Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Baked pumpkin spice donut holes are little round bites of joy made with pumpkin puree and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Unlike traditional deep-fried donuts, these treats are baked in the oven, which makes them lighter and easier to prepare. They’re soft, fluffy, and coated in cinnamon sugar, giving them a cozy, fall-inspired flavor that feels like a hug in dessert form. Kids and adults both love them because they’re fun to eat and can be enjoyed as breakfast, dessert, or even an afternoon snack.

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Pumpkin spice donut holes are perfect for autumn, but honestly, you can make them any time of year if you want something sweet and special. Since they’re baked instead of fried, you don’t need to worry about a messy pot of oil or waiting around for frying batches. You’ll get the same satisfying taste without all the extra effort.

Why You Should Try the Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

You should definitely give baked pumpkin spice donut holes a try because they are easy to make, use simple ingredients, and taste amazing. They are also healthier than fried donut holes since you’re baking them in the oven. That means less oil, fewer calories, and a treat you can enjoy without too much guilt.

Ingredients for Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup milk

For Coating:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter

How to Make Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

The first thing you need to do is preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin.

Get a bowl. In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. This will ensure the doughnuts have a consistent flavor. In another bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, oil or melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk until smooth. The mixture should be creamy and easy to blend.

Then slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Gently stir until well combined don’t overmix, or the doughnuts may become dense. Spoon the batter into mini muffin cups, filling each cup about two-thirds full.

Now bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. They should be soft but not sticky. While the doughnuts bake, prepare the cinnamon sugar topping by combining the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Finally, when the donuts are cooked, let them cool for 2 minutes, then brush them lightly with melted butter and toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Kitchen Equipment Needed :

Before starting, make sure you have the following items:

  • Mixing bowls one large, one medium
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Mini muffin pan
  • Toothpick for checking doneness
  • Small bowl for coating sugar and cinnamon
  • Pastry brush for melted butter
  • Spoon or small scoop for filling muffin pan

Tips for Making the Best Donut Holes

Don’t overmix the batter: Stir until combined, but stop there. Too much mixing makes the donut holes tough.

Use pumpkin puree, not pie filling: Pumpkin pie filling has added sugar and spices, which will throw off the recipe.

Make them uniform: Use a small cookie scoop so all donut holes bake evenly.

Serving Suggestion

Honestly, this Donut is delicious on its own, but I love serving it to my small family or friends with a cup of warm tea or hot chocolate. If the weather is hot, I like to serve it with fruit juice or a refreshing drink for extra refreshment.

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Frequently Asked Questions

No, canned pumpkin puree works perfectly. Just make sure it’s plain puree, not pumpkin pie filling.

Yes! Mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or walnuts make a tasty addition to the batter.

Yes, but the sugar won’t stick as well. You could use a light spray of oil instead.

Yes, but you’ll get small baked donuts instead of round donut holes. Baking time may be slightly longer.

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Recipe by Emily Rice
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Dessert, Snacks, Breakfast TreatCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

24

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

12

minutes
Calories

90

kcal

These baked pumpkin spice donut holes are soft, fluffy, and full of cozy fall flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin. Rolled in cinnamon sugar, they make the perfect bite-sized treat for breakfast, snacks, or dessert without the mess of frying.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/4 cup milk

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 4 tablespoons melted butter

Directions

  • The first thing you need to do is preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin.
  • Get a bowl. In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. This will ensure the doughnuts have a consistent flavor. In another bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, oil or melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk until smooth. The mixture should be creamy and easy to blend.
  • Then slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Gently stir until well combined don't overmix, or the doughnuts may become dense. Spoon the batter into mini muffin cups, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
  • Now bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. They should be soft but not sticky. While the doughnuts bake, prepare the cinnamon sugar topping by combining the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  • Finally, when the donuts are cooked, let them cool for 2 minutes, then brush them lightly with melted butter and toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Notes

  • Use pumpkin puree, not pie filling pumpkin pie filling has added sugar and spices that can ruin the recipe.
  • Grease the muffin pan well this prevents sticking and keeps the donut holes easy to remove.
  • Check doneness early ovens vary, so start testing at 10 minutes with a toothpick.
  • Make them mini muffins if you don’t have a donut hole pan, a mini muffin tin works great.

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