I made these itty bitty cinnamon oat bites the other day and they were so addictive I found myself making more and more batches. Super simple, sort of like cookie dough or oatmeal bites, super cinnamony, and very light. And sooooo good with almond milk or some coffee. I couldn't get enough ✨
I say bites, but you see mini-donuts. You're probably wondering what's up..? Story time: one day a few weeks ago I decided I really needed a silicone donut pan to make some raw donuts. But I didn't want one of the really big ones, but the smaller sized pan (like this one) that makes these cute mini donuts -- the kind I see at the junky bakery aisle at the grocery store all the time (in fact that's where the hankering for donuts hit me! All those cute little sugar coated donuts in a package looked so enticing).
Anyways, I was shopping online, it was late, all the pans sort of started to look the same. So I ordered the one that seemed the best deal / fastest shipment at the time and ordered my very own mini donut pan, soon to hold my very own mini donuts...
When it arrived I was treated to this:
Who knew there's such a thing as a mini mini donut pan! I mean, this is pretty much candy chain-sized!
I honestly had no idea they come this small, and also had no idea what to do with the pan now that I had it. I mean it could be used to make chocolates or candy, but it's not exactly the shape I'd go for typically unless I was doing something themed...
Anyhow, when I went to make these cinnamon oat cookie dough bites, after rolling some into balls I thought, hey why not not make baby donuts while I'm at it... May as well do something with this completely unnecessary accessory in my pantry.
Well they turned out pretty cute. Whether you need the pan or not is entirely your call -- they taste good as little balls too. But there was something fun (or maybe the whole thing was just altogether funny to me) about eating these bitty donuts :)
So back to these cinnamon bites.. they really are simple to make -- ready in no time and they last a good while. I had some at room temp, some in the fridge, and some frozen, and all were put to good use in the end.
They sort of taste like a good oatmeal-on-the-go snack. Very satisfying, but also very light somehow.
Just a couple of quick notes from experimenting with these:
- I found they work best taste-wise small, i.e. as bites or bliss balls (as opposed to a large donut, for example).
- Sorry to the Aussies and for those in countries where there are no gluten-free oats. I tried this out with quinoa flakes for you, and let's just say that didn't go over so well... I think this would be great with almond flour and a bit of tapioca or something along those lines, though the ratios would need to be quite different.
Cinnamon Oat Cookie Dough Bites
Satisfying, mini cinnamon bites in a cute donut shape. Make them as cinnamon donut balls too. Light, sweet, perfect snack size. Gluten-free, vegan. No bake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: about 20 bites
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients
Cookie Dough Bites:
- ½ cup dates, pitted, pre-soaked and strained*
- 4 tbsp hot water
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or ½ tsp raw ground vanilla bean)
- 1 ½ cups instant oats (gluten-free)
- Additional 1 cup instant oats
Coating:
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or maple sugar or date sugar for coconut-free version)
Instructions
- Place all cookie dough bites ingredients in a food processor, except the additional 1 cup instant oats, and process the mixture to combine. Add in half of the remaining instant oats and process to combine, then add the remained and process once again. The mixture at this point should be sticky but not too wet -- test if you can pinch the mixture with your fingers or form into a small ball -- if it's too wet, add a bit more oats and process until you can roll a ball with the mixture.
- Prepare a tray lined with parchment (or set donut pan on a flat tray if using). Set aside. Stir the coating ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside as well.
- Take out about 1 tablespoon of the cinnamon oat bites mixture (or more) and roll into a ball with your hands**. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture to lightly coat as you go along, then set on the prepared tray. Repeat until you run out of mixture.
- Chill for 20 mins in the fridge, then transfer into an air-tight storage container and enjoy! You can keep them at room temp if planning to consume within a day or two, or keep refrigerated. They also freeze well and thaw out very fast if you want to save some for a longer period of time.
