Beer Donuts: Fluffy, Golden, and Glazed With Beer-Laced Sweetness

These Beer Donuts are fried to golden perfection, soft on the inside, and glazed with a sweet, malty beer icing that drips down every fluffy ring.

They’re part brunch, part dessert, part beer-infused madness — and they taste like the love child of a yeast donut and a pint of pale ale.

Perfect for weekend treats, beer brunches, or any time your sweet tooth and brew cravings collide.

Ingredients (Makes 10–12 donuts + holes)

For the Donut Dough:

• 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm water (110°F / 45°C)
• ¾ cup beer (wheat beer, cream ale, or blonde ale — lightly malty is best)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ tsp salt
• 3½–4 cups all-purpose flour (as needed)

For Frying:

• Oil for frying (canola or vegetable)

For the Beer Glaze:

• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 3–4 tbsp beer (same as in dough or a flavored variant — citrusy or spiced)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: ½ tsp lemon zest, orange zest, or cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

• In a small bowl, combine yeast and warm water. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together beer, sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla, and salt.
• Add yeast mixture and 2 cups flour. Mix until combined.
• Gradually add remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
• Knead on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
• Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled — about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Step 2: Shape the Donuts

• Roll out dough on a floured surface to ½-inch thickness.
• Cut into rings using a donut cutter or two round cutters (e.g., 3” and 1”).
• Place on parchment-lined trays, cover loosely, and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.

Step 3: Fry Until Golden

• Heat 2–3 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C).
• Fry donuts 2–3 at a time, 1–2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• Let cool slightly before glazing.

Step 4: Make the Beer Glaze

• In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, beer, vanilla, and optional zest/spices until smooth.
• Dip donuts face-down into glaze or drizzle over the top.
• Let glaze set for 10–15 minutes — or eat them sticky.

Serving Suggestions

Serve With:

• Hot coffee or cold beer
• Fresh fruit or a beer caramel sauce
• Crushed nuts or toasted coconut sprinkled on top

Style It For:

• Beer brunch with candied bacon
• Oktoberfest dessert tray
• Late-night snack with stout or porter

Garnish With:

• Extra zest, flaky salt, crushed pretzels, or edible glitter for fun

Beer Pairing

In the dough/glaze:

• Wheat beer (soft, citrusy, yeasty)
• Cream ale (light and neutral)
• Spiced winter ale or orange wheat for seasonal twists

In your glass:

• Pale ale or blonde ale for balance
• Stout for a rich contrast
• Radler or fruited beer for citrusy zing

Final Thoughts

Beer Donuts are proof that deep-fried, sweet, and beer-soaked can live in perfect harmony.

They’re fluffy, yeasty, and just complex enough from the brew to keep your taste buds curious.

Serve them warm, glazed, and unapologetically decadent — these aren’t your average donuts.

More Not-So-Healthy Beer Snacks 🍻

Deep-fried, beer-battered, cheesy, and gloriously greasy — these over-the-top snack recipes are made for game days, pub nights, or cheat-day cravings. Grab a cold one and dig in.

🧀 Deep-Fried Beer Cheese Balls – Crispy outside, molten beer cheese inside — party-perfect bites.
🥓 Beer-Battered Bacon Strips – Smoky, salty bacon wrapped in golden beer batter.
🧅 Beer Battered Onion Rings – Extra-crunchy rings with a deep beer flavor.
🧄 Beer Cheese Pull-Apart Bread – Gooey, garlicky bread loaded with beer cheese pockets.
🍗 Beer-Glazed Chicken Wings – Sticky, crispy wings with a bold beer glaze.
🌮 Beer Nachos Supreme – Stacked high with beer-infused queso and all the fixings.
🍩 Beer Donuts (Fried + Glazed) – Deep-fried donuts with a sweet beer glaze finish.
🧀 Beer Mac & Cheese Bites (Fried) – Creamy beer mac, breaded and fried into crispy bites.
🥨 Beer Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese Dip – Soft pretzel nuggets with rich beer cheese on the side.
🧆 Beer Brat Sliders – Juicy beer-braised brats on slider buns with tangy toppings.
🥜 Guinness Beer Nuts – caramelized nuts roasted in dark, malty Guinness.

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

• 🍽️ Cooking with Beer (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to cooking with beer, from mains to apps and desserts.
• 🥨 Beer-Battered Appetizers and Sides – – Crispy onion rings, fried pickles, mushrooms, zucchini, & more pub-style favorites with a golden beer crunch.
• 🍞 Beer Bread Recipes – From 2-ingredient quick breads to jalapeño cheese loaves.
• 🧀 Beer Cheese & Dips – Beer cheese soup, queso, nachos, ranch dip & more.
• 🍖 Beer Can Chicken & Grilled Mains – Bold, juicy recipes straight from the grill.
• 🌶️ Beer Infused Chili’s – Hearty, bold, and slow-simmered beer-infused chili.
• 🍻 Beer Mac & Cheese – Creamy, quick& easy, made to impress.
• 🍰 Beer-Infused Desserts & Sweets – Sweet treats made better with beer.
• 🎉 Oktoberfest & Seasonal Ideas – Perfect pairings for parties, fall feasts, and festive gatherings.