Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes — Quick, Fluffy, and Completely Irresistible

Few things in the world feel as magical as warm cinnamon sugar donut holes. They’re soft, fluffy, lightly crisp on the outside, and completely coated in that nostalgic cinnamon-sugar sparkle that makes every bite taste like childhood. And the best part? These donut holes are incredibly easy to make — no yeast, no rising time, and no complicated techniques. Just mix, scoop, fry, roll in cinnamon sugar, and enjoy.

Whether you’re preparing a weekend breakfast, a holiday brunch, a cozy fall treat, or just need something warm and sweet on a whim, cinnamon sugar donut holes deliver. They take about 15 minutes from start to finish, use simple pantry staples, and taste better than anything you’d pick up in the grocery store bakery section.

This recipe uses a cake-style donut batter: tender, quick to mix, and perfect for frying into round, fluffy donut holes. The batter puffs beautifully in hot oil and the warm surface holds cinnamon sugar like a magnet. The result? Bite-sized perfection.

Why These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Are So Good

1. No yeast, no waiting

Traditional donuts require proofing, shaping, and multiple rises. Not these. Cake-style donut holes skip yeast entirely, using baking powder to give them lift.

2. Ready in under 15 minutes

Mix, fry, coat — done. Faster than a drive-through run.

3. Uses ONLY simple pantry staples

Everything you need is already in your kitchen: flour, sugar, spices, milk, butter, egg.

4. Perfect texture

Soft, pillowy interior with a delicate crisp exterior.

5. Cinnamon sugar coating

The warm donuts instantly grab the sweet, aromatic coating so every bite bursts with flavor.

6. Family-friendly & party-friendly

Kids adore these. Adults eat them by the handful. They disappear FAST.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut)

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Heat the oil.
   Fill a heavy pot or deep skillet with 2–3 inches of oil. Heat to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the dry ingredients.
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Combine the wet ingredients.
   In another bowl, whisk milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla.
4. Form the batter.
   Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir gently until combined. Do not overmix — a slightly lumpy batter is perfect.
5. Scoop and drop.
   Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, carefully drop balls of batter into the hot oil. Fry 2–3 minutes, turning as needed.
6. Remove and drain.
   Transfer donut holes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain briefly.
7. Coat in cinnamon sugar.
   While warm, roll the donut holes in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
8. Serve immediately.
   These donut holes taste BEST warm and fresh.

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes

Quick, fluffy cake-style cinnamon sugar donut holes made in minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 24 donut holes

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 110

Ingredients

  

Donut Batter

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon
• 0.75 cup milk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 egg large
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Cookie scoop
• Deep pot or skillet
• Thermometer

Method

 

1. Heat 2–3 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl, whisk milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring gently until just mixed.
5. Drop small scoops of batter into the oil and fry until golden, about 2–3 minutes.
6. Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly.
7. Roll warm donut holes in cinnamon sugar until fully coated.
8. Serve warm.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter for fluffier donut holes. Maintain oil at 350°F for even frying.

Expert Tips for Perfect Donut Holes

Keep the oil temperature steady

A thermometer is ideal. If the oil is too cool, donut holes absorb oil and taste greasy. Too hot, and they brown too quickly on the outside.

Scoop consistently

Using a small cookie scoop creates evenly sized donut holes that fry at the same speed.

Don’t overcrowd the pot

Frying too many at once lowers the temperature and creates uneven cooking.

Coat while warm

Warm donuts hold cinnamon sugar beautifully.

Flavor boost option

Add a pinch of nutmeg for old-fashioned donut shop flavor.

Variations

1. Powdered Sugar Donut Holes

Shake warm donut holes in a bag with powdered sugar.

2. Chocolate Glazed Donut Holes

Dip in warm melted chocolate or a simple cocoa glaze.

3. Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Add 1 tsp pumpkin spice to the batter.

4. Apple Cider Donut Holes

Swap milk for apple cider for fall flavor.

5. Baked Donut Hole Option

Bake in a mini muffin tin at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, then roll in cinnamon sugar.

Serving Suggestions

These donut holes pair wonderfully with:

• Hot coffee
• Apple cider
• Hot chocolate
• Brunch spreads
• Dessert boards
• Ice cream sundaes (YES — donut sundae bowls are amazing)

For parties, serve them with dipping sauces like:

• Warm chocolate
• Salted caramel
• Vanilla icing
• Maple glaze

How to Store and Reheat

Storage:

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Reheat:

Place in microwave for 8–10 seconds to refresh.

Freeze:

Without the cinnamon sugar coating: Up to 2 months.
Thaw → warm → then coat.