Name: Lemon Mini Donuts
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 48
Ingredients: 1¾ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ cup cornstarch; ¾ cup sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; ¾ cup milk; 2 eggs; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 2 tablespoon lemon juice; ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe

These mini donuts are perfect for me. I just love lemon everything, and lemon desserts are a definite favorite. These lemon mini donuts are easy to make when you are using your mini donut maker and a crowd-pleaser.

Watch this Recipe Cooked Step-by-Step

Lemon Mini Donut Recipe

This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.

These are relatively simple mini donuts to make. Simple is my favorite way to do things, I don’t have a million hours in a day to make fun treats for my kids and myself. With homeschooling, and homesteading, and blogging, my time is filled quite quickly.

1¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch
¾ cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
¾ cup milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Get the e-book of our mini donuts recipe here: https://shop.forgetfulmomma.com/product/mini-donuts-ebook-recipes/

These Lemon Mini Donuts are so fresh and tasty

How to make Lemon Mini Donuts

This here is another easy mini donut recipe perfect for your mini donut maker. I love lemon so it was about time for me to make a lemon donut recipe. Everyone here in our house loves lemon-flavored everything, Lemon Merigane Pie is my most favorite pie, lemon mini donuts are my favorite donuts, sugar-free lemon jello is my favorite… see the pattern?

Start by mixing together your dry ingredients and then add in your wet ingredients one at a time mix in between.

I choose to pour my batter into a bag, like a piping bag to make it easier to fill the mini donut maker molds.

Using my mini donut maker keeps the heat out of my kitchen, making it perfect for use on warm summer days. Plus we get a fun, easy-to-make snack, and quite quickly as it only takes a few minutes to cook each batch. The speed at which we can have a mini snack is my kids’ favorite part.

The little light will turn green with they are finished, they are light brown and fluffy. Set them aside to cool.

Mini Donut Frosting

This time I used lemon juice and icing sugar for our frosting. Wait until your mini donuts have cooled down and then dip them into the frosting.

And then try to save some to share with others. I won’t hold it against you if you can’t stop yourself from eating all of these delicious lemon mini donuts.

Lemon Mini Donuts

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Easy, lemony mini donuts ready in no time at all.

Ingredients

1¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch
¾ cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
¾ cup milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

This is another easy mini donut recipe perfect for your mini donut maker. We love lemon so it was about time for me to make a lemon donut recipe.
Start by mixing together your dry ingredients and then add in your wet ingredients one at a time mix in between. I choose to pour my batter into a bag, like a piping bag to make it easier to fill the mini donut maker molds. Using my mini donut maker keeps the heat out of my kitchen, and we get a fun, easy to make snack, quite quickly as it only take a few minutes to cook each batch.
The little light will turn green with they are finished, they are light brown and fluffy. Set them aside to cool.

How to Use A Mini Donut Maker:

In case you just got your mini donut maker and you are looking to see exactly how to it, this post is for you: How to Use a Mini Donut Maker. I show you how I do it easily with a Ziploc bag.

You can also get a batter dispenser to fill your donut molds for a no waste, easy to use option. It may not work with all recipes as some are thicker than others.

Ingredient Swaps and Variations

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. With just a few swaps, you can create a new flavor every time you bake them:

Citrus Options: Replace lemon juice and zest with lime, orange, or even grapefruit for a new citrus-forward twist. Each fruit creates its own refreshing version of mini donuts.
Berry Burst Donuts: Gently fold in ½ cup of fresh blueberries, raspberries, or finely chopped strawberries into the batter. The fruit adds both color and natural sweetness.
Gluten-Free Swap: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend made for 1:1 baking. Look for one that includes xanthan gum to keep the donuts soft and fluffy.
Dairy-Free Swap: Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk in place of dairy milk. Melted coconut oil or avocado oil can also replace butter for a rich but dairy-free version.
Egg-Free Option: If you’re baking for someone with an egg allergy, replace each egg with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water.
Sweet Glaze Variations: Instead of the classic lemon glaze, try vanilla bean glaze, cream cheese glaze, or even dip them in melted white chocolate for an indulgent finish.
Extra Tangy Flavor: Add a teaspoon of lemon extract or fold in a spoonful of lemon curd to the batter for donuts that pack a bigger citrus punch.

