Name: Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 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; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 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 about the smell of warm cinnamon and sugar that instantly brightens my mornings. These light, fluffy baked treats are a delightful twist on the classic fried donut, and I’m excited to share this easy-to-make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe that you’ll want to keep handy for breakfasts or snacks.

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

What I truly love about this baked cinnamon sugar donut holes recipe is how it balances simplicity with flavor. It's quick, doesn’t involve frying (hello, less mess!), and those cinnamon sugar coatings are absolutely irresistible.

Easy and mess-free: No frying means fewer dishes and a healthier treat that's still loaded with comfort.
Perfectly fluffy texture: The approach with yogurt and baking powder gives you soft, tender donut holes every time.
Quick prep and bake: From mixing to the oven, it’s about 40 minutes until you have a fresh batch to enjoy.
Customizable flavors: You can swap the iced coffee for milk or vanilla almond milk for a fun twist.

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

Every ingredient in this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe plays a role in achieving that light texture and warm cinnamon flavor. Here’s why these work so well together and some tips on picking quality ingredients.

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 for your donut holes providing structure without heaviness.
Baking powder: Gives that crucial rise making the donut holes airy and fluffy.
Ground cinnamon: Adds that cozy spice we all crave with cinnamon sugar snacks.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
International Delight Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee (or milk): I love the hint of caramel and coffee notes here, but plain milk works great too.
Plain Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tang which keeps the texture tender.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and also coats the donut holes after baking.
Egg: Binds the ingredients and contributes to the richness.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
Unsalted butter (melted): Used both inside the batter and for coating with cinnamon sugar, lending richness and helping the sugar stick.

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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

Personally, I like to switch up the flavor by experimenting with different icings in place of the iced coffee—sometimes vanilla almond milk, sometimes even chai for a spicy kick. Feel free to tailor the sweetness and spice levels to your liking; this recipe is forgiving and adapts easily.

Variation: I once added a pinch of nutmeg along with cinnamon for a little extra warmth, and it quickly became a favorite twist in my household.
Dairy-free option: Swap the Greek yogurt and butter with coconut yogurt and dairy-free margarine to make these vegan-friendly.
Spicy cinnamon sugar: Add a little cayenne powder to the cinnamon sugar topping for those who enjoy a sweet-heat combo.

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

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking your all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. This ensures your leavening and spice are evenly distributed, which helps every donut hole rise and flavor perfectly.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat the egg and sugar until smooth, then stir in the Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, melted butter, and iced coffee (or milk). Make sure the butter is cooled so you don't scramble the egg. This mix will bring moisture and richness to your donut holes.

Step 3: Bring It Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently fold together until just combined. Don’t overmix here—you want the batter thick but tender. The lumps are fine, and over-stirring can make the donuts tough.

Step 4: Bake the Donut Holes

Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, drop dough into a lightly greased mini muffin tin, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until they are golden and springy to the touch.

Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While the donut holes are still warm, brush each with melted butter and roll them in a bowl of cinnamon sugar. This step is the magic—when you bite into these, the sweet cinnamon coating gives that nostalgic donut shop experience at home!

Top Tip

Over the years, I've found a few little tricks that help make my Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe turn out just right every time. These helped me avoid pitfalls that I often ran into when baking dough-based treats.

Don’t overmix the batter: Folding just until combined keeps the donut holes tender and airy, not dense.
Use room temperature ingredients: This helps your batter come together smoothly, making mixing easier and texture consistent.
Coat while warm: Brush donut holes with melted butter and roll them in cinnamon sugar as soon as they come out of the oven for the best sticky coating.
Don’t skip greasing the pan: Even though they’re baked, your donut holes can stick if the muffin tin isn’t sufficiently greased or sprayed.

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe

baked cinnamon sugar donut holes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar on top for a final touch of sparkle and sweetness. Sometimes a dusting of powdered sugar feels just right, especially for a brunch get-together where it adds a pretty, snowy look.

Side Dishes

These baked donut holes are fantastic alongside a hot cup of coffee or chai latte. For something heartier, I like to serve them with fresh fruit like berries or a dollop of whipped cream for a simple yet satisfying combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to pile these donut holes in a big glass jar or tiered cake stand, letting guests grab and go. You could even thread them on skewers along with fruit chunks for a fun "donut kabob" display that’s always a conversation starter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cinnamon sugar donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They stay surprisingly soft if you keep them well sealed, but I’d recommend enjoying them fresh if possible.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, these donut holes freeze beautifully. Just freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature and toss them again in warm melted butter with cinnamon sugar for that fresh taste.

Reheating

For leftovers, I pop them in a warm oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes—just enough to refresh them without drying out. Then, if they need a little extra shine, I re-coat with melted butter and cinnamon sugar right after reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular milk instead of iced coffee?

Absolutely! While the caramel macchiato iced coffee adds a subtle caramel and coffee flavor, regular milk or any plant-based milk works great and keeps the batter tender.

Do I have to use Greek yogurt?

Greek yogurt adds moisture and a slight tang which balances the sweetness nicely, but you can substitute it with regular yogurt or sour cream if that’s what you have on hand. Just make sure it’s plain.

How do I prevent donut holes from drying out?

Don’t overbake them and store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat gently in the oven as needed and coat again with cinnamon sugar to restore moisture.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup. You might need to adjust the baking powder slightly or add a bit of xanthan gum for best results.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe feels like a little comfort in every bite, and I’m so glad to have it in my repertoire. Whether you’re serving them for brunch, a snack, or a sweet treat anytime, they’re sure to bring a smile. Next time you want something special but simple, I hope you give these a try—I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised just like I was!