Baked Mini Pumpkin Donuts Recipe with Glaze

These baked mini pumpkin donuts are soft, full of fall spices, and topped with a sweet vanilla-cream glaze. They’re easy to make at home, and baking them in a donut pan means there’s no hot oil to manage. This batch makes 24 mini donuts, perfect for breakfast, an afternoon treat, or a fall get-together.

In this recipe, you’ll learn how to make pumpkin donuts at home, get tips for keeping them tender, and find easy ways to change the glaze or bake the batter without a donut pan.

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Donuts

Once pumpkin season arrives, pumpkin treats seem to be everywhere. Maybe you look forward to Dunkin Donuts pumpkin spice coffee, or maybe you love Krispy Kreme pumpkin donuts. Either way, these homemade baked pumpkin donuts are a fun way to bring those cozy fall flavors into your own kitchen.

This isn’t an exact copycat Dunkin pumpkin donuts recipe, but the pumpkin and warm spices make it a tasty homemade option when you’re craving a Dunkin pumpkin donut. You can make a batch for family and friends without heading out to find pumpkin donuts near me.

• They’re simple to mix and bake.
• The mini size makes them easy to serve at breakfast or brunch.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice give each bite a warm pumpkin spice flavor.
• You can change the glaze or use a mini muffin pan if you don’t have a donut pan.

If you’re comparing homemade treats with a Dunkin pumpkin doughnut or Entenmann’s pumpkin donuts, keep in mind that this recipe makes mini baked donuts with a homemade glaze. The texture and sweetness will be a little different, but they’re delicious with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.

Equipment for Pumpkin Mini Donuts

You’ll need:

• A mixer or whisk
• A mini donut pan
• Baking spray
• A piping bag with a large tip, or a zip-top bag with one corner snipped off
• A wire rack

A metal donut pan is a dependable choice. A silicone mini donut pan also works, but place it on a sturdy baking sheet before filling so it’s easier to move in and out of the oven.

Pumpkin Donut Ingredients

For the donuts

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Allspice
• Egg
• Pumpkin puree
• Milk
• Vanilla
• Canola oil

For the glaze

• Unsalted butter
• Powdered sugar
• Heavy whipping cream

The original recipe lists the glaze ingredients but doesn’t provide measurements for them. Add the powdered sugar and cream gradually to the melted butter until you reach a glaze consistency that works for dipping.

Use plain pumpkin puree for this recipe, not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling already contains added ingredients and sweetness, which can change the flavor and texture of the donuts.

How to Make Pumpkin Donuts at Home

1. Prepare the pan and oven

Heat the oven to 350°F. Coat the donut pan well with baking spray so the mini donuts release easily.

2. Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

You can replace the cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. It’s an easy swap if you already have a jar in your pantry.

3. Mix the wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, pumpkin puree, milk, vanilla, and canola oil until smooth.

4. Combine the batter

Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients. Stir just until everything is combined. Don’t overmix, or the donuts can turn out dense instead of tender.

5. Fill the donut pan

Spoon the batter into a piping bag fitted with a large tip. You can also use a zip-top bag and snip off one corner. Pipe the batter into the prepared pan, filling each donut cavity about halfway.

6. Bake and cool

Bake for 8 minutes at 350°F. Let the donuts cool in the pan briefly, then carefully move them to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before glazing.

7. Make the glaze

Melt the butter in a double boiler. Stir in powdered sugar and heavy cream, then whisk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring, and remove it from the heat. Let the glaze cool slightly before dipping.

Dip the tops of the donuts into the glaze and place them on a parchment-lined pan or wire rack. Give the glaze time to set before serving.

Tips for the Best Baked Pumpkin Donuts

• Measure the flour carefully. Too much flour can make small donuts dry and heavy.
• Mix only until the batter comes together. A few small lumps are better than overmixed batter.
• Grease the pan well, including the center posts.
• Let the donuts cool before glazing. Warm donuts can make the glaze run right off.
• For a firmer glaze, add powdered sugar a little at a time until it thickens. If it gets too thick for dipping, stir in a small amount of cream.

These are baked cake-style donuts, so they have a soft, tender crumb rather than the crisp outside of a fried donut. Baking also avoids deep frying, though the calorie count depends on the ingredients and serving size. The recipe card lists about 193 calories per donut.

Easy Pumpkin Donut Glaze Variations

Maple glaze

Stir maple flavor into the vanilla-cream glaze for a sweet fall topping. Add it gradually so the glaze stays thick enough to coat the donuts.

