Start by gathering all your ingredients and equipment. This will make the process feel seamless and quick.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
In another bowl, mix the buttermilk, granulated sugar, and melted butter until smooth.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
In a frying pan or deep pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. You’ll want enough oil to submerge the donuts—about 2 inches deep.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thick. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cookie cutters to cut out the donuts. Make sure to save the scrap dough; you can re-roll it to make more donuts!
Carefully place the donuts into the hot oil, a few at a time. Fry until they are golden brown on one side, about 1-2 minutes, then flip and fry for another minute on the other side. Use the slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a cooling rack.
While the donuts are still warm, toss them in the granulated sugar until fully coated. This step adds a delightful sweetness and crunch.
