[C]an you even remember who you were before you knew that we could turn donuts into croissants and croissants into donuts? I can’t remember either. None of that time must have been important. It’s like life before Instagram… can we even call that life?
What if we add cheese to croissant donuts? What kind of maniacs would we be? Like mad scientists with cheese on our lips and honey mustard in our hair.
Well… here’s how!
Golden brown. Melty cheddar. Not a care in the world… well, fewer cares at least.
We need to talk about puff pastry because not all puff pastry is created equal.
This recipe works best with square-shaped, definitely all-butter, thawed puff pastry. I love Dufour which is a little pricey, but totally worth the dollars. It’s made with butter, not weirdo fats. I like butter. I’m an enthusiast.
Tri-folded square-shaped puff pastry is also handy in terms of how we’re going to fold cheese into this business.
Two pieces of puff pastry are thawed to a cold room temperature then carefully unfolded and slightly rolled out on a lightly floured work surface.
Sliced cheese (I used colby jack, but sharp cheddar would also be great) is placed onto the puff pastry. You can also grate the cheese if you don’t want to slice it. Just get some cheese on there. It’s not rocket science (I mean… right?).
Good idea: Spread a bit of whole grain mustard on top of the cheddar and puff pastry. Added flavor and great glue as you place the other piece of puff pastry on top of the cheese layer.
The two layers of puff pastry with cheddar and mustard sandwiches in between… the whole thing is folded into thirds.
The puff pastry should be relatively cold. Not firm, just a bit of a chill. It will make rolling the filled dough easier. If your puff pastry (or kitchen) is too warm, just pop the dough in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
Roll the filled puff pastry to about 1/3-inch thickness.
Just roll gently. Try not to tear where the cheddar and puff tasty come together.
Two biscuit cutters: one big, one small. That’s what makes a donut.
Cut circles into the cheddar filled dough. These little jammers are hitting the fryer!
Never underestimate the power of a donut hole, especially if it’s filled with cheddar. In fact, you’ll want to slice more little donut holes from the excess donut.
Fry as much as you can, really.
Now… hot oil frying isn’t as scary and daunting as you might think.
I used a large heavy-bottom pot with about 2-inches of canola oil. A fry thermometer is essential. It’s really important to know how hot your oil is as you’re cooking so you know that your donuts cook and brown without absorbing too much oil.
As the donuts cook, you’ll find that some of the cheese cooks out of the donut. Don’t worry. There will still be plenty of melty goodness in the donuts when the come out of the oil.
Fry. Flip once or twice. Get golden. Remove. Drain on paper towel. Bring the oil back up to temperature. Fry another batch.
That’s how this goes.
Warm croissant donuts are lightly glazed with a mixture of whole grain mustard and honey. If you have chives on hand, chop those up and sprinkle your donuts! That’s the best idea.
Enjoy warm or at room temperature the day they’re made. They’re delicious. Call somebody… you can’t be the only one all up in this goodness!
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Cheddar Croissant Donuts with honey mustard
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 10 1x
Ingredients
- 2 sheets square shaped, all butter puff pastry (I like Dufour)
- all-purpose flour for dusting the counter
- 9 small slices cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard, divided
- 1 tablespoon honey
- fresh cracked black pepper
- chives for topping (optional)
- canola oil for frying
Instructions
- Allow the puff pastry to come to a cool room temperature. Puff pastry can defrost in the refrigerator overnight or come to room temperature on the kitchen counter in about 30 minutes.
- Separate and unfold the puff pastry. Be careful not to tear the puff pastry as you unfold it.
- Place on a lightly floured work surface and gently roll with a rolling pin to extend the dough on all sides to about a 1/8-inch thickness. Roll the second puff pastry in the same way and set aside.
- Place slices on cheese on one piece of the rolled puff pastry. No need to cover the entire surface with cheese, just spread it across the rolled puff pastry.
- Spread the cheese topped puff pastry with just about 1 tablespoon of mustard.
- Add the second rolled sheet of puff pastry evenly on top of the cheese and mustard. Lightly press.
- Fold the right third of dough across the center, and the left third of dough across the center.
- The dough should still have a faint chill to it which will make it easier to roll. If the dough is too warm, place it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling.
- Roll dough out to a 1/3-inch thickness. Roll gently, being sure not to tear through the puff pastry and expose the cheese.
