Baked Chocolate Mini Donuts with Chocolate Glaze – Easy 20-Minute Recipe

These baked chocolate mini donuts are soft, fluffy, and full of rich chocolate flavor, with a smooth chocolate glaze covering each bite. Made with simple pantry ingredients, these homemade donuts come together without a mixer and bake in just 7–10 minutes. Unlike traditional fried donuts, this recipe uses a mini donut pan and an easy mixing method to create delicious little chocolate treats. Whether you’re making a sweet breakfast, preparing an afternoon treat, or looking for a simple homemade dessert, these chocolate mini donuts are a fun recipe to keep on hand.

Why You’ll Love These Baked Chocolate Mini Donuts

• Baked, not fried: These mini donuts are baked in the oven instead of being deep-fried, making preparation simple and convenient.
• Ready in 20 minutes: With just 10 minutes of preparation and a short baking time, you can have homemade chocolate donuts ready quickly.
• No mixer required: Everything comes together in a mixing bowl using a whisk, so you don’t need any special mixing equipment.
• Rich chocolate flavor: Cocoa powder gives the donuts their chocolate flavor, while the chocolate glaze adds another delicious layer.
• Perfect mini size: The smaller portions make these donuts easy to serve, share, and enjoy as a sweet snack.
• Simple ingredients: The recipe uses everyday baking ingredients, including flour, sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and eggs.

Chocolate Mini Donuts Ingredients

You only need a handful of basic ingredients to make the chocolate donut batter and homemade glaze.

For the Chocolate Donuts

• Light brown sugar and white sugar: Using both sugars adds sweetness and contributes to the donuts’ texture.
• Sunflower oil: Keeps the batter moist. You can also use another neutral oil or melted butter, as mentioned in the original recipe.
• Vanilla extract: Adds flavor and complements the chocolate.
• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bring the batter together. Regular or dairy-free milk can be used.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the mini donuts.
• Cocoa powder: Gives the donuts their chocolate flavor and dark color.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Baking soda and baking powder: These leavening ingredients help the donuts rise and develop a soft texture.

For the Chocolate Donut Glaze

• Chocolate chips: Create the chocolate base for the glaze. Regular or dairy-free chocolate chips can be used.
• Butter: Helps make the glaze smooth and rich.
• Milk: Helps bring the glaze ingredients together.
• Icing sugar: Adds sweetness and gives the chocolate glaze its consistency.

Helpful Tips for Making Chocolate Mini Donuts

• Grease the donut pan: Lightly coat the cavities with cooking spray before adding the batter to help the donuts release more easily.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Once the dry ingredients are combined with the wet ingredients, mix just until everything comes together. Overmixing can affect the texture.
• Fill the cavities halfway: Avoid filling the mini donut cavities too much so the batter has room to rise during baking.
• Use a piping bag or zip-top bag: Transferring the batter into a zip-top bag and cutting off one corner makes filling the donut pan easier and less messy.
• Check for doneness: The donuts should spring back when you gently press your finger into them. Start checking around the 7-minute mark.
• Cool before glazing: Let the donuts cool completely on a wire rack before dipping them into the chocolate glaze. This helps the glaze set properly.

How to Make Baked Chocolate Mini Donuts

These homemade chocolate mini donuts come together in a few simple steps. You’ll prepare the batter, bake the donuts, and finish them with a homemade chocolate glaze.

Step 1: Prepare the Donut Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease the mini donut pans with cooking spray. This recipe makes approximately 16 mini donuts.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Add the sunflower oil, white sugar, and light brown sugar to a mixing bowl. Whisk until combined.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix again. Pour in the milk and whisk until the wet ingredients are well combined.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

Add the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the bowl.
Mix until the ingredients are combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.

Step 4: Fill the Mini Donut Pan

Transfer the batter into a zip-top bag. Cut off one corner and gently squeeze the batter into the donut cavities.
Fill each cavity about halfway full.
Using a zip-top bag makes it easier to distribute the batter evenly without making a mess around the pan.

Step 5: Bake the Donuts

Bake the mini donuts for 7–10 minutes, or until they spring back when you gently press your finger into them.
Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Allow them to cool completely before adding the glaze.
Place a large baking sheet or a piece of parchment paper underneath the wire rack to catch any excess glaze.

Step 6: Prepare the Chocolate Glaze

Add the butter, chocolate chips, and milk to a small pan over low-medium heat.
Stir until the chocolate and butter have melted and the mixture is smooth and combined.
Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the icing sugar until incorporated.
Transfer the glaze to a medium bowl.

Step 7: Dip and Glaze the Donuts

Dip the top of each cooled donut upside down into the chocolate glaze, covering the top.
Lift each donut out and place it back onto the wire rack.
Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Variations and Substitutions

This chocolate mini donut recipe offers a few simple options depending on the ingredients and equipment you have available.

• Use melted butter instead of oil: The original recipe allows melted butter as a substitute for sunflower oil.
• Make them dairy-free: Use dairy-free milk, dairy-free chocolate chips, and dairy-free butter in the glaze, as indicated in the ingredient list.
• Use a mini muffin pan: If you don’t have a mini donut pan, you can use a mini muffin pan instead. The final shape will be different, and the baking time may need to be adjusted.
• Make regular-sized donuts: The batter can also be used to make regular-sized donuts.

How to Serve Chocolate Mini Donuts

These baked chocolate mini donuts are delicious once the glaze has set. Their small size makes them easy to arrange on a serving plate for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a homemade dessert.
You can also serve them as part of a dessert platter alongside other small homemade treats. They are especially convenient for sharing because each donut is already individually portioned.
For the best texture and glaze, enjoy them on the day they are baked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make chocolate mini donuts without a donut pan?

Yes! The recipe notes that you can use a mini muffin pan if you don’t have a mini donut pan. You can also make regular-sized donuts using the batter.

Are these chocolate mini donuts baked or fried?

These donuts are baked in the oven at 350°F. They are not fried, making them a simple alternative to traditional fried donuts.

Can I make these chocolate donuts dairy-free?

Yes. The recipe allows regular or dairy-free milk, dairy-free chocolate chips, and dairy-free butter for the glaze.

How do I know when the mini donuts are done?

Bake for 7–10 minutes. The donuts are ready when they spring back after you gently press your finger into them.

Can I freeze baked chocolate mini donuts?

Yes. The recipe recommends freezing the unglazed donuts in an airtight freezer bag for 1–2 months. Thaw them at room temperature and prepare the glaze when you’re ready to serve.

How to Store Chocolate Mini Donuts

Chocolate mini donuts are best enjoyed on the day they are baked because their texture and glaze do not last as long as some other baked treats.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Depending on the climate where you live, the chocolate glaze may start to melt.

Can You Freeze Chocolate Mini Donuts?

Yes. For the best results, freeze the donuts without the glaze.
Place the unglazed donuts in an airtight freezer bag and freeze for up to 1–2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature and add the chocolate glaze.

Make These Easy Baked Chocolate Mini Donuts

These baked chocolate mini donuts are a simple homemade treat with soft chocolate centers and a smooth chocolate glaze. Since they require no mixer and take only a short time to prepare and bake, they’re a convenient option whenever you’re craving homemade chocolate donuts. Save this recipe for your next baking day!

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