Sweet Potato Cake Donuts are a deliciously indulgent way to transform leftover mashed sweet potatoes into something extraordinary. Warmly flavored with nutmeg, fried until beautifully golden, and rolled in cinnamon sugar, these no-yeast donuts are surprisingly approachable and worthy of any neighborhood donut shop.
If you're a fan of sweet potatoes...and I'm guessing you are (or know someone who is), I invite you to also check out these other recipes featuring sweet potatoes: Twice Baked Tropical Sweet Potato Boats, Mashed Sweet Potato Croquettes, Sweet Potato Pancakes with Apples and Pecans, Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Mashers, and Amish Sweet Potato Cookies.
This recipe post and its contents may include affiliate links for your consideration. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, but your prices are never increased as a result. Thank you.
Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredient list for making sweet potato cake donuts:
- The gift of homemade donuts:
- The step-by-step photo instructions:
- Can cake donuts be frozen?
- How do sweet potato donuts taste?
- The pleasures of induction cooktop cooking:
- Important note about induction cooktop cooking:
- Additional breakfast sweets you'll also enjoy:
- Key Takeaways
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
I originally shared this recipe in 2014. I've recently updated this post with additional information, including a recipe card complete with nutritional information, but the recipe itself and the photos you see have remained unchanged.
The ingredient list for making sweet potato cake donuts:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
- mashed sweet potatoes (leftovers work great for this recipe)
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- ground cinnamon
- freshly grated nutmeg
- brown sugar
- granulated sugar
- shortening
- eggs
- milk
- pure vanilla extract
- light-colored oil for frying (I use peanut oil, but canola or vegetable oil is fine)
The gift of homemade donuts:
There is nothing as heartwarming and comforting as the gift of a homemade donut! If you're lucky enough to be the recipient of one (or a dozen), then you know what I'm talking about.
If you have someone you love with all your heart, make them a batch of Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts. No words needed. Feel the love!
Save this for later.
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Email forwarding service for saving information.
The step-by-step photo instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another large bowl, blend together the shortening, brown sugar, milk, mashed sweet potato, vanilla, and eggs.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, beating just until a soft dough is formed.
- Turn the dough out on a counter and sprinkle with enough flour so the dough is still soft but not too sticky.
- Roll the dough to an approximate ½" thickness.
- Use a round cutter to cut out donuts (rerolling the scraps is recommended to make 24 donuts).
- Use your thumb and press a hole in the center of each, stretching if needed.
- Bring approximately 3" of oil to a temperature of 375-degrees, and carefully add the donuts (2 or 3 at a time) to the hot oil.
- Fry the donuts on both sides until golden brown and puffed.
- Carefully remove the fried donuts from the oil using a large slotted spoon and immediately toss the hot donuts in cinnamon sugar.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Can cake donuts be frozen?
These Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts freeze wonderfully well, so even though this recipe makes 2 dozen, you don't have to eat them all at one time...unless of course, you have family and friends that will help you devour them within moments of placing them on a plate.
How do sweet potato donuts taste?
Once these Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts take a swim in the hot frying oil and become golden brown, they then take a dip in a cinnamon sugar bath which coats each donut with just the right amount of spicy sweetness. Ohhhh! Ahhhh!
If you're a little skeptical of how Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts will taste, don't be. You're going to absolutely love them! While they're a wonderful autumnal treat, they can be made and eaten any time of the year.
Watch out apple cider donuts! These Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts will give you a run for your money!
The pleasures of induction cooktop cooking:
What I love about the induction cooktop method of frying is that the oil temperature stays constant, no matter how many batches of donuts, French fries, or fritters you're making.
An induction cooktop is also portable, so as long as you have an outlet to plug into, you're good to go.
Important note about induction cooktop cooking:
One thing you will need to be aware of is that not all cookware is induction cooktop compatible. In order for cookware to be induction cooktop compatible, it must be made of magnetic-based metal, such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel.
Once you have the proper cookware for induction cooktop cooking (which you may already have in your cabinets), you're ready to fry up these incredibly delicious sweet potato cake donuts in a matter of minutes.
Additional breakfast sweets you'll also enjoy:
- Sweet Streusel Strawberry Crescent Muffins
- Blueberry Lemon Scones with Lemon Icing
- Homemade Sticky Caramel Sweet Rolls
- Flaky Blueberry Cheese Danish
Key Takeaways
- Sweet potato cake donuts transform leftovers into indulgent treats flavored with nutmeg and coated in cinnamon sugar.
- The recipe features simple ingredients like mashed sweet potatoes, flour, and spices, making it approachable for home cooks.
- These donuts freeze well, allowing you to enjoy them over time, and they taste delightful with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating.
- The article includes step-by-step instructions for making sweet potato cake donuts, ensuring a successful baking experience.
- Additionally, the article suggests other sweet potato recipes and breakfast treats for readers to explore.
