Homemade Blueberry Glazed Donut Holes with Fresh Berry Icing

Blueberry Glazed Donut Holes
There is something instantly fun about a batch of homemade donut holes, especially when they are topped with a vibrant blueberry glaze. These Blueberry Glazed Donut Holes are soft, fluffy, and lightly sweet with a tender yeast dough that fries up beautifully golden. The glaze is what makes them truly unforgettable: fresh blueberries, rooibos tea, and confectioners’ sugar come together into a sweet, fruity topping with a gorgeous color and a flavor that feels just a little extra special.
These are the kind of treats that turn an ordinary morning into something memorable. They are perfect for brunch spreads, weekend baking projects, celebrations, or anytime you want a homemade dessert that feels bakery-worthy.
Introduction
Homemade donuts always feel impressive, but donut holes are especially lovable because they are bite-sized, easy to share, and just plain fun to eat. This recipe starts with a simple enriched dough made with milk, yeast, egg, butter, and flour. After a good rise, the dough is shaped into little balls, fried until golden, and dipped into a glossy blueberry glaze.
The glaze is where this recipe really shines. Fresh blueberries give it real fruit flavor, the rooibos adds subtle warmth, and the lemon zest in the dough brightens everything up beautifully. The result is a donut hole that tastes fresh, sweet, and full of character.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it feels both classic and unexpected. The donut holes themselves are wonderfully soft and pillowy, but the blueberry glaze adds a fresh twist that makes them stand out from standard powdered or vanilla-glazed versions.
I also love how pretty they are. That rich berry glaze gives them a bakery-case look without requiring any complicated decorating. And because they are small, they are easy to serve for brunch, parties, holidays, or afternoon coffee with friends.
Most of all, these donut holes feel like a true homemade treat. They take a little time because of the yeast dough, but every step is straightforward, and the final result is more than worth it.
Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make these donut holes:
- 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 1 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- Canola oil, for frying
- 8 ounces blueberries
- 6 tablespoons loose rooibos tea
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Swaps and Notes
A few helpful notes can make this recipe easier and more successful.
- Milk temperature matters: The milk should feel warm, not hot, so the yeast activates properly.
- Sticky dough is normal: This dough is meant to be soft and a little sticky, so avoid adding too much extra flour.
- Rooibos tea: This adds depth to the glaze, but the blueberry flavor is still the star.
- Fresh lemon zest: It gives the dough a light citrus note that pairs beautifully with the blueberry glaze.
- Frying temperature: Keeping the oil between 350°F and 360°F helps the donut holes cook evenly without getting greasy.
How to Make Blueberry Glazed Donut Holes
1. Activate the yeast
Heat the milk in a small measuring cup until it is just warm to the touch, about 100°F to 110°F. Stir in the yeast and granulated sugar, then let it sit for 4 to 6 minutes until frothy. If it does not froth, start over with fresh yeast.
2. Make the dough
Transfer the yeast mixture to a bowl. Add the egg and whisk to combine, then whisk in the butter and salt. It is fine if the butter stays a little lumpy.
Stir in the flour and lemon zest until a dough forms. Using an electric mixer with a dough hook, beat on low speed for 5 minutes. The dough will be sticky.
3. Let the dough rise
Lightly oil a bowl and transfer the dough to it. Cover with a towel and let it rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
4. Shape the donut holes
Lightly oil a large baking sheet. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and dust the top lightly with flour. Roll the dough into an 18-by-1 1/4-inch rope. Cut into 1-inch pieces and roll each one into a ball.
Transfer the dough balls to the prepared baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let them rise again until puffed, about 25 to 30 minutes.
5. Fry until golden
Place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Heat the oil in a large saucepan to 350°F to 360°F. Fry the donut holes 3 or 4 at a time for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer them to the wire rack with a slotted spoon and let them cool.
6. Make the blueberry glaze
In a small saucepan, cook the blueberries, rooibos tea, and 1/2 cup water, mashing the berries as they cook, until the mixture becomes syrupy, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a wire-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth and discard the tea solids. Whisk the strained syrup with the confectioners’ sugar until smooth.
7. Glaze the donut holes
Dip the tops of the cooled donut holes into the blueberry glaze. Let the glaze set slightly before serving.
Tips for Success
Use a thermometer for both the milk and the frying oil if possible. Yeast dough is much easier to manage when temperatures are right, and frying at the correct temperature makes all the difference in texture.
Do not rush the rise times. The dough needs time to develop flavor and become airy, which is what gives these donut holes their soft interior.
When glazing, let the donut holes cool first so the glaze does not melt right off. If the glaze feels too thick, add a tiny splash of water or orange juice. If it is too thin, whisk in a little extra confectioners’ sugar.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Blueberry Glazed Donut Holes are perfect with coffee, hot tea, or a brunch spread filled with sweet treats. For a bright and fruity pairing, serve them with This Blueberry Lemonade Is My Favorite Refreshing Drink for Sunny Days, which complements the berry flavor beautifully.
If you are putting together a dessert table or party spread, these donut holes would fit right in alongside These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime and These Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies Are My Favorite Way to Bake Up Instant Joy.
For an easy dessert option on another day, These Cake Mix Cookies Are My Go-To Shortcut for Easy Foolproof Treatsare another fun recipe worth bookmarking.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Approximate nutritional information per serving, based on 20 donut holes:
- Calories: 115
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 45mg
These values are estimates and may vary depending on oil absorption and glaze amount.
Storage and Leftover Tips
These donut holes are best enjoyed the day they are made, when the texture is freshest and the glaze looks its prettiest. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.
For longer storage, keep unglazed donut holes in an airtight container and glaze them closer to serving if possible. The glaze can soften over time, especially in warm kitchens.
You can also make the glaze ahead and refrigerate it separately. Just whisk it again before using.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you love cheerful, homemade treats like these donut holes, there are plenty of other sweet recipes to try next. These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime are a great bite-sized dessert option for sharing.
For colorful baking fun, These Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies Are My Favorite Way to Bake Up Instant Joy are a happy addition to any dessert spread. And for a chilled treat that is especially great in warm weather, This Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Is My Favorite No-Bake Summer Dessert is always a crowd-pleaser.
Final Thoughts
Blueberry Glazed Donut Holes are the kind of homemade treat that feel playful, beautiful, and absolutely worth the effort. From the soft yeast dough to the vibrant berry glaze, every bite delivers something sweet, tender, and memorable.
Whether you make them for brunch, dessert, or just because you are in the mood for a fun kitchen project, these donut holes bring a little bakery magic right into your home. If you make them, I would love to hear how they turned out. And keep following along for more cozy bakes, fun sweets, and homemade favorites from Jason Griffith.



