How to make a pumpkin spice donuts recipe. These pumpkin buttermilk donuts are perfect for all, and they are easy to make a home from scratch. You can top them with drizzled icing or roll in cinnamon sugar.

Pumpkin Spice Buttermilk Donuts

I may be a little pumpkin obsessed. Pumpkin coffee, pumpkin bread, pumpkin everything!

I make these pumpkin pie doughnuts each fall for my family. They are made from scratch, so they do take a little bit of time. But it's so worth it!

For more fall recipes, check out these posts:

What Do Pumpkin Donuts Taste Like?

These easy pumpkin spice donuts taste like a cake doughnut with a hint of pumpkin. The pumpkin flavor isn't overwhelming, but it's enough to taste it.

The pumpkin pie spices are delicious and complement the pumpkin puree.

You can use an icing on top or dip them in cinnamon sugar. Both are delicious.

I use my homemade pumpkin puree because it has a better flavor than canned, but canned will totally work. Just use pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie.

Learn how to make pumpkin puree in an Instant Pot. This method makes it so easy!

If you don't want a pumpkin flavor, try these air fryer donuts from Pillsbury Grands biscuits or apple donut holes made with crescent rolls.

Can I Use Regular Milk Instead of Buttermilk for Donuts?

Technically you can use regular milk to make pumpkin spice donuts. However, the buttermilk gives them a better flavor.

I make freeze dried buttermilk so I always have some. You can also use powdered buttermilk.

You can also use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt and milk to make buttermilk. Simply add 3 to 4 tablespoons of regular milk in a 1 cup measuring cup. Then fill with sour cream or Greek yogurt. Stir well.

Try making Instant Pot cold start yogurt to use in place of the buttermilk.

To use lemon juice or vinegar, add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar to a 1 cup measuring cup. Then add milk to make 1 cup. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.

What is the Best Flour for Doughnuts?

I use all purpose flour to make pumpkin buttermilk donuts. You can also use cake flour.

Bread flour can cause your pumpkin spice buttermilk donuts to get a little tough.

The pumpkin puree also weighs down the recipe, so you want to use a light flour.

What is the Best Oil to Fry Donuts In?

Look for an oil that has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point. Try one of the following oils to make pumpkin donuts fried:

Canola oil
Sunflower oil
Safflower oil
Peanut oil (note that this has a mild nutty flavor)

You can also use vegetable shortening to make pumpkin buttermilk donuts. Vegetable shortening will give your pumpkin spice doughnuts a crisp texture, but it can make your doughnuts oily.

For baked donuts, try these baked pumpkin donuts with cinnamon sugar.

What Temperature Should Doughnuts Be Fried At?

You should aim for 350 to 375 degrees F to make pumpkin donuts fried in oil. The best temperature is 365 degrees F.

I recommend using a thermometer to get an accurate temperature. If the temperature is too low, your easy pumpkin spice donuts can be tough and chewy.

Can You Reuse Oil After Frying Donuts?

Yes, you can generally reuse frying oil a few times. To save the oil, let it cool completely. Use tongs to remove any large pieces.

Then I set a fine mesh strainer on top of a mason jar and pour the oil through it. Then I use a mason jar lid and save the oil for the next time.

Easy Pumpkin Spice Donuts Ingredients

You will need the following to make pumpkin spice donuts recipe:

For the pumpkin pie doughnuts:

3/4 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg, beaten
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (buy a pumpkin spice mix or make your own pumpkin pie spice)
1/4 cup butter, melted
Canola oil for frying

You will also need a donut shaped cookie cutter.

For the icing:

3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (make your own vanilla extract with vanilla beans or make Instant Pot vanilla extract)

How to Make Pumpkin Buttermilk Donuts

Step #1

Heat the oil in a large sauce pan to 365 degrees F.

Step #2

In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk, pumpkin puree, white sugar, and eggs.

Step #3

In a separate bowl, combine the all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.

Step #4

Combine the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture. Stir or knead with your hands until combined.

Step #5

Add melted butter and knead until the pumpkin spice donuts dough is soft.

Step #6

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll to 1/4 inch thick.

Step #7

Use a donut cutter to cut the donuts. Reserve the holes because you can fry those to make pumpkin spice donut holes.

Step #8

Carefully add the pumpkin buttermilk donuts to the hot oil using a slotted metal spoon. Cook until golden brown on one side, about 1 minute. Carefully flip and cook for 1 more minute on the other side. Transfer to a cooling rack with a baking pan underneath. (I love this pan for draining fried items.)

Step #9

Once the easy pumpkin spice donuts are all cooked, stir together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and buttermilk in a small bowl. Stir until smooth.

Step #10

Dip the donuts one by one into the glaze. Then sit on the cooling rack.

They are ready to eat as soon as they are cool. Store leftover pumpkin spice donuts in an airtight container on the counter.

These pumpkin pie doughnuts also freeze well. Let them cool and place in a freezer bag. Let thaw on the counter at room temperature.

Now you know how to make pumpkin spice doughnuts!

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Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe