Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer donut holes! I swear, they’re the easiest little treats you’ll ever make – and that crispy golden outside with the soft, pillowy inside? Absolute perfection. I’ve been obsessed with my air fryer ever since my sister gave it to me last Christmas (best gift ever!), and these donut holes became my go-to recipe after one late-night craving hit.
What I love most is how quick they come together. No waiting for dough to rise, no messy deep frying – just mix, scoop, and air fry. In less than 20 minutes, you’ve got warm, cinnamon-sugar coated bites of happiness. The first time I made them, my kids came running into the kitchen asking “What smells so good?” That’s when I knew this recipe was a keeper.
Seriously, if you’ve got an air fryer sitting on your counter collecting dust like mine used to, this is your sign to dust it off. These crispy little donut holes will make you fall in love with air frying all over again!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes Crispy
Let me tell you why these little bites of joy became my favorite quick dessert! First off, they check all the boxes:
Quick and Easy
No yeast, no waiting – just mix and fry! I can whip up a batch faster than it takes to run to the donut shop. When that sudden sweet tooth hits at 9pm (you know the feeling), these save the day.
Perfectly Crispy Outside, Soft Inside
That magical contrast is everything! The air fryer gives them this gorgeous golden crust while keeping the centers cloud-soft. My trick? A quick shake halfway through cooking – makes them crisp up evenly all around.
Minimal Ingredients
You probably have everything in your pantry right now – flour, sugar, basic baking staples. No fancy ingredients means no last-minute grocery runs. Though I do insist on real butter – it makes all the difference in flavor!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes Crispy
Here’s everything you’ll need for these irresistible bites – and I promise it’s nothing fancy! Just grab:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled – don’t pack it!)
- 1/4 cup sugar (I use regular granulated)
- 1 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh!)
- 1/4 tsp salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
- 1/2 cup milk (whole milk makes them extra rich)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (cooled slightly)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff – no imitation!)
- Cooking spray (for the basket – trust me, you need this)
- 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar (for that perfect crispy coating)
See? Told you it was simple! Now let’s make some magic.
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes Crispy
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these little golden beauties! I’ve made this recipe so many times I could do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through every step so yours turn out perfect on the first try.
Preheat and Mix
First things first – fire up that air fryer! Set it to 350°F and let it preheat while you mix the batter. (This is my secret for extra crispiness – starting with a hot air fryer.) In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make sure those dry ingredients are well combined – no one wants a bite of plain flour in their donut hole!
Now for the wet stuff – pour in the milk, melted butter (make sure it’s not too hot or it’ll cook the flour!), and vanilla. Stir just until everything comes together. The dough will be sticky – that’s exactly what we want! Overmixing makes tough donut holes, and we’re going for cloud-soft centers here.
Shape and Cook
Here comes the messy fun part! Spray your air fryer basket generously with cooking spray – seriously, don’t skip this or you’ll have a sticky situation. I use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon size) to portion the dough, then quickly roll it between damp hands into balls. Don’t stress about perfection – rustic is charming!
Arrange them in the basket with some space between (I do about 6 at a time). They’ll puff up, so no crowding! Cook for 3 minutes, then pause to give the basket a good shake – this ensures even browning on all sides. Cook another 3-5 minutes until they’re golden brown and smell amazing. (Peek at 5 minutes – some air fryers run hotter than others.)
Coat and Serve
The best part! While the donut holes are still warm (but cool enough to handle), roll them in cinnamon sugar. I put the mixture in a shallow bowl and gently toss them around until fully coated. The warmth helps the sugar stick perfectly for that irresistible crispy-sweet exterior.
Serve immediately while they’re at their peak crispiness! I always make extra because my family descends on them like seagulls at the beach. A little tip? Have napkins ready – these are delightfully messy in the best possible way.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Donut Holes Crispy
After making dozens (okay, maybe hundreds) of batches, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks for perfect donut holes every time. First – resist the urge to overcrowd that basket! I know it’s tempting to cram them all in at once, but trust me, giving them space means crispier edges all around. I do 6-8 max depending on my air fryer size.
Every air fryer runs a little differently, so peek at the 5-minute mark your first time. Mine usually takes exactly 6 minutes, but my sister’s needs 8. And here’s my golden rule: shake that basket halfway! It’s the secret to even browning and that gorgeous golden crust we all crave.
Oh! One last thing – roll them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm but not piping hot. Too hot and the sugar melts, too cool and it won’t stick properly. Just trust me on this timing – it makes all the difference!
Variations for Air Fryer Donut Holes
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe (which is perfect as-is, honestly!), it’s so fun to play with variations. My kids love when I swap 2 tablespoons of flour for cocoa powder to make chocolate donut holes – they disappear even faster! A simple glaze of powdered sugar and milk takes these to next-level bakery status. For special occasions, I’ll add orange zest to the batter and top with a citrus glaze. The possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions
These little crispy delights are perfect with your morning coffee – I call them my “5-minute coffee shop experience” at home. For dessert, try them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (trust me, the hot-cold combo is magical). They’re also adorable served in mini paper cones at parties – just watch them disappear!
Storage and Reheating
If you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house!), pop them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To bring back that just-made crispiness, reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 1-2 minutes – they’ll taste fresh-baked all over again! The microwave works in a pinch, but they won’t stay crispy.
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are just estimates! Your exact nutrition facts might vary depending on the brand of ingredients you use or if you make any fun variations. Here’s the breakdown per serving (about 2 donut holes):
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 3g (1.5g saturated)
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
Now, full disclosure – I’m not a nutritionist, just a home cook who loves sharing recipes! These values are calculated based on standard ingredients, but if you use almond milk instead of dairy or a sugar substitute, your numbers will be different. The cinnamon sugar coating adds most of the sweetness, so you can always use less if you’re watching sugar intake. At the end of the day, these are treats – meant to be enjoyed in moderation with lots of happiness!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use gluten-free flour for these donut holes?
Absolutely! I’ve had great success with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum (most do) – this helps mimic the texture of regular flour. The donut holes might be slightly more delicate, but they’ll still get that wonderful crispy exterior!
Q2. How do I prevent the donut holes from sticking to the basket?
Oh honey, I learned this the hard way – spray that basket generously with cooking spray! And I mean really coat it. Another trick? Let the donut holes cool for a minute before trying to remove them – they’ll release much easier. If one does stick, a silicone spatula usually does the trick without scratching your basket.
Q3. Can I make these ahead of time?
You can mix the batter up to 2 hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge – the baking powder will still work its magic! But for best results, I recommend air frying them fresh. The crispiness is unbeatable right out of the fryer. Though I won’t judge if you sneak a few cold ones from the fridge later…
Q4. My donut holes aren’t cooking evenly – what am I doing wrong?
First, check your air fryer’s hot spots – every model has them! Rotate the basket halfway through cooking (that shake is crucial). Also make sure your dough balls are roughly the same size – I use a cookie scoop for consistency. And don’t overcrowd! Give those little guys some breathing room.
Q5. Can I freeze these?
You bet! Let them cool completely first, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to an airtight bag. When cravings hit, pop them frozen into the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to crisp back up. The texture won’t be quite as perfect as fresh, but they’ll still satisfy that donut craving!
Now get that air fryer humming and make some magic! Tag me @YourKitchenHelper when you do – I love seeing your crispy creations!
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Crispy Air Fryer Donut Holes in Just 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 18 mins
- Yield: 12 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy air fryer donut holes are a quick and easy treat. They’re golden on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfect for any time of day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Cooking spray
- 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until just combined.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Scoop small portions of dough and roll into balls. Place them in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden brown.
- Remove and roll in cinnamon sugar while still warm.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American