You know those mornings when you wake up craving something sweet, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? That’s exactly how I discovered these magical 5-minute air fryer donut holes! I was half-asleep one Sunday, rummaging through my fridge when I spotted a lonely can of biscuit dough. “What if…” I thought, tossing them into my trusty air fryer. Three minutes later – golden, pillowy bites of heaven! Now it’s my go-to trick when friends pop by unexpectedly or when my kids beg for a treat. The best part? You probably have all four ingredients in your pantry right now. Let’s turn that biscuit dough into warm, cinnamon-sugar coated bliss faster than you can say “donut emergency!”
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes
Oh my goodness, where do I even start? These little bites of joy are about to become your new obsession. First off – they’re crazy fast. We’re talking warm donuts in less time than it takes to brew coffee! No yeast, no waiting, no fuss. Just pop that biscuit dough in, and boom – instant happiness.
Here’s why you’ll keep making them:
- Pantry magic: Only 4 ingredients you likely have right now
- Kid-approved: My little ones beg to help roll the dough balls
- Endless fun: Swap cinnamon sugar for powdered sugar, cocoa, or sprinkles
- No mess: Way cleaner than deep frying (goodbye, oil splatters!)
Seriously – once you taste that crispy outside giving way to fluffy insides? You’ll wonder how you ever lived without this trick.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes
Gather these simple ingredients – I bet you already have most in your kitchen right now! The magic happens with just:
- 1 can biscuit dough (the cheap, refrigerated kind works perfectly)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (white sugar gives that classic donut shop taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (freshly ground if you’re feeling fancy)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (unsalted lets you control the sweetness)
That’s it! Four pantry staples transform into warm, sugary bliss in minutes.
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t stress – you barely need anything! Just grab:
- Your air fryer (any model works)
- A small mixing bowl for the cinnamon sugar
- Pastry brush (optional, but makes butter coating easier)
See? I told you this was simple. Now let’s make some magic!
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes in 5 Minutes
Okay, let’s get to the fun part! I promise this is so easy you’ll laugh. Here’s exactly how I make these little clouds of happiness in just five minutes flat.
Step 1: Prep the Dough
First, pop open that biscuit can – you know, the satisfying “pop” that always makes me jump! Tear each biscuit into quarters (no need to be perfect here) and roll them between your palms into little balls. Pro tip: slightly damp hands prevent sticking! Arrange them in your air fryer basket with some breathing room – overcrowding leads to sad, unevenly cooked donuts.
Step 2: Air Fry to Perfection
Set that baby to 350°F and let it preheat for about 2 minutes (some models don’t need this, but mine works better when warm). Slide in the basket and set your timer for 3 minutes. Peek at the 2-minute mark – you want them golden like a summer tan, not pale like me in winter! They’ll puff up beautifully, filling your kitchen with that irresistible bakery smell.
Step 3: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Here’s where the magic happens! While the donuts are still piping hot, dunk them in melted butter (I use tongs to avoid burnt fingers), then roll them in your cinnamon-sugar mix. The warmth makes the sugar stick perfectly, creating that crackly sweet crust we all love. Warning: you’ll probably eat half before they even hit the plate!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds – no judgment!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:
- Grease is your friend: Lightly spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking (trust me, it saves heartbreak!)
- Test drive one donut: Try cooking a single piece first to nail your air fryer’s perfect timing
- Sweetness control: Cut the sugar to 1 tbsp if you prefer less sweet – the butter adds plenty of richness
- Work fast: Coat them while still warm so the cinnamon sugar sticks like glitter to a craft project
Bonus: Double the batch – they disappear faster than you’d believe!
Variations for Air Fryer Donut Holes
Oh, the possibilities! Once you’ve mastered the basic version, let’s get creative. My kids love when we turn these into:
- Chocolate-dipped dreams: Melt semi-sweet chips with a splash of coconut oil for dunking
- Vanilla glaze drizzle: Powdered sugar + milk + vanilla whisked until smooth
- Funfetti fest: Roll warm donuts in plain sugar, then immediately toss with rainbow sprinkles
My personal favorite? A lemon zest + powdered sugar combo that tastes like sunshine. The only limit is your imagination (and how fast you can eat them)! If you enjoy experimenting with sweet air fryer treats, check out this recipe for air fryer apple fritters.
Serving Suggestions
These donut holes scream “eat me warm!” right out of the air fryer. I love serving them with:
- A steaming mug of coffee (the cinnamon sugar plays so nicely with dark roast)
- Cold milk for dunking (kid-approved method!)
- Fresh berries on the side to balance the sweetness
Honestly though? They rarely make it past my waiting hands to actually reach a plate!
Storage and Reheating
If by some miracle you have leftovers (rare in my house!), pop them in an airtight container for 1-2 days. When that donut craving hits again, just reheat in the air fryer for 60 seconds – they’ll taste freshly made! The sugar coating might get a tiny bit sticky, but that’s part of the charm.
Nutritional Information
Just so you know – these numbers can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. But for three donut holes, you’re looking at roughly 120 calories, 18g carbs, and 5g fat. Not bad for such a happy little treat! For more quick snack ideas, see how to make air fryer cinnamon rolls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade dough instead of canned biscuits?
Absolutely! While canned dough is super convenient, homemade biscuit dough works great too. Just roll it into small balls about 1-inch in diameter. The cooking time might vary slightly, so keep an eye on them during the last minute.
How do I prevent the donut holes from sticking?
Two tricks never fail me: first, give your air fryer basket a quick spritz with cooking spray. Second, shake the basket gently after about 90 seconds of cooking. If they’re sticking, they’ll usually release after this little nudge!
What’s the best sugar substitute?
For a lower-calorie option, I’ve had success with monk fruit sweetener or erythritol blends. Coconut sugar adds a nice caramel note too! Just know that powdered alternatives won’t give quite the same crackly texture as regular sugar. Understanding the science behind sugar substitutes can be helpful when baking, so check out resources on high-intensity sweeteners.
Can I make these ahead of time?
They’re definitely best fresh, but you can prep the dough balls ahead and refrigerate them for a few hours. Just add an extra minute to the cooking time if they’re cold from the fridge.
Now it’s your turn! Try this ridiculously easy recipe and tell me in the comments – did yours disappear as fast as mine always do?
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5-Minute Air Fryer Donut Holes: Irresistible Magic in Minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Quick and easy air fryer donut holes ready in just 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup biscuit dough (canned)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Cut biscuit dough into small pieces and roll into balls.
- Air fry for 3 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Toss donut holes in melted butter, then coat with cinnamon sugar.
Notes
- Use any canned biscuit dough for convenience.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Serve warm for best taste.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American