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Easy Donut Holes - the easiest homemade donut holes that takes only 20 mins to make. There is no yeast in the recipe. Mix the batter, deep-fry, roll with sugar and eat!
What Are Donut Holes
Donut holes (spelled as doughnut in England and Commonwealth countries) are small, bite-sized donuts that were traditionally made from the dough taken from the center of ring donuts.
The “holes” are deep-fried just like regular donuts. They are then glazed with sugar, or dusted with fine sugar or powdered sugar.
These donut holes are round in shape but much smaller than regular donuts, making these dainty fried dough balls such a delight to the palate.
It’s easy and fail-proof. If you love fried dough balls, for examples: beignets or malasadas, you are going to love them. Enjoy!
Yeast Or No Yeast
There are two versions of recipe for donut holes, one with yeast, and one without yeast. This recipe is without yeast, making it the easiest recipe ever!
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Egg
- Whole Milk
- Baking Powder
- Butter
- Sugar
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
How To Make Donut Holes
Homemade donut holes are made by dropping a small ball of dough into hot oil. The round shape can be achieved through the use of a small ice cream scoop or a spoon.
For this easy donut holes recipe, I used the former, which yields beautiful, round and spherical shape of these bite-sized sweet treats.
Step 1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg. In a small bowl, combine the egg, milk, and butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
Step 2. In a pot or deep skillet, heat the oil to 375°F (190°C). Drop the dough into the oil using a small round ice cream scoop, five or six at a time. Fry until browned, about 1-2 minutes, turning once.
Step 3. Drain on paper towels. Roll the warm doughnut holes in sugar. Serve immediately.
Tips For Frying Donut Holes
- The perfect oil temperature for frying is 375F.
- Fry the donut holes for about 1-2 minutes on both sides, turning only once.
- Fry them in batches of about 5-6 at a time.
- After frying, drain them on paper towels.
For the toppings, you can dust with powdered sugar, regular fine sugar, or with a sugar glaze. I personally love regular sugar as there is a bit of texture to the surface, plus you can control the sweetness by adding or reducing the amount of sugar. Other ideas include:
- Strawberry Jam
- Chocolate Sauce
- Sprinkles
- Sweet Coconut Flakes
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is 269 calories per serving.
What To Serve With This Recipe
For a complete and satisfying treat, I recommend the following recipes:
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Other Recipes You Might Like
Easy Donut Holes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- oil, for deep-frying
- 1/4 cup sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- In a pot or deep skillet, heat the oil to 375°F (190°C). Using a small round ice cream scoop, drop the dough into the oil, five or six pieces at a time. Fry until browned, about 1 to 2 minutes, turning once.
- Drain on paper towels, then roll the warm doughnut holes in sugar. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- The perfect oil temperature for frying is 375F.
- Fry the donut holes for about 1-2 minutes on both sides, turning only once.
- Fry them in batches of about 5-6 at a time.
- After frying, drain them on paper towels.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can the batter be made ahead of time, then fried later?
Hi Sam, I don’t recommend. Please follow the recipe.
Mine weren’t as pretty as yours, but WOW what a simple and delicious recipe! will definitely be making again. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, thanks for trying the donut holes.
I would like to try this with my mom’s recipe using mashed potatoes… they are just yum!!!!!
Can these be made ahead of time?
Yeah, sure. They will not be warm but should be OK.
How much oil should be used for deep frying the donut holes? Would you recommend vegetable oil? Thanks!
Yes vegetable oil. I use a small round pot to deep fry and I have 3 inches of oil in the pot.
I don’t think the 1/2 cup milk is right. This is my first time making donut holes. Anyway, I used 1 cup whole milk instead of 1/2 cup. Coz its really dry and doesn’t mix well.
I made these in a deep fryer. There were way too good. They weren’t how I think of a traditional donut because they were crispy on the outside almost like they were inside of a crust. That made them even better in my book. I rolled them in sugar but next time I’m going to try a chocolate dip or a glaze. It will have to wait for awhile. I have no self control with these things and scarfed down half in one sitting. Incredibly easy, fast, and tasty. A definite keeper recipe.
Awwww, so happy that you like this easy donut holes recipe!
It says serve immediately. Wondering whether it can be made and taken to work
Thanks
PAppy
Perfect! Crisp outside, super tender inside. And the flavor is wonderful! Perfect rolled with a little sugar.
That’s awesome, I am so glad you tried.
Yum!!! These donut holes look perfect!
Cool thanks!
Those look so easy and tasty ! Could I use an air fryer instead ? Thanks