10-Minute Air Fryer Donut Holes – Irresistibly Easy Bliss

You know those mornings when you wake up craving something sweet, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? That’s exactly how my love affair with air fryer donut holes began. One sleepy Sunday, I stumbled out of bed with a serious donut craving and zero patience for deep frying. Ten minutes later – yes, just ten! – I was biting into warm, pillowy donut holes that tasted like they came from a bakery. The air fryer worked its magic, giving them that perfect golden exterior while keeping the centers soft and tender. Now this recipe is my go-to for impromptu brunches, late-night snacks, or when the kids come home from school with that “can we please have something sweet?” look. Best part? You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry right now.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes

Listen, I’m not exaggerating when I say these little bites of joy will change your snack game forever. Here’s why:

• 10 minutes flat – From bowl to plate faster than you can say “I need sugar now”
• Pantry staples only – No fancy ingredients, just the basics you already have
• Impossible to mess up – Even my 8-year-old can make these (and has!)
• That fresh-donut-shop smell – Your kitchen will smell amazing for hours

Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be making them weekly. They’re that good.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes

Here’s the beautiful part – you likely have everything you need already! I’ve made these donut holes when my pantry was looking pretty bare, and they still turned out amazing. Just measure carefully – baking is science, after all.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (scoop and level it – no packing!)
• 1/4 cup sugar (regular granulated works perfectly)
• 1 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh!)
• 1/4 tsp salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
• 1/4 cup milk (any kind – I’ve used everything from whole milk to almond milk)
• 1 large egg (room temperature blends better)
• 1 tbsp melted butter (cooled slightly – hot butter will cook the egg!)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff makes a difference)
• 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar (optional but highly recommended – mix 3 tbsp sugar with 1 tbsp cinnamon)

See? Nothing fancy. The magic happens when these simple ingredients come together in your air fryer. Now grab your measuring cups – we’re about to make some magic!

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these donut holes! Here’s what I grab every time:

• Air fryer (any size works – just adjust batches)
• Mixing bowl (medium-sized works perfectly)
• Measuring cups and spoons (for those perfect proportions)
• Small cookie scoop or spoon (to portion the dough evenly)
• Spatula (for scraping every last bit of batter – no waste!)

That’s it! No stand mixer, no special tools. Just simple equipment you probably already have in your kitchen drawers.

How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes in 10 Minutes

Okay, here’s where the magic happens – and I promise, it’s easier than you think! I’ve made these dozens of times, and once you get the rhythm down, you’ll be whipping them up without even thinking. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be biting into warm, delicious donut holes before you know it.

Mixing the Dough

First things first – don’t overthink this part! In your mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. I like to give it a good stir with a fork to make sure everything’s evenly distributed – no one wants a bite of just baking powder!

Now, in a separate bowl (or right in your measuring cup to save dishes), mix the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. The key here is to make sure your butter isn’t piping hot – we don’t want scrambled eggs in our donuts! Just warm enough that it’s liquid.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. The dough should be sticky but hold its shape – kind of like a thick muffin batter. If it looks too dry, add a teaspoon more milk. Too wet? A sprinkle more flour. Easy peasy!

Shaping and Cooking

Here’s my favorite trick – lightly wet your hands before shaping the dough. It prevents sticking and makes rolling so much easier! Scoop about a tablespoon of dough and roll it between your palms into a 1-inch ball. Don’t stress about perfection – rustic is charming!

Now, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes while you’re shaping. When ready, place the dough balls in the basket, leaving space between them – they’ll puff up! I usually fit about 8-10 at a time.

Cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket gently halfway through. Keep an eye on them after 5 minutes – all air fryers are a bit different. They’re done when golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed.

Coating the Donut Holes

The best part – the sugary finish! While the donut holes are still warm (but not piping hot), toss them in your cinnamon sugar mixture. I use a shallow bowl and roll them around until they’re perfectly coated. The warmth helps the sugar stick beautifully.

Pro tip: Do this in batches as they come out of the air fryer. If they cool completely, the sugar won’t adhere as well. And don’t skip this step – that sweet, cinnamony crunch is what takes these from good to “oh my goodness, I need another batch!”

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes

After making these donut holes more times than I can count (okay, fine – at least twice a week), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make them absolutely perfect every single time. Here are my can’t-live-without tips:

• Space is your friend! Don’t cram too many donut holes in the basket – they need room to puff up and get that gorgeous golden color. I leave about 1/2 inch between each one.
• Set a timer for 5 minutes and check them. Some air fryers run hotter than others, and nothing’s worse than overdone donuts. They should be lightly golden and spring back when touched.
• A quick spritz of oil before cooking gives them that bakery-style crisp exterior. Just a light mist – don’t go overboard!
• Wet hands = no sticky mess when shaping the dough. I keep a little bowl of water nearby to dip my fingers in between rolling.
• Let them rest a minute after cooking before coating. Too hot and the sugar melts, too cold and it won’t stick. That sweet spot (pun intended!) is about 1-2 minutes out of the air fryer.

