Easy Donut Holes are the ultimate treat for those times when a little sweetness is all you need. These delightful mini morsels pack a punch with their fluffy insides and crunchy, golden-brown exteriors. They’re quite different from the store-bought options, which often taste artificial or overly sugary. Instead, homemade donut holes offer a fresh, nostalgic experience that can instantly elevate any gathering or simply satisfy a sweet tooth on a quiet weekend morning.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Easy Donut Holes
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Easy Donut Holes

This recipe is not only straightforward but also budget-friendly, making it the perfect choice for family gatherings, school events, or even just a cozy night in. The combination of heavy whipping cream and whole milk creates a rich dough that’s simply irresistible. Once you’re done frying these treats, you can enjoy them rolled in cinnamon sugar or drizzled with your favorite glaze. Trust me, you’ll want to share these with friends and family—or keep them all to yourself!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just a few ingredients, you can whip these up in no time!
Irresistible Flavor: Each bite is light and fluffy, with a golden crust that’s perfectly satisfying.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The perfectly round shapes and dusting of sugar make them too cute to resist.
Flexible Serving: Perfect as a snack, dessert, or breakfast treat; they shine on any occasion.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable if you want to try gluten-free or dairy-free variations.

Ingredients You’ll Need

5 cups vegetable oil: Essential for frying, it gives the donut holes a deliciously crispy texture. Any neutral-flavored oil will work, but vegetable oil is a popular choice.
2 cups + 2 tablespoons (298g) all-purpose flour: This is the base for your dough. Ensure it’s well-measured for the best results. If gluten is a concern, you can substitute with a gluten-free blend.
2 ½ teaspoons (11g) baking powder: This ingredient provides leavening, helping the donut holes rise and become light and fluffy.
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar: This sweetens the dough and gives it a lovely crisp when fried. Brown sugar can be used for a deeper flavor.
½ teaspoon salt: A crucial ingredient to balance the sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor.
1 cup (237ml) heavy whipping cream: This gives the donut holes their rich, tender crumb. For a lighter option, you could use half-and-half.
½ cup (119ml) whole milk: Adds moisture to the dough and works harmoniously with the heavy cream.
Toppings: Feel free to get creative! Rolling the donut holes in cinnamon-sugar or glazing with icing enhances their appeal.

How to Make Easy Donut Holes

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups + 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 2 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, ¼ cup of granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt until combined. This ensures even distribution of the baking powder and salt throughout the dough.
Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and ½ cup of whole milk. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir the mixture until it forms a gooey dough. The consistency will be somewhat sticky; don’t worry, this is perfect!
Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop to portion out about 1 tablespoon of dough at a time. You can either drop the balls directly into the hot oil or place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill them until the oil is ready.
Heat the Oil: In a 3-quart saucepan, heat 5 cups of vegetable oil to 350°F. Use a thermometer to ensure accuracy. Keep a cookie sheet lined with paper towels nearby for draining the donuts.
Fry the Donut Holes: Carefully drop 3-4 donut holes into the hot oil, avoiding overcrowding. Fry them for about 3-5 minutes, or until they turn dark golden brown. Remember to flip them halfway through frying for even cooking.
Drain and Cool: Remove the donut holes from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet lined with paper towels. Allow them to cool slightly before rolling in cinnamon sugar or glazing.

Storing & Reheating

To store your delicious donut holes, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes to regain that lovely crispness.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Make sure your oil is preheated correctly; if the temperature is too low, the donut holes will absorb oil instead of frying nicely.
Avoid overcrowding the pan while frying. It can lower the oil temp and make your donut holes greasy.
If you want to change it up, try adding vanilla extract or a dash of nutmeg to your dough for extra flavor.
For best results, sift your flour before measuring to prevent clumps.
Experiment with different toppings, including powdered sugar, chocolate glaze, or sprinkles for a festive touch.

Easy Donut Holes not only come together quickly, but they also hit all the right notes for flavor and satisfaction. They’re fluffy, sweet, and wonderfully versatile, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying all by yourself. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to fry up these cute little treats; you’re in for a delicious time!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of milk?

Absolutely! You can substitute whole milk with any dairy-free milk alternatives such as almond, oat, or coconut milk. Just know that this might slightly alter the texture.

How do I know when the oil is hot enough?

Using a thermometer is the best way to check the oil’s temperature. If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of dough into the oil; if it bubbles and rises to the surface, you’re ready to fry!

What can I do if my dough is too sticky?

If you find the dough is too sticky to handle, lightly dust your hands and the working surface with flour. Just be careful not to add too much flour, or it may affect the texture of your donut holes.

Can I make these donut holes ahead of time?

Definitely! You can make the dough ahead, scoop it into balls, and freeze them. Just pop them in hot oil straight from the freezer for a quick treat whenever you need a sugar fix.

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Easy Donut Holes

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 36 donut holes 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Easy Donut Holes are irresistibly fluffy and flavorful, perfect for a cozy snack or dessert. With a simple dough made from cream and milk, they’re fried to golden perfection and can be enjoyed with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

Scale

5 cups vegetable oil
2 cups + 2 tablespoons (298g) all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons (11g) baking powder
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (237ml) heavy whipping cream
½ cup (119ml) whole milk
Toppings – see notes.

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Instructions

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
Pour in the heavy whipping cream and milk, stirring until a gooey dough forms.
Using a cookie scoop, drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough straight into hot oil or chill on a baking sheet while waiting for the oil.
Heat the vegetable oil to 350°F in a 3-quart saucepan. Use a thermometer for accuracy.
Fry 3-4 donut holes at a time, monitoring oil temperature and flipping them halfway through cooking until dark golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Allow to cool slightly before adding toppings.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider rolling the cooled donut holes in cinnamon sugar or dipping in glaze.
Ensure oil temperature is consistent to avoid greasy donut holes.
Experiment with different toppings to customize your treat.