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

Picture warm, bite-sized treats rolled in cinnamon sugar that fill your kitchen with the most comforting aroma. That’s exactly what the Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe delivers—light, fluffy, and simply irresistible, all without frying! You’re going to love how easy and fun these are to whip up.

A pile of small round doughnut holes covered in cinnamon sugar sits in the center of a white plate with a floral lace edge design. The doughnut holes are golden brown with a fine layer of cinnamon sugar that looks slightly grainy. One doughnut hole, placed in the front on a white marbled surface, is split open, showing a soft, airy, light beige inside texture. A silver spoon with some cinnamon sugar sits nearby, and a glass of light brown drink is slightly out of focus in the background. 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

From the moment these donut holes come out of the oven, you'll be greeted with a sweet, cinnamon-kissed smell that just screams cozy mornings. I love knowing I can enjoy classic flavors without the hassle or mess of frying.

Simple and Quick: This baked version saves you time and mess compared to traditional fried donuts.
Light and Fluffy Texture: Thanks to the baking powder and yogurt, these bites are wonderfully tender without being dense.
Delicious Cinnamon Sugar Coating: That classic combo adds a perfect sweet and spicy crunch on the outside.
Customizable Flavor: Using caramel macchiato iced coffee gives a subtle twist, but you can swap it for milk or other flavored drinks.

The image shows a white bowl filled with a fine brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Inside the bowl, there are three round dough balls coated evenly with the sugar mixture, giving them a textured, slightly grainy surface with a light brown color. The dough balls are softly lit, highlighting their fluffy texture beneath the sugary coating. In the background, a metal spoon is partially resting inside the bowl, adding a silver shine to the composition. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright look to the picture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a key role in making these donut holes fluffy, flavorful, and perfectly coated. I always enjoy using Greek yogurt here because it adds moisture without heaviness, and that touch of iced coffee brings in a subtle caramel note that’s just wonderful.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of fine salt, a small white bowl filled with caramel-colored iced coffee, a small white bowl of plain Greek yogurt, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a few tablespoons of melted unsalted butter in a small white bowl, a second small white bowl of 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 for the batter, providing structure but still yielding a tender crumb.
Baking powder: Your secret weapon for lightness and rise—don't skip it!
Ground cinnamon: Mixed in the batter and coating, it adds warm spice that pairs beautifully with sugar.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
International Delight Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee (or milk): Adds moisture and a subtle caramel and coffee note I love; milk works perfectly too if you prefer.
Plain Greek yogurt: Keeps the donut holes moist and tender without extra fat.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and also used in the cinnamon sugar coating.
Large egg: Binds ingredients together and helps with texture.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth and balances the spices.
Unsalted butter (melted): Provides richness in both the batter and coating for buttery flavor and slight crispness.

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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

I often swap out the caramel macchiato iced coffee for plain milk or almond milk depending on what I have on hand. You can even get creative with mix-ins like mini chocolate chips or a pinch of nutmeg for a cozy twist.

Variation: I once added a little orange zest to the batter, and that citrus brightness complemented the cinnamon sugar beautifully—a simple way to elevate the flavor.
Dietary tweaks: Using a dairy-free yogurt and non-dairy milk works well if you're avoiding dairy.

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

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients carefully

The foundation is key, so I whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl. This evenly distributes the leavening and spices, making sure every donut hole gets a perfect bake and just the right touch of cinnamon.

Step 2: Combine the wet ingredients gently

In a separate bowl, I beat together the sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the yogurt, iced coffee, and melted butter. It's important the butter is slightly cooled so it blends without cooking the egg.

Step 3: Bring it all together and scoop

Slowly add the dry mix into the wet and stir just until combined—don’t overmix or your donut holes could get tough. I find using a small cookie scoop or spoon helps portion out uniform-sized balls so they bake evenly.

Step 4: Bake then coat with cinnamon sugar

After baking for about 10 minutes until lightly golden and springy, I brush the hot donut holes with melted butter and toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture while they're still warm. It clings beautifully and melts into a slightly crunchy coating that’s addictive.

Top Tip

From years of making versions of these, I’ve learned these tips make all the difference between good and fantastic baked donut holes.

Don’t overmix your batter: Mix just enough to combine ingredients. Overmixing can make them dense.
Use a small scoop: This ensures consistent size so donut holes bake evenly and finish at the same time.
Brush with butter while warm: This step helps the cinnamon sugar stick and creates that divine crispy coating.
Try the iced coffee: It adds a subtle caramel finish that I always look forward to; it’s worth tracking down!

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe

baked cinnamon donut holes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty finish or serve alongside a small bowl of warm caramel sauce for dunking. A sprinkle of chopped nuts also adds a nice texture contrast if you want something a little extra.

Side Dishes

These donut holes pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. I often serve them with fresh fruit or a creamy yogurt parfait to balance out the sweetness and round out breakfast.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange these donut holes on a tiered serving platter with seasonal fruits and edible flowers. You could even thread them on skewers for a donut hole “pop” display that’s fun and unique.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover baked donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They stay pretty moist but if you live somewhere warm, storing in the fridge is fine—just bring them back to room temp or warm slightly before eating.

Freezing

These freeze beautifully! I place them in a zip-top bag with cinnamon sugar coating and freeze for up to 3 months. When you want a treat, just thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked freshness, pop donut holes in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes. It crisps the outside back up and warms the inside perfectly, like they just came out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular milk instead of iced coffee?

Yes! Regular milk works perfectly in this recipe if you don’t have the caramel macchiato iced coffee on hand. It won’t have the subtle caramel flavor, but the texture and rise will be just as lovely.

How do I prevent the donut holes from being dry?

Avoid overmixing the batter and be sure not to overbake them. Keeping the yogurt in the mix helps retain moisture. Also, coating them immediately with butter and cinnamon sugar seals in freshness.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend that includes xanthan gum for similar results. The texture might be slightly different, but the cinnamon sugar coating remains delicious!

How long do these donut holes keep fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these donut holes stay fresh for about 2 days. Beyond that, you’ll want to refrigerate or freeze them for best quality.

Final Thoughts

Having made these baked cinnamon sugar donut holes countless times, I can honestly say they’re a little piece of morning magic. Warm, fluffy, and sweet with that perfect cinnamon crunch, they’re sure to become a favorite your family and friends ask for again and again. I can’t wait for you to try this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Recipe—it’s comfort food that’s wonderfully simple and so rewarding.