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 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 nothing quite like the warm, cozy aroma of fresh cinnamon paired with a little sweetness that dances on your tongue. That’s exactly why this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe has become a go-to treat whenever I want an easy, delightful snack or breakfast. They’re light, fluffy, and baked, so you can indulge without the guilt of frying.

A white decorative plate holds a pile of small, round doughnut holes covered in cinnamon sugar, with a golden-brown texture and a light grainy sugar coating layering each piece; one doughnut hole is placed at the front of the plate, broken in half to show its soft, airy inside, while a spoon on the white marbled surface beside the plate contains extra cinnamon sugar; the overall setting is against a white marbled background with a glass of light brown drink blurred in the back 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 still remember my first batch of these baked donut holes—simple ingredients, minimal fuss, and that magical coating of cinnamon sugar. Honestly, it changed how I think about treats: sweet and satisfying without feeling heavy. Whether it’s for a cozy morning or a weekend brunch, these are crowd-pleasers every time.

Easy and approachable: You don’t need any fancy equipment or fryer—just your oven and a simple dough mix.
Moist and tender texture: The baked version keeps them soft on the inside but with that perfect outer cinnamon sugar crunch.
Perfectly balanced sweetness: You get just the right hit of caramel macchiato flavor and warmth from the cinnamon, not too much sugar overload.
Great for any time of day: Breakfast, snack, or dessert—you can’t go wrong with these little gems.

A white plate with a lace-like edge holds a pyramid of eight round doughnut holes. Each doughnut hole is golden brown and covered evenly with a layer of fine sugar and cinnamon, giving them a slightly rough texture. The doughnut holes are stacked in a way that the bottom layer has five, the middle layer has two, and one is placed on top, showing their soft, rounded shapes closely packed together. The plate sits on a blue and white checkered cloth over a white marbled surface, with blurred kitchen items in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s chat about these ingredients—they come together to deliver a soft, flavorful donut hole that’s baked rather than fried, which makes all the difference. A touch of Greek yogurt adds moisture and tang, while the caramel macchiato iced coffee is my secret ingredient for an extra layer of flavor without overwhelming the cinnamon’s warmth.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a white ceramic bowl with baking powder, a white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon, a white ceramic bowl with salt, a white ceramic bowl holding caramel macchiato iced coffee, a small white ceramic bowl of plain Greek yogurt, a small pile of granulated sugar, one large uncracked brown egg, a white ceramic bowl with vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with melted unsalted butter, a second small white ceramic bowl with melted unsalted butter, a white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar mixed with ground cinnamon 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 that creates the dough’s structure—make sure to measure properly for fluffiness.
Baking powder: This is the leavening agent that helps the donut holes puff up nicely in the oven.
Ground cinnamon: Adds that warm spice flavor that defines the recipe.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee: Or milk works too—this adds subtle coffee notes that contrast beautifully with cinnamon sugar.
Plain Greek yogurt: Keeps the donut holes moist and adds a slight tang.
Granulated sugar: Used in the dough for sweetness and again for coating once baked.
Large egg: Binds the ingredients together and gives bounce to the texture.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a touch of warmth and aromatics.
Unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness and ensures a tender crumb.
Cinnamon sugar coating: Combines sugar and cinnamon for the classic topping that clings perfectly to each donut hole.

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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

These baked cinnamon sugar donut holes are a blank canvas for your creativity. I love tailoring this recipe to fit my mood or dietary needs, and honestly, experimenting only made the final version even better over time.

Variation: Once, I swapped out the caramel macchiato iced coffee for almond milk and added a pinch of nutmeg—I loved the subtle nuttiness it brought!
Dietary tweak: Using dairy-free yogurt and plant-based milk keeps these vegan-friendly (just check your baking powder).
Spice it up: Mixing a little pumpkin pie spice into the cinnamon sugar coating is a seasonal twist I adore in the fall.
Size swaps: Feel free to make mini donut holes or larger ones—just adjust baking time accordingly; the smaller, the quicker they’ll bake.

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

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. This evenly distributes the leavening and cinnamon flavor—trust me, you don’t want clumps of cinnamon hidden here and there.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk the caramel macchiato iced coffee (or milk), Greek yogurt, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth. I like to make sure the melted butter is slightly cooled so it doesn’t scramble the egg—this little step makes a huge difference in texture.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined. Don’t overmix here or you’ll end up with denser donut holes. The batter should be thick but scoopable.

Step 4: Bake the Donut Holes

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, place the batter into a greased or silicone mini muffin pan, filling each cup almost to the top. Bake for about 10 minutes until the donut holes spring back when lightly pressed and have a golden hue.

Step 5: Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the donut holes are still warm, brush each one lightly with the melted butter set aside earlier, then toss them gently in the cinnamon sugar mixture (sugar + cinnamon). This step is crucial—do it while they’re warm for that perfectly sticky, crispy sweet coating.

Top Tip

After cooking these donut holes multiple times, I’ve learned that timing and temperature are everything. Here are my favorite tips to get yours as good as mine:

Butter Temperature Matters: Always make sure the butter used for both the batter and the coating is just warm—not hot—to avoid curdling the eggs or melting the sugar too fast.
Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter until just combined to keep the donut holes light, fluffy, and tender.
Work While Warm: Coat the donut holes immediately after baking when they're still warm; that helps the cinnamon sugar stick beautifully.
Even Portioning: Using a small scoop to evenly portion batter ensures all donut holes bake uniformly.

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like keeping it simple with a dash of powdered sugar sifted over the top occasionally. For a little extra indulgence, you could drizzle some caramel or honey glaze. When serving to guests, a sprinkle of crushed nuts like pecans adds lovely texture and keeps the flavors interesting.

Side Dishes

These donut holes are fabulous alongside a rich cup of coffee or chai tea. Sometimes, I pair them with fresh fruit like berries or sliced apples for a bit of bright contrast to the sweet, spicy donut holes.

Creative Ways to Present

Recently, I set up a brunch “donut hole bar” with small bowls of dipping sauces—like cream cheese frosting, raspberry jam, and chocolate sauce—and everyone loved mixing and matching. You could also thread them onto skewers with fruit for a fun, festive look!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If they start to lose their crisp coating, a quick toss in fresh cinnamon sugar works wonders to revive that classic crunch.

Freezing

These donut holes freeze beautifully! Just cool completely, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a sealed freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months—perfect for prepping ahead for snacks or busy mornings.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5–7 minutes. This refreshes their softness and re-crisps the cinnamon sugar coating better than a microwave, which tends to make them soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these donut holes gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free baking flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Make sure to check the blend recommends a 1:1 substitution for best results.

Can I use regular milk instead of Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee?

Yes, you can substitute regular milk or any plant-based milk if you don’t have caramel macchiato iced coffee on hand. The coffee adds extra flavor, but plain milk keeps the donut holes moist and tender just fine.

How do I store these donut holes to keep them fresh?

Store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze cool donut holes in a single layer, then transfer to a sealed bag for up to 2 months.

Can I fry these donut holes instead of baking?

You can fry donut holes, but this particular recipe is designed for baking to create a lighter, less oily treat. If you want to fry, I recommend finding a traditional donut hole recipe that uses yeasted or fried dough for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe is one of those simple joys I always come back to when I want a little homemade comfort without fuss. The ease of baking combined with the warm, sweet flavors makes this a recipe I proudly share with friends and family. Trust me, once you’ve tasted them fresh and warm, you’ll be just as hooked as I am!