Baked mini donuts tossed in melted butter and cinnamon sugar.
Nothing beats real deal fried donuts like these glazed old fashioned donuts or buttermilk donuts. However, frying donuts can be rather bothersome and time consuming.
When you want a quick donut fix, these baked mini donuts are the answer! Have the donuts ready to eat in under 30 minutes.
These baked donuts have a tight crumb similar to muffins and coffee cake. It is difficult to imitate the texture of fried donuts in the oven. However, it is easy to replicate the flavors!
Immediately after baking, the donut rings are coated with melted butter and toss in cinnamon sugar with a touch of nutmeg. Alternatively, toss the rings in powdered sugar or sweetened cocoa powder.
Ingredients
For best results, measure ingredients by weight using a kitchen scale. If you prefer to use volume measurements, use the Stir and Level Method to measure dry ingredients like flour and sugar.
- All-Purpose Flour: I exclusively use King Arthur Flour all-purpose flour for consistency. However, any brand will work.
- Spices: Use a combination of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to mimic the flavor of donut shop donuts. Freshly ground nutmeg provides the best flavor. A little goes a long way with pre-ground nutmeg.
- Melted Butter: Use melted shortening, melted coconut oil, or vegetable oil for a dairy-free option. Vegan butters are another great alternative.
- Milk: Swap in your choice of non-dairy milk alternative (such as nut milks or soy milk).
Instructions for Hand Mixing
These donuts are very easy to make. No need for a stand mixer or electric hand mixer. This donut batter is easily mixed together by hand using a sturdy spatula.
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients.
- Mix together wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients.
- Stir to combine using a spatula.
- Mix together until there are no longer any dry streaks of flour. Batter is ready to be baked!
Recommended Donut Pans
To make these baked donuts, you will need: nonstick mini donut bakeware pans and a piping bag.
Mini Donut Bakeware
- There are a variety of different donut pans available. I recommend using these non-stick mini donut pans photographed above.
- They are easy to clean and easy to use. Even though they are nonstick, I still suggest brushing them with melted butter or coating with baking spray before use.
Piping Bag
- Fill donut pans using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Alternatively, use a plastic zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.
How to Fill Donut Pans
- Grease non-stick donut pan with melted butter or coat with baking spray (or cooking spray)
- Transfer donut batter to piping bag fitted with small round piping tip. Alternatively, use a large plastic zip-top bag and snip off a corner.
- Fill donut pan 2/3 full of batter. DO NOT OVERFILL! The batter will rise during baking.
Assembly Notes
These mini donuts bake in less than 15 minutes! Let donuts cool in the pan for 2 minutes. Then, promptly unmold.
Allowing the donuts sit in the pan too long will cause them to be soggy!
Place warm donuts on a wire rack to slightly cool. Then, quickly dip both sides of donut into melted butter. Immediately, coat donut in cinnamon sugar mixture.
Related Recipes
- Triple Chocolate Baked Donuts
- Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Donuts
- Blood Orange Donuts
- Baked Halloween Donuts
Baked Mini Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, (130 g)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar, (50 g)
- 3 Tablespoon light brown sugar, (35 g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, (14 g), melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, or vanilla paste
Coating:
- 2 Tablespoon unsalted butter, (28 g), melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar, (150 g)
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg,, or more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, egg, milk, and vanilla.
- Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and combine with a spatula. Mix until smooth.
- Transfer batter to a piping bag with a small round tip. Fill donut pans a little less than ⅔ full. Do not overfill.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 2 minutes before unmolding.
Coating:
- Have melted butter in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, whisk together sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Dip both sides of donut lightly in melted butter. Toss buttered donut in sugar mixture until both sides are generously coated. Eat donuts warm or let cool to room temperature.
Notes
- I use this nonstick mini donut pan
- I recommend these disposable piping bags and this piping tip set
- You may have trouble unmolding donuts if pan is not greased well. Invert donut pan and tap one end hard against sturdy surface. The donuts should release from pan with enough pressure.
- Do not try to pick out the donuts. They will likely fall apart.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
So how do you make sure they look so even? I mean the hole in the middle. Also, would they spread out if you just piped them on a tray? Thanks for answering if you do :)
Hi Ana, you need a donut baking pan to make these baked donuts. They will spread out into a mess if you just pipe them on a tray.
Ana, if you do not have a donut pan, I wonder if a greased tall shot glass set in the middle of one of the spaces of a muffin tin might produce a reasonable facsimile. Would be worth a try!
Hi Maryanne,
can i ask how long these keep for?
Hi Sarah, the baked donuts should last 3-4 days at room temperature.
I could use some of those donuts right now :) Charlie is adorable and very lucky to have found you.
These look so very wonderful! and that puppy….i just want to nab him and give him a big cuddle :) gorgeous!
These donuts look divine. I know sometimes it is just the right moment for a donut. I like that they are mini and just lightly dusted with sugar instead of frosted.Your puppy is very cute and that young-they are like the Energizer Bunny! Have a wonderful weekend!