Youtiao Chinese Breakfast Doughnuts (Print version)

Light and airy dough sticks with golden crispiness, ideal for breakfast dipping.

# What you need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 - 1 tsp salt
05 - 1 tbsp sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 3/4 cup water, room temperature
08 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ For Frying

09 - 4 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the egg, water, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix with a spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
03 - Knead the dough in the bowl for 1-2 minutes until just combined. The dough will remain sticky.
04 - Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
05 - Lightly oil your hands and work surface. Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes until smooth and elastic.
06 - Return the dough to the bowl, cover, and let rest for 1 hour to develop gluten structure.
07 - Roll or press the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Cut into strips 1 inch wide and 5 inches long.
08 - Stack two strips together. Press a chopstick or knife back lengthwise down the center to fuse the pair, creating the traditional hollow center.
09 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 375°F.
10 - Gently stretch each dough pair to 8 inches. Carefully lower into hot oil, frying 2-3 at a time. Turn constantly with chopsticks for 2 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
11 - Remove finished sticks and drain on a wire rack or paper towels. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • They're impossibly light and crispy with a satisfying hollow center that makes them perfect for dipping
  • The dough comes together quickly but rewards you with that authentic street food crunch
  • Once you master the stretching technique, you'll want to fry everything this way
02 -
  • The pressing step with a chopstick is the secret to getting that signature hollow center
  • Oil temperature matters too much to guess, invest in a kitchen thermometer for consistent results
03 -
  • The double fry method creates exceptional crunch, though single frying still yields delicious results
  • If dough becomes too sticky during shaping, lightly oil your hands again rather than adding more flour

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