Tips for Perfect Mini Donuts

Mini donuts may be small, but they can be a little tricky if you’re new to baking them. Here are some tried-and-true tips:

Filling the Pan: Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off to neatly fill each donut cavity. This keeps the edges clean and helps them bake evenly.
Don’t Overfill: Only fill each well about ⅔ of the way. Overfilling will cause the donuts to overflow, leaving you with muffin tops instead of donut rings.
Even Baking: Rotate your pan halfway through baking to ensure all donuts cook evenly—especially if your oven has hot spots.
Check Early: Mini donuts bake quickly! Start checking for doneness around the 8-minute mark. A toothpick inserted should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
Cooling Tip: Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This keeps them from breaking apart.
Glazing Trick: For a thicker glaze coating, dip each donut twice, letting the first layer set before dipping again.
Storage and Freezing: Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To freeze, skip the glaze, freeze in a single layer, and thaw before glazing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these without a donut pan?

Yes! If you don’t own a donut pan, you can use a mini muffin pan. They’ll turn out like little donut holes. Just reduce the baking time slightly.

How can I make them more lemony?

You can increase the lemon zest by an extra teaspoon or add ½ teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter. A drizzle of lemon curd on top is another way to boost lemon flavor.

Do these work in an electric donut maker?

Definitely. The batter works beautifully in an electric mini donut maker. Just follow your appliance’s directions for cooking time. Typically, they’ll cook in just 3–4 minutes.

Can I make the glaze less sweet?

Yes. Instead of powdered sugar, whisk together Greek yogurt, a splash of honey, and lemon juice for a tangy topping that’s lighter and less sweet.

Can I prepare them ahead of time?

You can! Bake the donuts, let them cool completely, and freeze without glaze. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and add the glaze fresh for the best taste.

Why did my donuts come out dense?

This usually happens if the batter was overmixed. Stir just until the flour disappears to keep them light and fluffy. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh.

How long do they last?

They’re best eaten the same day for peak flavor, but they’ll stay soft in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them.

Fun Serving Ideas

Powdered Sugar Dusting: Skip the glaze and dust cooled donuts with powdered sugar for a lighter option.
Sprinkle Party: Glaze the donuts and immediately add colorful sprinkles, sanding sugar, or even edible glitter for birthdays or holidays.
Chocolate Dip: Dip half the donut into melted dark or white chocolate, then sprinkle with crushed nuts, shredded coconut, or cookie crumbs.
Layered Dessert: Use these mini donuts as a fun topper for trifles, parfaits, or even milkshakes.
Breakfast Platter: Pair with fresh fruit salad, yogurt parfaits, or iced tea for a bright and cheerful brunch spread.
Themed Donuts: Tint the glaze with food coloring to match the season—pastel yellow for spring, red and green sprinkles for Christmas, or pink glaze for Valentine’s Day.

These lemon mini donuts are simple, versatile, and perfect for any occasion. With a few ingredient swaps and creative topping ideas, you can easily turn them into a new treat every time. Whether you make them for brunch, school snacks, or holiday parties, they’re sure to brighten the table and bring a little sunshine into your kitchen.

If you’re looking for an easy mini donut recipe that delivers bright, fresh flavor, these homemade lemon donuts are the perfect choice. They’re soft, fluffy, and bursting with citrusy sweetness, making them a family favorite for breakfast, dessert, or any time you’re craving a little treat. With so many ingredient swaps, glaze ideas, and serving tips, you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy them. Whether you’re a beginner baker or an experienced cook, these are some of the best mini donut ideas you can try at home—simple, fun, and absolutely delicious.

Delicious Lemon Mini Donut Recipe