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Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes – Crispy, Fluffy, and Done in 20 Minutes!
Few things in life are as satisfying as biting into a warm, freshly fried donut hole dusted generously in cinnamon sugar. They’re simple, nostalgic, and unbelievably delicious — crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and coated in that perfect sparkle of cinnamon sweetness.
And the best part?
You can make them at home in just 20 minutes.
These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes are the ultimate quick treat. They’re easy enough for busy mornings, unexpected guests, weekend brunches, or those late-night cravings when you just need something warm and sweet right now. There’s no yeast, no long rising time, no special equipment — just a simple batter, a pot of hot oil, and a bowl of cinnamon sugar.
Whether you’ve made donuts from scratch before or this is your very first time, this recipe is extremely beginner-friendly and completely foolproof. Let’s dive in.
Why You’ll Love These Donut Holes
✔ Ready in just 20 minutes
From mixing bowl to snack-time — these are lightning fast.
✔ No yeast required
This recipe relies on baking powder for lift, eliminating the kneading and rising steps. Perfect for beginners.
✔ Crispy outside, fluffy inside
The combination of high heat and soft dough gives you that perfect donut-shop texture.
✔ Pantry-friendly ingredients
Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen.
✔ Perfect for any occasion
Breakfast, dessert, parties, brunch, or a sweet snack.
What Are Donut Holes?
Traditionally, donut holes were the round centers punched out of ring-shaped donuts. Today, they’ve become their own beloved treat — small, bite-sized, poppable donuts that are fried golden and rolled in cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, glaze, or chocolate.
This recipe recreates the classic old-fashioned cinnamon sugar donut holes you’d find at a fair, bakery, or farmers market — warm, fragrant, and irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dry Ingredients
- Flour – Provides structure
- Sugar – Adds sweetness
- Baking powder – Makes the donut holes puff up beautifully
- Salt – Balances the sweetness
Wet Ingredients
- Milk – Helps form a smooth dough
- Egg – Adds richness and structure
- Butter – Gives the donuts flavor and tenderness
Coating
- Cinnamon + sugar — the classic donut shop finish
Oil for frying
Use vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil — all are stable at high heat.
How to Make Donut Holes (Step-by-Step)
1. Heat the oil
Pour 2–3 inches of oil into a deep pot and heat it to 350°F (175°C).
Consistent oil temperature is key for even frying.
2. Make the dough
In a medium bowl:
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, combine milk, melted butter, and egg.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Do not overmix — the dough should be soft, slightly sticky, and tender.
3. Form the donut holes
Scoop the dough in small portions (a teaspoon or mini cookie scoop works perfectly) and roll into balls lightly dusted with flour. If the dough feels too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour.
4. Fry until golden brown
Drop in 4–5 donut holes at a time. Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature.
Fry for:
- 1–2 minutes per side
- Until deep golden brown
Use a slotted spoon to rotate them and lift them out.
5. Roll immediately in cinnamon sugar
Donut holes must be warm for the coating to stick.
Roll in a bowl of cinnamon sugar until fully coated.
6. Serve warm
Nothing compares to the texture of a warm donut hole straight from the fryer.
Tips for the Best Donut Holes
✔ Keep the oil at 350°F
Too hot = raw inside
Too cool = greasy donuts
✔ Don’t overmix
Soft dough = fluffy donuts
✔ Use a cookie scoop
Ensures evenly sized donut holes
✔ Coat while warm
Helps cinnamon sugar adhere perfectly
✔ Try a drizzle
Honey, glaze, or chocolate make these extra special
Flavor Variations
⭐ Powdered Sugar Donut Holes
Roll in powdered sugar instead of cinnamon sugar.
⭐ Glazed Donut Holes
Dip in a simple vanilla glaze.
⭐ Chocolate Dipped
Dip halfway into melted chocolate.
⭐ Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes
Add pumpkin spice to the cinnamon sugar mix.
⭐ Apple Cider Donut Holes
Replace milk with apple cider for fall flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Breakfast pastry
- Party dessert
- Coffee treat
- Holiday brunch
- Fun weekend cooking activity
Serve with:
- coffee
- hot cocoa
- tea
- caramel dipping sauce
- maple syrup
Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature:
Best eaten within 24 hours but can be stored up to 2 days.
Reheating:
Air fryer: 2–3 minutes
Microwave: 10 seconds (softens coating slightly)
Freezing (Uncoated):
Freeze fried donut holes before coating in sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- Oil for frying
- 1/2 cup sugar (for coating)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pot.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
- Whisk milk, melted butter, and egg in a separate bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Scoop and roll dough into small balls.
- Fry donut holes 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Remove with slotted spoon and drain briefly.
- Roll warm donut holes in cinnamon sugar.
- Serve immediately.
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Crispy, fluffy donut holes rolled in cinnamon sugar, ready in just 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pot.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
- Whisk milk, melted butter, and egg in a separate bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Scoop and roll dough into small balls.
- Fry donut holes 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Remove with slotted spoon and drain briefly.
- Roll warm donut holes in cinnamon sugar.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
For extra crispy donut holes, fry in small batches and let the oil return to 350°F between batches.
