Bánh Tiêu (Vietnamese Donuts!)

⭐️ Why You Should Try It

• A classic Vietnamese treat. Bánh Tiêu is a traditional snack you can find almost everywhere in Vietnam. It is usually sold by vendors carrying a cart and frying the donuts on demand.
• Tender and chewy. These sesame donuts are super light and fluffy with a brioche-like texture! Plus, they are not overly sweet and slightly nutty, thanks to the addition of sesame seeds.
• Simple to prepare. You will need just 8 pantry staples and about 30 minutes of prep time to make a batch of these delicious donuts.

🌾 Ingredient Notes

This recipe requires just 8 simple ingredients. Here is what you will need:

• All-purpose flour – Use regular all-purpose flour. I do not recommend making substitutions.
• Milk – Any unsweetened plant-based milk will work. You can use almond, soy, cashew, or even oat milk.
• Sugar – Preferably granulated white sugar. Brown sugar or coconut sugar work but would alter the color and flavor of the donuts.
• Baking powder – This will allow the donuts to puff up during the frying step.
• Instant yeast – To allow the dough to rise. I used instant yeast, but active dry yeast will work too. If using the latter, let it rehydrate in a couple of tablespoons of warm milk for a few minutes.
• Salt – To enhance the flavor.
• Vanilla extract – Optional. While authentic Bánh Tiêu rarely contains vanilla extract, I like to add half of a teaspoon for extra flavor.
• Sesame seeds – Finally, sesame seeds are used to coat the donuts. Ensure you are using raw sesame seeds, not the toasted ones.

🥣 How to Make Bánh Tiêu

The method to make Bánh Tiêu is pretty simple. It consists of four steps: preparing the dough, letting it rise, flattening it into discs, and frying it.

Make the dough

1. Whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the flour, sugar, instant yeast, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl. Whisk until combined.
2. Add the wet ingredients. Pour in the milk and vanilla extract and mix using a spoon until it forms a dough.

3. Knead. Using your hands, knead the dough until it is soft and smooth. Note: the dough should have the consistency of pizza dough. It should be soft and just slightly sticky.

4. Proof the dough. Once your dough is smooth, cover it with plastic film and let it proof for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. Let it rise at room temperature in a warm room or in an oven with the light on.

Coat it and flatten it

1. Divide into balls. Once the dough has doubled in volume, punch it to deflate it. Divide the dough into 6 balls.
2. Roll into sesame seeds. Working with one ball at a time, roll it into sesame seeds and slightly press it so the sesame seeds stick to the dough.

3. Flatten into discs. Next, flatten each dough ball into thin discs using a rolling pin. The thinner your discs, the more hollow your donuts will be. You do not want them too thin, though. I usually go for about 3-4 mm thick.

Deep-fry

1. Heat the oil. Heat about 2 cups of oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat for at least 5 minutes. Dip a wooden chopstick or spoon to test if the oil is hot enough. If many small bubbles form around the chopstick, the oil is hot enough.

2. Deep fry. Once the oil is hot, carefully add one disc of dough to it. Flip the disc using two wooden spatulas (or chopsticks) every 5-7 seconds. The disc will start to take a golden brown color and puff up like a balloon.

3. Remove from oil. Once golden brown, remove the donut from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer it to a plate lined with a kitchen paper towel to remove excess oil. Repeat with the remaining discs.
4. Let cool. Let the donuts cool for at least 5 minutes before enjoying!

🍚 What to Serve It With

While these Vietnamese donuts are usually enjoyed without any filling, you can definitely fill them with:

• Nut butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter!
• Sweet spread: Vegan nutella, melted chocolate, caramel sauce, or this homemade chocolate spread.
• A savory filling: Fill them with sautéed tofu, salad, and a sauce, like you would fill pita pockets! You can check our teriyaki tofu sandwich recipe here, where we use them as a base.

💬 FAQ

These donuts pack a tender and fluffy texture, the perfect balance of sweetness, and a crispy layer of toasted sesame seeds! Enjoy them alone, or elevate them with nut butter, chocolate, or a savory filling!

🇻🇳 More Vietnamese Sweets

Banh Da Lon (Vietnamese Steamed Cakes)

Banh Cam (Vietnamese Sesame Balls)

Peanut Butter Candy Bars

Homemade Peanut Milk

⭐️ Did you like this recipe? Let us know in the comments below, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Note: This recipe was first released in May 2020 and was updated in October 2023 with new photos and process shots.