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Have you ever had a Korean donut? They are light and fluffy, with a sweet and slightly tangy glaze. They are the perfect way to start your day, or to satisfy your sweet tooth. In this recipe, I will show you how to make your own twisted Korean donuts at home. So grab your ingredients and get started!
What Are Kkwabaegi Or Korean Donuts?
Kkwabaegi, or Korean donuts, are a popular street food in Korea. They are made from wheat flour and sugar dough that is deep fried until golden brown. The donuts are then tossed in a sweet glaze and served hot. These donuts have a light and airy texture with a slightly tangy flavor from the glaze. They are perfect for a snack or dessert, and can be served with coffee or tea.
What Is The Difference Between Korean Donuts And American Donuts?
Korean donuts differ from American-style donuts in both texture and flavor. They are generally lighter and airier than American-style donuts, with a slightly tangy flavor from the glaze. In addition, Korean doughnuts often have a twisted shape, while American donuts tend to be round.
How To Make Korean Donuts
Koreans love their sweets, and one of the most popular treats is the donut. These fried delicacies can be found in nearly every corner store and bakery, but for those who want to try their hand at making them at home, here is a recipe.

How To Make Korean Donuts
Ingredients:
- All purpose flour , for doughnuts, plus 2 tbsp. for dusting: 3 cup
- Butter: 2 tbsp
- White sugar: 5 tbsp
- Dry yeast: 2½ tsp, (1 pkg), (about 2¼ teaspoons: 7 grams)
- Milk: 1 cup
- Egg: 1
- Kosher salt: 1⁄2
- Corn oil, for frying
- Cinnamon powder: 1⁄2 tsp
How To Make Korean Twisted Donuts
There are five steps on how to make Korean doughnuts:
1. Make The Dough:
Making bread is a simple process that anyone can learn with a little practice. One of the most important steps in making bread is proofing the dough, which allows the yeast to activate and produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas helps to leaven the bread, giving it a light and fluffy texture.
There are a few different ways to proof dough, but one of the simplest is to warm milk to 95 to 105°F and sprinkle active dry yeast over the milk.
Letting the yeast dissolve and activate for 3 to 5 minutes before adding it to the flour mixture helps to ensure that the bread will rise properly.
Once the yeast has dissolved, add the milk mixture and the egg into the flour.
Mix until dough starts to come together; knead dough until no more dry ingredients are visible; cover and let dough rest in a warm area for 20-30 minutes.
After resting, add softened butter and knead dough until all of butter has been absorbed and dough looks smooth; round up Dough; cover Let Dough proof in a warm area until doubled (45 min – 1 hr).
2. Shape the dough:
First, prepare a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Then, once the dough has doubled in size, transfer it onto a clean work surface and knead it briefly to dAeflate it.
Next, divide the dough into 6 equal pieces and roll each one into a thin rope about ½ inch thick and 12 inches long.
With your hands at each end of the rope, roll the dough in opposite directions to create a twisted effect.
Finally, pick up the ends of the rope and let it twist onto itself before placing it on the prepared sheet pan. Repeat this process with the remaining pieces of dough, making sure to keep them spaced about 1 inch apart.
Let the dough rest in a warm area until it doubles in size again, which should take 45 minutes to 1 hour. Now your breadsticks are ready to bake!
3. Make the cinnamon sugar:
In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
4. Fry the donuts:
Fill a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer with enough oil to completely submerge the twisted donuts.
Bring the oil to 350°F over medium heat; then carefully drop each twisted donut into the hot oil.
Fry the donuts in batches of 3 or 4, flipping them frequently until they are golden brown and crisped on all sides.
Carefully remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
5. Coat with cinnamon sugar:
Transfer the fried donuts to the bowl with the cinnamon sugar mixture and toss to coat.
Serve warm or at room temperature for a delicious snack! Enjoy!
Here is a video how to make this doughnuts
Recipe Tips:
• If you want to make the donuts sweeter, add a tablespoon of honey or another liquid sweetener to the dough before proofing.
• You can also experiment with different spices such as nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom in your cinnamon sugar mixture for an extra flavor boost.
• For a vegan version of this recipe, substitute vegan butter for the regular butter and use a plant-based milk such as almond or oat in place of the dairy.
• To make the donuts even more decadent, try dipping them in melted chocolate or topping with a glaze made from powdered sugar and orange blossom water.

