You know that cozy feeling when you wrap your hands around a warm chai latte on a chilly morning? That’s exactly what inspired these Air Fryer Chai Latte Donuts. I was craving something sweet but didn’t want to deal with messy oil frying or heating up the whole kitchen. One lazy Sunday, I experimented with my favorite chai spices in a simple donut batter – and wow! The air fryer worked its magic, giving me perfectly tender donuts with that irresistible chai flavor in under 20 minutes. Now they’re my go-to when friends pop over unexpectedly or when I need a little afternoon pick-me-up that feels special but couldn’t be easier to make.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chai Latte Donuts
Let me count the ways these donuts will become your new obsession! First off, they’re ridiculously quick—from bowl to table in 20 minutes flat. No waiting for oil to heat up or dealing with greasy cleanup. The air fryer gives them that perfect golden exterior while keeping the inside impossibly tender, like your favorite café treat but fresher.
That chai spice blend? It’s like autumn in every bite—warm cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible. And here’s the kicker: they’re baked not fried, so you can enjoy that second (or third) donut without guilt. My friends go crazy for these, and honestly? I’ve started keeping the ingredients stocked at all times.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chai Latte Donuts
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these spiced wonders – and trust me, you probably have most of it in your pantry already! The real star is that chai spice mix, which I like to make fresh (but store-bought works great too). Just grab:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled – no packing!)
- 1/2 cup sugar (I use regular granulated)
- 1 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp chai spice mix (my secret blend: cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves)
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind works)
- 1 large egg (room temp is best)
- 2 tbsp melted butter (cooled slightly)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the real stuff, please!)
See? Nothing fancy – just good ingredients measured with love. Now let’s make some donuts!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these donuts! Just grab your trusty air fryer (mine’s a basic 6-quart model) and some silicone donut molds (the 6-cavity kind works perfectly). If you don’t have molds, you can shape them freehand on parchment paper – they’ll just be a bit more rustic looking. You’ll also need:
- Two mixing bowls (one for dry, one for wet ingredients)
- A whisk (or fork in a pinch)
- A spatula for scraping every last bit of batter
- Cooking spray or oil brush for greasing
That’s it! Now let’s get mixing.
How to Make Air Fryer Chai Latte Donuts
Okay, let’s make some magic happen! These donuts come together so easily, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with store-bought. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be biting into warm, spiced perfection before you know it.
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
First things first – crank that air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it heat up while you prep. This little wait gives you just enough time to generously grease your silicone donut molds with cooking spray or brush them with oil. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this step unless you enjoy scrubbing stubborn donut bits later!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Grab a big bowl and whisk together all your dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and that glorious chai spice mix. Here’s my pro tip: sift the flour and spices if you can. It makes the donuts extra light and prevents those pesky little clumps of baking soda that can ruin a perfect bite.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until they’re completely smooth. The egg should be fully incorporated – no streaks! And make sure your butter isn’t too hot when you add it, or you might end up with scrambled eggs in your batter (yikes). A quick finger test works – it should feel warm, not hot.
Step 4: Fill and Air Fry
Now for the fun part! Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined. The batter will be thick but pourable – like a really happy muffin batter. Spoon it into your prepared molds, filling each cavity about 2/3 full (they puff up beautifully!). Slide them into the air fryer and let them work their magic for 8-10 minutes. At the 8-minute mark, do the toothpick test – if it comes out clean, they’re done! Let them cool for a few minutes before popping them out. That first warm bite? Pure chai heaven.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chai Latte Donuts
After making dozens (okay, maybe hundreds) of these donuts, I’ve learned all the tricks! First, resist overfilling the molds – that tempting extra spoonful will just spill over and make a mess. Leave about 1/4 inch at the top for rising room. Second, play with the spice blend – add extra cinnamon if you’re a cinnamon fiend like me, or a pinch of black pepper for a subtle kick. And here’s my golden rule: let them cool for 5 minutes before removing from molds – they firm up perfectly and won’t stick!
Variations for Air Fryer Chai Latte Donuts
Oh, the possibilities! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists. Swap regular milk for almond or oat milk if you’re feeling fancy – it adds a lovely nutty note. For extra indulgence, drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze or dip the tops in melted chocolate. My personal favorite? A sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top while the glaze is still wet. And if you’re feeling adventurous, add a tablespoon of instant chai powder to the batter for an extra flavor punch!
Serving and Storing Air Fryer Chai Latte Donuts
Here’s the best part – these donuts taste absolutely heavenly fresh out of the air fryer while they’re still warm! I love serving them with my morning coffee or as an afternoon treat dusted with powdered sugar. If (somehow) you have leftovers, pop them in an airtight container at room temperature – they’ll stay delicious for about 2 days. Want them warm again? Just zap them in the microwave for 10 seconds and they’ll taste freshly baked all over again!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know what you’re biting into, each of these chai-spiced beauties clocks in at about 180 calories – not bad for such a satisfying treat! Here’s the breakdown per donut:
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 28g
- Protein: 3g
Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary slightly depending on ingredients. But honestly? When they taste this good, who’s counting?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different spice blend?
Absolutely! The beauty of these donuts is how adaptable they are. If you don’t have chai spices, just use 1 tsp cinnamon plus 1/4 tsp each of ginger and cardamom. Or raid your spice drawer – pumpkin pie spice works wonderfully too!
How can I make these gluten-free?
Easy peasy! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I’ve had great results with Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur brands. The texture comes out just as tender – promise!
My donuts stuck to the molds – help!
Oh no! Next time, be extra generous with the greasing – I like using coconut oil spray. If they’re already stuck, try popping the whole mold in the freezer for 5 minutes – they usually release like magic after that.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You bet! The batter keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 24 hours – just give it a quick stir before filling your molds. Baked donuts freeze well too – just thaw at room temperature and warm briefly in the air fryer.
Now it’s your turn – whip up a batch of these chai-spiced delights and tell me how they turned out! Tag me on Instagram with your prettiest donut photos – I love seeing your kitchen creations!
Print
20-Minute Air Fryer Chai Latte Donuts – Irresistible Bliss
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 6 donuts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious donuts with chai latte flavor, made easily in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp chai spice mix
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk wet ingredients in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Spoon batter into greased donut molds.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Use silicone donut molds for easy removal.
- Adjust chai spice to taste.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American