Notes
*To soak the dates, place measured out pitted dates in a glass bowl, cover with boiled water (or room temperature water if you prefer to keep them on the raw side) and allow to soak for at least 15 mins to rehydrate and soften (if water was at room temp instead of freshly boiled, then soak for about 4 hours). Then strain and discard the water.
**If using the mini donut pan, press the ball into the mold and shape into a donut shape with your fingers, then freeze for 30 mins and pop out gently. Then coat in the cinnamon coating, chill and enjoy.
Hiroshi says
I made this again and they somehow turned out a bit dry. Anyway, I decided to bake them at 350F for 5 minutes and it softened it nicely. I made a lucuma glaze for some and a condensed Thai tea oat mylk for the others while also using Thai tea as the base instead of water. I also turned them into actual donuts (I get 4 per 1x recipe) using a silicone donut pan.
I think I'll make some more soon using either adzuki or mung bean paste as a filling. I'll try piping a layer of adzuki or mung bean in the middle or maybe rolling it out into fourths and then putting the filling inside and then wrapping it around to fit the moulds? I'll report back once I've done it to let you know how it went. :)
Audrey says
Oooh, do keep me posted! Sounds like an interesting progression you're having with this recipe :D Thank you for sharing, as always.
Hiroshi says
Although quite crumbly again, I made the actual "donuts" with moringa powder, filled/stuffed it with pandan mung bean paste, and topped it off with a matcha frosting. I used honey to sweeten the paste and frosting. It looks pretty and tastes great. I've got some leftover paste I can freeze while I think of what else I can make with it.
Audrey says
<3
Hiroshi says
This recipe is so awesome. I love that it is no-bake and helped me use up ingredients I already had. I subbed the maple syrup for more of the hot water from soaking the dates and also used kinako instead of sugar for the coating. It turned out still sweet enough for me at least. I think making them again with red bean paste inside and having them maybe be made with some homemade condensed oat milk instead of the maple syrup next time might be an interesting option for me to explore, especially to put on my homemade bingsoo. Thank you so much for this recipe.
Audrey says
So happy the recipe worked for you, Hiroshi! :) And thanks for sharing all your ideas and swaps -- they all sound very tasty!
Hiroshi says
Thank you. I remade this with some powdered agave and it tasted like powdered donuts. Very yummy. Definitely a banger.
Audrey says
Oh that sounds so good. I've not seen powdered agave around here. Sounds like a great ingredient for many things though <3
Lesei says
Hey there, Audrey! I wanted to ask you a question.. my processor went out :( I use it to make all the cakes and brownies and sweets and I don't know what to do now.. is there anyway I can make this donut recipie without the processor? If not do you have any good treats I can make without it? Thankyou so much! Awesome job!
Audrey says
Hi Lesei. The food processor here grinds everything super finely while blending all the ingredients together at the same time. I think you'd have a hard time achieving the right consistency without it.
I do use a food processor in most of my recipes. Comes in handy for this type of baking :) But here are a few you can try out without it:
-- most of the ice creams in the ice cream recipe section (https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/all-recipes/)
-- many of the baked cakes (if you choose "cake" + "baked" in the recipes menu) -- note I mean cakes, like chocolate cakes, clafoutis, etc. The baked "cheesecake"-like cakes will require a processor for the crust
-- apple crumble: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/simple-paleo-gluten-free-vegan-apple-crumble/
-- shortbread cookies: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/simple-gluten-free-vegan-shortbread-cookies/
-- tapioca pudding: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/gluten-free-vegan-coconut-mango-tapioca-pudding-paleo-refined-sugar-free/ (there's a chocolate version as well)
-- waffles: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/gluten-free-vegan-millet-almond-butter-waffles/
-- pistachio pudding: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/healthy-pistachio-pudding-raw-vegan-paleo-gluten-free-refined-sugar-free-scd/
-- pancakes: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/easy-4-ingredient-gluten-free-eggless-dairy-free-refined-sugar-free-blender-pancakes/
-- "cheese" pancakes: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/vegan-syrniki-cheese-pancakes-recipe/
-- mint chocolates: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/vegan-mint-chocolates/
-- chili chocolate mousse: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/raw-vegan-chili-chocolate-mousse-recipe/
-- cinnamon bunny cookies: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/cinnamon-bunny-cookies-gluten-free-vegan-refined-sugar-free/
-- custard: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/carob-cinnamon-eggless-vegan-custard/
-- italian chocolate ice cream (tartufo): https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/raw-chocolate-tartufo-dairy-free/
-- any of the aquafaba "meringue" recipes, like these cookies: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/eggless-meringue-nice-cream-sandwich-cookies/
-- maple candied pecans: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/candied-maple-pecans-refined-sugar-free-recipe/
-- this plum oat crumble: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/super-simple-balsamic-plum-oat-crumble/
-- anything in the drinks section
There's tons more, but I think you've got plenty to explore here :)
Soni says
OMG this sounds and looks so good! Can't wait to try it, I cant believe its a no bake recipe. I cant imagine how it would get its donut shape without baking it.
