Why you’ll love this recipe
- There is nothing like the smell of fresh, homemade You Tiao—they are infinitely better than frozen versions.
- They are incredibly airy and light, with a distinct “double-tube” shape that is perfect for dipping into soy milk.
- This recipe uses common pantry ingredients to create an authentic Chinese brunch experience at home.
Key Ingredients
- High-Protein Flour: Provides the gluten structure needed to create those massive air pockets inside the donut.
- Ammonium Bicarbonate (or extra Baking Powder): The traditional leavening agent that gives these their signature “crunchy-yet-airy” bite.
- Oil: A high-smoke point oil is essential for the rapid expansion needed when the dough hits the pan.
✅Quick Tips: Press two strips of dough together with a dampened chopstick in the center; this bond is what allows them to puff up symmetrically.
Key Steps
- #1: Let your dough rest overnight in the fridge; cold dough is easier to handle and develops better flavor.
- #2: Fry in very hot oil, rotating the donuts constantly with chopsticks to ensure they expand evenly on all sides.
Homemade Chinese Donuts (Youtiao/油条）
Golden and airy, these fried sticks deliver a satisfying crunch. A must-try traditional breakfast.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Mix dough: Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda. Add egg, water, oil, sugar, and salt. Mix and combine until smooth. Surface should be rough
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Rest: Cover and let the dough rest 30 minutes and perform stretch, repeat this process 3 times, and cover with lid and let it rest overnight or for 5+ hours.
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Shape: Roll dough into a ½-inch thick rectangle. Cut into strips. Stack two strips and press a chopstick down the center to seal.
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Heat oil: Preheat oil to 375°F (190°C).
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Fry: Gently stretch each piece and fry 2–3 min until golden, turning constantly.
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Serve: Enjoy warm with soy milk or congee.
You Tiao, Chinese, Donuts, Fried
