Playful Korean Doughnuts Recipe: Sweet Spiral Magic

Golden, pillowy doughnuts with a twisted Korean delight swirl spark pure culinary magic in every bite.

These delectable pastries blend traditional techniques with modern flavor profiles.

Street food enthusiasts will adore the crispy exterior and soft, tender inner layers.

Warm spices and delicate sweetness dance across your palate with each mouthwatering morsel.

The recipe unlocks a world of comfort and indulgence that transcends ordinary desserts.

Rich, aromatic, and impossibly addictive, these doughnuts promise to become your new favorite treat.

One taste, and you’ll be completely hooked on this irresistible Korean-inspired sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 188 kcal

Servings: 13

Twisted Korean Doughnuts Ingredient Rundown

• Bread Flour: Creates sturdy structure with chewy texture, select high-protein content for best elasticity.
• Glutinous Rice Flour: Adds soft, stretchy quality and subtle sweetness, choose fresh package with no clumping.
• Sugar: Enhances flavor and supports yeast activation, use fine granulated type.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten development, select pure sea or kosher salt.

• Milk: Provides moisture and promotes tender crumb, use room temperature whole milk for richness.
• Instant Dry Yeast: Triggers fermentation and volume, ensure freshness by checking expiration date.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps bind ingredients, select fresh large eggs at room temperature.

• Butter: Introduces luxurious flavor and softness, use unsalted and softened at room temperature.
• Sugar (Coating): Creates sweet crispy exterior, select fine granulated for even coating.

Tools for Twisted Korean Doughnut Success

• Stand Mixer or Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and kneading dough smoothly.
• Dough Hook: Helps knead the dough efficiently if using a stand mixer.
• Sifter: Crucial for evenly distributing flour and removing lumps.
• Deep Fryer or Deep Pan: Necessary for frying doughnuts to golden perfection.
• Thermometer: Helps maintain precise oil temperature for optimal frying.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending milk, yeast, and egg mixture.
• Damp Cloth or Plastic Wrap: Keeps dough moist during rising process.
• Measuring Cups and Scales: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Slotted Spoon or Spider Strainer: Great for removing doughnuts from hot oil safely.
• Cooling Rack: Allows excess oil to drip off fried doughnuts.

Cooking Twisted Korean Doughnuts Step-by-Step

• Flour Fusion

Blend bread and glutinous rice flour in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a smooth, powdery canvas for your delightful doughnuts. Nestle sugar and salt gently into the flour landscape.

• Yeast Awakening

Coax the yeast to life in warm milk, whisking in a fresh egg until the mixture becomes silky and unified. The liquid will transform into a magical brewing potion for your dough.

• Dough Transformation

Marry the liquid ingredients with the flour mixture, allowing them to dance and merge. Knead with passion until the dough becomes elastic and whispers promises of deliciousness.

• Butter Embrace

Lovingly fold softened butter into the dough, massaging and blending until the texture becomes smooth and golden. The butter will infuse richness and tender complexity.

• Dough Slumber

Tuck the dough into a cozy, greased bowl, covering it with a soft cloth. Let it rest and expand, growing into a puffy cloud of potential deliciousness.

• Shaping Dreams

Gently deflate the risen dough, sculpting it into perfect round spheres. Allow these little dough babies a final peaceful rising moment.

• Crispy Finale

Plunge the dough balls into bubbling hot oil, watching them transform into crispy, golden treasures. Dust with a snowfall of sugar, creating a sweet, sparkling exterior.

Flavor Ideas for Korean-Style Doughnuts

• Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle some ground cinnamon or vanilla sugar alongside the regular sugar coating for an extra aromatic twist.
• Texture Trick: Let the dough rise in a slightly warmed oven (turned off) to ensure consistent and speedy proofing during cold kitchen days.
• Oil Temperature Secret: Use a wooden chopstick or wooden spoon handle to check oil temperature – if tiny bubbles form around it, the oil is perfectly ready for frying.
• Filling Fun: After cooling the doughnuts, use a piping bag to inject delightful fillings like sweet red bean paste, vanilla custard, or creamy chocolate for a Korean-inspired surprise inside.
• Storage Wisdom: These doughnuts taste best when fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, reheating briefly in a toaster oven to restore their crispy exterior.

