When food is fun, everyone wants to eat it. And when it’s easy to make, moms have no problem making fun food for their kids. These pancake mini donuts are fun and easy to make for breakfast or lunch. This mini donut recipe is simple enough to make even first thing in the morning.
Watch this Recipe Cooked Step-by-Step
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I don’t know about you, but I hate trying to flip pancakes. I haven’t made pancakes in almost two years, which I just this minute realized, because our griddle broke and we have stainless steel pots and pans and I’m not sure how to keep pancakes from sticking in them without using them all the butter.
What You Need:
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 cup milk
What you need for the glaze:
- 1/4 cup of melted margarine or water
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp maple extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
How to make Pancake Mini Donuts for Breakfast
How do you make these? Simple.
Mix together your butter, egg, and sugar. Mix until smooth. Then add the baking powder and salt. alternate between adding in flour and milk.
Making Pancake Donuts
I ended up buying a handy batter dispenser recently for making my mini donuts because we were going through Ziploc bags like crazy around. You can of course use a Ziploc bag as a piping bag, or an actual piping bag to easily fill your mini donut pan.
You can see how I use a piping bag to fill our mini donut maker molds.
Now the best part about using a mini donut maker is that you preheat it, fill the mold, close it until the green light turns on. Remove and get ready to serve them.
Now how are you going to serve your pancake mini donuts? You could top them with a little syrup, and then cut into your donuts, which kind of doesn’t seem donut-like. OR you could top them with some glaze.
Making the Glaze
Simple to make because first thing in the morning no one wants to be thinking hard.
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, whisk until smooth.
These pancake mix donuts are best served right away. Store leftovers in an air-tight container.
Pancake Mini Donuts for Breakfast
These pancake mini donuts for breakfast are a fun way to have breakfast every once in awhile.
Ingredients
Pancake Mini Donuts
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 cup milk
Maple Glaze
- 1/4 cup of melted margarine or water
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp maple extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Mix together your butter, egg, and sugar.
- Mix until smooth-ish.
- Then add the baking powder and salt. alternate between adding in flour and milk.
- Mix until smooth, no lumps.
- Pour into either your piping bag or pancake batter dispenser.
- Pour little bits into the donut molds.
- Cook until the light on your donut maker says they are finished or until golden brown and cooked through.
- While your donuts are cooking, mix up the glaze.
- Dip the donuts in the glaze and set aside for breakfast. Best enjoyed while still warm.
You can use any pancake recipe you want, and just make them in your mini donut maker, to be honest. Why mess with a good thing when you love your pancake recipe?
I hope you and your kids enjoy these are much as we did!
Ingredient Swaps and Variations
One of the best things about these pancake mini donuts is how easy they are to customize. With a few simple swaps, you can adapt the recipe for dietary needs or change up the flavors. For a healthier twist, try replacing half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour to add fiber and a nutty flavor. If you need a gluten-free option, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well—just make sure it contains xanthan gum so the donuts stay fluffy.
Dairy can easily be swapped out too. Almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk all work in place of regular milk, and melted coconut oil or avocado oil can replace butter. If you’re baking for someone with an egg allergy, replace each egg with a flax “egg” (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) or ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce.
You can also add flavor twists to keep things interesting. Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract, sprinkle in some cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, or fold in mashed banana or applesauce for natural sweetness. As for the glaze, don’t feel limited to just one option. Chocolate glaze, cream cheese glaze, yogurt drizzle, or even a simple maple syrup glaze can take these mini donuts in a whole new direction.
Tips for Perfect Mini Donuts
Getting pancake mini donuts just right comes down to a few easy tricks. Use a piping bag or even a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off to neatly fill your donut molds—this keeps things mess-free and ensures even baking. Avoid overfilling the molds; filling them about two-thirds of the way gives you the perfect shape without overflow.
If you’re using a donut maker, make sure it’s fully preheated before adding the batter so the donuts cook evenly. If you’re baking in the oven, rotate the pan halfway through to account for hot spots. Because pancake batter tends to be a little more moist, the baking time may vary slightly—check for doneness with a toothpick and start checking a few minutes early.
Let the donuts cool for a couple of minutes before adding glaze so it sticks without running off. For extra indulgence, dip them twice, letting the first glaze set before dipping again. Store glazed donuts in an airtight container for up to a day, or freeze unglazed donuts in a single layer for up to two months. When reheating, just warm them gently in the microwave for a few seconds or in a low oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake these without a donut maker?
Yes! A mini donut pan works perfectly. Bake at 350°F for about 8–12 minutes, depending on your oven, until a toothpick comes out clean.
What if my donuts turn out dense?
This usually means the batter was overmixed. Stir just until combined, and check that your baking powder is fresh for the best rise.
Can I prep the batter ahead of time?
You can refrigerate the batter for up to a day. Just give it a gentle stir before filling your donut molds.
How can I make them extra fluffy?
Try separating the eggs and whipping the whites until soft peaks form, then fold them into the batter at the end. It adds air and makes the donuts lighter.
Do I have to glaze them?
Not at all! These donuts are delicious plain, with a dusting of powdered sugar, or rolled in cinnamon sugar for a quick topping.
Can I make them less sweet?
Yes. You can reduce the sugar slightly in the batter or glaze, though this will affect browning and overall sweetness.
Why did my glaze slide off?
If the donuts are too hot, the glaze won’t stick. Let them cool a bit longer, and if needed, thicken the glaze with a little more powdered sugar.
Serving and Presentation Ideas
These pancake mini donuts are as fun to serve as they are to make. Try setting up a toppings bar where kids (and adults!) can add sprinkles, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or even crushed cereal. For a lighter option, simply dust the donuts with powdered sugar or drizzle a thinner glaze across the tops.
They also make a great addition to a breakfast or brunch platter. Pair them with fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, or scrambled eggs for a well-rounded spread. You can even stack a few donuts together with fruit and whipped cream to create mini donut “cakes” for special occasions. For seasonal flair, roll warm donuts in cinnamon sugar in the fall, add peppermint glaze in winter, or brighten them up with lemon glaze in spring.
These pancake mini donuts are a playful way to turn a breakfast classic into something new.
They’re quick, easy, and endlessly adaptable, whether you keep them simple or dress them up with fun glazes and toppings. Perfect for family breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or weekend treats, this is one recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
If you’re looking for an easy mini donut recipe that brings together the comfort of pancakes in a fun donut shape, these pancake mini donuts for breakfast are the perfect choice. With endless ingredient swaps and creative serving ideas, this is one of the best mini donut recipes to try at home.
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