Flour donuts (Mikati)
Flour donuts (Mikati) is a easy North‑African recipe that serves 4. 150 calories per serving. Recipe by LA CUISINE D’AMA on YouTube.
Prep: 1 hr 15 min | Cook: 10 min | Total: 1 hr 35 min
Cost: $1.78 total, $0.45 per serving
Ingredients
- 340 g All‑purpose flour (Sift to avoid lumps)
- 100 g White sugar
- 1 c. à café Ground nutmeg
- 1 paquet Dry active yeast (About 7 g)
- 1 sachet Vanilla sugar (optional) (For extra flavor)
- 1 c. à café Salt
- 300 g Warm water (About 1 cup, at 35‑40 °C)
- 500 ml Vegetable oil for frying (Sunflower or peanut oil)
- 50 g Coating sugar (Mixed with a little vanilla sugar if desired)
Instructions
Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, pour the flour, white sugar, nutmeg, dry yeast, vanilla sugar (if using) and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until everything is homogeneous.
Time: PT5M
Incorporate the water and form the dough
Add the warm water gradually while mixing. The dough should become smooth, slightly sticky and produce a light "flip‑flap" sound when worked.
Time: PT5M
Let the dough rise
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature until the dough doubles in volume, about 1 hour (longer if the kitchen is cool).
Time: PT1H
Shape the donuts and prepare the coating sugar
After rising, remove the wrap. Using two spoons, form dough balls the size of a small walnut. In a small bowl, mix the coating sugar with a little vanilla sugar if desired.
Time: PT5M
Heat the oil
Pour the vegetable oil into the pan and heat to 180 °C. If you don't have a thermometer, test with a small dough ball: it should rise quickly and fry without burning.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 180°C
Fry the donuts
Gently drop the dough balls into the hot oil. Fry 2‑3 minutes on each side until golden and puffed. Turn regularly for even cooking.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 180°C
Drain and coat
Remove the donuts with the slotted spoon and place them on paper towels. While still warm, roll them in the coating sugar.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 150
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fiber
- 0.5 g
Dietary info: Vegan, Egg‑free, low-carb, low-calorie, very-low-calorie, low-fat
Allergens: Gluten
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of All‑purpose flour: Whole wheat flour, Bread flour
- Instead of White sugar: Cane sugar, Coconut sugar
- Instead of Ground nutmeg: Cinnamon, Cardamom
- Instead of Dry active yeast: Fresh yeast, Sourdough starter
- Instead of Vanilla sugar (optional): Vanilla extract, Sugar + powdered vanilla
- Instead of Vegetable oil for frying: Mild olive oil, Canola oil
- Instead of Coating sugar: Powdered sugar, Coconut sugar
Equipment Needed
- Large bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Plastic wrap
- Measuring cup
- Deep pan or fryer
- Cooking thermometer (optional) (optional)
- Slotted spoon or skimmer
- Paper towels
- Bowl for coating sugar
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Listen for the "flip‑flap" during kneading to achieve the right texture.
- Let the dough rise until it doubles in volume.
- Reach and maintain 180 °C for frying.
- Fry until achieving an even golden color.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Add a drop of vanilla extract to the dough for a subtle aroma.
- Lightly dust with cinnamon together with the coating sugar for a spicy variation.
- Serve the warm donuts with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
Troubleshooting
The dough does not rise after proofing.
Check that the yeast is still active (test with a little warm water and sugar). Ensure the ambient temperature is not too cold; place the bowl in a slightly preheated oven at 30 °C or near a heat source.
The donuts are too hard or dry.
Let the dough rest sufficiently (at least 1 hour) and do not overwork the dough. Fry at 180 °C to avoid over‑cooking.
The oil smokes or burns the donuts.
Reduce the temperature to 170‑175 °C and add oil gradually if it cools too much during cooking.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container 2‑3 days.
Freezer: After cooling, place in a freezer bag, up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven at 150 °C for 5‑7 minutes.
Room temperature: In a dry place, up to 1 day maximum.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the dough the day before and let it rise in the refrigerator; bring back to room temperature before shaping.
- The donuts can be fried ahead of time and reheated in the oven to regain crispness.
Last updated: August 24, 2026






