Cheddar Jalapeño Birthday Donuts

Featured in: Easy Everyday Snacks

Enjoy warm, golden donuts made with sharp cheddar and jalapeños for a flavorful bite. Fluffy biscuits are cut into donut shapes, fried until puffed, then finished with vibrant sprinkles for a festive presentation. Easy to prepare, these treats embody comfort and celebration in every mouthful. Serve warm or at room temperature; for a twist, bake them instead of frying. Pair with a side of sour cream or chive dip for extra indulgence. Perfect for breakfast, parties, or snacks—these donuts bring joy and flavor together for any special occasion.

Updated on Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:12:00 GMT
Fluffy Cheddar Jalapeño Birthday Biscuit Donuts, garnished with colorful sprinkles, ready to delight.  Pin this
Fluffy Cheddar Jalapeño Birthday Biscuit Donuts, garnished with colorful sprinkles, ready to delight. | recipeshood.com

Fluffy, savory biscuit donuts meet sharp cheddar and spicy jalapeños for a party-ready snack with a delicious birthday twist. These festive treats are perfect for breakfast, celebrations, or whenever you crave a fun, flavorful bite!

I made these cheddar jalapeño biscuit donuts for my friend’s quirky birthday breakfast, and everyone loved the warm, golden donuts with colorful sprinkles. They quickly became a tradition for our family parties!

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
  • Baking powder: 1 tbsp
  • Salt: 1 tsp
  • Granulated sugar: 2 tbsp
  • Unsalted butter: 4 tbsp (60 g), cold and cubed
  • Sharp cheddar cheese: 1 cup (120 g), grated
  • Whole milk: 3/4 cup (180 ml)
  • Jalapeños: 2 medium, seeded and finely diced
  • Rainbow sprinkles: 2 tbsp, for garnish (optional)
  • Vegetable oil: for frying

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Cut in Butter:
Cut in cold butter with a pastry blender or fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add Cheese & Jalapeños:
Stir in grated cheddar and diced jalapeños.
Form Dough:
Gradually add milk, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Do not overwork.
Shape Donuts:
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it to about 3/4-inch (2 cm) thickness. Cut out donuts and holes using cutters. Gather scraps and repeat.
Heat Oil:
Heat 2 inches (5 cm) vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).
Fry Donuts:
Fry donuts in batches, 1–2 minutes per side, until golden and puffed.
Drain & Decorate:
Transfer to paper towel-lined rack. While warm, sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles for a festive look.
Serve:
Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
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Our family loves to gather around the kitchen, watching the donuts puff up in hot oil—kids sprinkle their own creations at the end. It’s always a fun (and a little bit messy) birthday morning!

Required Tools

Large bowl, pastry blender, donut or round cutters, heavy pot, slotted spoon, paper towels.

Allergen Information

This recipe contains wheat and dairy. Check sprinkles packaging for other allergens if needed.

Nutritional Information (per donut)

Calories: 210, Total Fat: 12 g, Carbohydrates: 21 g, Protein: 6 g.

Savory Cheddar Jalapeño Birthday Biscuit Donuts, warm and golden, perfect for any celebration.  Pin this
Savory Cheddar Jalapeño Birthday Biscuit Donuts, warm and golden, perfect for any celebration. | recipeshood.com

Make these savory donuts for your next birthday morning or any celebration that needs a spicy cheese kick. They are fun to make and even better to eat!

Frequently Asked Recipe Questions

Can these donuts be baked instead of fried?

Yes, simply brush with melted butter and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes until golden.

What cheese works best for this dish?

Sharp cheddar is recommended, but pepper jack cheese adds extra spice and flavor complexity.

How spicy are these donuts?

Jalapeños provide gentle heat. Adding seeds boosts spice, or adjust amount to suit your taste.

Are these donuts vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, they are vegetarian, using dairy and no meat products. Check sprinkles for extra ingredients.

What is the best way to garnish for celebrations?

Top warm donuts with rainbow sprinkles for festive color and playful texture.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate. Fry or bake when ready to serve for freshness.

Cheddar Jalapeño Birthday Donuts

Golden biscuit donuts with sharp cheddar, jalapeños, and colorful sprinkles for a celebratory touch.

Prep Duration
20 min
Time to Cook
15 min
Overall Time
35 min
Created by Julia Harris


Level of Challenge Easy

Cuisine Type American

Servings Made 10 Number of Portions

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 tablespoon baking powder
03 1 teaspoon salt
04 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Dairy

01 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
02 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
03 3/4 cup whole milk

Vegetables & Add-ins

01 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and finely diced

Optional Birthday Topping

01 2 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles

For Frying

01 Vegetable oil, for frying

Method

Step 01

Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl to combine.

Step 02

Incorporate Butter: Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.

Step 03

Add Cheddar and Jalapeños: Mix in the grated cheddar cheese and finely diced jalapeños until evenly distributed.

Step 04

Form Dough: Gradually pour in whole milk, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.

Step 05

Shape Donuts: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and gently pat to approximately 3/4-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or two round cutters to cut out donut shapes and holes, gathering and re-rolling scraps as needed.

Step 06

Heat Frying Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F.

Step 07

Cook Donuts: Fry shaped donuts in batches for 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden brown and puffed.

Step 08

Drain and Garnish: Transfer fried donuts onto a paper towel-lined rack. While still warm, sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles if desired.

Step 09

Serve: Enjoy donuts warm or at room temperature.

Kitchen Tools Needed

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Pastry blender or fork
  • Donut cutter or round cutters
  • Heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer
  • Slotted spoon
  • Paper towels

Allergen Details

Review every ingredient for allergens and reach out to a professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy (milk, butter, cheese).
  • Commercial rainbow sprinkles may contain traces of soy.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutrition info is for reference purposes only and isn't medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 210
  • Fats: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Proteins: 6 g