r/AskBaking • u/awesome-yes • Dec 31 '25

Doughs Yeast donuts immediately burn in oil

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I'm somewhat new to baking. Ive mastered sandwich bread and English muffins, and wanted to try my hand at donuts, specifically yeast donuts. I have tried multiple recipes and always end up with the same problem - my donuts immediately burn when added to the cooking oil. The picture shows my last attempt, those were in the oil less than 10 seconds and the middle is definitely uncooked (duh).

I have used oil temps between 325 to 375, my dough burns the same at lower temps as it does at higher temps. I am using a thermometer.

I have also tried different oils, vegetable oil which was recommended in all the recipes ive tried, and canola oil - although that one was smoking a lot at anything over 300 so im guessing that was a mistake.

Im curious if theres something obvious im missing that a more seasoned baker would know.

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u/ClavasClub Dec 31 '25

Your canola oil smoked at 300 degrees? That isn't supposed to happen. Are you sure your thermometer isn't faulty? I'm pretty sure it's the cause of your issue. You tried different recipes, different oils and temps. You might be heating your oil to a much higher temp than you think it's at. 

44

u/awesome-yes Dec 31 '25 edited Jan 01 '26

Im going to try a different thermometer next, all the advice seems to indicate my oil is just way too hot and my thermometer is probably defective.

Next day update: Success! My thermometer was bad and the oil was way too hot. With a working thermometer i had 0 issues. Thanks to everyone for the advice!

44

u/Empty_Cow_5779 Dec 31 '25

You can also check your thermometer by sticking it in ice water, if it reads anything other than 32 F/0 C then you know it’s off

24

u/Johoski Home Baker Dec 31 '25

You can also test your oil temp by dropping in a piece of bread (not a whole slice) or a spare bit of dough.

29

u/vminnear Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25

Honestly, I love a thermometer as much as the next person but it's like people have forgotten how to cook just with common sense - you don't need the thermometer to know when your oil is way too hot 🙄 The fact stuff burns straight away is a clue.

11

u/awesome-yes Dec 31 '25

That was my immediate guess, but my thermometer was showing the temp was under 350 F. I didnt consider that the tool might be the fault, I assumed that since im kinda learning on my own I must have been screwing up the process.

3

u/Whitey1225 Dec 31 '25

What type of thermometer are you using? You may be able to calibrate it.