Printable Recipe Card
Sweet Potato Cake Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar
Equipment
- stand mixer optional
- Mixing Bowls optional
- kitchen scale optional
- induction cooktop optional
- cooking spider optional for adding and removing the donuts from the oil
- wooden skewer optional for flipping donuts in oil
- nutmeg grater optional
- microplane optional
- bakery box optional, for gifting.
Ingredients
For the dough;
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ cup shortening, I used butter flavor
- 1 cup packed brown sugar, light or dark
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups prepared mashed sweet potatoes leftovers are great this
- ½ cup milk
- 4-6 cups peanut oil, canola or vegetable may be substituted
For the cinnamon & sugar topping;
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
To make the donuts;
- In a large, high-sided skillet, heat the oil to 375-degrees F on an instant read thermometer.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl cream together the shortening and brown sugar. Add in the eggs, vanilla, mashed potatoes, and milk. Blend until fully incorporated.
- Add the dry ingredients (in three one third increments) on low speed into the wet ingredients until all the flour is fully incorporated, and it forms a dough that is soft and pliable.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.*Note - if the dough seems too sticky, knead in a little extra flour. You're looking for a soft dough, but not an extremely sticky dough.
- Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out into a uniform ½" thickness.
- Use a 3" round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter that has been dipped in flour, and cut as many circles as you can from the first roll.Set the cut circles aside on a lightly floured surface.*Note - You can re-roll the scraps and continue cutting circles from the remaining dough.
- Use your thumb to poke holes into the center of each dough circle (more flour on your hands may be needed) and gently stretch the donuts into shape. Place the shaped donuts back on the lightly floured surface.
- Use a large slotted spoon or spider strainer to carefully place 4-5 donuts into the hot oil to fry about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the donuts are deeply golden brown.FYI - A wooden skewer is a great way to easily flip the donuts to fry both sides.*Note - if the oil is too hot, the donuts will brown quickly and still be raw in the center. Try and keep your oil temperature as constant as possible to avoid this. Or, if the oil is not hot enough, the oil will saturate the dough making your donuts heavy and greasy.
- Carefully removed the cooked donuts from the oil (using the strainer) and place them directly into a bowl with the cinnamon sugar. Toss to coat the donuts evenly.Continue the same process with the remaining dough, and donuts.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's donut recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
All of the recipes you'll find here on my website are in loving memory of my son, Greg, who left this earth far too soon and will be forever in our hearts.
Ashley says
Really love the use of sweet potatoes in these donuts! So tasty!
Gina says
DELICIOUS!!! I will definitely be making these again!
Renée says
Awesome, Gina.
Thanks!
Gigi Cuccaro says
What a great addition to my kitchen! Thanks for a chance to win this great item. Hmm! Time to make the doughnuts!
Lana@NevrEnoughThyme says
I sure would love to have an extra stovetop space for holiday cooking!
Amber @ Fit Foodie Runs says
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have one! For the endless possibilities to create! I love to cook - in the kitchen, just because daily - homemade donuts would be amazing and the start! Come on rafflecopter! 🙂
Anonymous says
I would love to win this! These donuts look amazing! Dee Fedor dfal182 at gmail dot com
Tracey A. says
I am so impressed with the professionally detailed instructions and pictures on ths beautifully done site. These donuts look to die for! Thanks for including all the details.
Meseidy says
I've been craving a Fall donut!
Tina Woo says
I love your Wonder Woman painted ornament. My ex-SIL collected Wonder Woman items, I wish I knew how to get in touch with her to tell her about it.
♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ says
I like the Breakfast At Tiffany's Inspired Painted Coffee Mug!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ says
The NuWave PIC2 does the thinking for you and it has 100 hours of memory! It is so easy to use.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Mary Kirkland says
I've never used one of these and would love to have one to cook more things. Looks like it would be a lot of fun.
Deborah Gardner says
I always burn foods in saucepans and pots because I have a hard time heating them evenly. This would be perfect!
AnnaZed says
It's always great to have another cooking or hot-spot when things get really rolling in the kitchen.
******************
{in the contest I am Margot Core on the Rafflecopter}
Angela| Mind Over Batter says
Why would I love to win this induction cooktop? Because it's donut frying season! And who wants to be bothered with thermometers and the inevitable waiting for oil to heat and stay hot when all I want to do is shove donuts in my mouth?
Kim Bee says
Very cool giveaway. I've never used an induction before (weird since I'm a food blogger right) but I hear such amazing things about them. I'd love to have one. I hear they heat up fast, and maintain consistent heat.
Rebecca {foodie with family} says
Boy. I'd be one very popular woman if I made these doughnuts! And I'd love an induction cooktop for my cooking demos!
Zenetta Smith says
I would love to win the Induction oven because I love to cook but my kitchen is very small and I don't have a lot of room so the Induction cooker would save space for me.
Martha @ A Family Feast says
My husband has been pining for an induction cooktop for years! Love this giveaway! (Those donuts look delicious too!)