Presenting Twisted Doughnuts with Toppings

• Flavor Fusion Party: Serve these Korean-inspired doughnuts alongside a scoop of green tea ice cream for a delightful east-meets-west dessert experience that'll wow your guests.
• Breakfast Bliss Combo: Pair these fluffy doughnuts with a rich, smooth cold brew coffee or a traditional Korean honey tea (yuja-cha) for a morning treat that balances sweetness and warmth.
• Dessert Platter Elegance: Create a stunning dessert board with these doughnuts, scattered fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, and some chopped nuts to add texture and visual appeal to your sweet spread.
• Cultural Celebration Plate: Arrange the doughnuts on a beautiful ceramic plate with a small side of fruit compote or dulce de leche for dipping, turning a simple treat into a gourmet experience that celebrates Korean culinary creativity.

Store Doughnuts While Keeping Crunch

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store your freshly made Korean Delight Doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Ensure they're completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup that could make them soggy.
• Freezing Magic Technique: Wrap individual doughnuts in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. These delightful treats can stay frozen for up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying their soft, fluffy texture.
• Quick Reheating Hack: Revive day-old doughnuts by warming them briefly in the oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. This method restores their original warmth and gives a slight crisp to the exterior without drying out the inside.
• Moisture Management Method: Keep a paper towel inside the storage container to absorb excess oil and prevent the doughnuts from becoming greasy. Replace the towel if it becomes saturated to maintain the doughnuts' perfect texture and taste.

Crispy Korean Twisted Doughnuts Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Korean twisted doughnuts (kkwabaegi) blend sweet and savory flavors in a delightful street snack. Crispy exterior and pillowy interior promise a memorable culinary experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 8 grams (0.28 oz) instant dry yeast
• 4 grams (0.14 oz) salt
• 30 grams (1.1 oz) sugar
• 240 grams (8.5 oz) bread flour
• 60 grams (2.1 oz) glutinous rice flour
• 140 grams (4.9 fl oz/140 ml) milk
• 40 grams (1.4 oz) egg (about 1 medium egg, beaten)
• 40 grams (1.4 oz) butter (either salted or unsalted, softened)
• 2 to 3 tbsps sugar (for coating)

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Instructions

1. Flour Fusion: Combine bread flour and glutinous rice flour in a large mixing bowl, creating subtle indentations for sugar and salt. Ensure dry ingredients are evenly distributed and well-integrated.
2. Liquid Activation: Warm milk to lukewarm, dissolve yeast completely, and whisk with egg until smooth. Carefully pour the liquid mixture into the flour center, mixing gradually to form a cohesive dough with uniform consistency.
3. Dough Development: Knead the mixture using a stand mixer or hand technique, working persistently until the dough becomes elastic and slightly tacky. Gradually incorporate softened butter, continuing to knead for 8-10 minutes to achieve a smooth, homogeneous texture.
4. Proofing Process: Place the prepared dough in a greased container, cover with a damp cloth, and allow to rise in a warm, draft-free location until volume doubles (approximately 1-1.5 hours). Once risen, gently deflate and divide into equal portions, shaping each into a smooth round.
5. Secondary Rise: Let shaped dough rest for an additional 30-45 minutes, allowing further expansion and flavor development. Prepare oil in a deep fryer or heavy pan, heating to 350°F for optimal frying temperature.
6. Frying Finale: Carefully lower dough portions into hot oil, frying until golden brown and achieving a crisp exterior. Immediately roll hot doughnuts in sugar, ensuring complete and even coating for a sparkling, sweet finish.

Notes

• Flour Fusion: Combining bread and glutinous rice flour creates a unique texture that’s both soft and chewy, giving these doughnuts their distinctive Korean-inspired twist.
• Yeast Activation: Warm milk is crucial for proper yeast activation; ensure temperature is tepid (around 110°F) to maximize rising potential and prevent killing the yeast.
• Kneading Mastery: Persistent kneading develops gluten structure, resulting in a smooth, elastic dough that guarantees light and airy doughnuts with perfect bounce.
• Temperature Precision: Maintain consistent 350°F oil temperature during frying to achieve golden-brown exterior while ensuring fully cooked, tender interior without greasiness.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 188
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 88 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg