These cozy pumpkin spice baked donut holes are soft, warmly spiced, and perfect for Halloween gatherings or a fall weekend treat. They’re baked rather than fried and made with pumpkin purée, a blend of whole wheat and all-purpose flour, and unsweetened almond milk.

Ingredients

For the donut holes

• ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour (or regular whole wheat flour)
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsweetened pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil or light olive oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cinnamon topping

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon melted light olive oil, optional, to help topping stick

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk together both flours, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a second bowl, whisk pumpkin purée, maple syrup, almond milk, oil, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until combined; avoid overmixing.
5. Divide batter evenly among mini muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
6. Bake for 11–14 minutes, until the tops spring back and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes.
7. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Lightly brush warm bites with the optional oil, then roll or sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.

Recipe notes

Yield: Approximately 24 mini donut holes. Prep: 15 minutes. Bake: 11–14 minutes.

These bake in a mini muffin pan, so they’ll have a round, donut-hole-inspired shape rather than being deep-fried. For dairy-free preparation, use the almond milk listed. Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 4 days; rewarm briefly before serving.

Happy Heart Kitchen note: Baking instead of frying and using some whole wheat flour are simple ways to adapt a classic treat, but this is still a sweet treat to enjoy in moderation.