Easy Gluten Free Donut Holes {Oil Fried or Air Fried}

Name: Easy Gluten Free Donut Holes Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups gluten free flour blend (* see note); 3 tablespoons sugar; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup milk or non-dairy milk; 1/4 cup butter; 2 teaspoons active dry yeast ((or one packet)); 1 tablespoon sugar; 1/2 cup warm water; 1 cup high smoke point oil (* see notes)

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The whole family is going to love these delicious gluten free donut holes that are crispy on the outside and puffy soft on the inside. This gluten free donut holes recipe creates bite-sized donuts that are fried to sheer perfection. I also include air fryer directions in case you want to make them air-fried.

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Why This Gluten Free Donut Holes Recipe Is Great:
Ingredient Notes:
Recipe Step By Step Directions:
Air Fryer Directions:
Donut Holes Coating Ideas:
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
More Gluten Free Donut Recipes:
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If you love donuts, you will love these donut holes. They taste as if they came from a donut shop! Donut holes are inevitable when you are making donuts because you always have the middle dots of dough after using a donut cutter.

You can coat these powdered sugar donut holes in several flavor options. They are fun to serve for dessert!

If you love donuts as much as I do, I have a ton of delicious gluten free donut recipes to try. Most are baked, but one is a yummy fried jelly donut.

Check out all of my delicious gluten free donut recipes!

Why This Gluten Free Donut Holes Recipe Is Great:

You can make these donut holes fried in oil or make them in your air fryer.
This recipe uses simple ingredients that you can find at any store.
The donut holes are so light that they rise beautifully before frying.
You can enjoy these gluten free donut holes plain or coat them in one of the many fun suggestions below!

You may also love these Gluten Free Fried Yeast Donuts!

Ingredient Notes:

gluten free yeast donuts ingredients photo.

Gluten Free Flour Blend - I recommend using Authentic Food's Steve's Bread Blend, Better Batter, or Cup4Cup in this recipe. These flour blends rise really well with yeast, making the donuts great. Many blends list on their bags that they are not for yeast recipes, so be sure to read your flour blend packaging.
Xanthan Gum - If your blend doesn't include a binder like xanthan gum, please add one teaspoon.
Active Dry Yeast - Always double check the brand you use is gluten free. Red Star Platinum is NOT gluten free!
Eggs - Use size large.
Milk - You can use regular or non-dairy milk.
Butter - I recommend using unsalted butter. Melt it so that the butter is softened and easy to blend into the wet ingredients, but be sure it is not too hot, or it can kill the yeast.

Recipe Step By Step Directions:

Before making these gluten free donut holes, you must prep your yeast. To do this, add warm water (no hotter than 110º F), yeast, and sugar to a bowl. Let this sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast is foamy.

photos of steps one and two mixing up the donut dough.

Step 1: Add the gluten-free flour and the remaining sugar to a large mixing bowl. Use a wire whisk to blend the dry ingredients together.

Step 2: Add the remaining wet ingredients to the yeast mixture and whisk it. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

HINT: You can also mix up this dough using a standing mixer with a dough hook or paddle attachment.

Step 3: Mix the dough. You will need to shape, then, rise the donut holes now, as gluten free dough does not get a second rise. On a silicone mat or wax paper, roll the dough to 1 ½ to 2 inches in thickness.

To cut out the donut holes, use a donut cutter to cut out donuts and holes or a small biscuit cutter to only cut out donut holes. You can also use a small cookie scoop to scoop out dough balls.

Step 4: Preheat your oven to 200º F. When the oven reaches the temperature, turn it off the oven. Cover the baking sheet with the donut holes loosely with plastic wrap. Let the donut holes rise for 45 minutes.

Donut holes frying in oil in a cast iron skillet.

Step 5: Heat your oil in a Dutch oven or 12-inch cast iron skillet to 350º F. (I use a side burner attached to our grill so I don't get oil all over the kitchen.)

NOTE: If you have a deep fryer and prefer to use that, go for it!

For best results, it is important to use a high smoke point oil when frying foods. You can learn more about the right oil to use in this air fryer oil article.

Step 6: Use a slotted spoon to drop the donut holes into the hot oil gently. Let them cook for 1-2 minutes on each side. Use the slotted spoon or metal tongs to remove the fried donut holes.

Step 7: Move the cooked donut holes to a pan or platter lined with paper towels. The paper towels are there to absorb the excess oil from the fried donuts.

Step 8: Allow the gluten free donut holes to cool and then roll them in powdered sugar or another topping.

A large bowl filled with powdered sugar. Donut holes are in the sugar.

These fried donut holes are absolutely delicious! Be sure your donuts are fully cooled, or the heat will melt the powdered sugar. My homemade Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts also taste great in powdered sugar!

Air Fryer Directions:

Make the gluten free donut hole dough and rise the donut holes using the same directions as above.
Line the bottom of your air fryer with parchment paper. Poke some holes in the parchment paper so air can circulate around.
Preheat the air fryer to 375º F.
Place the donut holes gently in the air fryer.
Cook for 2 minutes, then carefully turn them over to cook the other side. Cook an additional 3 minutes. Note that actual cooking time depends on how large your donut holes are. If your donut holes are large, they may need to cook longer.
Remove the donut holes from the air fryer and allow them to cool before coating them.

Donut Holes Coating Ideas:

There are several different ways to coat your donuts when they are cool. Here are some of my family's favorite ways to eat these donuts:

Powdered Sugar - Add ½ cup of powdered sugar to a large bowl, and toss the donut holes to coat them in the powdered sugar.
Glazed - To make a glaze, add ½ cup powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of milk or non-dairy milk. Mix into a glaze. Dip the donut holes in the glaze, then place them on a wire rack to dry.
Cinnamon Sugar - Mix ⅓ cup of sugar and one teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Toss the donut holes to coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Chocolate Coated - Melt Ghirardelli chocolate wafer in a microwave-safe bowl. Dip the donut holes in the chocolate. Place them on a rack or wax paper-coated tray, and then allow the chocolate to harden in the refrigerator.

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

Can you bake these gluten free donut holes?

You can bake these donut holes, but they will not have the fried crispy outsides.

What is the best oil for deep frying?

I prefer to use avocado oil, mild vegetable oil, or canola oil for deep frying because they are easy high-smoke point oils to use. You can also use coconut oil, but know that this oil will flavor the donuts with a mild coconut taste.

How do you reheat fried donuts?

You can reheat your donut holes in the toaster oven for 5 minutes at 350º F.

Can you make this donut hole recipe egg-free?

I have not tested this recipe with any egg replacer like a flax egg or chia egg. If you test these, please leave a comment and let us know how they turned out.

You may also love this easy Gluten Free Caramel Apple Donuts recipe!