The Magic of Shortcut Donuts

There’s something magical about biting into a warm, freshly glazed donut. That moment when the sweet glaze crackles slightly and gives way to soft, pillowy goodness underneath? Pure bliss. But traditional donuts require yeast, rising time, and the whole deep-frying setup that, let’s be honest, most of us don’t have the patience for on a random Tuesday morning.

That’s where puff pastry donuts swoop in to save the day! These delightful treats harness the buttery, flaky layers of store-bought puff pastry to create donut-shaped pastries that deliver all the satisfaction with a fraction of the effort. As someone who’s tested countless “shortcut” recipes over the years, I can tell you these puff pastry donuts are the real deal – impressive enough for company but easy enough for a weekday treat.

Why You’ll Love These Puff Pastry Donuts

Before we dive into the recipe, let me share why these have become a staple in my kitchen:

Quick Preparation: From start to finish, you can have warm puff pastry donuts on the table in about 30 minutes
No Deep Frying: We’re baking these beauties, which means less mess and a slightly lighter treat
Endless Variations: Once you master the basic recipe, you can customize with different glazes, fillings, and toppings
Beginner-Friendly: If you can use a cookie cutter, you can make these donuts!
Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the shapes ahead of time and bake when ready

I first started making easy puff pastry donuts when my daughter had a last-minute playdate, and I needed something impressive without the fuss. The look on the kids’ faces when I brought out these golden, glazed treats was priceless – and no one guessed they took me just minutes to prepare!

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about puff pastry donuts is the short ingredient list. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Donuts:

1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for sprinkling)

For the Basic Glaze:

1½ cups powdered sugar
3-4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Optional Toppings:

Sprinkles
Chopped nuts
Cinnamon sugar
Crushed freeze-dried berries
Mini chocolate chips

Essential Equipment

While puff pastry donuts are simple to make, a few key tools will make the process even easier:

Round cookie cutters (one large, one small for the donut holes)
Baking sheets
Parchment paper
Pastry brush for the egg wash
Cooling rack
Small bowl for glaze

Don’t worry if you don’t have proper donut cutters – I’ve used a drinking glass for the outer circle and a bottle cap for the inner hole in a pinch!

How to Make Perfect Puff Pastry Donuts

Let’s break down this easy puff pastry donuts recipe into simple steps. I promise, even if you’ve never worked with puff pastry before, you’ll have golden, flaky donuts in no time!

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This temperature is perfect for getting those signature flaky layers in your puff donuts recipe.

Take your thawed puff pastry sheets out of the refrigerator about 5 minutes before you plan to work with them. You want them pliable but still cool to the touch. If the pastry gets too warm, the butter within the layers will melt prematurely, and you’ll lose that beautiful puff.

Step 2: Cut Out Your Donuts

Carefully unfold one sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Use your rolling pin to gently roll it out to about a 10×10-inch square, just to remove any creases and ensure even thickness.

Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter (or a glass), cut out as many circles as you can from the pastry. Then, use a 1-inch cutter to remove the centers, creating that classic donut shape. Transfer your puff pastry donuts to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Pro tip: Don’t discard those donut holes! Place them on the baking sheet too – they make perfect bite-sized treats that bake up even faster than the full donuts.

Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry. You should get about 12-14 donuts total, depending on your cutter size.

Step 3: Egg Wash and Bake

Brush each puff pastry donut lightly with the beaten egg. This creates that gorgeous golden color and adds a beautiful shine. If you’d like, sprinkle a little granulated sugar over the tops for extra sweetness and crunch.

Bake in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts have puffed up dramatically and turned a deep golden brown. The donut holes will likely finish a minute or two earlier, so keep an eye on them!

The magic of puff pastry donuts happens in the oven – watch through the oven door as they rise to several times their original height, creating dozens of delicate, buttery layers.

Step 4: Make the Glaze

While your donuts are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable – add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach the right consistency.

For flavored glazes, see the variations section below – there are endless ways to customize your puff pastry donuts!

Step 5: Glaze and Decorate

Once the donuts are baked, transfer them to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet (to catch drips). Let them cool for about 5 minutes – they should still be warm but not hot.

Dip the top of each donut into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off, then return to the cooling rack. If you’re adding any toppings like sprinkles or chopped nuts, sprinkle them on immediately while the glaze is still wet.

For the donut holes, I like to roll them completely in the glaze for an extra sweet treat!

Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before serving. Though, I won’t judge if you sneak one while they’re still warm and drippy – that’s often the best way to enjoy them!

Delicious Variations to Try

One of the best things about this puff donuts recipe is how versatile it is. Here are some of my favorite variations to try once you’ve mastered the basic recipe:

Chocolate Glazed Puff Pastry Donuts

Replace 1/4 cup of the powdered sugar with unsweetened cocoa powder in the glaze recipe. Add an extra tablespoon of milk if needed to reach the right consistency. Top with chocolate sprinkles or mini chocolate chips for extra decadence!