Susan says
I've had potato donuts before and they are delicious, so I can only imagine how much better they are with sweet potato! I've used an induction stove top once before but was figuring it out on the go at a hotel. Would love to try it at home and break my fear of frying!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
These donuts are absolutely amazing!!!
elangomatt says
I'd like to win the induction cooker because the stove in my apartment is pretty old and high heat on it seems more like medium heat on most stoves. A source of higher heat would making doing things like searing faster and easier!
Tina Woo says
An induction cooktop is second on my wish list (a sous vide machine is number 1). Somehow I believe I would magically become Top Chef-worthy just by owning one!
On the serious side, since it keeps uniform heat, heats up quickly and doesn't get hot itself, I'm thinking it would be awesome for making jam in the summertime, when the fruit is at it's ripest but also when my West-facing kitchen is being slowly roasted by the 100+ degree desert heat.
Renee Goerger says
Tina, I'm so glad you entered to win the induction cooker. However, I feel a need to tell you...they do in fact get hot! Very hot!!! I was surprised too because on the infomercial I watched, they placed their hands right on the cook surface right after cooking. Don't let that fool you. They are just like other cook surfaces...they get hot! Still, I enjoy mine and I wish you good luck in the giveaway. I know if you win, you'll enjoy it too.
Tina Woo says
A somewhat dishonest infomercial??? I guess I can't reallyyyyyy be shocked. But I'm thinking it still wouldn't heat up the kitchen as much as the stovetop. And right now, after yet another 100+ degree day, I'll take any little help I can get!
Lauren Kelly Nutriton says
Oh my goodness these look incredible! Can't wait to make them!
Shulie Foodwanderings says
Hi Renee those mashed sweet potatoes donuts look incredible. I never thought of making sweet potato ones so thanks for this fantastic version and making me think outside my comfort zone.
Pam says
What a great recipe for doughnuts. I bought a induction plate 3 years ago and I love it. Nice giveaway I will share it. 🙂
Rusthawk says
I would like the induction to do my frying to regulate the temp properly. Nice donut recipe!
Sharyl Wolter says
We have an electric cook top. I'm not a fan. I would love this!
Maria RePass says
Sweet potato donuts are delicious. I'll have to try your recipe. I've been looking at induction burners for a while. Mainly to control the temperature more accurately while brewing beer, but frying is a use I never thought of. How cool!
Paula-bell'alimento says
So I can make these donuts of course ; )
deneen says
I love the idea of frying in such an efficient manner!
Maryann says
I have never tried induction cooking and it looks like it would be fun. Donuts on Sunday morning after church.
Robin Chesser says
I have been wanting an induction cooktop cooker for what seems like forever but only has been for awhile, I'm always being asked to cook at other peoples homes but do not always like their stoves, weird I know but true, the NuWave Cooktop would be a totally great addition to my kitchen.
Jenny Hartin says
I have been wanting one of these forever! And pass me a donut.
RJ Flamingo says
I've never had a sweet potato donut, either, but these look heavenly! Pinned, Stumbled, and entering this fab giveaway - I've always wanted to try induction cooking, but didn't want to invest in an entire cooktop, so this is a great solution!
Souffle Bombay says
Oh yum! I have never had a sweet potato donut (or a pie even)! Looks and sounds so good! And I want that Nuwave!!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
Ohmy GOD these look divine!!!
Linda Mire says
I have a very small stove top, so I would love an extra cooking surface. The Nuwave sounds awesome. Those donuts look pretty darn good too! Thanks.
Kimberly says
Because I tend to run out of burners when I'm cooking for my extended family!
Great giveaway ... and great doughnuts!
Anonymous says
I would love to win this! I have getting greasy, soggy fried items from the temp of the oil dropping when I add the foods. Yuck! Hope Mandy and David had a great wedding! I love their glasses!
Kreyes6(at)yahoo.com
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
Oh my gosh, Renee - I was SO looking forward to seeing this recipe. They look and sound like perfection. I do love apple cider dougnuts, but I'm willing to give these a go, as well...hurry up cool weather! 😉
As for an induction cooktop, well, I'd love to have one as an extra cooking surface during the holidays, also to take along with me when I do cooking classes for a local community center, and now that you mention - I'd love to use it to keep frying oil at an even temp! Thanks for the chance 🙂
MaryB says
Oh, I have been wanting one of these for the longest time! We entertain a lot and it would be so handy to have another cooking spot. We also host "cooking parties" which are so much fun but having space for 5 "teams" to work can get kind of crazy. This would be wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win.
MaryB says
Oops - forgot to say I love the baked goods painted coffee mug from your shop. So cute!
Lexiquin says
Having another way to cook--and, especially in a more efficient manner--is the reason I would like this induction cooktop.
I love the champagne flutes you painted 😉
Hani/Haniela's says
What a wonderful thing to do for your father-in-law. I love donuts and these sound so earthy, like the look of the soft dough in the picture, it makes for the best donuts.
Thank you for this fantastic giveaway too Renee.