How to Make Bonuts, the Perfect Biscuit-Doughnut Mashup

If you asked me not too long ago, I’d tell you there’s nothing better than warm buttermilk biscuits on a Sunday morning. But after visiting Biscuit Love in Nashville, Tennessee, I’ll tell you this: There’s nothing better than bonuts on a Sunday morning.

What Are Bonuts?

So what are bonuts exactly? These treats found on the Biscuit Love menu use biscuit dough as a base, but are then shaped as doughnut holes, fried and tossed in sugar.

At their core, these treats taste much like a biscuit with that buttermilk flavor and tender crumb you expect. The stint in the fryer and dose of sugar, though, give them a bit of crunch and sweetness that make these a breakfast treat you just can’t refuse. Ready to indulge yet?

How to Make Bonuts from Scratch

Nancy Mock for Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup 2% milk
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Oil for frying
• Cinnamon sugar or confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Directions

Step 1: Stir up the dough

Nancy Mock for Taste of Home

Start by stirring the sugar, milk, buttermilk and melted butter together until smooth. Don’t skip on the buttermilk here! It’ll give these treats a tender texture and distinctive taste.

In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined, keeping in mind the dough will be sticky.

Step 2: Fry

Nancy Mock for Taste of Home

Next, get your fry station set up. In a deep skillet, heat an inch of oil (canola oil works here, but there are lots of good oils for frying) to 375ºF. You could also use a countertop deep fryer.

Portion out the dough into 1-1/2 teaspoon balls (a small cookie scoop will help!). Drop a few dollops of dough into the hot oil at a time and fry until golden—about 1 to 2 inches on each side.

Once golden, remove the bonuts from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Step 3: Add the finishing touches

Nancy Mock for Taste of Home

While warm, roll the bonuts in sugar, cinnamon sugar or confectioners’ sugar—the choice is yours! If you enjoyed this recipe, then you have to try crumb doughnuts.

How to Serve Bonuts

Nancy Mock for Taste of Home

Bonuts are delicious on their own dusted with a bit of cinnamon sugar or confectioners’ sugar, but here are a few other ideas for serving up these bite-sized treats:

• Cream cheese frosting: At Biscuit Love, bonuts are served on a bed of blueberry compote with a dollop of cream cheese frosting. This is perfection.
• Jams, jellies and compotes: Want to skip the frosting? Dip bonuts in your favorite jam or jelly.
• Nutella: Chocolate-hazelnut spread is always a good idea at brunch. Dunk bonuts into Nutella or microwave this gooey spread and drizzle over the top.
• Add extras to the dough: If you want to add flavor before frying, add a teaspoon of your favorite extract or some citrus zest. These easy additions will add lots of flavor.

And if you’re looking to try Biscuit Love for yourself (I recommend it!), you can find some of their goodies on Goldbelly!