Audrey says
Thanks Soni -- enjoy it! :)
James Webber-Salmon says
This looks so good! I can't wait to try them out. thanks for all your emails and posts on your recipes; they are so simple are taste lovely. It is very inspiring for a vegan baker who loves sweet treats, and your recipes make it much more healthier than other store bought vegan treats <3 Only 4 stars because I haven't tried it out yet. Ha
Audrey says
Thanks so much, James :)
I love sweet treats, but don't love fussiness, and most commercial baked goods and I often don't get along so well, so what's a girl to do.. ?
Max says
For my fellow Aussies; I'm fairly certain I've seen gluten-free oats in Coles and Woolies/health food stores - Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats are pretty common 'round the traps, these days!
p.s. Oh, and these need to happen to my life and face. Immediately.
Audrey says
Thanks for the tip, Max! Nearly every time I share an oat recipe (which isn't all that often) I hear from the Aussies that oats aren't naturally considered gf over yonder. I sense there is a lot of reservation about using oats, period. Over here when oats are certified gf they get tested for gluten levels, so I feel confident buying and using them. Of course I understand the reservations too, especially since people have a different intolerance threshold, and because being "glutened" is never fun... :/
It's good to hear there are gf oat options popping up over there though, for those that want to give them a try. There are also some gluten-free oat options available on iherb.com -- they ship really fast to Australia and at reasonable prices, and they carry a lot of North American gluten-free brands, including Bob's Red Mill. So another option to check out if people can't find any in person.
Rosie says
Oh my goodness these are cutest little mini donuts i have ever seen! But, in all honesty, if they're mini I'm just as likely to eat the whole batch than if they were normal size. *shrugs* oh well...
Audrey says
Hehe. Thank you! It's def entirely possible to demolish a batch in a blink ??.
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
I do not have any enlightening ideas as to why anyone would make a donut pan so teeny tiny, but I actually kinda of love the fact that it exists hehe! Like doll food sized donuts--now we just need the world's tiniest tea cup to sip alongside☺️ I make some of my best/worst shopping online purchases late at night too and then often wake up like...hmm did I actually buy that or was it a dream I don't really remember? (Often hoping it's the latter actually?) Anyways, I am happy that you found a delicious use for it though. Because regardless the shape or size dates + oats + lots-o-cinnamon makes for perfect bite-sized snacking??
Audrey says
Hehe. I sometimes feel like that about my online snack orders… especially on iherb. When the box arrives I’m often thinking… “oh, why did I get that…?? ?” and who’s gonna eat it now ?.
About the donut pan, I keep having this really weird vision of a pusheen the cat-themed donut where he’s holding a pink mini donut (I must have seen that somewhere..?) — this pan would be perfect for pusheen’s mini donuts ? (and for the record I think a donut holding a donut is awesome ?) …or maybe it can be a life saving ring of some sort…