How to Make Warm & Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Balls at Home

There’s a certain kind of magic that hangs in the air on a lazy weekend morning. It’s the promise of a slow start, a hot cup of coffee, and maybe, just maybe, a special treat. In my house, that special treat is almost always these incredible cinnamon sugar donut balls. Forget waiting for yeast to rise or making a trip to the bakery. This is the recipe I turn to when we want something truly delicious, right now. They are pillowy-soft on the inside, a little crisp on the outside, and coated in that perfect, sparkly layer of cinnamon sugar.

These little bites of joy are so simple to make, you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried them sooner. Trust me, once you master this recipe, you’ll become the hero of every breakfast and brunch. Let’s get baking!

Why This Recipe Just Works

Key Takeaway	Why It Matters
Ready in 30 Minutes	No yeast means no waiting! This recipe uses baking powder for a quick rise, so you can satisfy your donut craving fast.
Simple Pantry Staples	You probably have everything you need already: flour, sugar, butter, and milk. No fancy ingredients required for these homemade donuts.
Incredibly Fluffy	The secret is in the buttermilk and not over-mixing the batter. This ensures a tender, cake-like texture that melts in your mouth.
Foolproof Frying	My tips will help you get the oil temperature just right, guaranteeing perfectly cooked, golden-brown donuts every single time—never greasy.

What Are Cinnamon Sugar Donut Balls?

Simply put, they are small, round, cake-style donuts that are fried until golden and then rolled in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. Unlike traditional yeast-raised donuts, these get their lift from chemical leaveners like baking powder. This makes them a fantastic easy donut recipe for home cooks because the process is much faster and more forgiving. Think of them as the perfect cross between a cake donut and a classic donut hole.

I’ve spent years tweaking this recipe, and what I love most is its reliability. It’s the one I make for my kids on snow days and the one I bring to friends for a brunch gathering. It never fails to get rave reviews.

A Few Simple Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need a professional kitchen, but a few key tools will make the process much smoother.

• Heavy-Bottomed Pot or Dutch Oven: This is crucial for maintaining a steady oil temperature. A heavy pot holds heat better, preventing the drastic temperature drops that can lead to greasy donuts.
• Kitchen Thermometer: This is my number one tip for success. Guessing the oil temperature is the fastest way to ruin a batch. A simple clip-on candy thermometer or an instant-read thermometer is a game-changer.
• Small Cookie Scoop (1 Tablespoon): This is the secret to getting uniformly sized and shaped donut balls. It’s faster and less messy than using two spoons.
• Spider Strainer or Slotted Spoon: For safely removing the hot donut balls from the oil.
• Wire Rack: To let the donuts drain for a moment before coating them.

The Ingredients for Donut Perfection

This recipe uses basic ingredients that come together to create something truly special.

For the Donut Balls:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup (180ml) buttermilk (or whole milk)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable or canola oil, for frying (about 4-6 cups)

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

A Quick Note on Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make a substitute! Just add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a measuring cup, then fill it with whole milk to the 3/4 cup line. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. The acidity in buttermilk makes these donuts incredibly tender.

Let’s Make Some Cinnamon Sugar Donut Balls! (Step-by-Step)

Ready? This process moves quickly, so I recommend reading through all the steps before you begin.

Step 1: Prepare the Topping & Frying Oil

• First things first, let’s get everything ready. In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together the 1 cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon for the topping. Set it aside.
• Next, pour your frying oil into the heavy-bottomed pot until it’s about 2-3 inches deep. Attach your kitchen thermometer to the side of the pot and begin heating the oil over medium heat. You’re aiming for a steady temperature of 365∘F to 375∘F (around 185∘C).

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

While the oil heats up, grab a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk them together until they are well combined. This step is important because it ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed, giving you a consistent rise in all your donut balls.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the lightly beaten egg, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until they are smooth.

Step 4: Combine to Make the Dough

• Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold the mixture together until just combined. You will see a few lumps, and that’s perfectly okay!
• This is the most important tip I can give you: Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which will make your donuts tough and chewy instead of light and fluffy. Stop as soon as you no longer see big streaks of dry flour.

Step 5: Fry the Donut Balls

• Once your oil has reached 365∘F, you’re ready to fry. Use your 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to drop balls of dough into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pot! Fry only 5-6 balls at a time. Too many at once will lower the oil temperature and lead to greasy donuts.
• The fried donut holes should cook for about 2-3 minutes total, flipping them halfway through. They’ll often turn over by themselves as they cook! They’re done when they are a deep golden brown on all sides.

Step 6: Drain and Coat

• Using your spider strainer, lift the cooked donut balls out of the oil and let any excess oil drip off. Place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels for just 30-60 seconds.
• While they are still hot, transfer them to your bowl of cinnamon sugar. Gently toss them until they are completely coated. The heat is what helps the sugar mixture stick perfectly. Place the finished donuts on a serving platter and repeat the process with the remaining dough.

The Perfect End to a Perfect Recipe

And there you have it—a platter of warm, fragrant, and utterly irresistible cinnamon sugar donut balls. This recipe is more than just a set of instructions; it’s a gateway to creating happy memories in your kitchen. It proves that you don’t need complicated techniques or a long list of ingredients to make something truly special. I hope you and your family love these little bites of heaven as much as mine does. Happy baking!

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