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These baked apple cinnamon donut holes are super soft on the inside with an irresistible crispy cinnamon-sugar coating. They make a fun fall breakfast treat!
Hello from Iowa! I’ve been here for a couple of days as part of an Iowa Corn Quest trip with some fellow bloggers, visiting farms and learning about all things CORN!
It’s been so fun and I can’t wait to share more with you in a full post about the visit soon.
At the same time, I’m excited to get home to my family tonight. And then I’ll be in go-go mode because I’ve got to get us ready for our camping weekend! 🏕❤️
Eeek, I’m so excited! In the meantime, let’s move it right along…
It’s fall breakfast week here on the blog apparently. On Monday I shared my whole wheat pumpkin pancakes and today I’ve got these baked apple cinnamon donut holes for a fun fall breakfast treat! 🍎❤️
Cause who doesn’t love some donuts?!
(I’ve previously made my whole wheat cinnamon sugar baked donuts and my whole wheat chocolate baked donuts if you want to check those out.)
These apple donut holes are melt-in-your-mouth soft on the inside and dunked in a delicious cinnamon sugar coating for a crispy exterior that’s seriously addictive!
Now, y’all know that I usually use natural sweeteners in my cooking and baking.
(Check out my whole category of healthy fall baking recipes for tons of those!)
But sometimes, you just gotta use a little sugar.
And can I just say, my kids get seriously excited about those times. 😂
They gobble these up so fast!
Actually, everyone does. I’ve made these for brunch parties before and wow, they are such a hit! ❤️
Notes on these baked apple cinnamon donut holes:
- I use white whole wheat flour, but you can also use regular whole wheat flour or even all-purpose flour instead.
- Do make sure to use unsweetened applesauce for this recipe.
- I usually let these cool completely before dunking them, but you can serve them warm as well.
- Making these baked donut holes for a party? You can bake the mini donut muffins ahead of time and then wait until you are ready to serve them to dunk them into the butter and cinnamon-sugar coating.
- If you have some very little kids, you can just leave off the cinnamon-sugar coating and have a healthier apple mini muffin for them. (I’ve tried them that way too and they are still delicious!)
- These are best stored in the fridge after the first day so they don’t get too soft/soggy. They’ll keep there for an additional 2-3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2-3 months.
(My hand model/5-year-old son is going in for one! 👆)
I hope you add these baked apple cinnamon donut holes to your fall weekend plans. I think they will become a fast favorite!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. Check out these other fun fall apple breakfast recipes:
- Whole wheat apple cinnamon breakfast cookies
- Apple cinnamon quinoa breakfast muffins
- Whole wheat pumpkin applesauce bread
- Slow cooker apple butter, no sugar added
Baked apple cinnamon donut holes
These baked apple cinnamon donut holes are super soft on the inside with an irresistible crispy cinnamon-sugar coating. They make a fun fall breakfast treat!
Ingredients
For the donut holes
- 1 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour (see notes)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the cinnamon sugar coating
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl and mix well.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. (I think a hand mixer works best for this but you can use a fork and just beat it really well.) Add the egg and mix again. Add the applesauce, milk and vanilla and stir to combine.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Add the batter to the muffin tin, filling each about 3/4 full.
Bake at 350 for 12-13 minutes, until set. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a baking rack or paper towels and let cool.
Meanwhile, melt the butter for the coating in a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon until well mixed.
Dunk the top of each mini donut hole into the melted butter and then cover in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Set back on the baking rack or paper towels and let sit for a minute to set up.
Recipe Notes
I use white whole wheat flour, but you can also use regular whole wheat flour or even all-purpose flour instead.
I usually let these cool completely before dunking them, but you can serve them warm as well.
Need to make these ahead? You can bake the mini donut muffins the day before and then wait until you are ready to serve them to dunk them into the butter and cinnamon-sugar coating.
If you have some very little kids, you can just leave off the cinnamon-sugar coating and have a healthier apple mini muffin for them.
These are best stored in the fridge after the first day, so they don't get too soft/soggy. They'll keep there for an additional 2-3 days. You can also store leftovers in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 69kcal Calories from fat 27 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat 2g | 10% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 12mg | 4% |
| Sodium 57mg | 2% |
| Carbohydrate 10g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| Sugars 6g | |
| Protein 1g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
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