A quick welcome and what this recipe is about
This recipe brings together warm chocolate-filled croissants and fresh fried donuts. You can bake simple chocolate croissants and make classic sugar or glazed donuts in the same session. It’s a great mix for a weekend treat or a small party.
If you like croissant ideas, check this Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants page for more ways to use croissant dough.
Why this combo is worth making
You get two favorites in one plan: flaky croissants with melted chocolate and soft, sweet donuts. The croissants give a buttery, layered bite. The donuts add a warm, sugary treat that kids and adults both enjoy. Making both at home means fresher pastries and control over fillings and toppings.
Want more chocolate croissant inspiration? See this Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake for another sweet idea.
Step-by-step: How to make Chocolate Croissant and Donuts
Below are clear steps for both the croissants and the donuts. Work in two parts: bake the croissants, then make and fry the donuts.
Ingredients:
- Croissant dough
- Chocolate (for filling) — bars, chips, or small pieces
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Donut dough
- Frying oil (neutral oil like vegetable or canola)
- Sugar (for coating)
- Optional toppings (sprinkles, chocolate glaze, cinnamon sugar)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven according to croissant dough instructions.
- Roll out croissant dough, place chocolate inside each piece, and shape into croissants.
- Bake croissants until they turn golden brown and the chocolate melts inside.
- For donuts, prepare donut dough and cut into the desired shapes (rings or rounds).
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or deep pan and fry donuts until golden on both sides.
- Drain donuts on paper towels, then coat with sugar, cinnamon sugar, or dip in glaze as desired.
- Dust croissants with powdered sugar, plate both pastries, and serve warm.
How to serve these pastries so they shine
Serve croissants warm so the chocolate is melty. Donuts are best right after frying when they are still soft. Place a mix of croissants and donuts on a serving platter for variety. Offer small bowls of extra chocolate sauce, jam, or glaze so people can add toppings to their taste.
You might enjoy finishing the platter with a chocolate bar on the side; try something like these dark chocolate bars if you want a salty-sweet match.
How to store them safely and keep flavor
- Room temperature: Keep croissants and donuts in an airtight container for up to 24 hours to keep them soft.
- Refrigerator: Store for up to 3 days, but warm before serving to restore texture.
- Freezing: Freeze croissants wrapped in foil and in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Donuts freeze well too; thaw and reheat briefly in an oven.
- Reheating: Warm croissants at 325°F (160°C) for 5–8 minutes. Reheat donuts at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes or microwave briefly (10–15 seconds) to soften.
Quick tips to get great results every time
- Use cold croissant dough if it’s store-bought; handle gently to keep layers.
- Don’t overfill croissants — a small piece of chocolate melts better.
- Keep oil at steady temperature (about 350–375°F or 175–190°C) for even donut color.
- Drain fried donuts on a rack over paper towels to avoid sogginess.
- If you like stronger chocolate, add a sprinkle of coarse salt on croissants after baking.
For more dessert tips and combos, see this German chocolate pecan brownies idea.
Simple twists and variations
- Chocolate-filled cruffins: Use croissant dough in muffin tins with extra chocolate.
- Glazed donuts: Make a chocolate or vanilla glaze instead of sugar coating.
- Filled donuts: Pipe jam, custard, or chocolate into fried rounds.
- Topping ideas: Sprinkles, chopped nuts, coconut, or a dusting of cocoa powder.
Nutrition snapshot (approximate)
These are rough estimates per item and will vary by size and recipe:
- Chocolate croissant: 300–400 calories, 15–25 g fat, 30–40 g carbs.
- Fried sugar donut: 200–300 calories, 10–18 g fat, 20–35 g carbs.
If you need exact numbers, weigh ingredients and use a nutrition calculator.
Easy serving ideas for the whole family
- Make a morning pastry board with both croissants and donuts, fruit, and yogurt bowls.
- Set up a donut-decorating station for kids with sprinkles and glazes.
- Serve mini croissants and donut holes for a party platter so everyone can try a bit of each.
Best drinks and foods to pair with these treats
- Coffee (black or latte) pairs perfectly with chocolate croissants.
- Hot chocolate or milk works well for kids with donuts.
- Fresh fruit, yogurt, or a simple salad balance the richness.
Common questions and answers
Q: Can I bake donuts instead of frying them?
A: Yes. Baked donuts are a lighter option. Bake in a donut pan according to the dough recipe, then finish with sugar or glaze.
Q: Can I use frozen croissant dough?
A: Yes. Thaw per package instructions before shaping and baking. Cold dough gives better layers.
Q: How do I keep donuts from soaking up too much oil?
A: Keep oil at the right temperature (around 350–375°F). Fry in small batches and drain well on a rack.
Q: Can I make the chocolate filling ahead of time?
A: You can chop chocolate or prepare a ganache in advance. Add it to the dough right before baking.
Q: What’s a safe oil for frying?
A: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
Conclusion
If you want to try a hybrid of donut and croissant, check this Dossant (Donut-Croissant) idea for inspiration. For a commercial-style chocolate croissant reference, see Chocolate Croissant | Dunkin’. To explore different donut styles and flavors, visit Donuts | Stan’s Donuts in Illinois.
Chocolate Croissants and Fried Donuts
Ingredients
Croissant Ingredients
- 1 pack Croissant dough Store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup Chocolate (bars, chips, or small pieces) For filling
- 1 cup Powdered sugar For dusting
Donut Ingredients
- 1 pack Donut dough Store-bought or homemade
- 4 cups Frying oil Neutral oil like vegetable or canola
- 1 cup Sugar For coating
- as needed Optional toppings (sprinkles, chocolate glaze, cinnamon sugar) Variety of toppings
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven according to croissant dough instructions.
- Roll out croissant dough, place chocolate inside each piece, and shape into croissants.
- Bake croissants until they turn golden brown and the chocolate melts inside.
Making Donuts
- Prepare donut dough and cut into the desired shapes (rings or rounds).
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or deep pan and fry donuts until golden on both sides.
- Drain donuts on paper towels, then coat with sugar, cinnamon sugar, or dip in glaze as desired.
Serving
- Dust croissants with powdered sugar, plate both pastries, and serve warm.
