Say hello to your new favorite breakfast companion: cookie dough stuffed donut holes! No-yeast-required, crammed full of cookie dough, and rolled in sea-salted chocolate sugar… you’re probably going to want to make a second batch.
I might have gone a little bit overboard here.
Honestly, I didn’t think so when I made these perfect golden balls of bliss. I was certain that I had struck a balance of combined genius and deliciousness, cultivating the perfect sugary excuse for breakfast (whoever decided that donuts ought to be considered a breakfast food is my personal hero).
But when I told my sister about these life-changing donuts (no-yeast donuts, at that!) that I’d made, she looked at me like I’d just told her I’d harnessed lightning from our most recent storm and had a real-life Frankenstein bumping around in my basement. She didn’t say the words, but I’m pretty sure the thought abomination was bouncing around in her head (Of course, it should be noted that her diet also consists almost entirely of chicken breast and Boca Burgers, and her idea of indulgence is a square inch of a brownie once every full moon).
But I have a feeling that, since you’re here reading this, you probably think a bit more like me than my sister, and you appreciate the true genius of these decadent donut holes.
There’s absolutely no yeast required, so there’s no painful waiting for the dough to rise, or having to make it a day in advance.
I used my easy, No Yeast Fried Donut Holes Recipe (which I’d mentioned I had plans for in the future… and just wait because there’s even more to come). The dough comes together in minutes (with just a little bit of muscle required for cutting in the cold butter… or am I the only one who feels like they just got in a good arm workout after that?
Considering the sheer number of cookie dough recipes that I have here, it was only a matter of time before I started deep frying it, and this might be my best cookie dough creation yet. The warm, chocolate-chipped cookie dough nearly melts in your mouth with each bite.
But, as much as I love cookie dough, my favorite part of this recipe might actually be the sugar (the sea-salted chocolate sugar) that these donut holes are rolled in. Cocoa powder is whisked into sugar, and then a dash of finely ground sea-salt is added for an intense, slightly-salted flavor that takes these donut holes to the next level.
Enjoy, and I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend.
Zach and I have had a full weekend so far; we just got back from a short visit to Cleveland where we ate our weight in tacos, purchased (and then proceeded to eat) our weight in candy from a colossal candy warehouse, tried to dip our toes in Lake Erie, and watched the Orioles beat the Indians. Now we’re off to go strawberry picking, so expect something strawberry to be popping up on the blog soon!

Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 stick butter softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp flour
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
For No-Yeast Donut Holes
- 1 batch Fried Donut Holes Dough
Sea Salted Chocolate Sugar
- Whisk together
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt finely ground
Instructions
Cookie Dough
- In mixer, cream together butter, sugars, and vanilla extract.
- Sprinkle in salt and mix.
- Stir in flour, gradually.
- Add milk and stir until well combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Roll cookie dough into 1 1/2 tsp-sized balls and place on wax-paper lined cookie sheet. Place in the freezer while you prepare your donut dough.
Donut holes
- Follow directions in Fried Donut Holes Recipe to step 4 (forming dough into cohesive ball).
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 1/8" thickness.
- Use a biscuit cutter to cut dough into 2 1/2" circles.
- Remove your cookie dough from the freezer and wrap dough around donut holes, tightly sealing inside.
- Fill a medium-sized saucepan 2-inches deep with your oil over medium-high heat. Use a candy thermometer (make sure it isn't touching the bottom of the pot) to monitor your temperature.
- Heat oil to 350F (you will have to monitor the heat pretty regularly and may need to increase/decrease your stove temperature to keep it consistent).
- While your oil is heating, prepare your chocolate sugar mix by stirring together sugar, cocoa, and sea salt in a small dish. Set aside.
- Prepare two plates for your cooked donut holes by lining them generously with paper towels.
- Gently lower donut holes into oil using a slotted spoon, about 3-4 at a time, and fry for 2-3 minutes (see note)
- Transfer to paper-towel lined plate, allow to cool for about 1 minute, and then roll in sugar mixture.
- Allow to cool for at least 5-10 minutes (be careful, the cookie dough will be hot!) before enjoying.
Notes
While these should take about 2 minutes under optimal conditions with a consistent oil temperature of 350F, it's still important to check so that you don't end up with 1½ dozen donuts that are still gooey in the middle!
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Johnny Romano says
OMG, will you marry me? lol
Janine says
I think she is already taken and happy hahaha!! I think I will try these too but I would like to try them separate first and wonder what fried cookie dough would be like? Yummy, not for breakfast mind you but, definitely a try. Thank you very much
Sam says
Hi Janine! I am really not sure how you would fry the cookie dough on its own. I would be afraid it would disintegrate in the oil. If you meant tryin the donut holes on their own, you can try my Fried Donut Hole recipe. 🙂
Amanda says
Oh my goodness! First, I’m loving the no-yeast thing. Wonderful. I’m so excited about the combo of cookie dough and donut hole. Cookie dough for breakfast!
Puja Darshan says
Lovely doughnut, sounds healthy and delicious…
P at says
Sorry Sam, I agree with your sister, except for the Boca burgers. I love treats, but I don’t think I would be 67 now if I consume as many or as much as you do. You have some great recipes and I have save a bunch of them and will make many of them. But cookie dough donut holes are not breakfast. You are young and I was to once. Please keep an eye on your sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides as you get older (zach ‘ s also)
All of us who love you want you around for a long time. All this recipe makes me want to do, is grab a gallon water jug.
Sam says
Haha, oh no, my sister will not let me live this down if she sees this comment! If it’s any comfort, Pat, my breakfast is usually a high fiber cereal and a piece of fruit. I try everything that I make, but do exercise and try to maintain a diet of moderation (Zach’s actually really helpful about that, he doesn’t have near the sugar tooth I do). Thank you for your concern and your caring comment, Pat! I hope you’re having a wonderful extended weekend! <3
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction says
Wow, what a delicious twist to doughnut holes! Need to try these soon!
Sam says
Thank you, Marsha!!!