4 Ingredient Pumpkin Donut Holes

Feel that crisp breeze? It’s pumpkin spice season, and we're ready to sprinkle it on everything! These 4 Ingredient pumpkin donut holes are the ultimate autumnal treat: so straightforward to prepare, much lighter and nutritious than your average donut, and they’re made with minimal sugar. If you loved our Banana Donut Holes you will love this pumpkin version.

Before you start

• These 4 Ingredient Pumpkin Donut Holes are a lighter, nutritious treat for autumn, made with minimal sugar.
• Prepare them in just 16 minutes by mixing pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and flour.
• Cook in an air fryer for 6 minutes and roll in pumpkin spice sugar for added flavor.
• Feel free to customize with vanilla extract, melted chocolate, or different oils.
• Serve warm, paired with coffee or tea for a delightful snack.

What stands out

If you’re anything like us, you want straightforward desserts made with minimal processed sugar, but which taste like the real deal. We're making our dreams a reality with these fluffy just-sweet-enough pumpkin donut holes dusted in pumpkin pie spice. With just 4 ingredients and 16 minutes, you can have the donut holes of your dreams!

How to Prepare

In a bowl, add the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of the pumpkin pie spice and stir.

Add in the flour and stir. Once the dough becomes crumbly, begin using your hands to create a smooth (but sticky on the inside) dough. Mix just until a sticky ball forms. (Do not overmix.)

Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Lightly oil your hands and roll each piece of dough into a ball.

Next, spray the basket of an air fryer with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the donut holes in the basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Then cook in a 350F (177C) air fryer for 6 minutes.

Meanwhile make the pumpkin spice sugar: combine the sugar and the remaining 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.

Then, carefully remove the donuts from the air fryer. Next, lightly brush with the remaining oil and then roll in pumpkin spice sugar.

Finally enjoy warm!

Kitchen tip

You can make your own pumpkin pie spice by blending pre-ground spices: mix 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves.

Swaps

1. Add a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract to the batter for a hint of flavor.
2. Instead of cinnamon sugar, try drizzling the cooked donuts in melted chocolate.
3. Feel free to add a pinch of salt and/or sugar directly to the batter for a dash of salty or sweet flavor.
4. In place of avocado oil, you can use coconut oil or even maple syrup. After the donuts are done cooking, then dip them in your oil or syrup of choice.

Serve it with

• Enjoy these as a snack or breakfast, alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea.
• If you love pumpkin pie spice, check out our other pumpkin recipes: Pumpkin Spice LattePumpkin Spice Overnight OatsPumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Bread.
• Our Yogurt Dip is a healthy side to enjoy along with these donuts.
• Homemade Nutella is next-level and pairs perfectly with this recipe.

Questions

How do we make self-rising flour?

Self-rising flour is all-purpose flour that contains baking powder and salt. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use 3/4 cup all-purpose flour instead and add 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/8 teaspoon salt.

what if i don’t have an air fryer?

You can also deep- or shallow-fry these in a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Our preference is avocado oil. Fry until golden brown and crispy all over, about 2 minutes per side. Baking won’t yield the same crispiness, but you can place the dough in the individual wells of a greased muffin tin and bake at 350F for 15 minutes.

Can these be made ahead of time?

These are best enjoyed warm, straight from the air fryer. They are not as tasty when reheated.

can i make our own pumpkin pie spice?

Certainly: just combine 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves.

what’s the difference between pumpkin puree and canned pumpkin pie mix?

Canned pumpkin puree should only include one ingredient: pumpkin. Pumpkin pie puree contains sugar and spices.

Why are the metric weights of your ingredients different than the results of Google and our kitchen scale?

While 1 cup of flour weighs 160g in our kitchen, it might weigh anywhere from 120 to 180g in your kitchen and there’s a few reasons for that. The weight of ingredients may vary due to the brand of ingredients, the brand and style (wet vs dry) of measuring cups and spoons, and the technique for measuring into cups: scooping and leveling versus spooning the ingredients into the cup measure. For best results, go by the weight listed in the recipe.

Ingredients

Makes 10 donuts

• ½ cup pumpkin puree, canned (not pumpkin pie puree)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
• ¾ cup self rising flour
• ½ tablespoon avocado oil, or coconut oil
• ¼ cup sugar

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Mixing Bowls
• Spatula
• Pastry Brush
• Measuring Cups + Spoons

Method

1. In a mixing bowl add the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of the pumpkin pie spice and stir.
2. Add in the flour and stir. Once the dough becomes crumbly, begin using your hands to create a smooth (but sticky on the inside) dough. Mix just until a ball forms. (Do not overmix.)
3. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Lightly oil your hands and roll each piece of dough into a ball.
4. Spray the basket of an air fryer with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the donut holes in the basket, making sure they are not touching each other.
5. Cook in a 350F (177C) air fryer for 6 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, combine the sugar and the remaining 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
7. Carefully remove the donuts from the air fryer. Lightly brush with the remaining oil and then roll in pumpkin sugar.
8. Enjoy warm!

Kitchen notes

• Flavor extracts: Add a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract to the batter for a hint of flavor.
• Chocolate twist: Instead of cinnamon sugar, try drizzling the cooked donuts in melted chocolate.
• Flavor boosters: Feel free to add a pinch of salt and/or sugar directly to the batter for a dash of salty or sweet flavor.
• Oil substitutes: In place of avocado oil, you can use coconut oil or even maple syrup. After the donuts are done cooking, then dip them in your oil or syrup of choice.
• How to make pumpkin pie spice: Mix together pre-ground spices: 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves. Store in an airtight container in your spice cabinet.
• How to make self-rising flour: Mix 3/4 cup all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
• Alternative cooking methods: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can deep- or shallow-fry these in a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Our preference is avocado oil. Fry until golden brown and crispy all over, about 2 minutes per side. Baking won’t yield the same crispiness, but you can place the dough in the individual wells of a greased muffin tin and bake at 350F for 15 minutes.