Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer donut holes! I was skeptical at first—how could something so simple taste this good? But trust me, they’re the perfect little bites of happiness. Crispy on the outside, pillowy soft inside, and ready in under 20 minutes. The best part? No messy deep frying involved! Even if you’ve never used an air fryer before, this recipe is foolproof. Just grab a few basic ingredients and let that magical little machine do most of the work. Your kitchen will smell like a cozy donut shop in no time!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes
These little bites of joy check all the boxes for the perfect beginner-friendly treat. Here’s why they’ll become your new go-to:
- Crazy fast: From bowl to plate in under 20 minutes – no waiting for yeast to rise or oil to heat!
- Pantry staples only: I bet you’ve got everything in your kitchen right now (no fancy ingredients here).
- That perfect texture: Crispy golden outsides give way to soft, cakey centers – just like your favorite donut shop.
- Impossible to mess up: Even if you’ve never touched an air fryer before, this recipe holds your hand through every step.
Seriously, I’ve made these at least a dozen times now, and they disappear faster than I can say “just one more!”
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these magical little bites – I promise it’s all stuff you probably have already! The secret is in how you measure (I learned this the hard way after some hockey puck donuts early on).
- Dry ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned into the measuring cup and leveled off – don’t pack it down!)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (make sure it’s fresh – test it in water if you’re unsure)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (I use fine sea salt)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar for a caramel hint)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional but SO good)
- Wet ingredients:
- 1/2 cup milk (room temperature – I’ve used everything from whole milk to almond milk with success)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (slightly cooled so it doesn’t cook the batter)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (the good stuff makes a difference here)
See? Nothing fancy at all. I keep these ingredients in my “emergency donut stash” at all times now. The only special equipment you’ll need is your air fryer and maybe a small cookie scoop if you want perfectly round donut holes (though I usually just roll them between my palms – way more fun!).
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes
Alright, let’s get to the fun part! I promise this is easier than you think. The first time I made these, I was shocked at how simple it was to get bakery-quality donut holes at home. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be snacking on warm, delicious donut holes before you know it!
Mixing the Dough
First things first – preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This little step makes a huge difference in getting that perfect golden exterior. While it’s heating up, let’s make the dough.
In a medium bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients – that’s the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cinnamon if you’re using it. Make sure everything is evenly distributed – no clumps of baking powder hiding in there!
Now for the wet ingredients. In another bowl (or I sometimes just use a large measuring cup), mix together the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Here’s the critical part – don’t overmix! A few lumps are totally fine. Overmixing will make your donut holes tough instead of light and fluffy. The texture should be like thick pancake batter – sticky but manageable.
Shaping and Cooking
Time to make those perfect little balls! I lightly wet my hands (the dough is sticky, this helps a ton) and roll about tablespoon-sized portions into 1-inch balls. You can use a small cookie scoop if you have one, but honestly, I think the slightly imperfect hand-rolled ones have more charm.
Now, carefully place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. They need space to puff up – I usually do about 6-8 at a time depending on my air fryer size. If they’re too crowded, they’ll steam instead of getting that nice crisp exterior.
Cook for 5-7 minutes. At about the 5-minute mark, peek in – they should be lightly golden. Mine usually take exactly 6 minutes, but all air fryers are a little different. You’ll know they’re done when they’re evenly golden brown and spring back lightly when touched.
Remove them with tongs or a spatula (they’re hot!) and let them cool just enough that you don’t burn your mouth. Though I won’t judge if you can’t wait – I never can!
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes
After burning my first batch (oops!) and perfecting dozens since, I’ve picked up some game-changing tricks. These little nuggets of wisdom will take your donut holes from good to “oh my gosh, how did you make these?!”
- Size matters: Keep those dough balls around 1-inch – any bigger and the centers stay doughy while the outsides get too dark. I use a tablespoon measure as my guide.
