Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts are crispy on the outside, and soft and pillowy on the inside. Not to mention they're completely coated with an irresistible cinnamon and sugar mixture which is sure to have you doing the happy donut dance!
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 has remained unchanged.
**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
The ingredient list:
- 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!
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 sweet potato donuts be frozen?
These Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts freeze wonderfully well, so even though this recipe makes approximately 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!
Aging and taste bud changes:
We brought my father-in-law a dozen of these Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts. As he's aged (he's 94 and under hospice care), his taste buds for sugary sweet treats have increased tremendously.
Even though he's mostly on a pureed diet (don't worry, I brought him plenty of pureed foods, too) I knew he'd be able to enjoy and appreciate these soft, sweet, cake-like treats.
Did you know that as we age our taste buds more acutely recognize sweet foods as opposed to any other type of food? We learned this fact from his day nurse, and I find it fascinating. Who knew? You can read more about how our sense of taste changes in this article from Bon Appetite.
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
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's Sweet Potato Donuts with Cinnamon and Sugar.
⭐If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂
Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts with Cinnamon and Sugar
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
- 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 pot, heat the oil to 375-degrees.
- 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 flour mixture, ⅓'d at a time and on low speed into the creamed shortening mixture until all the flour is fully incorporated and the dough 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.
- Roll the dough out to an approximately, uniformly ½" thickness.
- Use a 3" round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter that has been dipped in flour and cut out as many circles as you can. Set them 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 the circles (more flour on your hands may be needed) and gently stretch the donuts into shape.
- Use a large slotted spoon or spider strainer and carefully place about 4-5 donuts in the hot oil to fry about 3-4 minutes on each side or until deeply golden brown.*Note - if the oil is too hot, the donuts will brown quickly and still be raw in the middle. Try and keep your oil temperature as constant as possible to avoid this. Or, if it's not hot enough, the oil will saturate the dough making your donuts greasy.
- Carefully removed the cooked donuts from the oil (using the strainer) and place them into a bowl with the cinnamon sugar. Toss to coat.
- 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!
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 Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts, French fries, or fritters you're making.
The induction cooktop is also portable, so as long as you have an outlet to plug into, you're good to go. 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 Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts in a matter of minutes.
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.
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}
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.
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?
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.