Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts: Your Cozy Fall Baked Treat, Minus the Fryer Fuss

When the leaves start turning and that familiar pumpkin spice aroma hits the air, I know it’s officially donut season. But let’s be real—deep frying is messy, time-consuming, and not exactly what you want on a busy weekday. That’s why these Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts are my go-to fall baked treat. They’re soft, fluffy, and coated in a dreamy cinnamon-sugar topping—everything you love about a donut, but baked to golden perfection.

No oil splatters, no fuss. Just pure pumpkin spice bliss you can whip up in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re prepping for a cozy brunch or need a sweet pick-me-up, these homemade donuts will have your kitchen smelling like a fall wonderland.

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts

  • No frying needed! These Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are baked, making them lighter but still indulgently satisfying.

  • They’re the ultimate fall baked treat—perfect for brunches, coffee breaks, or that 3 PM sweet craving.

  • Quick and easy, using pantry staples you probably already have.

  • That cinnamon-sugar coating? It’s a warm hug for your taste buds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Donuts:

  • 240 g all-purpose flour

  • 133 g brown sugar

  • 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 240 ml pumpkin puree

  • 60 ml maple syrup

  • 2 large eggs

  • 80 ml coconut oil (melted)

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • Non-stick cooking spray

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

  • 60 ml coconut oil (melted)

  • 150 g granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts

  1. Preheat & Prep
    Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab your donut pan and give it a good spritz with non-stick cooking spray.

  2. Mix Dry Ingredients
    In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Get those spices mingling!

  3. Mix Wet Ingredients
    In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, eggs, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and luscious.

  4. Combine Wet & Dry
    Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing = dense donuts, and we want fluffy.

  5. Pipe the Batter
    Transfer the batter into a large ziplock bag and snip a 1/2-inch hole in one corner to make a DIY piping bag. Pipe the batter into your prepared donut molds, filling each about 3/4 full.

  6. Bake to Perfection
    Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 18 minutes. A toothpick inserted should come out clean. Let the donuts cool for 5 minutes in the pan before moving them to a wire rack.

  7. Cinnamon Sugar Magic
    In a shallow bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Lightly brush each donut with melted coconut oil, then twist or dip them into the cinnamon-sugar mix. Cue the happy dance.

Olivia’s Tips for Irresistible Homemade Donuts

  • Use a light hand when mixing the batter—think “fold gently” not “whip aggressively.”

  • Don’t skip the coconut oil brushing before the sugar dip. It’s what gives you that classic Cinnamon Sugar Donut finish.

  • For a fun twist, try dipping half the batch in chocolate glaze for variety (my kids are obsessed).

  • These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but reheat beautifully in the microwave for 10 seconds if you’ve got leftovers.

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donut

The Story Behind My Pumpkin Spice Donut Obsession

A few years ago, on a crisp October morning, my kids and I decided to have a “donut day.” But after one too many oil splatters (and a kitchen that smelled like a fast-food joint), I knew there had to be a better way. Enter: Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts. They quickly became our fall tradition—less mess, all the flavor. Now, every fall weekend feels incomplete without a batch of these beauties cooling on the counter.

What to Serve with Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts

Pair these homemade donuts with a steaming mug of chai latte or your favorite pumpkin spice coffee for the ultimate fall pairing. Planning a brunch? Serve alongside a simple fruit platter and scrambled eggs for a balanced spread.

For a cozy dessert, drizzle them with a maple glaze or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (because life’s too short to skip dessert). And don’t forget—a cozy blanket and a good book make these donuts taste even better.

How to Store These Fall Baked Treats

These donuts are best enjoyed the day they’re made when that cinnamon sugar coating is at its prime. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To revive their just-baked goodness, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving.

Want to make them ahead? You can freeze the uncoated donuts for up to a month. Just thaw, brush with melted coconut oil, and dip in fresh cinnamon sugar when you’re ready to enjoy.

FAQs About Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts

Can I use vegetable oil instead of coconut oil?

Yes! Vegetable oil works just fine if that’s what you have on hand. The texture will stay the same, but coconut oil adds a subtle richness.

How do I prevent the donuts from sticking to the pan?

Non-stick spray is your best friend here. Also, allow them to cool for a few minutes before removing—they’ll release more easily.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Just be sure not to overmix the batter to keep them fluffy.

Doughnuts That Taste Like Fall in Every Bite

These Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts are more than just a sweet treat—they’re a little slice of fall joy you can make anytime, fuss-free. From the first bite of that soft, spiced crumb to the last sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, they’ll have you feeling like a baking pro (even on your busiest days). So next time you crave a cozy, homemade treat, skip the trip to the bakery and bake up a batch right at home.

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Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts


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  • Author: Amanda Thompson
  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 12 donuts 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Soft, fluffy Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts coated in a dreamy cinnamon-sugar topping. This easy, no-fry recipe brings cozy fall flavors to your kitchen in under 30 minutes, with no messy oil splatters.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Donuts:

  • 240 g all-purpose flour

  • 133 g brown sugar

  • 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 240 ml pumpkin puree

  • 60 ml maple syrup

  • 2 large eggs

  • 80 ml coconut oil (melted)

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • Non-stick cooking spray

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

  • 60 ml coconut oil (melted)

  • 150 g granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.

  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

  3. In another bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, maple syrup, eggs, melted coconut oil, and vanilla until smooth.

  4. Gently combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.

  5. Transfer batter to a piping bag or ziplock with the corner snipped, and pipe into donut molds (about 3/4 full).

  6. Bake for 18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

  7. Mix sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a shallow bowl.

  8. Lightly brush donuts with melted coconut oil, then dip in cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated.

Notes

Don’t overmix the batter; gentle folding ensures fluffy donuts.

The coconut oil brushing is key for the sugar coating to stick.

You can swap coconut oil for vegetable oil.

Best eaten fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days.

Uncoated donuts can be frozen and coated just before serving.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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