Description
These Mini Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bites are a delightful treat that combine the soft, moist texture of baked donuts with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating. Perfectly bite-sized and easy to make in under 30 minutes, they are ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Made with simple pantry ingredients and baked to perfection, these donut bites offer a healthier alternative to traditional fried donuts without compromising on flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Donut Batter
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- â…“ cup vegetable oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup salted butter (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Place the oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, egg, vegetable oil, sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gently whisk in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until just combined, ensuring most lumps are mixed out but avoiding overmixing.
- Prepare Muffin Pans: Spray two mini muffin pans (36 wells total) with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of batter into each well evenly.
- Bake Donut Bites: Place both pans on the center oven rack and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the donuts have risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to maintain softness.
- Melt Butter: While donuts bake, melt the salted butter in a small bowl and set aside.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: Combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a large zip-top bag. Seal and shake well to mix thoroughly.
- Cool Donuts: Once baked, allow the donut bites to cool for a few minutes to be able to handle them safely.
- Coat Donuts: Working one donut at a time, gently dip each into the melted butter, letting excess drip off to keep the coating light. Transfer donuts into the cinnamon sugar bag, adding about 6 at a time, and gently shake to coat evenly.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the coated donuts from the bag and tap off any excess cinnamon sugar. Continue coating remaining donuts. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Do not overbake the donut bites to ensure they stay moist and tender.
- Use whole milk for best flavor; substitute with 2% or other milk if necessary.
- Melted butter helps the cinnamon sugar coating stick while keeping it light and not soggy.
- These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Feel free to use avocado oil instead of vegetable oil for a slightly healthier fat option.
