Donut holes are the perfect snack for anyone with a sweet tooth.
They are bite-sized, making them perfect for snacking on the go or as an after-dinner treat.
If you’re vegan, the great news is that you can not only make vegan-friendly donut holes, but they are also incredibly delicious!
What Are Donut Holes?
If you’ve never heard of donut holes, you’re missing out on some serious snacking goodness!
Donut holes, also known as ‘Munchkins’, ‘doughnut bites’, or ‘doughnut balls’, are small, bite-sized donuts without a hole in the center.
They are made from the same dough as regular-sized donuts, rolled into small balls, and fried until golden brown, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior.
Where Are Donut Holes From?
The origin of donut holes remains a slight culinary mystery.
One story suggests that the first donut holes were made by Hanson Gregory, in the mid-19th century. Legend has it that Gregory was dissatisfied with how greasy the donuts were, so he used the top of a tin can to punch a hole in the middle of the dough before frying it. This resulted in a more evenly cooked and less greasy donut. The removed dough was then fried separately, and the first donut hole was born.
Another story suggests that as donut-making technology improved, machines were developed that could cut the dough into perfect circles, leaving a hole in the center. The extra dough was then fried and sold separately as a tasty snack.
However, we have Dunkin’ Donuts to thank for making them as popular as they are today. Dunkin’ Donuts introduced their signature Munchkins in the 1970s, which were bite-sized donut holes that came in a variety of flavors, such as glazed, powdered, and chocolate.
The Munchkins quickly became a popular item on the Dunkin’ Donuts menu, and other donut shops followed suit, offering their own versions of these tasty, sweet treats.
What’s the Difference Between Donuts and Donut Holes?
It’s easy to understand why donut holes are often confused for donuts, as the dough is the same.
The most important difference is that donut balls are small round balls, whereas donuts are circular pastries with a hole in the middle and are typically larger than donut holes.
Is Donut Dough Vegan?
Donut dough usually contains animal products like eggs, milk, and butter, making it unsuitable for vegans.
But, that does not mean vegans need to miss out on eating donuts or donut holes.
Many vegan substitutes can be used to make the dough vegan-friendly. For example, eggs can be replaced with a mixture of applesauce or mashed bananas, milk can be replaced with plant-based milk, such as almond or soy milk, and butter can be replaced with vegetable oil or vegan butter.
Many grocery stores and diners actually sell ‘accidentally vegan’ donuts and donut holes, as they use plant-based ingredients instead of animal-based ingredients. For example, some store-bought donuts and donut holes may be made with vegetable oil instead of butter or shortening, or they may use a vegan glaze made from sugar, water, and flavorings, as these are usually more affordable ingredients.
When in doubt, the best thing to do is triple-check the ingredient list to be sure that the donut holes or donuts are made using vegan-friendly dough.
If you’re craving a freshly fried batch of donut holes, you can whip them up at home using the easy and delicious recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you roll up your sleeves and put your chef’s hat on, take a look at these frequently asked questions and recipe notes:
Do You Need A Deep Fryer to Make Vegan Donut Holes?
This recipe is super easy to make at home, so you won’t need a deep fryer for these vegan donut holes.
If you do have a deep fryer at home, you can use it in place of the pot we mention in this recipe.
What Do You Need to Make Vegan Donut Holes At Home?
This vegan donut hole recipe can be made with the equipment most people already have in their kitchens. All you will need is:
- Large mixing bowl
- Small saucepan for melting the butter
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Knife or bench-scraper
- Heavy-bottomed pot
- Plastic wrap
- Slotted spoon or spider strainer
- Parchment Paper
- Thermometer to monitor the oil temperature
For this recipe, you do not need a donut hole pan or donut cutter, as you can simply roll the donut balls in your hands. You also won’t need a high-speed blender or food processor.
How Many Donut Holes Does This Recipe Make?
The yield for this recipe can vary based on the size of the donut holes you make, but it should make approximately 24-30 small vegan donut holes.
Can You Make the Vegan Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make the donut dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to fry it.
To make the dough ahead of time, wait for the dough to rise, punch it down, and transfer it to a clean, lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to make the donut holes, remove the dough, and allow it to come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes, before rolling it out and cutting it into circles.
How Long Do Donut Holes Last?
Freshly fried donut holes are best enjoyed on the same day they are made, while they are still warm and crispy. However, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To store the donut holes, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Once they are at room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container lined with paper towels or parchment paper.
