What is a key reason to monitor frying time for doughnuts?

Monitoring frying time for doughnuts is crucial to prevent them from collapsing. When doughnuts are fried for the right duration, the heat penetrates evenly, causing the dough to rise properly and maintain its structure. If the frying time is too short, the dough might not cook through, leading to a dense and collapsed texture. Conversely, if they fry too long, they may become overly dry or hard, but the primary concern during frying is achieving the appropriate temperature and time to ensure they hold their shape and have the desired lightness.

While ensuring they are not greasy, achieving the proper color, and enhancing flavor are also important aspects of frying, they are secondary to the structural integrity of the doughnut itself during the frying process. Monitoring the frying time primarily relates to preventing collapse, which is essential for achieving the desired quality and texture in the final product.