Spicy Maple Glazed Donuts Recipe

Introduction

These Spicy Maple Glazed Donuts offer a delightful twist on a classic treat, combining sweet maple syrup with a hint of heat from cayenne and chipotle. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they make a perfect indulgence for any time of day.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon bourbon (optional)
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
• Pinch of sea salt
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and salt until well combined.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix the warm milk, eggs, and melted butter until smooth. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients and knead by hand or with a stand mixer for 6–8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
3. Step 3: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot (75–80°F) for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Punch down the dough and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Roll it out to ½-inch thickness, cut into 3-inch donuts, place on parchment paper, and let rise again for 30–35 minutes.
5. Step 5: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the donuts in batches, cooking each side for 1–2 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
6. Step 6: While the donuts cool slightly, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, butter, bourbon (if using), cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, and sea salt. Stir continuously for 3–4 minutes until the butter melts and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
7. Step 7: Dip each warm donut into the glaze, letting excess drip off, then place back on the rack. Allow the glaze to set for 2–3 minutes before serving. Enjoy while the outside is crisp and the inside remains soft.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute bourbon with vanilla extract for a different flavor profile.
• Adjust the cayenne and chipotle powder quantities to control the spiciness level.
• Use a thermometer to keep the oil temperature steady for even frying.
• For a lighter version, bake the donuts at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes instead of frying.

Storage

Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to regain softness. Because of the glaze, these donuts are best enjoyed fresh and may not keep well in the refrigerator.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to the first rise, then refrigerate it overnight. Bring it to room temperature before shaping and continuing with the second rise.

What can I use if I don’t have chipotle powder?

If chipotle powder is unavailable, smoked paprika adds a similar smoky flavor without the heat.

Spicy Maple Glazed Donuts Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 716 reviews

These Spicy Maple Glazed Donuts combine the classic soft and fluffy donut texture with a bold, sweet and spicy maple glaze. Homemade yeast donuts are fried to golden perfection, then dipped in a luscious glaze featuring pure maple syrup, brown sugar, cayenne, chipotle, and a hint of bourbon for warmth. Ideal for a special breakfast or indulgent treat with a kick.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 donuts 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Spicy Maple Glaze

• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon bourbon (optional)
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
• Pinch of sea salt

For Frying

• Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying, approximately 4 cups)

Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast, and ¼ teaspoon salt until evenly mixed.
2. Mix wet ingredients and form dough: In a separate bowl, whisk ¾ cup warm milk, 2 large eggs, and 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter until smooth. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients, then knead either by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for 6–8 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to touch.
3. First rise and shape: Lightly oil a bowl and transfer the dough into it. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place (around 75‑80 °F) for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. After rising, punch down the dough to release air, let it rest for 10 minutes, then roll it out to ½‑inch thickness. Use a 3‑inch cutter to cut out donut shapes, place them on parchment paper, cover loosely, and allow them to rise again for 30–35 minutes until puffed.
4. Fry donuts: Heat vegetable oil in a deep-fat fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot to 350 °F (175 °C). Fry a few donuts at a time, turning once, for 1–2 minutes per side or until golden brown and puffed. Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
5. Prepare spicy maple glaze: While the donuts cool slightly, combine ½ cup pure maple syrup, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon bourbon (if using), ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder, and a pinch of sea salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the glaze thickens, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat.
6. Glaze and serve: Dip each warm donut into the spicy maple glaze, letting any excess drip off before placing it back on the wire rack. Allow the glaze to set for 2–3 minutes. Serve immediately while the donuts are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

Notes

• If bourbon is not preferred, simply omit it from the glaze without substituting.
• Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F to ensure the donuts cook evenly and absorb minimal oil.
• To test if the oil is ready for frying, drop a small piece of dough into it; it should bubble and rise to the surface immediately.
• For extra spicy heat, increase cayenne pepper slightly, but adjust according to taste.
• Donuts are best enjoyed fresh; however, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 1 day and lightly reheated.
• Use pure maple syrup for the best glaze flavor, as pancake syrup does not yield the same taste and texture.

Keywords: spicy maple glazed donuts, homemade donuts, fried donuts, yeast donuts, maple syrup glaze, cayenne donuts, bourbon donuts, sweet and spicy donuts