Cream cheese glaze

Beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then mix it with powdered sugar and a little cream until it reaches a dipping consistency. This gives the donuts a tangy, creamy topping.

Brown butter glaze

For a deeper, nutty flavor, cook the butter in a saucepan until it turns golden and smells toasted. Let it cool slightly, then use it as the base for the glaze.

Cinnamon sugar

Skip the glaze and roll the warm donuts in cinnamon sugar. This makes a simple cinnamon sugar pumpkin donut with a lighter, less sweet topping.

Pumpkin Donuts Without a Donut Pan

No donut pan? A mini muffin tin works well for making pumpkin donut holes. Grease the cavities, fill each one about halfway, and bake at 350°F. Start checking them at 8 minutes, then continue baking until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool before removing from the pan.

The batter is made for baking, so it won’t hold a ring shape on a baking sheet by itself. For a pumpkin-shaped donut recipe, use a pumpkin-shaped baking mold and follow the mold’s instructions for filling and baking. A regular donut pan gives you classic mini rings, while a mini muffin pan makes bite-size pumpkin treats.

Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

You can bake the batter in an air fryer if you have a small donut mold that fits inside the basket. Spray the mold, fill the cavities about halfway, and place it in a preheated air fryer at 320°F. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, then check that the centers are set. Air fryer models can cook differently, so keep an eye on the first batch and adjust the time if needed.

Let the donuts cool before dipping them in glaze. Don’t pour the batter directly into the air fryer basket.

Dairy-Free and Vegan Options

The donut batter contains an egg and whole milk. For a dairy-free version, use an unsweetened plant-based milk in place of the whole milk. For a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax egg, made by mixing ground flaxseed with water and letting it thicken before adding it to the batter.

The glaze contains butter and heavy cream, so use plant-based butter and dairy-free cream instead. The texture may vary slightly with these swaps, so check the donuts for doneness before taking them out of the oven.

Make-Ahead and Holiday Baking Tips

For the freshest donuts, mix the wet and dry ingredients separately the night before, cover both bowls, and store them in the refrigerator. Combine them just before baking. Once the wet and dry ingredients are mixed, the baking powder begins working, so it’s best to bake the batter right away.

This recipe makes 24 mini donuts. For a Thanksgiving brunch or a larger gathering, double the ingredients and bake in batches. Keep finished donuts in a single layer while the glaze sets, then transfer them to an airtight container.

How to Store and Reheat Pumpkin Donuts

Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them for about 5 days. Let refrigerated donuts sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving, or warm one in the microwave for just a few seconds. Glaze can melt quickly, so heat them briefly.

Can You Freeze Pumpkin Donuts?

Yes. Freeze the donuts before glazing when possible. Arrange them in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. This keeps them from sticking together.

You can freeze glazed donuts, too. Freeze them in a single layer first so the glaze has less chance of sticking to the container. Thaw the donuts at room temperature before serving.

Pumpkin Donut FAQs

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

No. Pumpkin pie filling contains added ingredients and is already sweetened. Use plain pumpkin puree for the best results.

Why are my pumpkin donuts dry?

Too much flour and overmixing are common reasons. Measure the flour carefully and stir the batter only until the ingredients are combined. Check the donuts at the 8-minute mark so they don’t overbake.

Can I use gluten-free flour?

Yes, you can try a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may vary depending on the brand.

Can I make this a Weight Watchers pumpkin donut recipe?

This recipe hasn’t been adjusted or calculated as a Weight Watchers recipe. The flour, sugar, oil, egg, and glaze all affect the points, so use the current program calculator and the exact ingredients you choose if you’re tracking.

Is this a pumpkin cake donut recipe?

Yes. These are baked, cake-style donuts with a tender crumb. They’re different from yeast-raised donuts, which are usually lighter and often fried.

What’s the difference between these and a Dunkin pumpkin donut recipe?

This homemade recipe uses pumpkin puree, pantry ingredients, and a vanilla-cream glaze. It’s a simple baked pumpkin donut inspired by fall donut flavors, not an exact copy of the Dunkin Donuts pumpkin donut or pumpkin munchkins Dunkin Donuts sells.

More Donut Recipes to Try

• The Best Glazed Lemon Strawberry Donuts Recipe
• Weight Watchers Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
• How to Make Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Donuts Recipe
• The Best Baked Lemon Weight Watchers Donuts Recipe

Want another pumpkin treat to serve alongside these mini donuts? Try our vanilla pumpkin cupcakes or make homemade pumpkin spice coffee creamer for your coffee. You can also browse these 50+ pumpkin desserts.

Tried this recipe? Let us know how your pumpkin donuts turned out!