Baked Mini Donuts – Easy, Fluffy & Bite-Sized Treats

If you love donuts but don’t love frying, these Baked Mini Donuts are about to become your new favorite treat. Soft, fluffy, and perfectly bite-sized, they deliver all the classic donut flavor you crave — without the oil, mess, or long prep time. Best of all, they’re baked in the oven and ready in under 30 minutes.

These mini donuts have a tender, cake-like texture and a lightly sweet vanilla flavor that pairs beautifully with just about any topping. Whether you coat them in cinnamon sugar, dip them in chocolate glaze, or decorate them with colorful sprinkles, they’re endlessly customizable and fun to make.

Because they’re small and baked, baked mini donuts are ideal for kids, parties, brunch spreads, or quick homemade desserts. Once you see how easy they are, you’ll never go back to store-bought donuts again.

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Why You’ll Love These Baked Mini Donuts

Baked, Not Fried

No hot oil, no splatter, and no deep fryer needed. These mini baked donuts are lighter than traditional fried donuts but still soft, fluffy, and delicious.

Quick and Easy to Make

From mixing the batter to pulling them out of the oven, these donuts take less than 30 minutes. They’re perfect when you want a fast, homemade treat without a lot of cleanup.

Perfect for Kids and Parties

Their bite-sized shape makes these baked mini donuts fun to eat and easy to decorate. Kids love adding sprinkles, while adults appreciate how neat and portion-friendly they are.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Baked Mini Donuts

For the Mini Donuts

Ingredient	Quantity	Purpose
All-purpose flour	1 cup (125 g)	Gives structure
Baking powder	1 tsp	Helps donuts rise
Salt	¼ tsp	Balances sweetness
Granulated sugar	½ cup (100 g)	Sweetens the batter
Milk	½ cup (120 ml)	Keeps donuts tender
Large egg	1	Binds ingredients
Unsalted butter, melted	2 tbsp (30 g)	Adds richness
Vanilla extract	1 tsp	Classic donut flavor

Optional Flavor Add-Ins

• Cinnamon (½ tsp) for warm spice
• Nutmeg (¼ tsp) for classic donut flavor
• Cocoa powder (2 tbsp) for chocolate donuts
• Lemon or orange zest (1 tsp) for citrus donuts

Toppings and Coatings

• Cinnamon sugar
• Powdered sugar
• Chocolate glaze
• Vanilla glaze
• Sprinkles or crushed nuts

Pro Tip:
Use room-temperature ingredients for the smoothest batter and the fluffiest baked mini donuts.

How to Make Baked Mini Donuts Step by Step

Prepare the Mini Donut Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a mini donut pan with nonstick spray or melted butter, making sure to coat each cavity well. This prevents sticking and helps the donuts release cleanly after baking.

Pro Tip:
Even if your pan is nonstick, greasing it lightly ensures perfect results for every batch of baked mini donuts.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Whisking first evenly distributes the leavening agent so the donuts rise evenly in the oven.

Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk until smooth and fully combined. The mixture should look glossy and slightly thick.

Combine the Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a spatula or spoon until just combined. The batter should be smooth but slightly thick.

Important:
Do not overmix. Overmixing develops gluten and can make your mini baked donuts dense instead of soft and fluffy.

Fill the Donut Pan

Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into each cavity, filling them about ¾ full.

Using a piping bag makes filling cleaner, faster, and ensures evenly shaped donuts.

Bake the Mini Donuts

Bake the donuts for 8–10 minutes, or until they spring back lightly when touched and the edges just begin to turn golden.

Because they’re small, baked mini donuts cook quickly — keep a close eye on them to avoid overbaking.

Cool Slightly and Remove

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool for 3–5 minutes. Gently loosen the edges and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before adding toppings or glazes.

Expert Tips for Perfect Baked Mini Donuts

Don’t Overfill the Pan

Filling each cavity more than ¾ full can cause the donuts to lose their shape or overflow during baking.

Use a Piping Bag for Best Results

Piping gives cleaner edges and consistent donut shapes, especially important when making multiple batches.

Watch the Bake Time Closely

Mini donuts bake faster than regular donuts. Even one extra minute can dry them out.

Add Toppings While Warm

If coating donuts in cinnamon sugar, do it while they’re still warm so the sugar sticks evenly.

Let Donuts Cool Before Glazing

For chocolate or vanilla glaze, allow donuts to cool completely. Warm donuts can cause glaze to slide off instead of setting nicely.

Store Properly

Store baked mini donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best texture, enjoy them fresh.

Chef’s Tip:
Warm leftover mini donuts in the microwave for 8–10 seconds to bring back their just-baked softness.

Delicious Flavor Variations for Baked Mini Donuts

Cinnamon Sugar Mini Donuts

Brush the warm donuts lightly with melted butter, then roll them in a mixture of ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. This classic coating is simple, cozy, and always a favorite.

Chocolate Baked Mini Donuts

Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and increase the milk by 1 tablespoon. Once baked, dip them in chocolate glaze for an extra indulgent treat.

Vanilla Glazed Mini Donuts

Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1–2 tablespoons milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Dip cooled donuts into the glaze and let them set for a bakery-style finish.

Funfetti Mini Donuts

Fold ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles into the batter before baking. These colorful baked mini donuts are perfect for birthdays, holidays, or kid-friendly celebrations.

Lemon Mini Donuts

Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the batter and finish with a lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice for a bright, fresh flavor.

FAQ – Baked Mini Donuts

Conclusion

These Baked Mini Donuts prove that making donuts at home doesn’t have to be complicated. They’re soft, fluffy, and perfectly bite-sized — with all the classic donut flavor and none of the frying mess.

Whether you coat them in cinnamon sugar, dip them in chocolate glaze, or decorate them with sprinkles, these mini donuts are endlessly customizable and always a hit. They’re perfect for breakfast, dessert, parties, or anytime you want a quick homemade treat.

Once you try this recipe, you’ll see why baked mini donuts belong in every home baker’s rotation — easy, fun, and irresistibly delicious.

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