Easy Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe: Baked or Fried! 🍩

I remember waking up on Saturday mornings to the smell of warm dough. My mom didn’t always have time to make big donuts. Instead she made these tiny bites. This cinnamon sugar donut holes recipe is my version of those memories. They are small and pillowy. They have a crunch from the sugar that makes your teeth happy.

I think the best part is that you don’t need a professional kitchen. You can stay in your pajamas. You can use simple things from your pantry. Sometimes I feel like baking is too hard. But these are very forgiving. If they aren’t perfect circles it doesn’t matter. They still taste like a cloud dipped in spice. I usually eat three before they even hit the serving plate!

“A dash of one hidden dairy item makes these holes softer than any bakery version you have ever tried.”

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ✨

🥣 Ingredients for Donut Holes

I prefer using real butter for this. It makes the flavor much better than oil. Here is what you need to find in your kitchen:

⏱️ Time and Servings

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 12 minutes
• Total time: 22 minutes
• Servings: Makes about 24 donut holes

🛠️ Kitchen Tools Needed

• A large mixing bowl
• A whisk and a wooden spoon
• A small cookie scoop (very helpful!)
• A wire cooling rack
• A small brown paper bag (for coating)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Guide to Sweet Perfection

Step 1: Mix the dry stuff. Grab your big bowl. Toss in the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and half of the cinnamon. Whisk it until it looks like a light tan powder.

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients. Make a little hole in the center of the flour. Pour in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir it slowly. You want a thick batter. It should be thicker than pancake mix but softer than bread dough.

Step 3: Prepare for cooking. If you are baking, turn your oven to 375°F. Grease a mini-muffin tin. If you are frying, heat two inches of oil in a deep pan.

Step 4: Scoop and cook. Drop small balls of dough into the tin or the hot oil. If you fry them, they only need about 2 minutes per side. If you bake them, give them about 10 to 12 minutes. They should feel springy when you touch the top.

Step 5: The sugar coat. While they are still warm, dip them in a little extra melted butter. Then toss them into a bag with cinnamon and sugar. Shake it well!

Wait till you see the secret ingredient for extra tip to make the recipe perfect

🤫 The Secret Ingredient: Buttermilk (or Greek Yogurt)

I think the real trick to a moist donut hole is replacing regular milk with Buttermilk. If you don’t have buttermilk, use two tablespoons of Greek Yogurt. The acid reacts with the baking powder. It creates tiny air bubbles. This makes the donut holes feel like they are melting in your mouth. It is a game changer!

📝 Recipe Notes

🌟 Extra Tips to Make the Recipe Perfect

• Don’t overmix: If you stir the batter too much the donuts get tough. Stir until the flour just disappears.
• Temperature is key: If frying, make sure your oil is around 350°F. If it is too cold the dough soaks up grease. If it is too hot the middle stays raw.
• Coat them twice: I like to shake them in sugar once when hot and then again right before I eat them.

💪 Health Benefits of this Recipe

Wait, are there benefits to donuts? Well, perhaps a few!

1. Cinnamon Power: Cinnamon is great for your metabolism.
2. Portion Control: Since they are small you can have just one or two. It is easier than eating a whole giant donut.
3. Homemade Quality: You aren’t eating the weird chemicals found in store-bought boxes.
4. Mental Health: Let’s be honest. A warm donut hole makes everyone smile.

☕ Serving Suggestions

These little treats are lonely without a friend!

• With Drinks: Serve them with a hot coffee or a tall glass of cold milk.
• With Fruit: A side of fresh strawberries or apple slices cuts the sweetness.
• With Dips: Put out a small bowl of chocolate sauce or warm maple syrup.
• As a Party Side: These look great on a brunch board with scrambled eggs and bacon.

📦 Storage and Reheating

Don’t skip the storage trick — it’s at the end of the post

These are best on the first day. But you can keep them in an airtight container for 2 days.

Reheating: Do not use the microwave for a long time. It makes them gummy. Instead, put them in a toaster oven for 2 minutes. The sugar will caramelize again. It makes them taste fresh out of the fryer!

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too much flour: If you pack the flour into the measuring cup the dough will be dry. Spoon it in gently.
• Cold Ingredients: Try to let your milk and egg sit on the counter for a bit. Room temperature ingredients mix much better.
• Waiting too long to sugar: If the donut holes get cold the sugar won’t stick. Do it while they are steamy!

❓ FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

I think it is best to cook it right away. The baking powder starts working as soon as it hits the milk.

Can I use pumpkin spice?

Yes! You can swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice for a fall flavor.

Why are my donut holes heavy?

Perhaps you used too much liquid or the baking powder was old. Check the date on your tin!

How do I make them perfectly round?

Use a small ice cream scoop. It keeps them all the same size so they cook evenly.

✨ Final Thoughts

I really believe that a cinnamon sugar donut holes recipe is the best way to start a Sunday. It makes the house feel warm. It brings the family to the table. You don’t need a bakery to have a special treat. Just a bowl and a little bit of sugar. I hope you enjoy these little bites of joy. They are simple and sweet and just plain fun to make.

📊 Nutrition Breakdown (Per 2 Holes)