Korean Twisted Donuts
How To Store Korean Donuts
To store the Korean donuts, place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
The donuts can also be frozen for up to 1 month; just make sure to thaw them overnight before serving for best results.
How To Reheat Korean Twisted Donuts
To reheat the donuts, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes.
You can also microwave them for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on their size.
Enjoy your delicious Korean donuts!
More Korean Recipes:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Korean donuts made of?
Korean donuts are typically made with a simple combination of flour, yeast, milk, sugar, and butter. The dough is shaped into ropes and twisted before being fried in hot oil until golden and crisp.
Are Korean doughnuts vegan?
Yes! To make vegan Korean donuts, simply substitute vegan butter for the regular butter and use a plant-based milk such as almond or oat in place of the dairy.
Can Korean donuts be frozen?
Yes, you can easily freeze the donuts for up to 1 month; just make sure to thaw them overnight before serving for best results.
How many calories are in a Korean donut?
The exact amount of calories in a Korean donut will depend on the size and ingredients used. On average, one large donut contains around 250 to 300 calories.
Can I make the dough for Korean donuts ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to fry, simply bring it back to room temperature before shaping and frying.
What is a Taiwanese donut?
Taiwanese donuts are a type of fried dough that is similar to the Korean donut, but with a more cake-like texture. It is usually sweeter than the Korean version and coated in sugar or sesame seeds.
What are Japanese donuts made of?
Japanese donuts are typically made with a combination of flour, yeast, sugar, butter, and eggs. They are usually round or twisted in shape and can be filled with various ingredients such as jam, custard, or cream cheese.
Are Korean donuts healthy?
Korean doughnuts are not considered a health food due to their high fat and sugar content. However, they can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in moderation.
Are Korean donuts gluten-free?
No, Korean donuts are not suitable for a gluten-free diet since they contain wheat flour as one of the main ingredients.
Conclusion
The next time you have a hankering for something sweet, try out this twisted Korean donuts recipe. Thanks for joining me in my kitchen today as Lilianakitchen.com explored the twisted Korean doughnuts. This recipe is definitely worth trying at home – it’s simple, fun to make, and absolutely delicious. Be sure to let me know how they turn out for you, and whether you add your own twists!

Ingredients
- All purpose flour , for doughnuts, plus 2 tbsp. for dusting: 3 cup
- Butter: 2 tbsp
- White sugar: 5 tbsp
- Dry yeast: 2½ tsp, (1 pkg), (about 2¼ teaspoons: 7 grams)
- Milk: 1 cup
- Egg: 1
- Kosher salt: 1⁄2
- Corn oil, for frying
- Cinnamon powder: 1⁄2 tsp
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, butter, and sugar until well combined.
2. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 10 minutes or until foamy.
3. Add the egg to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Then add the dissolved yeast mixture and mix until everything comes together in a dough.
4. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
5. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and allow to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
7. Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thick and cut into strips 1 ½ inches wide. Twist each strip and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
8. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large, deep pot over medium-high heat. Fry the donuts a few at a time, turning frequently until golden brown.
9. Drain on paper towels and let cool slightly before rolling in a cinnamon sugar mixture.
10. Serve warm or at room temperature with coffee or tea for an enjoyable snack! Enjoy!
Notes
- For a sweeter donut, you can add more sugar to the dough.
- To make fluffier donuts, try adding a teaspoon of baking powder or soda to the dough.
- If you prefer a crispier donut, fry them for slightly longer in the oil.
- For an even tangier flavor, brush the donuts with a mixture of honey and lemon juice before coating in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with vegetable oil and egg with an egg replacer.
- If you like your donuts extra sweet, try dipping them in melted chocolate for a decadent treat!