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Hawaiian Malasadas

Hawaiian malasadas recipe: pillowy yeast doughnuts rolled in sugar while warm, the beloved Portuguese treat that became an island-wide breakfast ritual.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 BreakfastCategory
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Malasadas came to Hawaii with Portuguese sugar plantation workers in the late 1800s and were an instant hit. Today, lines form before dawn at legendary shops like Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu, where these sugar-dusted, eggy doughnuts sell by the dozen.

What makes it great is the contrast of a crackly, sugar-crusted exterior and an airy, custard-soft interior. Eaten warm, they are pure happiness, no filling, no glaze, just perfect fried dough.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk with a pinch of sugar and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs; knead into a soft, sticky dough.
  3. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
  4. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F. Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough into the oil, frying in batches until puffed and deep golden, about 3 minutes per side.
  5. Drain briefly and roll immediately in the remaining sugar. Serve warm.

💡 Chef tips & storage

The dough is too sticky to roll by hand, so use two spoons or a cookie scoop. Roll in sugar the moment they are cool enough to touch so it sticks.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryBreakfast
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →