There’s something magical about the smell of gingerbread wafting through the house during the holidays. And now, thanks to my trusty air fryer, I can whip up a batch of these spiced gingerbread donuts in under 20 minutes – no deep frying mess! My kids go absolutely wild when they see me pulling out the molasses jar, knowing these soft, cakey treats are coming. What started as a happy experiment last December has become our must-make tradition – simple enough for busy mornings but special enough for Christmas breakfast.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts
Let me tell you why these little spiced wonders will become your new holiday obsession:
- Ready in minutes – From mixing bowl to plate in under 20 minutes (including air fryer time!), these are perfect for when those gingerbread cravings hit hard
- Almost no mess – No vat of boiling oil to deal with means you’re left with barely any cleanup – just wipe out that air fryer basket and you’re done
- That perfect holiday flavor – The combo of molasses and warm spices will make your kitchen smell like Christmas morning
- Kid-approved magic – My little ones love helping mix the batter and watching them puff up in the air fryer (plus they’ll eat anything in donut form!)
Seriously, once you try how easy and delicious these are, you’ll be making them all season long.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts
Here’s what you’ll need to make these cozy, spiced treats. Trust me, you probably have most of this in your pantry already!
- Dry ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- Wet ingredients:
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter (cooled)
That’s it! Simple, right? I like to measure out everything before I start mixing—it makes the process so much smoother. Oh, and make sure that butter has cooled a bit before you add it to the wet ingredients. Nobody wants scrambled eggs in their donut batter!
How to Make Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – turning these simple ingredients into the most delicious gingerbread donuts you’ve ever tasted! I promise it’s easier than you think (and way faster than running to the bakery).
Preparing the Batter
- Preheat that air fryer to 350°F (175°C) – this gives it time to get nice and toasty while you mix everything up.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices). Make sure those spices are evenly distributed – nobody wants a bite that’s all cloves!
- In another bowl, beat the wet ingredients (brown sugar, molasses, milk, egg, and cooled melted butter) until they’re completely combined. The molasses might resist at first, but keep whisking – it’ll blend in eventually.
- Now, gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. A few small lumps are totally fine – overmixing will make your donuts tough instead of light and cakey.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
- Grease your donut molds or shape the dough into rings on parchment paper. Pro tip: A piping bag makes this step way less messy!
- Place the donuts in your preheated air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air to circulate. Depending on your air fryer size, you might need to cook in batches.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes at 350°F until they’re puffed up and spring back when lightly touched. The smell will tell you when they’re almost done – that warm gingerbread aroma is unmistakable!
- Let them cool for a few minutes before glazing or dusting with powdered sugar. I know it’s hard to wait, but trust me – piping hot donuts fall apart too easily.
See? Told you it was simple! Now the hardest part will be keeping everyone from snatching them off the cooling rack.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts
After making these gingerbread donuts more times than I can count (okay fine, I have a problem), I’ve learned all the tricks to get them just right every single time:
- Piping bag magic: Spooning batter into molds is messy business. A simple piping bag (or even a ziplock with the corner snipped) gives you picture-perfect donut shapes with zero frustration.
- Give them breathing room: Don’t cram too many donuts in your air fryer basket! They need space for hot air to circulate or they’ll cook unevenly. I do two batches if needed – it’s worth the wait.
- Spice it your way: Love extra ginger kick? Add another 1/2 tsp. Not a clove fan? Skip it! These donuts are super flexible with the spice blend.
- Cool before decorating: That powdered sugar or glaze will just melt right off if you try to dress warm donuts. Patience pays off here!
Follow these simple tips and you’ll be the air fryer donut hero of your household – just like me (my kids totally think I’m a kitchen wizard now).
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
Don’t stress if you’re missing an ingredient – these air fryer gingerbread donuts are wonderfully adaptable! Here are my favorite swaps from years of testing:
- Out of molasses? Maple syrup works beautifully, though you’ll lose some of that deep gingerbread flavor. For a closer match, try dark corn syrup with a pinch of extra spices.
- Dairy-free? Almond milk or oat milk substitute perfectly for regular milk. Just stick to unsweetened versions.
- No brown sugar? White sugar plus 1/2 teaspoon of molasses per 1/4 cup makes a decent stand-in.
The spices are completely flexible too – add more ginger for kick, skip cloves if they’re not your thing, or toss in a pinch of cardamom for something different. That’s the joy of homemade!
Serving & Storing Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts
Nothing beats biting into a warm gingerbread donut with a steaming cup of coffee or spiced cider – the perfect pairing for chilly mornings! If you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house), pop them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They’ll lose a bit of their magic over time, but 1-2 minutes in the air fryer at 300°F brings back that fresh-baked goodness. Pro tip: Store them unfrosted – the glaze gets sticky!
Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts FAQs
I get asked about these donuts all the time – here are the answers to the questions that pop up most often in my kitchen (and my DMs)!
Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?
Absolutely! If you don’t have an air fryer, bake them at 350°F in a regular oven for about 10-12 minutes. Just keep an eye on them – oven temperatures can vary wildly. They’ll be slightly less crisp on the outside but just as delicious.
How do I make these gluten-free?
Easy swap! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour. My favorite is the one with xanthan gum already added – it gives the donuts perfect structure without any grittiness. You might need an extra minute in the air fryer.
Why did my donuts turn out dry?
Overmixing is usually the culprit! When you work the batter too much, the gluten develops and makes them tough. Also, check your air fryer temperature – if it runs hot, they might be overcooking. Try reducing the time by a minute next batch.
Can I freeze these gingerbread donuts?
You bet! Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for about a month. To revive, pop them in the air fryer at 320°F for 2-3 minutes – good as fresh!
What’s the best way to glaze them?
My simple powdered sugar glaze (just mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tbsp milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla) is foolproof. For extra holiday cheer, add a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest. Dip the cooled donuts or drizzle with a spoon – messy fingers are part of the fun!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know what you’re biting into, here’s the nutritional breakdown for these cozy gingerbread donuts. Remember, these are estimates – your exact amounts might vary depending on specific ingredients or how generous you are with that glaze!
- Calories: 180 per donut
- Fat: 5g (3g saturated)
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
Not too bad for a holiday treat, right? The molasses gives you a little iron boost too. I figure if I’m going to indulge during the holidays, I might as well make it count with these warm-spiced beauties. Everything in moderation – except maybe Christmas joy!
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Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts: Irresistible 20-Minute Holiday Magic
- Total Time: 18 mins
- Yield: 6 donuts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy these air fryer gingerbread donuts—soft, spiced, and perfectly sweet. Quick to make with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk brown sugar, molasses, milk, egg, and melted butter.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Fill donut molds or shape dough into rings.
- Place in air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Use a piping bag for even donut shapes.
- Adjust spices to taste.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American