Twisted Korean Delight Doughnuts Recipe

Crispy Twisted Korean Delight Doughnuts Recipe – Sweet Fun

These twisted Korean delight doughnuts capture the essence of street food magic with their irresistible charm and unexpected textures.

Sweet spirals of dough promise a culinary adventure that breaks traditional pastry boundaries.

Crispy exteriors give way to soft, pillowy interiors that dance between familiar comfort and exciting innovation.

Rich cultural influences merge seamlessly in each carefully crafted bite.

Complex flavors emerge from a delicate balance of techniques that challenge ordinary dessert expectations.

You can find yourself captivated by the intricate twists and golden-brown perfection.

Explore a world where simplicity meets extraordinary craftsmanship, inviting you to savor every delectable moment.

Twisted Korean Delight Doughnuts: What’s to Love

  • These doughnuts deliver an exciting twist on traditional pastries, bringing authentic Korean street food flavors directly to your kitchen with minimal effort.
  • Expect a crispy golden exterior that gives way to an incredibly soft, pillowy interior, creating a delightful contrast with each delectable bite.
  • The step-by-step process makes this recipe approachable for home cooks of all skill levels, requiring basic ingredients and straightforward techniques that guarantee bakery-quality results.
  • Perfect for weekend brunch, family gatherings, or spontaneous dessert cravings, these Korean-inspired doughnuts will impress friends and family with their unique and compelling flavor profile.

Ingredients for Twisted Korean Doughnuts

Main Dough Components:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A soft, versatile base that creates a light and tender doughnut texture.
  • Active Dry Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise and develop a rich, complex flavor.
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps activate the yeast for perfect dough development.
Liquid and Fat Ingredients:
  • Whole Milk: Adds richness and moisture to create a soft doughnut interior.
  • Eggs: Contribute to the dough's structure and provide a smooth, tender crumb.
  • Butter: Brings a luxurious flavor and helps create a rich, tender doughnut texture.
Flavor and Coating Ingredients:
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the doughnut.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic background flavor to the dough.
  • Cinnamon, Black Sesame Seeds: Provide a unique Korean-inspired twist and extra flavor complexity.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates a sweet, delicate coating for the finished doughnuts.

Instructions for Twisting Up Korean Delight Doughnuts

Step 1: Gather Dry Ingredients

Collect bread flour and glutinous rice flour. Sift these flours into a spacious mixing bowl. Create two small wells in the flour. Sprinkle sugar into one well and salt into another. Softly cover these wells with surrounding flour.

Step 2: Activate Yeast Mixture

Gently warm milk until it feels lukewarm. Dissolve instant dry yeast completely in the warm milk. Whisk an egg separately. Combine the egg with milk and yeast, stirring until well blended.

Step 3: Create Dough Base

Use a stand mixer with a dough hook or work by hand. Slowly pour the milk mixture into flour. Mix ingredients until they form a cohesive, slightly sticky dough. Knead continuously to develop gluten and create smooth texture.

Step 4: Incorporate Butter

Soften butter at room temperature. Add butter to the dough gradually. Knead thoroughly until:
  • Butter is fully absorbed
  • Dough appears smooth
  • Color turns slightly golden yellow
  • Consistency becomes elastic

Step 5: First Fermentation

Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with:
  • Damp kitchen towel
  • Plastic wrap

Let dough rise in a warm, draft-free space. Wait until volume doubles, approximately 1-1.5 hours.

Step 6: Shape and Second Rise

Gently deflate risen dough. Divide into equal portions. Roll each portion into smooth, round balls. Allow dough balls to rest and rise again for 30-45 minutes.

Step 7: Fry and Finish

Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F (175°C). Carefully lower dough balls into hot oil. Fry until achieving a beautiful golden-brown color. Remove and immediately roll in granulated sugar for a sweet, crispy coating.

Tips to Nail Twisted Doughnuts Every Time

  • Master Yeast Activation: Ensure lukewarm water (100-110°F) triggers perfect yeast bloom without killing the microorganisms.
  • Knead with Precision: Work butter gradually into dough, creating smooth, elastic texture that ensures tender, light doughnuts.
  • Temperature Control Matters: Maintain consistent oil temperature at 350-375°F for golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior.
  • Rising Technique: Let dough rise in warm, draft-free spot, covering with damp cloth to prevent surface from drying out.
  • Coating Perfection: Roll warm doughnuts immediately in sugar mixture for maximum flavor adherence and delightful crunch.

How to Store and Reheat Korean Doughnuts

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover doughnuts in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture. Keep them fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat in Oven: Warm doughnuts at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and soft interior. Avoid microwaving, which can make them soggy and tough.
  • Freeze Option: Wrap individual doughnuts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm gently in the oven before serving.

