Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon

Chinese Deep-Fried Doughnut (Youtiao) Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 from 14 reviews

Youtiao, also known as Chinese doughnuts, are crispy, golden-fried strips of dough commonly enjoyed as a breakfast snack or accompaniment to congee and soy milk. This recipe guides you through making the dough, resting it to develop gluten, shaping, and deep-frying to perfection, resulting in light, airy, and deliciously crunchy youtiao.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 2 cups all purpose flour (unsifted, around 300g)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 egg
  • 120 ml water (+ 5 ml for adjusting based on the size of the egg)
  • 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp sugar

For Frying

  • Oil for deep-frying (enough to submerge youtiao)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil for brushing (used on dough surface before resting)

Instructions

  1. Make the dough: Combine all ingredients using either a stand mixer or by hand. For stand mixer, knead on low speed for 7-9 minutes until the dough is elastic. Shape into a ball and cover with plastic wrap to rest.
  2. Making dough by hand: Mix dry ingredients first. Add egg and oil, then stir with a chopstick or spatula. Knead gently using your fist until dough forms and is soft but not sticky. Cover and rest for 15 minutes, then knead again until surface is almost smooth. Cover and let rest for 1 hour more.
  3. Shape and rest the dough: Roll dough into a long rectangle. Brush with vegetable oil on the surface to prevent stickiness. Cover and rest for 2 hours (or at least 1 hour if short on time).
  4. Cut strips and assemble: Cut the rested dough rectangle into strips about 3 cm wide. Wet a chopstick with water and press a groove down the center of one dough strip. Lay another strip over it and press them together lengthwise, using water to seal.
  5. Heat oil for frying: Heat deep-frying oil to 180-190°C (356-400°F).
  6. Fry the youtiao: Hold the joined dough strip at both ends and gently stretch to fit your wok or frying pan. Slide them carefully into the hot oil and use chopsticks to continuously roll the pieces to ensure even cooking and prevent the surface from firming too quickly. Fry until the youtiao puff up and turn golden brown, about 1 minute.
  7. Drain and cool: Remove youtiao with slotted utensil and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil.
  8. Fry in batches: Use a slow flame to maintain oil temperature. Fry only 1-2 youtiao at a time to keep oil temperature consistent and allow for easy rolling.
  9. Storage and serving: Freshly fried youtiao taste best. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
  10. Reheating: Reheat by frying again at lower heat or baking in an oven at 180°C (356°F) for 4-5 minutes until crisp.

Notes

  • Resting the dough for 2 hours allows gluten development and improves texture.
  • Brushing the dough with oil before resting prevents stickiness during shaping.
  • Maintaining proper oil temperature is key to achieve crispy, airy youtiao.
  • Do not overcrowd the oil to avoid temperature drop and uneven frying.
  • Youtiao is best eaten fresh but can be reheated without losing much texture.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snack
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/chinese-deep-fried-doughnut-youtiao-recipe/