Enjoy the taste of fall with these homemade pumpkin donut holes, featuring a light, fluffy texture and a rich, creamy pumpkin filling. Fried to perfection and coated in cinnamon sugar, these pumpkin donut holes are a delightful seasonal treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Imagine biting into a warm, fluffy donut hole, with a perfect blend of pumpkin spice and a sweet, creamy filling that melts in your mouth. These homemade pumpkin donut holes offer a delightful twist on traditional fried yeast donuts. Each bite is a cozy hug of fall flavors, wrapped in a crisp, cinnamon-sugar coating and filled with a luscious homemade pumpkin cream. This recipe combines the comfort of pumpkin pie with the irresistible allure of freshly fried donuts—making it a perfect treat for breakfast, dessert, or any moment in between.

What You Need to Make Pumpkin Donut Holes

For the Donut Holes:

Warm Milk: Adds moisture and helps activate the yeast.

Instant Yeast: Leavens the dough for a light, airy texture.

Warm Water: Activates the yeast for the perfect rise.

Egg (Room Temp): Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together.

Sugar: Sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: Infuses the donut holes with a delightful fall flavor.

Lard or Vegetable Shortening: Used for frying; lard offers a traditional touch, while vegetable shortening is a suitable alternative.

Flour: Provides the structure for the donut holes.

Salt: Enhances flavor and strengthens the dough.

For the Coating:

Sugar: Adds sweetness to the exterior.

Ground Cinnamon: Completes the donut holes with a warm, spicy finish.

For the Filling:

Cream Cheese (Room Temp): Creates a creamy, smooth filling.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: Enhances the pumpkin flavor with a touch of spice.

Pumpkin Puree: Provides a rich pumpkin flavor to the filling.

Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the filling.

How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Donut Holes

Prepare the Dough:

In a small saucepan, heat the milk and lard (or vegetable shortening) over medium heat until the lard is melted. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a bowl, proof the yeast with warm water for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, measure out all your ingredients.

Check the temperature of your milk mixture; it should be under 110°F. If it is, pour your yeast mixture into a stand mixer bowl. Add the milk mixture, egg, sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and half of the flour. Combine on low speed with the paddle attachment.

Gradually add the remaining flour, starting on low speed and then increasing to medium speed until well incorporated.

Switch the mixer attachment to a dough hook and beat on medium speed just until the dough begins to pull away from the sides. The dough will be sticky—resist the urge to add more flour, as it will make the final product dense.

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about an hour, or until doubled in size.

Fry the Donut Holes:

Heat the grease to around 350°F, maintaining this temperature throughout. Grease your hands to make handling the sticky dough easier. Grab small handfuls of dough and roll them into balls, keeping in mind they will double in size.

Fry the donut holes on each side for about 30 seconds, or until golden brown. Remove them to a wire rack placed over a baking sheet to drain.

While still warm, roll the donut holes in the cinnamon sugar mixture for a sweet, spicy finish.

Prepare the Filling:

Once the donut holes have cooled enough to handle and are coated in sugar, it’s time to fill them. In a stand mixer, combine cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree, and powdered sugar over medium speed until smooth and well combined.

Transfer the filling to a pastry bag fitted with a filling attachment. Insert the tip into each donut hole and gently fill with the creamy pumpkin mixture.

A Taste of Autumn

These homemade pumpkin donut holes are a cherished treat that brings warmth and joy to any autumn gathering. Whether enjoyed with a morning cup of coffee or as a sweet dessert, they offer a comforting taste of the season. As you savor each bite, may you be reminded of the simple joys and blessings that fill our lives.

Enjoy these treats as part of a cozy breakfast or a special dessert. And if you find yourself eating them for both, don’t worry—I won’t judge. After all, a little extra joy in our day is something to celebrate!