Maple Bacon Puff Pastry Donuts

Substitute maple syrup for the vanilla in the glaze, and top with crumbled cooked bacon pieces. The sweet-savory combination is absolutely addictive and perfect for brunch.

Lemon Blueberry Puff Pastry Donuts

Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the glaze. Top with dried blueberries or fresh blueberries that have been lightly pressed into the glaze.

Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Donuts

Skip the glaze altogether! Instead, brush the warm baked donuts with melted butter and toss in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. These remind me of churros and are absolutely divine with coffee.

Filled Puff Pastry Donuts

For an extra special treat, don’t cut out the center holes. After baking, use a small knife to create a pocket in the side of each donut and fill with pastry cream, Nutella, or jam using a piping bag. These filled puff pastry donuts make an impressive dessert!

Tips for Puff Pastry Success

After making countless batches of easy puff pastry donuts (my family has zero complaints about being taste testers!), I’ve picked up some tricks that make a big difference:

Keep It Cool

Puff pastry is all about those buttery layers, which can collapse if the dough gets too warm. Work quickly and if your kitchen is hot, consider chilling the cut-out donuts for 10 minutes before baking.

Sharp Cuts Matter

For maximum rise, use sharp cookie cutters and press straight down rather than twisting. Twisting can seal the edges of the pastry layers together, preventing proper puffing.

Don’t Stretch

When transferring your cut puff pastry donuts to the baking sheet, lift them gently rather than stretching or pulling, which can distort their shape and hinder rising.

Check Your Oven Temperature

Puff pastry needs high heat to rise properly. Consider using an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is truly at the temperature it claims to be.

Freeze for Later

You can freeze the unbaked, cut-out puff pastry donuts on a baking sheet, then transfer to a ziplock bag once frozen. Bake directly from frozen, adding 3-5 minutes to the baking time.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

While puff pastry donuts are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, here’s how to work with timing:

Make-Ahead Options:

Prepare the donuts up through cutting them out, then refrigerate (covered) for up to 24 hours before baking
Freeze unbaked cut donuts for up to 1 month
Prepare the glaze up to 2 days ahead and store covered in the refrigerator

Storage Tips:

Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days
Refresh day-old puff pastry donuts by warming in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes
Freeze baked, unglazed donuts for up to 1 month; thaw and warm before glazing

Perfect Pairings for Your Puff Pastry Donuts

These delightful treats pair beautifully with:

A frothy cappuccino or latte
Hot chocolate for the kids (or kids at heart)
Fresh fruit to balance the sweetness
A scoop of vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top dessert

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

As someone who’s tried countless puff donuts recipes over the years, I can tell you that this method consistently delivers perfect results. The high oven temperature creates steam that forces the pastry layers apart, creating that signature honeycomb texture we all love. The egg wash ensures beautiful browning, while the simple glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness without overwhelming the buttery pastry.

Unlike traditional donuts that can be heavy and dense if not made properly, these puff pastry donuts are reliably light and airy every single time. Plus, using store-bought puff pastry eliminates so many potential pitfalls that come with homemade dough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these puff pastry donuts ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can cut out the shapes up to 24 hours in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator. For best results, bake them just before serving and glaze while still slightly warm.

Why didn’t my puff pastry rise as much as expected?

The most common culprits are pastry that’s too warm before baking or an oven that’s not hot enough. Make sure your pastry is cool but pliable, and that your oven has fully preheated to 400°F.

Can I use homemade puff pastry instead of store-bought?

Yes! If you’re ambitious enough to make homemade puff pastry, it will work beautifully in this recipe. Just make sure it’s rolled to about 1/4-inch thickness before cutting.

How do I know when my puff pastry donuts are done baking?

They should be deeply golden brown and visibly puffed up with distinct layers. If they’re pale, they’ll likely be doughy inside, so don’t be afraid of that rich golden color.

Can I make these without cutting out the centers?

Absolutely! You can leave them as solid circles for a filled pastry, or even cut them into squares or other shapes. Just be aware that the baking time might need slight adjustment.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover puff pastry donuts?

For the best texture, reheat them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Microwaving tends to make them soggy and chewy rather than crisp and flaky.

Ready to Impress with Minimal Effort

I hope this easy puff pastry donuts recipe becomes a favorite in your household like it has in mine. There’s something so satisfying about creating something that looks and tastes like it took hours, when in reality you spent less time than it takes to watch a TV episode.

The next time you need a quick breakfast treat for houseguests, a dessert for unexpected company, or just want to brighten an ordinary morning, remember these puff pastry donuts. They’re proof that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most magical.

Have you tried making puff pastry donuts before? What’s your favorite topping or glaze flavor? I’d love to hear about your creations in the comments below! And if you make this recipe, please consider sharing a photo on social media – tag me so I can see your delicious creations!

Until next time, happy baking!

Hungry for more? Check out our top rated recipes :