Best Pairings for Twisted Korean Doughnuts

  • Pair with Spicy Soju Cocktail: Balance the sweet doughnuts with a zesty soju cocktail mixed with ginger, lime, and a touch of chili, cutting through the richness and complementing the Korean-inspired flavors.
  • Match with Creamy Green Tea Latte: The earthy, smooth green tea latte provides a delightful contrast to the crispy, sugary doughnuts, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
  • Complement with Tangy Passion Fruit Smoothie: A bright, tropical smoothie with passion fruit's acidity will refresh the palate after each bite of the buttery, sweet doughnut, offering a vibrant counterpoint.
  • Enhance with Cinnamon-Infused Iced Coffee: A cold brew coffee with a hint of cinnamon will elevate the doughnuts' sweetness, adding depth and warming spice to the overall dessert experience.

Doughnut Variations to Try

  • Matcha Magic: Incorporate 2 tablespoons of high-quality matcha powder into the dry ingredients for a vibrant green color and earthy green tea flavor that adds complexity to the traditional Korean doughnut.
  • Honey Sesame Fusion: Replace sugar coating with a glaze made from honey and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top, creating a nutty and sweet combination that enhances the doughnut's traditional texture.
  • Cinnamon Spice Burst: Mix ground cinnamon and a pinch of cardamom into the sugar coating, infusing warm spices that complement the soft, pillowy dough and provide a subtle aromatic experience.
  • Berry Cream Filling: After frying, use a piping bag to inject a light raspberry or strawberry cream filling, transforming the classic doughnut into a fruity, indulgent treat with a Korean-inspired twist.

Twisted Korean Delight Doughnut FAQs

  • What type of flour works best for this Korean Twisted Doughnut recipe?

Bread flour and glutinous rice flour are essential. The combination creates a unique texture that’s both soft and slightly chewy, giving these doughnuts their signature Korean-style consistency.

  • How long should I let the dough rise?

The dough needs two rising periods: first for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size, then a second rise of 30-45 minutes after shaping the dough balls. Always keep the dough in a warm, draft-free area.

  • What's the ideal oil temperature for frying these doughnuts?

Maintain the oil at exactly 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures the doughnuts cook evenly, becoming golden brown on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy inside. Use a kitchen thermometer for precision.

  • Can I make these doughnuts ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it overnight for the first rise. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping and doing the second rise. Freshly fried doughnuts are always best served warm and coated in sugar.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Twisted Korean Delight Doughnuts Recipe

Twisted Korean Delight Doughnuts Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Indulgent Korean Twisted Doughnuts bring sweet street snack magic straight from Seoul’s bustling markets. Crispy golden spirals drizzled with honey create an irresistible dessert that will tempt your taste buds with authentic Korean charm.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Dry Ingredients:

  • 240 grams (8.5 ounces) bread flour
  • 60 grams (2.1 ounces) glutinous rice flour
  • 30 grams (1.1 ounces) sugar
  • 4 grams (0.14 ounces) salt
  • 8 grams (0.28 ounces) instant dry yeast

Wet Ingredients:

  • 140 grams (4.9 fluid ounces) milk
  • 40 grams (1.4 ounces) egg (about one medium egg, beaten)
  • 40 grams (1.4 ounces) butter (either salted or unsalted, softened)

Topping:

  • A few tablespoons of sugar for coating

Instructions

  1. Craft a pristine workspace by sifting bread flour and glutinous rice flour into a spacious mixing vessel. Create two small wells within the flour landscape, nestling sugar in one pocket and salt in another, then delicately shroud them with surrounding flour particles.
  2. Gently warm milk to a tepid temperature, then dissolve instant dry yeast into its silky embrace. Whisk an egg separately, extracting the precise quantity needed, and blend thoroughly with the milk-yeast fusion.
  3. Integrate the liquid mixture into the flour terrain using a stand mixer equipped with a dough hook or through manual manipulation. Continue working the ingredients until they transform into a cohesive, slightly tacky mass with a unified texture.
  4. Introduce softened butter into the developing dough, kneading persistently until the fat completely melds, creating a smooth, pale yellow canvas with consistent elasticity. Maintain consistent motion for approximately 8-10 minutes to ensure optimal incorporation.
  5. Transfer the refined dough to a lightly greased receptacle, drape with a damp cloth or plastic membrane, and allow it to expand undisturbed in a tranquil, draft-free environment until its volume doubles; roughly 1 to 1.5 hours.
  6. Tenderly deflate the risen dough, partition into uniform segments, and shape each into a pristine, rounded form. Allow these golden orbs a secondary proofing period of 30-45 minutes to develop additional complexity.
  7. Elevate oil in a deep fryer or substantial pan to 350°F, then delicately immerse the dough spheres, transforming them into amber-hued delicacies. Immediately enrobe the piping hot creations in a sparkling sugar cloak, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Notes

  • Precise measurement is crucial for achieving the perfect dough texture and rise, so use a kitchen scale for accuracy.
  • Activate yeast in warm milk (not hot) to ensure proper fermentation without killing the live cultures.
  • Allow sufficient rising time in a warm, draft-free area to develop rich, complex flavors and soft doughnut texture.
  • Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F while frying to prevent greasy or undercooked doughnuts.
  • Use a thermometer to check oil temperature and rotate doughnuts for even golden-brown coloring.
  • Rest doughnuts on a wire rack after coating to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain crisp exterior.
  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 169
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 75 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 3.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star