- Peek early, peek often: Smaller air fryers cook faster! Start checking at 4 minutes – they go from perfect to overdone in what feels like seconds. My mom’s 3-quart model finishes a full minute before my 6-quart one.
- Get creative with coatings: While they’re still warm, roll them in cinnamon sugar (my fave), powdered sugar, or even a quick glaze made with powdered sugar and milk. For something extra, try a cocoa powder-sugar mix or crushed freeze-dried strawberries!
- Grease is your friend: A quick spritz of cooking oil on the basket prevents sticking. I learned this after my first batch left half their bottoms behind – tragic!
The best part? These tips work whether you’re making a single batch or enough to feed a crowd. Just don’t be surprised when everyone asks for your “secret recipe” – I get that all the time now!
Ingredient Substitutions
One of the best things about this recipe? It’s super flexible! I’ve tested all sorts of variations when I’ve been out of certain ingredients or cooking for friends with dietary needs. Here’s what works (and what doesn’t) based on my trial-and-error experiments:
- Milk: Any milk works here! I’ve successfully used almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, and even coconut milk (the light kind) in equal 1:1 amounts. The donut holes come out slightly different with each – almond milk gives a nuttier flavor while coconut milk adds richness.
- Flour: For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (I like King Arthur’s). The texture will be slightly denser but still delicious. Whole wheat flour works too, but I’d do half all-purpose, half whole wheat for best results.
- Sugar: Brown sugar makes them extra moist with caramel notes. Coconut sugar works too, though the donut holes will be darker in color. For liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, reduce milk by 1 tablespoon.
- Butter: Coconut oil (melted) or vegetable oil can replace butter 1:1 in a pinch. The flavor changes slightly, but the texture stays great. I don’t recommend margarine – it makes them oddly gummy.
- Egg-free option: While the original recipe doesn’t use eggs, if you’re adapting another recipe that does, a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water) works beautifully.
A word of warning – I tried substituting applesauce for butter once (don’t ask), and let’s just say we had some very sad, dense donut pucks. Some ingredients really are best left as-is! But otherwise, play around and find your favorite combo – that’s half the fun of baking. If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind baking substitutions, check out this guide to baking substitutions.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Donut Holes
Now for the best part – eating these warm, delicious bites! I’ve discovered so many fun ways to serve them over countless batches. Here are my absolute favorites:
- The classic: Roll them in cinnamon sugar while still warm (the sugar sticks better when they’re fresh out of the air fryer) and serve with a steaming cup of coffee. My Sunday morning ritual!
- Drizzle magic: Melt some chocolate chips with a splash of cream for an easy ganache drizzle. Or go wild with a simple powdered sugar glaze (just powdered sugar + milk) tinted with food coloring for special occasions.
- Dipping party: Set out small bowls of different sauces – caramel, chocolate, raspberry jam warmed slightly to make it dippable. Kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) go crazy for this interactive dessert.
- Ice cream sandwich: Sandwich a slightly cooled donut hole between two small scoops of vanilla ice cream – the contrast of temperatures and textures is incredible.
- Breakfast upgrade: Serve them alongside fresh fruit and yogurt for a “fancy” breakfast that feels indulgent but comes together in minutes.
My personal favorite? A plate of warm donut holes dusted with powdered sugar, a small pot of warm vanilla custard for dipping, and an extra large coffee. Pure bliss! The options are endless – that’s what makes this recipe so special. Every time I make them, I discover a new favorite way to enjoy them. If you love easy air fryer desserts, you might also enjoy my recipe for air fryer apple fritters.
Storing and Reheating
Here’s the thing about these donut holes – they’re best eaten fresh, but I totally get that you might want to save some for later (if they last that long!). Through many batches and plenty of “oops, I made too many” moments, I’ve figured out the best ways to keep them tasting almost as good as fresh:
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb any moisture – this keeps them from getting soggy. They’ll lose some crispness but stay delicious!
- Refrigerating: Not ideal, but if you must, they’ll keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. Just know they’ll dry out a bit – pop them in the air fryer for a minute to revive them.