- Use two round biscuit cutters to cut the circles. The large round should be about 3-inches in diameter and the smaller round should be about 1-inch in diameter. Cut large circles of dough out and cut smaller circles out of the large circles. We’re going to fry all of it!
- In a large, heavy-bottom saucepan with a candy/fry thermometer attached to the side, heat oil to 350 degrees F.
- Fry the donuts and holes in small batches, flipping one or twice, until the donuts are golden brown on all sides.
- Remove from the fryer and allow to rest on a sheet of paper towels.
- Continue to fry until all of the donuts and holes are golden.
- In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard, honey, and pepper. Stir and lightly brush onto the warm donuts. Sprinkle with chives, if using. Enjoy immediately!
39 Responses
These are AWESOME! Thank you for sharing.
These are AWESOME! I’ve made up my own recipe for a vanilla bean croissant donut but never has it occurred to me to make a savory version.. you are brilliant!
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe, Joy! I’m going to make these tomorrow!!! Yum!
Let me know how it goes!!
Amazing! Can’t help but keep rolling up and down. These donuts are perfect. Love how details your instruction is. I’m a bad home cook. But i’ll make it definitely. Can’t wait to tell you.
Let me know how it goes Elena!
Yep. You’ve done it. This is what heaven is.
This!! If anyone knows how to take a doughnut and make it with such savory goodness in mind, its you. Thanks for sharing with us, Joy.
MUST make these. Thanks for posting!!!
http://www.itgirlnextdoor.com
wow, I’m really excited to try this recipe, what a unique combination. Perfect for a dinner party or fun brunch. Thank you!
A savory doughnut???!!! I like. I like a lot.
Mmm it looks so yummy! i am hungry right now haha!
https://alinaurbanska.blogspot.com/
Are you kidding me with this, Joy? A cheddar CRONUT???? I will be making these ASAP. Amazing!
Joy! This! So amazing!
this is what dreams are made of.
Oh my. It’s like the most delicious, inventive, perfect grilled cheese sandwich on the face of the earth.
Is attempting to bake these instead just a bad idea?
It should be no problem since puff pastry can totally be baked!
Oh my! That’s like the Cronuts from NYC! Looks amazing!
Juju Sprinkles https://www.jujusprinkles.com
Would these fry as well if I rolled them thinly and braided them instead of making donut shapes?
I could eat one, or two, of these for breakfast!
OliveeKid x
I cannot wait to try this! OMG so much easier than I would have ever thought.
OMG, I have never made anything like these, but I think my husband would kill for them. He has a thing for “savory muffins”. LOL. His words. He’s not into sweets and I could see him loving these for a brunch or special occasion, like his birthday or father’s day! Yum.
this is genius. like, more than the actual invention of the cronut. brava, lady, brava.
Cheese + donuts?! Joy, you have made me look like an amazing baker before, but when I debut this at my next dinner party I’ll be hailed as a culinary genius! Possibly a saint by Midwest standards!
There’s no way those couldn’t be anything but absolutely delicious! and easy!
Mmmmmm this combo is blowing my mind!! Seriously, this sounds AMAZING!
I’ve never tried frying anything but I would love to give it a shot with this recipe. When you say large heavy bottom pot, would a cast iron dutch oven fit the bill?
Hi Lauren, that would be perfect! Go get that frying on!!
I love how you made croissant donuts savory! This combination of cheddar, honey, and mustard with the puff pastry just sounds amazing. Genius! Can’t wait to try!
This is why I like you so much….You dare to go down culinary roads that I never even knew were there!
Oh my goodness! Croissant + Donuts…my world is officially rocked! Love this!
-Ann with https://www.livegrowwrite.com
Too good!!!
This looks right up my ally! I’m not a huge donut fan but savory donuts I can get behind!
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! Oh my gosh, this is brilliant!
I remember where I was when I found out croissant dough could be turned into donuts! I was at work, and saw it on twitter. I immediately went to a quiet place (where no one could watch me) while I clicked the link and indulged. It made me so happy to be alive! Life is good when donuts are involved, yes?
these sound amazing! btw I LOVE yr site and the way you write about all this food! Inspiring and fun. I’m not really even a foodie, but I am trying all these out:)
Kelly @Insights
Ummmmmmmm, YES!
Thank you for this creative idea – now I’m smiling and want to eat them :)
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena http://www.dressedwithsoul.com