Pon De Ring Donut Recipe

Ever wanted to recreate that magic of a Japanese bakery right in your own kitchen? Let me walk you through the deceptively simple yet delightfully chewy Pon De Ring donuts that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance!

A Pon De Ring donut is a delightful experience, with its chewy texture that results from using, alongside all-purpose flour, tapioca flour. The combination of melted butter and milk offers a delicate richness, while the almost-not-there sweetness from sugar intensifies the flavor.

Frying in vegetable oil gives it a perfectly crispy exterior, and dusting it with powdered sugar ensures that every bite is a treat.

Pon De Ring Donut Recipe Ingredients

• Tapioca Flour: Gluten-free carbohydrate, adds chewiness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, contains protein.
• Sugar: Sweetens the dough, helps caramelization.
• Milk: Adds moisture, enhances softness.
• Egg: Binds ingredients, adds richness.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor, contributes to tender texture.

Pon De Ring Donut Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 200g tapioca flour
• 50g all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 150ml milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

How to Make this Pon De Ring Donut Recipe

1. In a big bowl, sift together 200g of tapioca flour, 50g of all-purpose flour, and 2 tsp of baking powder. Pour in 2 tbsp of sugar and mix thoroughly.

2. In another bowl, mix together 150ml milk and 1 large egg. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is homogeneous. Add 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, and mix until combined.

3. Slowly incorporate the wet blend with the dry components, mixing until a cohesive mass forms. The mass should give the appearance of wet dough, be smooth, and have slight stickiness.

4. Cut the dough into small pieces and roll each piece into a ball about the size of a marble. You’ll need eight balls for each donut.

5. To create the shape of the Pon De Ring, place eight dough balls in a circular formation, touching each other, on a piece of parchment paper.

6. In a deep pot, heat vegetable oil to 170°C (340°F). Using a pair of tongs, hold the parchment paper so the donut can’t flip up or over. Slowly lower the donut into the oil, letting the parchment paper slide away as you do. Don’t let the parchment paper touch the oil. As the donut begins to fry, carefully remove the parchment paper.

7. Cook the donut in the frying oil until it is a beautiful golden brown, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Maintain the temperature of the oil by adjusting the heat as necessary.

8. Using a slotted spoon, remove the donut from the oil and place it on paper towels to drain off any excess oil.

9. Perform the frying technique for the leftover dough, always checking that the oil has reached the desired fry temperature before adding the dough.

10. If wished, dust the completed donuts with powdered sugar before serving. Savor your homemade Pon De Ring donuts!

Pon De Ring Donut Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large mixing bowl
2. Medium mixing bowl
3. Sifter
4. Whisk
5. Spoon or spatula
6. Knife or bench scraper
7. Parchment paper
8. Deep pot
9. Thermometer (for oil temperature)
10. Tongs
11. Slotted spoon
12. Paper towels

FAQ

• What is Pon De Ring?A well-known Japanese donut, Pon De Ring differs from a traditional donut in texture, owing to the use of tapioca flour. This ingredient not only lends the donut its characteristic chew but also makes for a lighter, less dense product. Pon De Ring’s simple yet intriguing balance of chewiness coupled with a tender crumb has earned it a devoted following—not just in Japan but also around the world.
• Can I use a different type of flour?For the chewy texture, you need tapioca flour, but you can substitute cake flour for the all-purpose flour if you want.
• What type of oil is best for frying?For cooking, we suggest using vegetable oil, which has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point.
• Can I make these donuts without deep frying?You can achieve the real texture of these foods by frying them; however, if you want to try a different, possibly healthier way, you can bake them at high temperatures. Just be aware that the texture will be different. (If you look closely at the Latin American foods section of the Test Kitchen, you will find that these foods can be enjoyed in fried or baked form.)
• How can I store left-over donuts?Keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, in a sealed container where no air can get in. Refresh the texture in an oven.
• Can I add flavors to the dough?Certainly! Vanilla extract, matcha, or cocoa powder can be added to impart distinct flavors.
• Why is baking powder used in the recipe?As a leavening agent, baking powder helps the donuts rise and become light and airy.

Pon De Ring Donut Recipe Substitutions and Variations

For 200g of tapioca flour: Substitute with 200g of arrowroot flour for a similar texture.
50g all-purpose flour: Substitute with 50g of cake flour for a lighter texture.
For 2 tbsp sugar: Substitute with 2 tbsp of honey, for a natural sweetener (may alter the texture slightly).
For 150ml milk:
Substitute with 150ml of almond milk for a dairy-free option.
For 1 tbsp of unsalted butter, melted: Substitute with 1 tbsp of coconut oil for a different flavor profile.

Pro Tips

1. Consistent Dough Size Ensure that all the dough balls are the same size to guarantee even frying. You can weigh each ball to maintain uniformity. Consistent sizing helps achieve a perfect ring shape and ensures they cook evenly.

2. Perfect Frying Temperature Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the oil temperature precisely. If the oil is too hot, the donuts may brown too quickly on the outside while remaining uncooked inside. Conversely, if the oil is too cool, the donuts will absorb more oil and turn greasy.

3. Non-Stick Parchment Lightly oil or dust the parchment paper with a bit of tapioca flour to prevent sticking when transferring the donuts to the oil. This makes it easier for the donuts to slide into the oil smoothly.

4. Pre-Fry Test Test fry a single dough ball initially to check if the texture, flavor, and cooking time are to your liking. This allows for adjustments before frying the entire batch.

5. Immediate Dusting If you choose to dust with powdered sugar, do so while the donuts are still warm. The slight warmth helps the sugar adhere better, adding a nice sweetness and aesthetic finish.