Follow these simple tricks, and you’ll have donut holes that’ll make your friends think you secretly trained as a pastry chef. Not that I’d know anything about that… *winks*

Variations for Air Fryer Donut Holes

Oh, the possibilities! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe (which, let’s be honest, is perfect as-is), try these fun twists to keep things exciting:

• Spice it up: Add 1/4 tsp nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients for cozy fall flavors
• Chocolate lovers: Mix in 2 tbsp cocoa powder (reduce flour by 1 tbsp) for chocolate donut holes
• Glazed goodness: Skip the cinnamon sugar and drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze. For a similar sweet treat, check out these air fryer donut holes glazed recipe.
• Lemon zest: Add 1 tsp lemon zest to the batter for bright, citrusy donuts

The best part? You can make a dozen different flavors from one simple base recipe. Go wild!

Serving Suggestions

Oh, let me tell you how I love serving these little gems! Fresh out of the air fryer is absolutely the best way – that warm, doughy center practically begs to be eaten immediately. I always make a pot of strong coffee to go with them – something about that sweet and bitter combo just sings. For more sweet air fryer ideas, you might enjoy these air fryer churro bites.

When my kids are home, we do the whole milk-and-donut holes thing like an old-fashioned diner. For brunch with friends, I’ll pile them high on a pretty plate with fresh berries on the side. Honestly? They’re so good they don’t need any fancy accompaniments – just grab and enjoy while they’re still warm!

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Donut Holes

Okay, let’s be real – these donut holes rarely last long enough to need storing in my house! But on the rare occasion we have leftovers (usually because I went a little overboard with the batch size), here’s how I keep them tasting fresh:

Storage secret: Let them cool completely first, then pop them in an airtight container with a paper towel underneath to absorb any moisture. They’ll stay perfect at room temperature for about 2 days. Any longer and they start to lose that magical freshness.

Reheating magic: When you’re ready for round two, toss them back in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for just 1-2 minutes. They’ll come out warm and crispy like they were just made! Trust me, the microwave is NOT your friend here – it turns them rubbery and sad.

Pro tip: If you coated them in cinnamon sugar, the reheating process will revive that sugary crunch beautifully. Just give them a quick shake in the container to redistribute any sugar that may have settled.

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I do believe in knowing what’s going into my treats! Here’s the scoop on these air fryer donut holes (based on eating two – because who stops at one?):

• 120 calories per serving (that’s 2 donut holes)
• 8g sugar (mostly from the coating – you can reduce this if you’re watching your intake)
• 2g protein (thank you, egg and milk!)
• 3g fat (just enough to keep them moist and delicious)
• 20g carbs (because hey, they’re donuts after all)

A quick heads up – these numbers can vary depending on exactly what ingredients you use. Swap in almond milk? Different brand of flour? Your numbers might shift slightly. But honestly, when you’re biting into these warm, cinnamon-sugar coated bites of happiness, the numbers hardly matter. Everything in moderation, right? For more context on food preparation safety, you can review guidelines from organizations like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

I get so many questions about these donut holes – and I love chatting about them! Here are the ones that come up most often:

Can I make these donut holes ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. When you’re ready, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before shaping and cooking. Already cooked donut holes? They’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for 2 days, though I promise they’re best eaten the same day.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

No worries – you can bake these in a regular oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes. Use a parchment-lined baking sheet and keep an eye on them. They won’t get quite as golden all over, but they’ll still be delicious! Just rotate the pan halfway through baking.

Can I freeze air fryer donut holes?

Yes! Let them cool completely first, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop them frozen straight into a 350°F (175°C) air fryer for 3-4 minutes – no thawing needed!

How do I prevent sticking?

A light spritz of cooking spray on the air fryer basket works wonders. If you’re really worried, you can place a small square of parchment paper underneath – just make sure to cut holes so air can circulate properly!

Can I use gluten-free flour?

I’ve had great success with 1:1 gluten-free flour blends! The texture might be slightly different, but still delicious. Add an extra tablespoon of milk if the dough seems too dry. My gluten-free friends rave about these! If you are interested in exploring other gluten-free options made in the air fryer, you might enjoy this recipe for air fryer veggie burgers.

Share Your Experience

Okay, friend – now it’s your turn! I want to hear all about your air fryer donut hole adventures. Did they turn out perfectly golden? Did your kids go crazy for them? Maybe you tried one of those fun variations I suggested? Spill the details!

Drop a comment below and let me know how it went – I read every single one (usually while nibbling on donut holes myself). Give the recipe a star rating too – those little stars mean the world to me! And if you snapped a photo of your beautiful creations, tag me on social media so I can see your handiwork.

Your feedback helps me create even better recipes for you. Plus, it makes my day knowing I helped someone whip up something delicious in their kitchen. Now go enjoy those donut holes – you earned them!

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