Kkwabaegi (Korean Twisted Doughnut Recipe)

User Reviews

5

6 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    12 mins

  • Rising Time

    1 hr

  • Total Time

    1 hr 22 mins

  • Servings

    5

  • Calories

    1301 kcal

  • Course

    Snacks

  • Cuisine

    Korean

Kkwabaegi (Korean Twisted Doughnut Recipe)

Korean Donuts (Kkwabaegi) are a street food classic with a sweet twist - soft, fluffy inside with a golden, crispy exterior, and rolled in aromatic cinnamon sugar for that perfect bite. These unforgettable, golden-brown delights are easy to nail on the stovetop or in an air fryer.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 ½ cup plant-based milk unsweetened
  • cup sugar
  • teaspoons instant yeast
  • 3 ¼ cup bread flour plus extra for rolling
  • ¼ cup vegan butter melted
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups canola oil vegetable oil, or sunflower oil for frying

Cinnamon Sugar Mix:

  • cup sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

  1. In a pot over medium heat, warm the plant-based milk to approximately 110°F (43°C). If you have one, use a candy thermometer to check the temperature, otherwise, just go for the rough feel of warm (not scalding) bath water. 
  2. Pour the warm milk into a large mixing bowl. Add sugar and instant yeast to the milk. Stir gently to combine and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast activates, indicated by a foamy appearance.
  3. Add bread flour, melted vegan butter, salt, nutmeg, and vanilla to the yeast mixture. Mix with a spoon until the dough starts to come together. Then, knead the dough in the bowl with your hands until it forms a smooth, elastic ball, which should take about 10 minutes, or mix it in a stand mixer on medium speed for 5 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour, just enough to make it manageable.
  4. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place, ideally around 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C), for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. After the sweet dough has risen, gently punch it down to release air. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 12 equal portions.
  5. On a clean lightly floured, clean surface or large cutting board, roll each dough ball into a long, thin rope, about 12 inches (30cm) long. Fold each rope in half and twist the two pieces around each other to form a spiral, pressing the ends together to seal. Once formed, slightly flattening the twisted dough helps prevent it from unwinding as it proves and bakes.
  6. Place the twists on a lightly floured baking pan, leaving space between the twists, and place them in a warm area to proof for 20 minutes. An oven turned off is a good place for that, or anywhere where they will be protected from drafty air.
  7. In a deep, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium heat to 355°F (180°C)). Ideally, get an accurate temperature by using a thermometer. Otherwise, test the oil's readiness by dropping a small piece of dough into it; it should sizzle and float to the top.
  8. Carefully place a few dough twists into the hot oil, avoiding overcrowding. Fry them for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and puffed up.
  9. Remove the twists from the oil with a slotted spoon or tongs, and drain them on a wire rack suspended over a baking sheet to drip off excess oil.
  10. For the cinnamon sugar mix, combine sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Roll the fried doughnuts in this mixture until fully coated.
  11. Serve the doughnut twists while warm for maximum magic!

Notes

  • 💨 Air Fryer Hack:
  • 💨
  • To air fry Kkwabaegi (Korean donut twists), first prepare and proof the dough as usual. Then, preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (180°C), lightly oil the doughnuts, and arrange them in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 4-6 minutes on each side until golden brown. For a traditional touch, roll the warm doughnuts in a sugar and cinnamon mix before serving. Enjoy this healthier twist on a delicious treat!
  • 🍳Only Fools Use Frying Pans:
  • 🍳
  • I have seen so many recipes calling to fry donuts in a deep skillet over medium heat. It's the worst advice in the world! Use a Dutch oven or other tick-bottomed pot with high sides to prevent oil spills and splatters from making a mess of your stove. Otherwise, you can make these in a thermostatic deep fryer if you own one.
  • 🍩 "Tacky, Not Sticky" Dough: 
  • 🍩
  • Keep the dough slightly tacky for light, fluffy donuts. Instead of adding extra flour if it's sticky, lightly oil your hands for easier handling.
  • 🌡️ Just Right Oil Temp: 
  • 🌡️
  • Monitor the oil temperature closely, keeping it between 350-355°F (178-180°C). If the temperature of the oil is too cool, the donuts get greasy; and if the oil is too hot, they will burn on the outside but stay raw inside.
  • 🤖 Effortless Kneading: 
  • 🤖
  • Use a stand mixer for kneading to save effort and ensure the dough's texture is just right. It's a hands-free, efficient approach to perfect dough.
  • 🧈 Pliable Butter Secret: 
  • 🧈
  • Use room-temperature vegan butter for smooth integration into the dough. Cold butter can hinder kneading and affect the donut's final texture.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 1301kcal (65%) Carbohydrates 90g (30%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 100g (154%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 29g (171%) Monounsaturated Fat 60g (300%) Trans Fat 0.4g (20%) Sodium 338mg (14%) Potassium 234mg (5%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 27g (54%) Vitamin A 586IU (12%) Vitamin C 0.05mg (0%) Calcium 111mg (11%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 5Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1301 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 1301kcal 65%
Carbohydrates 90g 30%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 100g 154%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 29g 171%
Monounsaturated Fat 60g 300%
Trans Fat 0.4g 20%
Sodium 338mg 14%
Potassium 234mg 5%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 27g 54%
Vitamin A 586IU 12%
Vitamin C 0.05mg 0%
Calcium 111mg 11%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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6 reviews
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