These baked Pumpkin Doughnut Holes are actually cinnamon coconut sugar topped gluten free mini muffins. The muffin poppers are a perfect bite-sized healthier fall treat. Made from coconut flour they are grain free, paleo friendly and clean eating.
![Gluten Free Pumpkin Doughnut Holes](https://leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Gluten-Free-Doughnut-Holes.jpg)
You all know how much I love everything pumpkin. And it is also no secret that I have a special affinity for all things baked with coconut flour. After all, I wrote an entire ebook with coconut flour treat recipes.
Today's gluten free doughnut holes are based on my first-ever coconut flour success - these paleo pumpkin muffins. I adjusted this super popular recipe into a smaller batch of batter to be baked in a mini muffin tin pan instead.
Originally, these pumpkin mini muffins were developed for the ebook but they didn't make the final cut of recipes to be included. So I've been saving them to share with you this October during pumpkin high season!
![Pumpkin Doughnut Holes without Gluten](https://leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Pumpkin-Donut-Holes.jpg)
I find coconut flour muffins tend to stick to the baking pan quite a bit. Greasing the pans with melted butter only helps a little, so for best release I use these mini parchment liners. Paper liners are also very sticky with coconut flour batter.
What makes these mini muffins more like pumpkin donut holes for me is the cinnamon coconut sugar topping. It's actually pumpkin pie spice (which is majorly cinnamon with a few other aromatic spices added) that I am mixing with coconut sugar for the warm and crunchy topping.
I am sprinkling the sugar and pumpkin spice mix on the mini pumpkin muffins in the pan before they are baked. I find the topping adheres best this way.
If you end up with any leftover cinnamon sugar you can also use it to toss the baked pumpkin donut holes in (after removing the liners).
![Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Holes](https://leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Baked-Pumpkin-Doughnut-Holes.jpg)
These little mini pumpkin muffin poppers are a great healthier fall breakfast snack or midday dessert. Their cute bite size also makes these baked doughnut holes a fantastic additions to school lunch boxes.
For a cooler fall treat, try my vegan pumpkin ice cream!
Ingredients
- Coconut flour
- Tapioca starch
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Eggs
- Pumpkin puree
- Melted coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
- Coconut sugar
- Pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat oven and line mini muffin pan.
- Mix coconut sugar and pumpkin pie spice for topping.
- Whisk dry ingredients together.
- Whisk wet ingredients together.
- Combine dry and wet mixtures until smooth.
- Fill muffin pan, top with spiced coconut sugar.
- Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Optionally, coat warm muffins in remaining spiced sugar.
Random Questions
These pumpkin doughnut holes are actually mini muffins, not traditional donut holes cut from donuts.
The origin of the donut hole is often credited to Hanson Gregory, a 19th-century American sea captain. According to legend, Gregory invented the hole-in-the-middle design while aboard his ship in 1847. The story goes that he was dissatisfied with the center of the fried cakes being raw and greasy, so he punched a hole through the dough with a tin pepper box, allowing the dough to cook more evenly. This innovation led to the creation of the donut hole, which eventually became a popular treat in its own right. However, there are various versions of the story, and the exact origin remains a mix of fact and folklore.
each pumpkin doughnut hole contains 7 calories. However, it's important to note that this is specific to the recipe provided, which uses coconut flour, pumpkin puree, and other ingredients typical of a healthier, gluten-free treat. Traditional donut holes, especially those from commercial bakeries, tend to have higher calorie counts due to the use of white flour, sugar, and deep frying in oil.
Yes, these pumpkin donut holes are suitable for a paleo diet as they are made with coconut flour and natural sweeteners. They are also grain-free and do not contain processed sugars, aligning well with the principles of the paleo eating plan.
Substituting all purpose flour for coconut flour might alter the texture and consistency of the donut holes. However, you can experiment with alternative flours, keeping in mind that adjustments may be needed in the recipe to accommodate the differences in flour types.
![Gluten Free Pumpkin Doughnut Holes](https://leelalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Gluten-Free-Doughnut-Holes-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
Gluten Free Pumpkin Doughnut Holes
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (30g) coconut flour
- 2 tablespoons (15g) tapioca starch
- ½ teaspoon (2.5g) baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup (75g) pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup (55g) coconut oil, melted
- 3 tablespoons (40g) maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
Topping:
- 2 tablespoons (25g) coconut sugar
- ½ tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a mini muffin pan with mini parchment liners. Whisk together coconut sugar and pumpkin pie spice for the topping and set aside.
- In a bowl whisk together coconut flour, tapioca starch, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.
- In another bowl whisk together remaining (wet) ingredients until smooth and combined.
- Add the flour mix to the wet mixture and stir until all lumps are gone. (Alternatively, you can also blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender.)
- Divide batter into 18-20 mini muffin cavities (1 tablespoon per mini muffin) and top each with a little spiced coconut sugar. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- If you have any cinnamon coconut sugar remaining, you can toss the warm mini muffins (liner removed) in it to coat from all sides.
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lynn @ the actor's diet
What a perfect fall breakfast/snack/who am I kidding dinner.
Regina
Haha... yup we are not beyond snack food for dinner around here either 🙂