Easy Pumpkin Donut Holes
on Oct 29, 2024
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Enjoy the warmth and nostalgia of your favorite fall flavors all year long with these pumpkin donut holes. With just a handful of ingredients, you can have a batch of these donut holes ready to go in less than an hour!
Making homemade donuts can be intimidating, but these homemade donut holes could not be easier to make! All you have to do is whisk together the batter, drop spoonfuls into a frying pan with oil, and watch as your donut holes cook to perfection.
The pumpkin pie spice is the cherry on top for these fall-flavored donut holes. If you don’t have any pumpkin pie spice then don’t worry! You can make your own using a combination of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Just make sure you make a double batch, because these donut holes will disappear as soon as they hit the counter.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They are just the right portion size for a sweet treat
- You can have fresh homemade donuts in just 20 minutes!
- They are an easy to make yet unique treat for a special occasion
Recipe Ingredients
- Flour—All-purpose.
- Baking Powder—The leavening agent of choice for this recipe.
- Granulated Sugar—Serves as the sweetener in your donut holes.
- Eggs—To help bind the ingredients together.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice—A warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Whole Milk—Enhances the richness of your donut holes.
- Pumpkin Puree—Helps bring in that classic fall flavor.
- Butter—Unsalted and melted.
- Vanilla Extract—Adds a necessary hint of flavor.
- Vegetable Oil—Most affordable option since you are using a lot of oil for deep frying.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Pumpkin Donut Holes
Step #1. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice.
Step #2. Stir in the milk, pumpkin puree, melted butter, and vanilla.
Step #3. Combine the egg mixture with the flour mixture. Heat 3 inches of oil to 350°F. Using two spoons, carefully scoop ping-pong sized balls of dough into the hot oil.
Step #4. Fry for 3-6 minutes or until crispy and brown on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a paper towel lined sheet. Toss the donut holes in the sugar and spice mixture.
Recipe FAQs
If you don’t have any pumpkin pie spice at home or can’t get it at your local grocery store then don’t worry! You can make it at home with just a handful of common spices. Simply whisk together 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon along with 1 tablespoon of cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. You can store your homemade spice blend in an airtight bottle for a few months.
The key to frying is using a high-heat oil. The most common high heat oils are vegetable and canola oil. You can also use peanut oil. Regardless of what oil you use, make sure that it reaches 350°F before adding your batter, otherwise the donut holes will be soggy and greasy.
Many donut recipes use yeast to help the dough rise; however it is not necessary in this donut hole recipe. The baking soda and eggs provide enough structure and rise in these donut holes to give them a nice chewy texture.
How to Store Pumpkin Donut Holes
I always recommend serving these pumpkin donut holes fresh. The crunchy exterior and fluffy, chewy interior is perfect straight from the frying pan. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat your donut holes in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds, or until warm in the middle.
Expert Tips
- For an easier frying experience, try using a cast iron pan. Cast iron has great heat retention which leads to more uniform frying.
- Use a heat thermometer to make sure the oil is at 350°F and continues to stay at that same temperature each time you add new donut balls to the frying pan.
- In addition to using two spoons to scoop your batter, you can also use a large cookie scoop.
- You can switch up the flavor of your donut holes by rolling them in powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
- I like to let my donut holes cool on a paper towel lined plate for a few minutes to give any excess grease a chance to drain.
More Dessert Recipes To Consider
Sweet Treats
Homemade Glazed Donut Recipe
Christmas Cookies
Easy Soft Gingerbread Cookies | The Best Recipe
Frosting Recipes
Easy and Extra Fluffy White Cloud Frosting
Healthy Snacks
8 Easy Granola Bar Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Easy Pumpkin Donut Holes
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying
- Additional 1/2 cup of granulated sugar mixed with 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice for dusting
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine.
- In a separate bowl whisk together the sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice together until smooth. Add the milk, pumpkin puree, melted butter, and vanilla and whisk to combine. Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture until evenly combined.
- In a dutch oven, heat 3 inches of oil over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees. Using two spoons, scoop out a ping-pong ball sized scoop of batter and carefully scrape the batter into the hot oil. Repeat about 5 more times and fry the donuts until the are crisp and deeply brown on all side, 3 to 6 minutes. Adjust the heat as needed to keep the oil at 350 degrees.
- Use a slotted spoon and transfer the fried donuts to a paper towel lined sheet. Repeat with remaining batter. Roll the donuts in the sugar + pumpkin pie spice mixture and stir warm.
I’m trying this tonight!
Yummy!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!