When you’re ready to eat the donut holes, simply remove them from the container and reheat them in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until they are warmed through and crispy again.
You can also freeze the donut holes in an airtight container for up to 1 month. To reheat frozen donut holes, allow them to thaw at room temperature for a few hours before reheating them in the oven.
Can I Make Vegan Donuts with this Recipe?
Yes, you can use this recipe to make vegan donuts! The dough is versatile and can be shaped into rings for regular-sized vegan donuts or rolled into balls for donut holes.
How Long Does It Take To Make Vegan Donut Holes?
Overall, this recipe should take about 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish, including all prep and cooking time.
Here’s an estimated breakdown of the time required for each step of the recipe:
Prep time: 15-20 minutes to gather ingredients, measure, and mix the dough.
Rising time: 1 hour for the dough to double in size.
Shaping time: 10-15 minutes to shape the dough into balls.
Frying time: 5-7 minutes to fry the donut holes in batches.
Cooling time: 5-10 minutes for the donut holes to cool before glazing.
How To Make Vegan Donut Holes
This free vegan recipe is a classic donut hole recipe that has been tweaked to be vegan-friendly. It’s an easy recipe to follow and uses simple vegan ingredients, making it the perfect recipe for when you need a sweet fix!
Full disclosure, this isn’t the healthiest vegan recipe, but it is a great option for an occasional treat! Everything in moderation.
Yield: 24-30 donut holes
Prep Time: 1.5 hours
Cook Time: 5-7 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (note to make gluten-free donut holes, use almond flour instead)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt (1/2 tsp at the most)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk will all work for this recipe)
- 1/4 cup vegan butter, melted (you can use coconut oil as a substitute)
- 1/4 cup warm water
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Vegetable oil, for frying (at least 1 cup to ensure the donut holes are fully covered)
Note: for the oil, avoid using oils with low smoke points, such as olive oil, as they can burn and impart a bitter taste to the donut holes. We recommend using vegetable oil or canola oil for the best results.
Instructions:
- Start by whisking together the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. The yeast must activate properly, so the water cannot be too hot or too cold. It should ideally feel like bath water.
- Add the wet ingredients, including the yeast mixture, plant-based milk, and melted vegan butter, to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together until a dough starts to form.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If you have a one, you can use a stand-mixer instead of hand-kneading the moist dough.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F (190°C). Start with around 2 inches of oil in the pot to ensure the dough balls are completely covered.
- Next, divide your dough into equal portions using a knife. Roll each portion into a ball and place them on parchment paper. Each dough ball should be roughly 1-2 inches in diameter to ensure they cook evenly.
- Working in batches, drop the dough balls into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried donut holes to a paper towel-lined wire rack or plate to drain any excess oil. Remember, the dough balls need to be submerged in oil at all times. Add more oil as needed, and check the temperature before adding the donut holes.
- Allow the donut holes to cool slightly for 10 minutes. Then dust them with powdered sugar or a topping of your choice.
- Tuck into your warm and delicious donut holes and enjoy!
What Toppings Can I Use for Vegan Donut Holes?
This recipe includes a classic powdered sugar topping, but there are so many tasty options out there.
Here are a few other topping ideas for vegan donut holes:
Cinnamon and Sugar
To make this classic combo, combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, and roll the warm donut holes in the mixture to coat them
Vanilla Icing Glaze
To make this simple yet beloved vanilla glaze coating, combine powdered sugar, dairy-free milk, and vanilla extract to make a glaze. Dip the warm donut holes into the glaze and let them set for a few minutes before eating them. Try adding rainbow sprinkles for an extra treat.
Chocolate Icing Glaze
You can also make chocolate-covered donut holes, like the classic vegan chocolate donuts, using the same icing glaze recipe with a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder.
Jam Filling
For a slightly more advanced option, use a piping bag or small spoon to fill the cooled donut holes with your favorite vegan jam or jelly.
You can also up the sweetness factor and drizzle maple syrup over the warm donut holes before serving.
Bottom Line
While these donut holes may be vegan, they certainly aren’t lacking in flavor or indulgence.
With their crispy outside and soft, fluffy inside, these vegan donut holes are bound to be a new favorite in your kitchen. Experiment with different toppings and glazes to create your own unique twist on this classic treat!
