You know those mornings when you wake up craving something sweet, but your waistline says “maybe not”? That was me last Sunday, staring longingly at the donut shop down the street. Then it hit me – I could make my own air fryer donut holes low calorie version right at home! What started as a kitchen experiment turned into my new favorite guilt-free treat. The best part? These little beauties come together in under 20 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients. No deep fryer, no greasy mess, and no “why did I eat that?” regrets afterward. They’re light, fluffy, and satisfy that donut craving without wrecking your diet – total win!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes Low Calorie
Let me tell you why these little guys have become my go-to treat:
- Crazy quick – From mixing bowl to mouth in under 20 minutes
- No frying mess – Say goodbye to greasy countertops and that lingering oil smell
- Guilt-free indulgence – Under 120 calories for three donut holes? Yes please!
- Pantry staples – You probably have everything you need right now
- Kid-approved – My picky nephew can’t tell they’re the “healthy” version
The air fryer magic gives them that perfect golden exterior while keeping the inside soft and cakey – just like the real deal!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes Low Calorie
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up these little bites of happiness:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (sifted – trust me, it makes a difference)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar substitute (I use monk fruit, but stevia works too)
- 1 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh!)
- 1/4 tsp salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (cold from the fridge)
- 1 large egg white (whisked until frothy)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff – skip the imitation)
- Cooking spray (for that perfect golden crust)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Don’t stress if you’re missing something! Here’s how to adapt:
- Out of almond milk? Any milk works – just keep it unsweetened to save calories
- Need gluten-free? Swap the flour 1:1 with your favorite GF blend
- No sugar substitute? Regular sugar works, but adds about 15 calories per donut hole
- Egg allergy? Try 1 tbsp applesauce instead of the egg white
The beauty of this recipe? It’s forgiving. Just keep the ratios roughly the same and you’re golden!
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes Low Calorie
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these little bites of joy! I promise it’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps and you’ll be snacking in no time:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) – this takes about 3 minutes in most models. That warm-up time is perfect for mixing your batter!
- Whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar substitute, baking powder, and salt) in one bowl. In another, mix the wet ingredients (almond milk, egg white, and vanilla) until frothy.
- Combine them gently – pour the wet into the dry and stir just until combined. A few lumps are fine! Overmixing makes tough donut holes.
- Spray your air fryer basket generously with cooking spray – this prevents sticking and helps them get that perfect golden color.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into the basket, leaving space between them (they’ll puff up!). I use a small cookie scoop for perfect rounds.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes until they’re golden brown and spring back when lightly touched. No peeking for the first 5 minutes!
- Let them cool for a minute or two – they’ll be piping hot inside. Then dig in!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes
Here are my hard-earned secrets for donut hole perfection:
- Use that cookie scoop! It keeps sizes even so they cook uniformly.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – give them room to breathe and puff up.
- Give the basket a gentle shake halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Watch closely after 6 minutes – air fryers vary, and they can go from golden to overdone fast!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Donut Holes Low Calorie
Oh, the fun part – dressing up these little beauties! My absolute favorite way is dusting them with powdered sugar substitute while they’re still warm – it melts slightly and creates this magical, barely-there sweetness. For a cozy twist, roll them in cinnamon mixed with your sugar substitute (trust me, it’s like a hug in donut form). Feeling fancy? Whip up a quick sugar-free glaze with almond milk and vanilla – just drizzle it over while they’re warm so it soaks in perfectly. Serve them fresh from the air fryer when they’re at their puffiest and most irresistible!
Storage & Reheating
These little guys are best fresh, but if you’ve got leftovers (unlikely in my house!), pop them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. When that donut craving hits again, just toss them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes – they’ll come out warm and almost as good as new! Pro tip: don’t refrigerate them – it makes them dry out faster. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.
Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Donut Holes Low Calorie
Now, let’s talk numbers – because I know you’re curious about how these stack up! Based on my calculations (and lots of taste-testing), here’s the breakdown per serving of 3 donut holes:
- 120 calories – That’s less than half of a regular donut hole!
- 2g sugar – All from natural sources, no refined sugar
- 1g fat – Just a whisper from the egg white
- 24g carbs – Mostly from the flour
- 3g protein – A nice little bonus
Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary slightly depending on your ingredients. But compared to traditional fried donut holes that can pack 200+ calories each? I’ll take these any day!
FAQs About Air Fryer Donut Holes Low Calorie
I’ve gotten so many questions about these little gems – let me answer the most common ones:
- “Can I use regular sugar?” Absolutely! Just know it’ll add about 15 calories per donut hole. I’ve made them both ways, and while the sugar substitute keeps them truly low-calorie, regular sugar gives that classic donut taste.
- “Can I freeze them?” Honestly? I wouldn’t. They lose that perfect airy texture when thawed. But they’re so quick to make fresh – just whip up another batch!
- “Why are mine dense?” Overmixing is usually the culprit! Stir just until the flour disappears – lumps are your friends here. Also, make sure your baking powder isn’t expired.
- “Can I double the recipe?” Yes! But cook in batches – overcrowding the air fryer leads to uneven cooking and sad, flat donut holes.
Try this recipe and share your results in the comments – I’d love to hear how yours turn out! If you enjoy quick air fryer treats, check out these air fryer churro bites for another sweet option.
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3-Ingredient Air Fryer Donut Holes Low Calorie Perfection in Minutes
- Total Time: 18 mins
- Yield: 12 donut holes
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Easy low-calorie donut holes made in an air fryer. A healthier alternative to traditional fried donuts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar substitute
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, sugar substitute, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add almond milk, egg white, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Drop small spoonfuls of batter into the air fryer, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized donut holes.
- For extra flavor, dust with cinnamon or powdered sugar substitute.
- 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