Name: Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup International Delight Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee (or milk); 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled); 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled); 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

There’s something simply irresistible about warm, sugary bites that melt in your mouth, and this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe hits that perfect spot. They’re light, fluffy, and showered in cinnamon sugar—a comforting treat you can whip up right at home without the mess of frying.

A white decorative plate holds a stack of about a dozen small round doughnuts covered in light brown sugar and cinnamon, giving them a grainy texture and warm color. The doughnuts look soft and fluffy with a slightly crisp surface, stacking unevenly with some resting on top of others. In front of the plate on the white marbled surface are two similar doughnuts, one whole and one broken open to show its light, airy inside. Next to them is a silver spoon filled with the same cinnamon sugar mixture. In the blurred background, a few more doughnuts and a glass with light brown liquid are visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I adore this recipe because it captures the nostalgic flavor of classic cinnamon sugar donuts but bakes them into simple, bite-sized pleasures that are easy to share and even easier to make. Plus, the aroma as they bake? Simply heavenly.

Healthier Alternative: These donut holes are baked, not fried, so they’re lighter but still satisfy your sweet tooth.
Quick and Easy: You can have a batch from mixing bowl to table in about 40 minutes—perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: The cinnamon sugar coating is classic and loved by everyone—especially dusted on warm, fresh donut holes.
Great for Customizing: You can swap ingredients or toppings to suit your mood or dietary needs effortlessly.

Three round dough balls are shown coated in a light brown cinnamon sugar mix inside a white bowl filled with the cinnamon sugar. Each ball has a textured surface with a visible sugar coating that sparkles softly. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a silver spoon resting inside, partially buried in the sugar mix behind the dough balls. The overall look is warm and inviting, with a soft natural light highlighting the sugar crystals and the golden-brown tones of the dough balls. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient has its role in creating tender, flavorful donut holes that bake up beautifully. I love that this recipe uses simple pantry staples plus a splash of iced coffee for subtle depth and moisture.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a white ceramic bowl with light brown baking powder powder, a small white bowl of warm ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of fine salt, a small white bowl of caramel-colored iced coffee, a small white bowl of thick plain Greek yogurt, a small white bowl of white granulated sugar, one large whole brown egg with clean shell, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl of melted golden unsalted butter, a second small white bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white bowl of granulated sugar mixed with cinnamon, all perfectly arranged symmetrically on a clean white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, providing structure but keeping the donuts light.
Baking powder: This is the secret to fluffy donut holes, giving them that perfect rise.
Ground cinnamon: Mixed into the dough and the sugar coating for that warm, cozy spice.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
International Delight Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee (or milk): I love using this iced coffee—it adds a subtle caramel flavor, but plain milk works just fine too.
Plain Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and tenderness, making the donut holes soft but not heavy.
Granulated sugar: Both in the batter for sweetness and in the cinnamon sugar mix for coating.
Large egg: Helps bind everything together and gives the dough structure.
Vanilla extract: A small splash amplifies the sweetness and complements the cinnamon perfectly.
Unsalted butter: Melted butter adds richness to the dough, and additional melted butter helps the sugar stick to the donut holes.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe is how easily you can tweak it. Feel free to play around with different spices or even add mix-ins—just don’t forget the cinnamon sugar coating; that’s the heart of the flavor.

Variation: I've swapped out the iced coffee for almond milk to keep it dairy-free, and it still turns out wonderfully.
Spice it up: Sometimes I add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal twist that’s lovely in the fall.
Sweetener swap: Using maple syrup instead of sugar in the batter makes for a subtle, rich sweetness.
Mini-glaze: Once cooled, you can also drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over the donut holes for a fancier touch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

I start by whisking the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. This helps distribute the rising agent and spices evenly, so every donut hole is perfectly flavored and fluffy.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, I beat together the sugar, egg, vanilla, melted butter, Greek yogurt, and iced coffee. Make sure the butter has cooled a bit so it doesn’t cook the egg when you mix.

Step 3: Bring and Mix the Batter

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently just until combined. Don’t overmix here—you want a few lumps to keep the donut holes tender and light. The batter will be thick but scoopable.

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion out 24 small balls of batter onto a greased or parchment-lined mini muffin pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, until the tops spring back when pressed lightly and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While still warm, brush the donut holes with melted butter and toss them in a bowl of cinnamon sugar. This sticky coating gives you that classic cinnamon sugar crunch that clings perfectly to each bite.

Top Tip

After trying several coating methods, I’ve learned a few tricks to get that perfect cinnamon sugar crust and moist donut every time.

Warm Butter Brush: Don’t skimp on brushing the donut holes with melted butter while warm—it’s what makes the cinnamon sugar stick beautifully.
Don’t Overmix Batter: Overworking the batter can make donut holes tough, so fold gently until just combined.
Mini Muffin Pan: Using this pan helps the donut holes keep their shape and bake evenly instead of spreading flat.
Quick Toss: Toss the donut holes quickly in the cinnamon sugar to get even coverage without sogginess.

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe

cinnamon sugar donut holes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with just cinnamon sugar, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce makes these donut holes extra special—especially when serving guests.

Side Dishes

These donut holes pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For a brunch spread, add fresh fruit or a creamy yogurt dip on the side to balance sweetness with freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

I love serving these on a tiered dessert stand for parties—stacked high with little bowls of dipping sauces like chocolate ganache or maple glaze. Kids especially enjoy dipping and piling their own treats!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They begin to lose some of their freshness quickly, so I recommend enjoying them the first day if you can!

Freezing

I’ve frozen these donut holes before, placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature and refresh in the oven briefly before serving to regain crispness.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, a quick 3–4 minute stint in a 350°F oven works wonders. It brings back that fresh-baked feel without drying them out like a microwave might.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these donut holes gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just make sure your blend contains xanthan gum for structure. Baking times may vary slightly, so keep an eye on them.

What if I don’t have iced coffee?

No worries at all—feel free to replace the International Delight Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee with plain milk or even almond milk. The coffee adds subtle flavor, but it’s not necessary for the recipe’s success.

Can I make these vegan?

Yes! To veganize this recipe, swap the egg for a flax or chia egg (1 tablespoon ground seed plus 3 tablespoon water), use a dairy-free yogurt alternative, and substitute the butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil.

How do I prevent donut holes from sticking to the pan?

Make sure to grease your mini muffin pan well with butter or non-stick spray. Alternatively, you can line the pan with mini paper liners if you have them. This prevents sticking and helps with easy release after baking.

Final Thoughts

Making these Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe always brings a little extra joy to my day, whether it’s breakfast with family or a special treat for guests. They’re easy to make, delicious, and bring that nostalgic donut flavor without any of the fuss. I hope you’ll give them a try—you’ll enjoy every warm, sugary bite as much as I do!