Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer donut holes—they’re ridiculously easy and ready in under 20 minutes! I swear, I make them at least once a week because my kids (and okay, me too) go crazy for them. No messy deep frying, no waiting for dough to rise—just mix, roll, and air fry. The first time I made them, I couldn’t believe how perfect they turned out—lightly crisp outside, pillowy soft inside, and that powdered sugar coating? Absolute magic. These little bites of happiness are my go-to when surprise guests show up or when I need a quick sweet fix. Trust me, once you try these air fryer donut holes easy, you’ll never go back to store-bought!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes Easy
Let me tell you why these little guys have become my kitchen obsession:
- Crazy fast – From bowl to plate in under 20 minutes (perfect for sudden sugar cravings!)
- No deep fryer drama – All that crispy goodness without the oil splatters and lingering fry smell
- Pantry staples only – I bet you’ve got everything you need already in your kitchen
- Texture magic – That perfect balance of slightly crisp outside and cloud-soft inside gets me every time
Seriously, they disappear faster than I can make them – and that’s saying something!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes Easy
Here’s the beautiful part – you probably have everything you need right now! These are my go-to ingredients that never fail me:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (I always spoon and level – no packed flour here!)
- 1/4 cup sugar (regular granulated works perfectly)
- 1 tsp baking powder (make sure yours is fresh – it makes all the difference)
- 1/4 tsp salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
- 1/4 cup milk (I use whole milk, but any kind works in a pinch)
- 1 large egg (room temp blends better, but cold works too)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (salted or unsalted – I use what’s in my fridge)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (the real stuff – it’s worth it!)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for that magical snowy coating)
See? Nothing fancy – just simple, honest ingredients that make magic happen!
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes Easy
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these little bites of heaven! I’ve made this recipe so many times I could probably do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through every step so yours turn out perfect on the first try.
Mixing the Dough
First, grab a big bowl and whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Now here’s my trick – make a little well in the center of your dry ingredients. Pour in the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla all at once. Use a fork to gently stir everything together until just combined. The dough should look shaggy and sticky – that’s exactly what you want! Overmixing makes tough donuts, so when you see no dry flour patches, stop immediately. Trust me, a few lumps are totally fine.
Shaping and Cooking
Lightly flour your hands (this dough is sticky!) and roll tablespoon-sized portions into balls. I make mine about the size of a ping pong ball – not too big or they won’t cook evenly. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes while you’re rolling. Arrange the dough balls in the basket with space between them – I do about 6 at a time so they have room to puff up. Cook for 4 minutes, then give the basket a good shake (this prevents flat sides!) and cook another 2-4 minutes until golden brown. Every air fryer is different, so peek at the 6-minute mark.
Coating the Donut Holes
Here’s where the magic happens! While the donut holes are still warm (but cool enough to handle), toss them in powdered sugar. I put the sugar in a shallow bowl and gently roll them around – the warmth helps the sugar stick beautifully. Pro tip: do this in batches so the sugar doesn’t melt from the heat. If you want extra coverage, you can toss them again after they’ve cooled slightly. The result? Little snowballs of joy that’ll disappear faster than you can say “seconds please!”
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes Easy
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), here are my can’t-live-without tips:
- Give them breathing room! Overcrowding = flat donuts. I do 6 max in my basket at once.
- The toothpick test never lies – if it comes out clean, they’re done. Underbaked centers are sad centers.
- Shake it like a Polaroid picture halfway through – this gives you perfectly round, evenly golden bites.
- Store leftovers in a paper bag (not airtight!) at room temp. They’ll stay fresh-tasting for 2 days… if they last that long!
Follow these, and you’ll be a donut hole rockstar! If you enjoy this style of quick treat, you might also love these air fryer churro bites.
Variations for Air Fryer Donut Holes Easy
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe (which is perfection, obviously), try these fun twists that always impress:
- Cinnamon Sugar Magic – Roll warm donut holes in a mix of 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon for that classic fairground taste
- Lemon Zest Joy – Add 1 tbsp lemon zest to the dough and coat with powdered sugar mixed with a pinch of zest – so bright and fresh!
- Chocolate Dip Dreams – Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with a splash of cream, dip cooled donut holes halfway, then let set – instant elegance!
Honestly, the possibilities are endless – that’s what makes this recipe so special! For another sweet air fryer option, check out these soft air fryer chocolate chip cookies.
Serving Suggestions
These donut holes scream “coffee break!” – I love serving them warm with a steaming mug of dark roast. For kids (or kids-at-heart), dunk them in cold milk for pure nostalgia. Arrange them on a cute cake stand with fresh berries for instant brunch glam. Honestly though? They rarely make it off the baking tray at my house! You can find inspiration for presentation on sites like Pinterest.
Storage and Reheating
Here’s the good news – if you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house!), these donut holes keep beautifully. Just pop them in a paper bag at room temp for up to 2 days – the paper keeps them from getting soggy. When you’re ready for round two, toss them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 1-2 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked magic!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s keep it real – these are treats, not health food! But because I know you might be curious, here’s what you should know about the nutrition side of these air fryer donut holes. The values I’m sharing are just estimates since your exact ingredients and portion sizes will vary. Using whole milk versus skim, or an extra teaspoon of sugar here and there – it all adds up differently!
The beauty of making them at home? You control what goes in. Want to cut back a touch on sugar? Try substituting half with monk fruit sweetener. Need dairy-free? Almond milk works like a charm. Just remember – these are meant to be enjoyed as an occasional sweet treat, not an everyday breakfast (though believe me, I’ve been tempted!). If you are looking for a healthier alternative, consider trying these easy air fryer protein balls.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve gotten so many questions about these air fryer donut holes over the years – here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Absolutely! My neighbor swears by 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blends – just be gentle when mixing since GF dough can be more delicate. The texture comes out slightly denser but still delicious.
Why are my donut holes dense?
Oh honey, you’re probably overmixing! That’s the #1 culprit. Stop stirring as soon as you don’t see dry flour. Also check your baking powder isn’t expired – fresh leavener makes all the difference.
Can I make these ahead?
The dough keeps covered in the fridge for about 2 hours before cooking. But honestly? They’re so quick, I always make them fresh – the texture is just better right out of the air fryer.
My donut holes aren’t round – help!
Try rolling them between lightly floured palms instead of fingers, and don’t forget that crucial basket shake halfway through cooking! That little jiggle keeps them perfectly spherical.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my foolproof recipe for air fryer donut holes that taste like they took all day but whip up in minutes. Give them a try and let me know how yours turn out – I love hearing your kitchen success stories! Happy air frying!
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Donut Holes Ready in 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 12 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy air fryer donut holes made with simple ingredients. A quick and delicious treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Roll dough into small balls.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place donut holes in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Roll warm donut holes in powdered sugar.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air frying
- Cuisine: American