Chinese Donuts – like a Chinese Buffet

I first encountered Chinese sugar donuts at my favorite local buffet after a particularly long week at work. Nestled between the fortune cookies and fried wontons, these golden, sugar-dusted treats caught my eye. One bite of that crispy exterior gave way to a pillowy center, and I was hooked. I returned to the buffet repeatedly, but just for these donuts!

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After several “research trips” (and probably a few too many donuts), I was determined to recreate this simple yet irresistible dessert at home. The result is this incredibly easy recipe that captures all the magic of those restaurant favorites—without having to pay for an entire buffet just to satisfy your craving.

What Makes Chinese Sugar Donuts Special?

Chinese donuts served in American Chinese restaurants are a delightful adaptation of the traditional Chinese “you tiao” (crispy fried bread). While authentic you tiao is usually shaped into long strips, the Americanized version comes in bite-sized round balls, making them perfect for snacking. The exterior crunch gives way to a soft, airy interior, and the entire donut is generously coated in white sugar for just the right amount of sweetness.

The best part? This copycat version uses simple refrigerated biscuit dough as a shortcut, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. They’re perfect for dessert after a homemade Chinese meal, weekend breakfast treats, or anytime you need something sweet in under 30 minutes.

Why you should try this recipe

While Chinese Buffet Style Donuts may not be the world’s healthiest treat, they are pretty delicious. They have a heavenly exterior crunch. You may want to try these not just as a dessert with a meal, but you may want to try them for a weekend breakfast or afternoon snack.

What are Chinese Donuts?

These are like donuts. They are typically deep-fried balls of dough and then rolled in white granulated sugar. You can find these puffy donuts with a generous sugar coating on a Chinese buffet dessert table.

They may have originated from Youtiao, the Chinese deep-fried dough often served for breakfast. In China, these are made in different shapes and long forms, so it’s easy to see how they are Americanized in many restaurants.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Refrigerated canned biscuits – forms the base of our donuts, providing the perfect texture when fried
• Granulated white sugar – Creates the signature sweet coating that makes these donuts irresistible
• Vegetable oil (for frying) – Provides the medium for deep-frying and contributes to the crispy exterior

Equipment Needed

• Deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot
• Deep-fry thermometer
• Slotted spoon or tongs
• Paper towels or wire cooling rack
• Shallow dish for sugar coating

Ingredient Notes

For the canned biscuits, I don’t recommend purchasing expensive ones. In fact, by the least expensive that you can. Do not purchase the flaky ones if you want to recreate this recipe at home.

I recommend using plain vegetable oil. Other types of oil would work; you could use corn oil, soybean oil, or even peanut oil.

How to Make Chinese Donuts (Sugar Donuts Chinese Buffet Style)

1. Add enough oil to a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot so that it is a few inches deep. Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a deep-fry thermometer to check the oil’s temperature.
2. Place a couple of biscuits in the oil and cook until lightly browned on one side, about 1 to 1½ minutes.
3. Turn the biscuits over to brown on the other side.
4. When both sides of the donuts are golden brown, transfer them to a wire rack or paper towels and drain for 15 seconds, you will want to remove the excess grease.
5. Dredge the donuts in sugar while they are still warm.

How do you eat a Chinese doughnut?

You would eat them as you would any donut; keep in mind these round donuts do not have holes in them, so you should enjoy them one bite at a time!

How to Store and Reheat Chinese Doughnuts

These donuts do not store very well. You can enjoy them immediately for the best flavor and texture, if you want to enjoy them later, I recommend storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 48 hours.

I do not like to store these in the fridge, because I feel like it will give you poor results, they seem to get too hard if you refrigerate the leftovers. If you have an air fryer, you should reheat them for about 60 seconds at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Variations to Try

• Mini donuts: Cut each biscuit in half for smaller, bite-sized treats (reduce frying time accordingly).
• Cinnamon sugar coating: Mix ground cinnamon with the granulated sugar for a warm, spiced flavor.
• Powdered sugar: Use confectioners’ sugar instead of granulated for a different sweetness profile.
• Dipping sauces: Serve with chocolate sauce, condensed milk, or fruit coulis for dipping.

What to serve these with?

These Chinese sugar donuts pair wonderfully with:

• As part of a complete Chinese buffet-style meal at home
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream for an elevated dessert
• Fresh fruit for a balanced sweet treat
• Hot coffee or tea for breakfast or afternoon snack

How to Store and Reheat Chinese Doughnuts

These donuts do not store very well. You can enjoy them immediately for the best flavor and texture, if you want to enjoy them later, I recommend storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 48 hours.

What is the best way to reheat these homemade donuts?

• Air fryer: 60 seconds at 350°F (best method for restoring crispiness)
• Toaster oven or conventional oven: 6-8 minutes at 350°F
• Microwave: 10-15 seconds (note: this will make them softer, not crispy)

Do you love donuts? Check out these recipes!

More Easy Dessert Recipes

Be sure to take a look at more of my Chinese cuisine recipes and the best desserts.

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: Why are my donuts greasy? A: The oil temperature was likely too low. Always ensure it’s at 350°F before frying.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time for a party? A: These are best served fresh. If you need to make them ahead, fry them 1-2 hours before serving and keep at room temperature.

Q: Can I freeze these donuts? A: Not recommended. The texture significantly changes after freezing.

Q: Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned? A: Absolutely! Any basic biscuit recipe will work, though the texture may vary slightly.

Scaling the Recipe

• For a crowd: Simply use more cans of biscuits. The recipe scales easily, though you may need to change the oil partway through if frying many batches.
• For a small batch: Use a smaller can of biscuits and reduce the amount of oil accordingly.

Dietary Modifications

• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free canned biscuits (now available in many supermarkets).
• Vegan: Look for vegan-friendly refrigerated biscuit dough or use a simple vegan biscuit recipe.
• Lower sugar: Use a sugar substitute that measures like sugar, or reduce the amount used for coating.