Pumpkin Donut Holes

Soft, sweet, and packed with warm pumpkin spice flavors, these pumpkin donut holes are a perfect fall treat. Bake them in an air fryer or oven, then coat in cinnamon sugar for a delicious finish. For an extra indulgence, pair them with the optional cream cheese frosting dip!

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Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Donuts:

• ¼ cup butter, melted (plus more for coating)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk*
• ¾ cup pumpkin puree (blotted to remove excess moisture)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• ½ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Frosting Dip (Optional):

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4-6 tablespoons milk

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Instructions

1. Make the Pumpkin Donuts:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the blotted pumpkin puree and buttermilk, mixing until well combined.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a thick batter forms.
3. Using a small cookie scoop, fill a silicone donut hole pan, mini muffin pan, or egg bite pan with 1 tablespoon of batter per donut. Smooth any dribbles for even baking.

2. Bake in Air Fryer or Oven:

• Air Fryer: Preheat to 350°F. Bake the donut holes for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack.
• Oven: Preheat to 350°F. Bake in a greased mini muffin pan for 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

3. Add the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

1. Pour the melted butter into a small bowl. In another bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.
2. Once the donut holes are cool enough to handle, roll each one in the melted butter, then coat in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

4. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting Dip (Optional):

1. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
2. Add vanilla extract and 4 tablespoons of milk. Beat until creamy, adding additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
3. Serve as a dip alongside the donut holes.

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Substitutions

• Buttermilk Substitute: Mix 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar with milk to reach ½ cup. Let sit for 5 minutes before using.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute: Use 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, and ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves.

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Nutrition (Per Donut Hole):

• Calories: 100 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
• Sodium: 112mg
• Sugar: 10g
• Vitamin A: 777IU