade donuts you’ve tried? It’s going to be everybody’s favorite! 

Tips

How to Store Pastry Ingredients

  • Store dry yeast in its original packaging in the fridge.
  • On the other hand, other ingredients are best stored in their default containers.
  • Place them in warm and dry areas of your kitchen. 
  • For evaporated milk, transfer it into a bottle or container once opened. Refrigerate to last up to a week.
  • Butter should also be stored in a container in the fridge. To melt, you can pop it in the microwave

Twisted Donuts Variations

There’s more than one way to make Twisted Donuts!

To make healthier twisted donuts, you can substitute other ingredients for vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free donuts. For instance, you can use almond flour, oat flour, or gluten-free flour for the dough.

Moreover, you can use lactose-free milk like almond milk for an added nutty flavor. Add your favorite sweeteners and spices to get the flavor that you want.

Alternative Ways to Cook Twisted Donuts

Yeasted dough is best for deep-fried twisted donuts, but you can also try other methods. 

Korean donuts
Air Fryer
  1. First, grease the basket with oil or butter.
  2. Preheat it to 150°C for three minutes.
  3. Then, air-fry the donuts in batches at 150°C for eight minutes.
  4. Once one side is golden brown, turn it to the other side. 
Oven
  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C for ten minutes. 
  2. Place the twisted dough on a lined or greased baking tray.
  3. Bake the donuts for 15 minutes or until golden brown. 

For oven baking, you can substitute baking powder for the dry yeast mixture for better texture. 

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korean donut recipe

How to Serve Twisted Donuts

Did your Twisted Donuts turn out as fluffy, stunning, and delicious as you expected?

I love serving these Twisted Donuts as snacks or desserts. They’re fantastic for the whole family to enjoy because of their mild flavor and wonderful texture. You can feel it crunchy on the outside yet light on the inside.

These can also make suitable dishes for breakfast, especially if you’re on the go. You can top it off with some whipped cream, ice cream, spices, and other garnishes that you like on your pastries.

Enjoy the donuts with any of these drinks, too:

Aside from coating it with sugar and cinnamon, you can also try different glazes. For instance, you can drizzle it with chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or whipped cream.

To make it decorative, sprinkle it with toppings of your choice. Moreover, you can poke inside the donut with a skewer and pipe in the flavored filling for more flavor. 

If you don’t have health restrictions, then you can have a maximum of two donuts per day. While it is healthy, eating too many donuts can lead to weight gain.

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Storage Tips

make ahead

In the fridge: Refrigerate the donuts in resealable bags or containers for longer shelf life. Unfrosted ones can last up to a week, while frosted ones can last up to five days. 

To freeze: Don’t coat the donuts yet, and wrap them in cling film. Then place them in freezer bags to last up to several weeks. Let them thaw at room temperature, not in the fridge. 

twisted Korean donut recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What are twisted donuts called?

In Korea, twisted donuts are also called kkwabaegi. You can usually find these in Korean bakery stores, and they are usually served for desserts and snacks.

What is the origin of twisted donut?

It is believed that the first form of twisted donuts, known as the kkwabaegi, was originally made in China. Over the years, it also became popular in South Korea and now, all over the world.

What are the long twisty donuts called?

Aside from this version of the twisted donuts, there’s also a long twisty donut called “cruller”. Unlike the donuts in this recipe, the cruller is formed in a round shape with a twisted form.

What do you call a braided donut?

A braided donut is also called a twisted donut because of how you form it. Whether you braid or twist it, you will still get awesome results!

twisted donut recipe

Korean Twist Donuts (VIDEO)

5 from 1 vote
If you're looking for a tasty, innovative snack, Korean twisted donuts could be right up your alley. Korean twisted donuts are the perfect combination of sweet and savory with an unexpected twist.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 16
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Asia, Korean
Calories 54kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup flour
  • tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp yeast
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup evaporated milk
  • cup water
  • rapeseed oil (enough for deep-frying)

For coating

  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • Pinch cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, mix the yeast with water and set it aside. 
  • Mix flour, sugar, nutmeg, and sea salt in another bowl.
  • Then, add evaporated milk, melted salted butter, active yeast mixture, and egg.
  • Mix the batter with your hands until combined. 
  • Cover the bowl with cling film.
  • Leave to rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
  • Deflate and knead the dough.
  • Mold the dough into a cylindrical roll.
  • Slice into pieces with a dough cutter.
  • Flatten each piece and roll towards the inside while flattening each time you roll. 
  • Roll it between your hands for a thin log-shaped dough.
  • Then, twist the dough.
  • Seal the end by pinching and cutting the dough.
  • In a deep frying pan, heat cooking oil over medium fire.
  • Gently lower the donuts on the pan.
  • Keep turning the donuts until well-fried and golden brown all over with a skimmer spoon.
  • Once cooked, transfer to a lined tray.
  • In a resealable bag, add sugar and cinnamon.
  • Put some twisted doughnuts inside and shake until well-coated. 
  • Transfer onto a plate and indulge in the delightful flavors and textures! 

Video

Notes

  • Remember to add your leavening ingredients for an airy and fluffy donut.
  • Proof the dough for at least an hour and check for doneness. 
  • To check if the oil is hot enough, lower a piece of dough into the oil. If it sizzles and floats to the surface, then the oil is hot enough.
  • Before cooking the donuts, you need to make sure that they have been properly and sufficiently proofed. Proofing can take up to more than an hour.
  • To fry the donut from the inside out, pour enough oil into the pan for deep frying. Keep turning the donuts with a skimmer to cook both sides.
  • Knead the dough for 12 to 15 minutes by hand and 10 to 12 minutes using the dough attachment of the mixer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 (of 16)Calories: 54kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 14mgPotassium: 32mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 46IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword donut recipe, donuts, easy donut recipe, korean donuts, tasty donut, tasty twisted donut

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