Transform a simple can of dough into a fun breakfast treat with these Easy Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll Donuts!
This quick addition to my collection of the best cinnamon rolls comes together in minutes, making it perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunch, or a sweet surprise for the family.
They fry up with a soft interior and crisp exterior, then get a simple glaze that makes them taste like they came straight from a bakery—a clever way to elevate a store-bought staple.
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Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 5 min | Difficulty: Easy
What it is – A fun twist on a classic breakfast idea made from canned cinnamon rolls, these donuts turn out golden, fluffy, and perfectly glazed with a sweet, bakery-style finish.
Why you’ll love it – Quick to prepare, family-friendly, and ideal for turning an ordinary morning into something special.
How to make it – Simply cut out the centers, fry until golden brown, and dip in an easy glaze while warm for that irresistible homemade donut taste.
👉 Click HERE to grab my Cinnamon Rolls eBook—packed with easy, mouthwatering recipes that transform simple rolls into irresistible treats!
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Tips for Frying Donuts Safely and Successfully
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- My Kitchen Tools Essentials
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storage & Serving Tips
- More Cinnamon Roll Recipes You'll Love!
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Wake Up to Amazing Cinnamon Rolls!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Recipe FAQ's
- Didn't find the answer you're looking for?
- Food Safety Tips
- 💬 Comments
Tips for Frying Donuts Safely and Successfully
- Use a heavy skillet and keep the oil temperature around 350°F to ensure the donuts cook evenly and don’t absorb too much oil. I like to use my favorite kitchen thermometer to make sure the oil is heated properly.
- Never overcrowd the pan. Fry the donuts in small batches. This helps maintain the oil temperature and gives each donut enough space to brown perfectly.
- Let the oil cool completely after frying, then strain it through a fine mesh sieve if you’d like to reuse it. Otherwise, pour it into a sealed container and dispose of it in the trash. Never pour it down the drain.
Looking for more breakfast ideas? Try my Sausage Cinnamon Rolls, French Toast Cinnamon Rolls, and even my Donut Holes with Biscuits. Yum!
Recommended Kitchen Tools
For a full list of kitchen tools used in this recipe, be sure to check the recipe card below. You can also browse my Favorite Kitchen Tools by clicking the photo below.
Check out my list...
My Kitchen Tools Essentials
Tools that will make your time easier and faster in the kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
Homemade frosting – Swap the icing that comes with the cans for a homemade cream cheese frosting or prepare a simple powdered sugar glaze to drizzle on top...which is what I did!
Different dough – Use Grands Biscuits instead of cinnamon rolls for a classic plain donut, then coat them in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar glaze. Try my Easy Canned Biscuit Donut Recipe.
Flavored icing – Stir a little maple syrup, orange zest, or espresso powder into the icing for a fun flavor twist.
Toppings – Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, crushed candy, or colorful sprinkles on top of the glaze while it’s still wet for extra texture and personality.
Mini donut bites – Cut the dough into smaller pieces and fry for bite-sized treats that are perfect for parties or snacking.
Air fryer option – If you prefer to skip the oil, these can be air fried! Follow the directions in my Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts Recipe.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Cut the centers out of the cinnamon rolls to create donuts and donut holes.
Step 2: Fry the donuts and donut holes in oil heated to 350°.
Step 3: Fry a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown.
Step 4: Drain on a wire rack.
Step 5: Drizzle the icing that comes in the can of cinnamon rolls over the donuts. Or prepare a simple powdered sugar glaze to drizzle on top...which is what I did!
Step 6: Dip the donut holes into the icing.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy!
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO keep the oil at a steady temperature for even frying and that perfect golden color.
❌ DO NOT overcrowd the skillet—adding too many at once lowers the oil temperature and leads to greasy donuts.
Storage & Serving Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of fried donuts can become dense and oily once thawed.
Reheat: Warm briefly in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until soft and slightly crisp on the outside.
Serving Tips: Glaze or frost while warm for the best flavor and appearance, then add toppings like sprinkles or nuts before the icing sets.
More Cinnamon Roll Recipes You'll Love!
Add links here naturally. Only include WOS recipes. Let's add a link naturally to a product. Easy Canned Biscuit Donuts
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Wake Up to Amazing Cinnamon Rolls!
Check out my Deliciously Simple Cinnamon Roll Digital Cookbook for even more easy cinnamon roll recipes.
Whether it's for a holiday, weekend family brunch or a quick school morning breakfast, your family will love these easy-to-make recipes!
📖 Recipe Card
Easy Pillsbury Canned Cinnamon Roll Donuts
Video
Ingredients
- 2 (12.4 ounce) cans Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls
- oil for frying
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Equipment
Method
- Line a cookie sheet with a paper towel and place a cooling rack on it. Set aside.
- Remove the cinnamon rolls from the can and save the icing.
- Lay out each cinnamon roll on a large cutting board. Use a 1-inch circle cutter (I used a piping tip), and cut out the middle of the cinnamon rolls to make a donut. Save the cinnamon roll holes after cutting.
- In a large pot, fill it with 3-4 inches of frying oil and heat to 350° F.
- Fry the donuts 2 minutes on each side, and the donut holes 1-2 minutes on each side. The donuts and the balls should be golden brown.
- Place the fried donuts and donut holes on the prepared cooling rack.
- Cool the donuts before glazing with the reserved icing or the glaze made by combining the powdered sugar and milk.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- Keep the oil temperature steady at 350°F for even frying and a crisp, golden exterior.
- Fry in small batches to avoid lowering the oil temperature.
- Glaze the donuts while they’re still slightly warm so the icing sets smoothly.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat briefly in the microwave or a 300°F oven until warmed through.
- Best enjoyed the day they’re made; freezing is not recommended.
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Let us know how it was!Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
The ideal temperature to fry biscuit donuts is 350°F.
At this temperature, the donuts cook quickly and evenly; developing a golden, crisp exterior while staying soft and fluffy inside. If the oil is too cool, the donuts will absorb excess oil and turn greasy; if it’s too hot, they’ll brown too fast on the outside while staying raw in the center.
The best options are neutral oils with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. Avoid olive or coconut oil—they burn quickly or add unwanted flavor.
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Food Safety Tips
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
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