Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes (Quick, Warm, and Irresistible!)

Warm, soft, and perfectly coated in cinnamon sugar — few treats compare to a fresh batch of Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes. These little golden bites are a dream come true for anyone who loves bakery-style donuts but wants the joy of making them at home. Ready in just 20 minutes, these bite-sized treats are crisp on the outside, fluffy inside, and bursting with that classic sweet-spice flavor combo.

Whether you’re making them for a cozy breakfast, a brunch table centerpiece, or a late-night snack, this easy homemade donut hole recipe delivers the comfort of fresh donuts without needing a trip to the bakery.

🍩 Why You’ll Love These Donut Holes

• Quick and easy: No yeast, no rising time — just mix, fry, and roll!
• Perfect texture: Light, fluffy interiors with a crisp, golden exterior.
• Family favorite: Loved by kids and adults alike.
• Endlessly versatile: Customize the coating or dip them in glazes.
• Great for any occasion: Breakfast, dessert, or sweet party snack.

🧈 Ingredients You’ll Need

These pantry staples come together beautifully in this easy recipe:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing or dipping)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the oil:
   Pour oil into a deep pot or skillet until about 2 inches deep. Heat to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix dry ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Combine wet ingredients:
   In another bowl, whisk milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Make the dough:
   Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined — the batter should be thick and sticky but not overmixed.
5. Fry the donut holes:
   Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, carefully drop small mounds of dough (about 1 inch) into the hot oil. Fry 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown and puffed. Work in small batches to avoid overcrowding.
6. Drain:
   Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
7. Coat with cinnamon sugar:
   In a shallow bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar. Brush warm donut holes with melted butter, then roll immediately in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
8. Serve and enjoy:
   Serve warm — soft inside, crispy outside, and sweet all around.

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes

Light, fluffy, and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar, these homemade donut holes are the perfect quick breakfast or dessert treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 24 donut holes

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 120

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Donut Batter

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
• 0.75 cup whole milk
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 1 egg large
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• vegetable oil for frying

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted for brushing

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Deep fryer or heavy pot
• Slotted spoon
• Paper towels

Method

 

1. Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, whisk milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed into a thick batter.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough into hot oil and fry until golden, about 1–2 minutes per side.
6. Remove and drain on paper towels.
7. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. Brush donut holes with melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat.
8. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

For even coating, roll donut holes while still warm. Best served fresh but can be reheated.

🍯 Tips for Perfect Donut Holes

• Monitor the oil temperature: Keep it steady at 350°F; too hot and they’ll brown before cooking inside, too cool and they’ll absorb oil.
• Don’t overmix: Overmixing leads to dense donuts. Stop as soon as the batter comes together.
• Use a small scoop: It helps keep donut holes uniform and ensures even frying.
• Double coat for crunch: For extra sweetness and crunch, roll twice in cinnamon sugar.

🍬 Fun Variations

• Baked version: Brush the donut balls with butter and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes. Then toss in cinnamon sugar.
• Glazed donut holes: Skip the sugar coating and dip in a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk).
• Pumpkin spice version: Add 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree and a pinch of pumpkin spice to the batter.
• Stuffed donut holes: Inject with Nutella, jam, or pastry cream after frying.

☕ Serving Suggestions

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes are perfect alongside:

• A hot cup of coffee or chai latte for breakfast.
• A bowl of fresh fruit for brunch.
• A drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce for dessert.

They also make great holiday breakfast bites — arrange them on a platter with powdered sugar for a festive touch!

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted donut holes for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven for 5 minutes at 350°F.
• Reheat: Warm in the microwave for 10 seconds to revive the soft texture before serving.

💡 Fun Fact

Did you know that donut holes were originally the centers cut out from traditional ring donuts? These days, most bakeries make them separately because people love the bite-sized perfection! They’ve become a modern breakfast staple for good reason — easy to grab, fun to eat, and always a hit.

❤️ Why This Recipe Is a Keeper

• Simple ingredients, fast results.
• Classic flavor with a homemade touch.
• Golden, crisp, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Perfect for brunch spreads or cozy weekends.

Once you make these Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them. Sweet, spiced, and utterly irresistible — this is one recipe you’ll come back to over and over.