- Freezing: These freeze beautifully! Place cooled donut holes in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid (about 1 hour), then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 1 month. No thawing needed – just reheat straight from frozen.
- Reheating magic: To bring back that fresh-out-the-fryer crispness, air fry at 350°F for 1-2 minutes (2-3 if frozen). Watch closely – they reheat fast! For oven reheating, 300°F for 5 minutes works in a pinch.
Pro tip: If you’re freezing them, leave off any sugar coatings or glazes – add those after reheating. I learned this the hard way when my beautiful cinnamon sugar coating turned into a sad, soggy mess after freezing. Now I keep a little container of cinnamon sugar ready to toss them in right before serving! For more tips on maximizing your air fryer use, check out this guide to air fryer tips.
Air Fryer Donut Holes Nutritional Info
Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating donut holes for their health benefits! But I know some of you like to keep track (or need to for dietary reasons), so here’s the breakdown. These estimates are for plain donut holes without any coatings or dips – add about 20-30 extra calories per teaspoon of sugar coating. All values are approximate since ingredients can vary:
- Serving size: 3 donut holes (about 1 ounce total)
- Calories: 150 (not bad for a sweet treat!)
- Total fat: 4g (2g saturated)
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 120mg
- Total carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 3g
A few things to note: Using whole milk instead of skim will increase the fat slightly. Brown sugar instead of white adds a tiny bit more minerals. And if you’re like me and can’t resist that cinnamon sugar coating, each teaspoon adds about 15 calories and 4g sugar. But hey – life’s too short not to enjoy your donut holes exactly how you like them!
FAQs About Air Fryer Donut Holes
I get so many questions about these little bites of joy! Here are the answers to everything you might be wondering (plus some things you probably haven’t thought to ask yet):
- Can I freeze air fryer donut holes? Absolutely! Freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer to a bag for up to 1 month. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes – they taste almost fresh!
- Why did my donut holes come out dense? Most likely overmixed batter or old baking powder. Mix just until combined (lumps are fine!) and test your baking powder by dropping some in water – it should fizz immediately.
- Can I make these without an air fryer? You can bake them at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, but they won’t get quite as crispy. For real donut shop vibes, try shallow frying in 350°F oil for 1-2 minutes per side.
- How do I prevent sticking? A light spray of oil on the basket works wonders. If yours still stick, let them cool 30 seconds before removing – they’ll release easier once they firm up slightly.
- Can I make the dough ahead? The batter is best used right away, but you can mix dry and wet ingredients separately up to 8 hours ahead. Combine just before cooking for maximum rise.
Still have questions? Drop them in the comments below – I love helping troubleshoot baking adventures! After making hundreds of these (no exaggeration), I’ve probably encountered (and solved) whatever issue you’re facing. If you’re looking for another quick air fryer treat, check out my recipe for quick air fryer cinnamon rolls.
Try This Recipe and Tag Us!
Alright, donut lovers – it’s your turn! I can’t wait for you to experience the magic of these air fryer donut holes. They’re so simple, so delicious, and absolutely perfect for when that sweet craving hits (which, let’s be honest, is always).
When you make them, I’d love to see your creations! Snap a pic of your golden, sugar-dusted beauties and tag me on Instagram @[YourHandleHere]. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen successes and hearing how you put your own spin on the recipe.
Pro tip: Make a double batch. Trust me, you’ll thank me later when you’re reaching for “just one more” and realize you’ve already eaten half the first batch. Happy air frying, friends – may your donut holes be crispy, your sugar coatings plentiful, and your coffee always hot!
Print
Effortless Air Fryer Donut Holes Made in 20 Minutes!
- Total Time: 17 mins
- Yield: 12 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy air fryer donut holes for beginners. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and ready in minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a bowl.
- Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Roll dough into small balls (about 1-inch diameter).
- Place dough balls in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove and coat with cinnamon sugar if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 7 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American