It’s incredibly easy to veganize donuts of all kinds, and jelly donuts are no exception. I tested making these donuts three ways: fried, baked and air fried! Each way worked beautifully, so make them however you want. Of course, frying them in oil is going to give you that classic crispy outside, while being soft and fluffy inside, but baked/air fried donuts are quite delightful as well. I love using instant yeast because that means you can enjoy fresh donuts in less than an hour!
How to make jelly donuts – 3 ways
First, make the simple dough (detailed recipe is below in the recipe card below), either in a stand mixer with a dough hook, or a large bowl with a spoon. Knead until you have a nice soft ball of dough, then cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Punch the dough down, place on a lightly floured surface and roll to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut out circles with a donut cutter or large biscuit cutter; you should get about 16-18 rounds.
To fry
Heat a few inches of oil in a large pot to 375℉ (you need a thermometer for this). Once hot, drop the donuts into the oil, about 3-4 at a time, and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and place on a cooling rack with another pan or parchment paper below it.
To bake
Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray the donuts with oil, then bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until a little golden brown and fluffy. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. Brush with melted vegan butter, if desired.
To air fry
Place 3-4 donuts at a time in air fryer basket (first spray with oil to prevent sticking). Spray the donuts lightly with oil, then air fry at 350℉ for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 3-5 more minutes. Brush with melted vegan butter, if desired.
Fillings and toppings
Cut a slit in the side of each donut, then use a piping bag with tip to pipe jelly into the cooked donuts. Alternatively, you can use any other jelly filling you like, such as apricot, raspberry, blueberry, etc. You could also try piping any of the following into donuts: Vegan Custard/Pastry Cream, Vegan Chocolate Frosting, Vegan Vanilla Frosting, Coconut Whipped Cream or Vegan Lemon Curd. I like a dusting of powdered sugar on jelly donuts, but you can also roll them in granulated sugar. Either way is perfectly delicious!
Want more vegan donut recipes?
Apple Fritters Vegan Chocolate Donuts Chocolate Glazed Donuts Cinnamon Sugar Vegan Donuts
