Baked Coconut Donut Holes Recipe

These Baked Coconut Donut Holes are a little bite of tropical heaven! Soft, pillowy mini donuts infused with coconut flavor, dipped in a sweet vanilla glaze, and topped with more coconut for that perfect texture contrast. The best part? They’re baked, not fried, so you can enjoy them without the hassle of deep frying. Ready in under 20 minutes, these delightful treats are perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or whenever you need a quick sweet fix!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No Deep Frying: Enjoy donuts without the mess and calories of deep frying. These bake up perfectly in a mini muffin tin!
• Quick and Easy: From start to finish, these donut holes take less than 20 minutes to make. Perfect for when you need a last-minute treat!
• Customizable: The coconut flavor can be as subtle or pronounced as you like, and you can easily switch up the toppings.
• Kid-Friendly: Little ones love helping to dip and decorate these bite-sized treats, making this a great family baking project.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• All-purpose flour: The base of our donut holes, giving them structure while keeping them light.
• Baking powder: Our leavening agent that helps the donuts rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Just a touch enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the donuts. Make sure it’s melted but not hot.
• Egg: Provides structure and helps bind everything together.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with coconut.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the donut holes without making them overly sweet.
• Milk: Creates a tender crumb in the finished product.
• Toasted coconut: The star ingredient! Brings a nutty, tropical flavor to these donut holes.
• Powdered sugar: The base for our smooth, sweet glaze.
• Additional coconut for topping: Whether toasted or plain, it adds texture and reinforces that delicious coconut flavor.

Variations

Want to mix things up? Here are some delicious twists on this recipe:

• Chocolate Coconut: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to the batter and use chocolate milk in the glaze.
• Lime Coconut: Add 1 teaspoon of lime zest to the batter and replace some of the milk in the glaze with lime juice for a tropical twist.
• Almond Joy: Mix in mini chocolate chips to the batter and add a drop of almond extract to the glaze.
• Coconut Spice: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the batter for a warm, spiced variation.

How to Make Baked Coconut Donut Holes

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously grease a mini muffin tin with baking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, combine the slightly cooled melted butter with the vanilla extract and egg. Whisk until well blended. Add the sugar and milk, continuing to whisk until everything is thoroughly combined.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until no dry lumps remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your donut holes tough. Gently fold in the toasted coconut.

Step 4: Bake the Donut Holes

Fill each cavity in the mini muffin tin about halfway. This gives them room to rise without overflowing. Bake for 6-7 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Turn the donut holes out onto a wire rack to cool.

Step 5: Make the Vanilla Glaze

While the donut holes are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until you have a smooth, runny glaze. It should be thin enough to coat the donut holes but thick enough to stick.

Step 6: Glaze and Decorate

Once the donut holes have cooled slightly, dip each one into the glaze using two forks or your fingers. Place them back on the wire rack. For an extra decadent treat, dip them a second time after the first coating has set slightly. Immediately sprinkle with additional coconut (toasted or plain) before the glaze sets.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter just until combined to ensure tender, fluffy donut holes.
• Watch Carefully While Baking: These small treats can go from perfect to overdone quickly, so keep an eye on them.
• Double-Dip the Glaze: For an extra sweet and moist donut hole, dip twice in the glaze, letting the first layer set for a minute before the second dip.
• Toast Your Coconut: For enhanced flavor, lightly toast your coconut in a dry skillet until golden brown before adding to the batter or using as topping.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your egg and milk are at room temperature for the best texture in your donut holes.

How to Serve

These Baked Coconut Donut Holes are versatile little treats that can be enjoyed in many ways:

Breakfast Treat

Serve alongside fresh fruit and coffee for a special breakfast. They pair particularly well with a smooth, rich coffee to balance their sweetness.

Brunch Centerpiece

Arrange on a tiered stand with other mini pastries for an impressive brunch display. They’re perfect finger food for gatherings.

Dessert Bites

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. The contrast of warm donut holes with cold ice cream is irresistible.

Party Snack

Thread onto wooden skewers and arrange on a platter for an easy-to-grab party treat. Kids and adults alike will love them!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store completely cooled donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The glaze may soften slightly but they’ll still be delicious.

Freezing

These donut holes freeze beautifully! Place unglazed donut holes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature, then glaze and decorate.

Reheating

For that fresh-baked taste, warm refrigerated or room temperature donut holes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving.

FAQs

Can I make these without coconut?
Absolutely! You can omit the coconut entirely for plain vanilla donut holes, or replace it with mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit bits for a different flavor profile.

My glaze seems too thick. What should I do?
If your glaze is too thick, add more milk, just a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. It should be thin enough to coat the donut holes but thick enough to stick and not run off completely.

Can I use coconut milk instead of regular milk?
Yes! Using coconut milk instead of regular milk will enhance the coconut flavor even more. You can use it in both the donut batter and the glaze for an extra tropical taste.

Do I need a special pan to make these?
These are made in a mini muffin tin, which is perfect for creating bite-sized donut holes. If you don’t have one, you could use a regular donut pan, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time accordingly.

Final Thoughts

These Baked Coconut Donut Holes bring together the convenience of baking with the irresistible flavor of coconut for a treat that’s sure to become a favorite. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack, their soft texture and sweet glaze make them impossible to resist. The best part is how quickly they come together—perfect for satisfying those sudden sweet cravings without a lot of fuss. Give them a try this weekend and watch them disappear!

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