There’s nothing like the smell of warm cinnamon sugar donut holes filling your kitchen – especially when they’re ready in under 20 minutes! I discovered these air fryer donut holes one sleepy Sunday morning when my kids begged for “something special” but I couldn’t face the mess of deep frying. That little air fryer saved the day! Now we make them every weekend – golden little puffs rolled in cinnamon sugar that disappear faster than I can plate them. Forget store-bought, these homemade air fryer donut holes give you that perfect crispy outside, fluffy inside texture that makes you feel like a pastry chef (with none of the hassle).
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes
Oh my goodness, where do I even start? These little cinnamon sugar puffs are absolute game-changers! Here’s why they’ve become my go-to treat:
- Crazy quick: From bowl to plate in under 20 minutes – faster than running to the donut shop!
- No deep-fry drama: Skip the greasy cleanup and scary hot oil splatters.
- Pantry-friendly ingredients: You probably have everything right now (no fancy baker’s flour needed).
- Kid-approved magic: My littles go wild rolling them in cinnamon sugar (and sneaking bites).
- Perfect portion control: Make just a few or a whole batch – they disappear either way!
Trust me, once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. They’re that good!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes
Grab these simple ingredients – I bet you’ve got most already! I’ve grouped them to make prep super easy:
For the dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp melted butter (unsalted)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the coating:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Don’t stress if you need to swap things! Almond milk works great for dairy-free, and gluten-free flour blends can substitute 1:1 (though texture may vary slightly). Coconut sugar adds a nice caramel note, but please – don’t mess with the baking powder amount! That little teaspoon is what gives our donut holes their perfect puff. The only non-negotiable? Real butter for that irresistible richness!
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes
Okay friends, let’s make some magic happen! These air fryer donut holes come together so easily, you’ll be amazed. Here’s exactly how I do it:
- Preheat that air fryer to 350°F (175°C) – this is key for that perfect golden crust. While it heats up, grab a medium bowl and whisk together all your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon).
- In another bowl, whisk the wet ingredients (milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla) until smooth. Pour this into your dry ingredients and stir just until combined – don’t overmix! Let the dough sit for 5 minutes (this helps it firm up for shaping).
- Using damp hands or a small cookie scoop, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. This is my favorite part – getting them all uniform like little doughy pearls!
- Arrange them in your air fryer basket with some breathing room – I do 6-8 at a time depending on basket size. Crowding leads to uneven cooking, and we want perfection!
- Air fry for 5-6 minutes until gorgeously golden. The smell at this point is absolutely intoxicating!
- While they cook, mix your cinnamon sugar coating in a shallow bowl. As soon as those hot donut holes come out, brush them with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar. The warmth helps the coating stick beautifully.
Tips for Perfect Donut Holes
A few extra tricks from my kitchen to yours:
- Cookie scoop hack: A #60 scoop (about 1 tbsp) gives you perfectly even little balls every time – no measuring needed!
- Peek at 5 minutes: Air fryers vary, so check early to prevent over-browning. They should spring back lightly when touched.
- Coating secret: Work in batches coating them while warm – the sugar melts slightly into the surface for that bakery-style finish.
- Butter brush tip: Use a silicone brush for easy application without losing precious butter to paper towels.
- Dough too sticky? Chill it 10 minutes or wet your hands lightly – it’ll behave much better!
Serving & Storing Air Fryer Donut Holes
Oh boy, these air fryer donut holes are absolute perfection when served warm – the cinnamon sugar coating gets all melty and magical! I love piling them high on a plate with mugs of strong coffee for the adults and cold milk for the kids. They make the best lazy weekend breakfast or after-school treat.
Leftovers? (Though I’ve never actually had any!) If you do manage to save some, pop them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. When you’re ready for round two, just give them a quick 2-minute zap in the air fryer to bring back that fresh-from-the-fryer crispness. Trust me, they’ll disappear all over again!
Air Fryer Donut Holes Variations
Once you’ve mastered the classic cinnamon sugar version, try these fun twists! My kids go nuts when I add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough – it gives that cozy “donut shop” aroma. For chocolate lovers, dip the warm donut holes in a simple glaze made with melted chocolate chips and a splash of cream. Come fall, swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice and watch them disappear even faster! The best part? You can mix and match coatings – half batch cinnamon sugar, half batch chocolate. Now that’s what I call a happy compromise! If you enjoy sweet treats made in the air fryer, you might also love these air fryer apple fritters.
Nutrition Information
Just so you know what you’re enjoying (or sharing… if you must!), here’s the scoop on these air fryer donut holes. Remember, these are estimates per donut hole – actual values will dance a bit depending on your specific ingredients and brands. For more context on how air frying affects nutritional content, you can check out general resources on heart health and cooking methods.
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 3g (1.5g saturated)
- Carbs: 10g
- Protein: 1g
Not too shabby for such a decadent-tasting treat, right? Now go enjoy that cinnamon sugar goodness without an ounce of guilt!
FAQs About Air Fryer Donut Holes
I get asked these questions all the time – here’s what I’ve learned after making dozens of batches of these cinnamon sugar beauties!
Can I use pancake mix? Absolutely! Swap the flour, baking powder, and salt for 1 cup of complete pancake mix (the “just add water” kind). Skip the extra sugar and baking powder in the recipe – the mix already has them. The texture will be slightly cakier, but still delicious when rolled in that cinnamon sugar coating! If you are looking for other quick dough recipes, check out these air fryer garlic knots.
Why are my donut holes dense? Usually means you overmixed the dough (stop as soon as ingredients combine) or packed the flour when measuring (always spoon and level!). Also check your baking powder isn’t expired – fresh powder makes them puff up perfectly.
Can I bake instead of air fry? You bet! Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes in a regular oven. They won’t get quite as crispy, so I like to give them a quick broil at the end for that golden finish. Still totally addictive when coated in cinnamon sugar!
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait to hear how your air fryer donut holes turn out! Leave a comment to let me know if your family goes crazy for them like mine does. Now go enjoy those warm, crispy, sugary bites – you’ve earned every delicious one! If you love this style of treat, you might also enjoy these air fryer churro bites.
Print
20-Minute Air Fryer Donut Holes: Irresistible Cinnamon Sugar Bliss
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 12 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy homemade donut holes made in an air fryer, coated in cinnamon sugar for a sweet and crispy treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
- 2 tbsp melted butter (for coating)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Shape the dough into small balls (about 1-inch diameter).
- Place donut holes in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Air fry for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl for coating.
- Brush cooked donut holes with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use a cookie scoop for even-sized donut holes.
- Let the dough rest for 5 minutes before shaping for better consistency.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American