Spudnuts are deep-fried pastries made out of mashed potatoes and covered in coarse sugar or a delicious glazed frosting. They’re simple to make and totally delicious!
Spudnuts are some of my family’s favorite desserts to make. Some of our other family-favorites are these amazing Homemade Brownies, these quick and easy Cake Mix Cookies or these classic Chocolate Chip Cookies.
What is a Spudnut?
When you think of doughnuts, potatoes might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind. However, there’s a delightful treat that combines the best of both worlds – meet Spud Nuts!
These unique doughnuts are made with mashed potatoes, resulting in a doughnut that’s incredibly moist, fluffy, and slightly crispy on the outside.
If you’re a doughnut enthusiast or simply curious about this unusual twist on a classic treat, you’re in for a mouthwatering adventure.
The Origins of Spud Nuts
The story of Spud Nuts dates back to the mid-20th century when inventive bakers sought to create a doughnut recipe that could be made with readily available ingredients during times of rationing, such as during World War II.
The use of mashed potatoes not only added moisture to the dough but also allowed for a reduction in the use of more expensive ingredients like eggs and butter. Over the years, Spud Nuts gained popularity for their unique texture and flavor, becoming a beloved treat in many regions.
Here’s how to make them –
How to Make Donuts with Mashed Potatoes
INGREDIENTS –
- 1 1/2tspyeast
- 1/2cupwarm water
- 1/3cupbutter
- 1/2cupsugar
- 1/2cuphot mashed potatoes*
- 1/2cupscalded milk
- 1egg,beaten
- 3/4tsp.salt
- 1cupflour,plus 2 1/2 to 3 cups more
INSTRUCTIONS –
In a small bowl, mix the yeast and warm water and leave to proof.
Mix together your butter, sugar, hot mashed potatoes, and scalded milk. (I reheat my mashed potatoes with the butter so that the butter will melt).
Mix your yeast and water, egg, salt, and one cup of flour. Beat well.
Add your mixture of butter, sugar, potatoes, and milk. Blend well, then add an additional 2 1/2 to 3 cups of flour. Mix well until you have a slightly sticky, but very soft dough.
Cover the dough and allow to rise for about 1 1/2 hours.
Punch dough down and roll out about 1/2-inch thick onto a heavily floured surface.
Cut out doughnuts and doughnut holes. Remove excess dough, roll out, and cut out more doughnuts and holes until all dough is used. Let doughnuts rest for about 30 minutes while the oil heats up. Add about an inch of oil into an electric skillet. Heat oil to 375 degrees.
Carefully add doughnuts to the oil. When bottom begins to brown (after 30 seconds to a minute), flip doughnuts and cook until golden brown on both sides. Use tongs to remove from the oil and place warm doughnuts on a plate lined with paper towels.
Sprinkle sugar, powdered sugar, or drizzle your favorite glaze over the top. Serve & enjoy!
Tips For Making Spudnuts
What If They’re Too Salty – If your mashed potatoes are too salty, mix in a little sugar to sweeten them.
Use Leftovers – You don’t have to make mashed potatoes specifically for this recipe. Just use your leftover mashed potatoes from dinner the night before! Your mashed potatoes can have salt and pepper and other flavors in them and your spudnuts will still turn out as tasty as ever!
The Best Tool – For this recipe, I suggest using an electric skillet if you have one. Electric skillets let you set the temperature, and they keep that temperature constant. You don’t have to worry about turning your stove up and down and guessing about the correct temperature. If you have a fryer, you can also use that, but you won’t be able to make as many doughnuts at a time.
Cutting Tip – When I cut out the doughnuts, I just use a large cup. Then I use a medicine cup (the kind that comes with Children’s Tylenol) for the holes.
Toppings – Decorate your donuts as desired! We love dipping our spudnut donuts in sugar, sprinkled with powdered sugar, or topped with a delicious chocolate glaze!
Next time you’re craving something sweet and nostalgic, give Spud Nuts a try. These tender potato-based doughnuts are sure to become a cherished addition to your baking repertoire, a reminder of the simple joys of homemade treats.
Other Easy Donut Recipes
- Blueberry Greek Yogurt Donuts
- Donut Muffins Recipe
- Easy Donut Recipe
- Donut Thank You Tags
HERE’S A PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE –
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Spudnuts Donuts Recipe
Servings: 15 donuts
Spudnuts are deep-fried pastries made out of mashed potatoes and covered in coarse sugar or a delicious glazed frosting. They're simple to make and totally delicious!
Prep Time:10 minutes mins
Cook Time:2 minutes mins
Rising Time:1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time:1 hour hr 42 minutes mins
Ingredients
Instructions
Mix the yeast and warm water and leave to proof.
Mix together your butter, sugar, hot mashed potatoes, and scalded milk. (I reheat my mashed potatoes with the butter so that the butter will melt).
Mix your yeast and water, egg, salt, and one cup of flour. Beat well.
Add your mixture of butter, sugar, potatoes, and milk. Blend well, then add an additional 2 1/2 to 3 cups of flour. Mix well until you have a slightly sticky, but very soft dough.
Cover the dough and allow to rise for about 1 1/2 hours.
Punch down dough and roll out about 1/2-inch thick onto a heavily floured surface.
Cut out doughnuts and doughnut holes. Remove excess dough, roll out, and cut out more doughnuts and holes until all dough is used. Let doughnuts rest for about 30 minutes while the oil heats up.
Add about an inch of oil into an electric skillet. Heat to 375 degrees. Carefully add doughnuts to the oil. When bottom begins to brown (after 30 seconds to a minute), flip doughnuts and cook until lightly browned on both sides. Use tongs to remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
Sprinkle sugar, powdered sugar, or drizzle your favorite glaze over the top. Serve & enjoy!
Video
Notes
If your mashed potatoes are REALLY salty, you may want to add a little extra sugar to the doughnuts. Otherwise, no worries!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 donut · Calories: 110 kcal · Carbohydrates: 15 g · Protein: 2 g · Fat: 5 g · Saturated Fat: 3 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g · Trans Fat: 0.2 g · Cholesterol: 23 mg · Sodium: 138 mg · Potassium: 53 mg · Fiber: 0.5 g · Sugar: 7 g · Vitamin A: 155 IU · Vitamin C: 2 mg · Calcium: 15 mg · Iron: 0.5 mg
Other Notes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: desserts
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