These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes are soft, fluffy, and coated in a generous layer of sweet cinnamon sugar for the ultimate homemade bakery treat. Golden and crisp on the outside with a light, tender center, these bite-sized donuts are everything you love about classic donuts, made fresh in your own kitchen.
Easy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe Ready in Minutes
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an afternoon snack, these homemade donut holes come together with simple pantry ingredients and deliver warm cinnamon flavor in every irresistible bite. Freshly fried and coated while warm, they’re impossible to stop eating.
Why These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Are the Best
- Bakery-Style Texture: Crispy outside with a soft, fluffy interior.
- Easy Homemade Recipe: Simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.
- Warm Cinnamon Flavor: Every bite is coated in sweet, aromatic cinnamon sugar.
- Perfect Bite-Sized Treats: Easy to serve, share, and enjoy.
- Great for Any Occasion: Delicious for breakfast, holidays, parties, or dessert.
- Customizable Coating: Choose classic cinnamon sugar or powdered cinnamon sugar.
Perfect for Any Occasion
These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes are perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, holiday mornings, family celebrations, birthday parties, bake sales, and cozy afternoons with coffee or hot chocolate. Their bite-sized shape also makes them an excellent addition to dessert platters.
Easy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe Ready in Minutes
Ingredient Notes
Donut Holes
- All-purpose flour: Creates a light yet sturdy dough.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Help produce a fluffy interior.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm spice throughout the dough.
- Ground nutmeg: Gives the donuts their classic bakery flavor.
- Buttermilk: Keeps the donut holes moist and tender.
- Egg: Provides structure and richness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the batter.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the warm flavors.
- Melted butter: Creates a rich, buttery taste.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- Granulated sugar: Forms the classic crunchy coating.
- Ground cinnamon: Delivers sweet, comforting spice.
- Powdered sugar: Optional for a softer, bakery-style finish.
Easy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe Ready in Minutes
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
- Keep the Dough Small: Tiny portions expand while frying for perfectly sized donut holes.
- Maintain Oil Temperature: Medium-high heat ensures even cooking without becoming greasy.
- Do Not Overcrowd the Pan: Fry in batches for the best golden color.
- Drain Well: Allow the donut holes to rest on paper towels before coating.
- Coat While Warm: Cinnamon sugar sticks much better to freshly cooked donuts.
- Serve Fresh: Homemade donut holes are at their absolute best the day they’re made.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Cinnamon Sugar: Coat generously for the traditional finish.
- Powdered Sugar Version: Toss in cinnamon powdered sugar for a lighter coating.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Finish with melted chocolate for extra indulgence.
- Breakfast Treat: Pair with fresh coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
- Dessert Platter: Serve alongside fresh fruit, caramel sauce, or chocolate dipping sauce.
Easy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe Ready in Minutes
A Must Try
These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes deliver everything you want from a homemade donut: a crisp golden exterior, an incredibly soft and fluffy center, and a sweet cinnamon coating that makes every bite unforgettable. Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, they’re the perfect homemade treat for breakfast, dessert, or any time you’re craving warm, fresh donuts.
Easy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe Ready in Minutes
Ingredients
Donuts
- 250 g all-purpose flour 2 cups
- 12 g baking powder 1 tbsp
- 15 g baking soda 1 tbsp
- 2.5 g salt ½ tsp
- 2.5 g ground cinnamon 1 tsp
- 0.5 g ground nutmeg ¼ tsp
- 240 g buttermilk 1 cup
- 1 large egg
- 200 g granulated sugar 1 cup
- 10 ml vanilla extract 2 tsp
- 57 g unsalted butter melted (4 tbsp)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating, Powdered Sugar
- 360 to 600 g powdered sugar 3 to 5 cups
- 5 to 7.5 g ground cinnamon 2 to 3 tsp, about ½ tsp per cup of powdered sugar
Cinnamon Sugar Coating, Granulated Sugar
- 600 g granulated sugar 3 cups
- 8 to 16 g ground cinnamon 1 to 2 tbsp
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until everything is evenly combined. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, sugar, vanilla extract, and melted butter until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a smooth batter forms. Mix only until no dry streaks remain, as overmixing can make the donut holes less tender.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag to make shaping quick and easy.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat until it reaches the proper frying temperature. Carefully pipe small portions of batter directly into the hot oil, snipping the end of the piping bag if needed. Fry the donut holes in batches, turning them occasionally so they cook evenly and develop a beautiful golden brown color on all sides.
- Once cooked, lift them out with a slotted spoon and place them in a single layer on paper towels. Let them rest for 2 to 3 minutes to absorb any excess oil before coating.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon until evenly mixed. While the donut holes are still slightly warm, gently toss them in the cinnamon sugar until completely coated. If you prefer a sweeter finish, coat them in cinnamon mixed with powdered sugar instead.
Notes
- Pipe very small portions of batter into the oil, as the dough expands beautifully while frying. Smaller donut holes cook more evenly and stay wonderfully light inside.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this lowers the oil temperature and can make the donut holes absorb too much oil.
- After frying, always let the donut holes cool in a single layer on paper towels. This simple step helps them stay crisp on the outside and prevents any oily taste.
- Allow them to cool for a few minutes before rolling them in the cinnamon coating. The slight warmth helps the sugar cling perfectly without becoming wet or clumpy.
Easy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe Ready in Minutes