20-Minute Air Fryer Donut Holes Glazed to Perfection

You know those mornings when you wake up craving something sweet, but the thought of measuring flour and waiting for dough to rise makes you groan? That’s exactly why I fell in love with these air fryer donut holes glazed to perfection. My kids call them “magic donuts” because they appear so fast – from fridge to table in under 20 minutes!

I’ll never forget the first time I whipped these up during a sleepover. The smell of cinnamon sugar filled the house, and suddenly I had a dozen pajama-clad kids crowding my kitchen. Now they’re my go-to for last-minute brunches, after-school treats, or when I need to bribe… I mean, reward my husband for doing chores. The best part? No messy deep fryer oil to deal with – just that glorious air fryer doing all the work while you sip your coffee.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes Glazed

Listen, I’m not exaggerating when I say these little bites of joy will change your breakfast game forever. Here’s why you’ll be making them on repeat:

• Crazy fast – From fridge to face in under 20 minutes (yes, I timed it while half-asleep)
• Minimal mess – No deep fryer splatters or vats of oil to deal with
• Pantry magic – Uses ingredients you probably have right now (that lonely can of biscuits finally gets its moment!)
• Kid-win – The glaze-drizzling part is basically edible finger painting – my kids fight over who gets to do it

Trust me, once you taste that warm, cinnamon-kissed dough with the sweet vanilla glaze, you’ll wonder how you ever survived weekend mornings without them.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes Glazed

Grab these simple ingredients – I bet most are already in your kitchen right now! The beauty of this recipe is how ordinary items transform into something extraordinary. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough – The flaky kind works best, but any variety will do (I’ve used them all in desperate moments!)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar – This gets mixed with cinnamon for that classic donut shop flavor
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon – Use the good stuff from your spice rack, not that old dusty bottle in back
• 2 tbsp melted butter – Let it cool slightly so it doesn’t melt your sugar coating
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar – Sift it if you’re fancy, dump it straight in if you’re me
• 1 tbsp milk – Any kind works, I’ve even used almond milk in a pinch
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract – The real stuff makes all the difference, but imitation works too

See? Nothing weird or hard-to-find. Just simple ingredients that magically become pillowy donut holes with that irresistible crackly sugar crust and glossy glaze we all crave.

How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes Glazed

Okay, let’s get to the fun part! I promise this is so easy you could do it with your eyes half-open (which is exactly how I made my first batch). Follow these steps, and you’ll have golden, glazed little clouds of joy in no time.

Preparing the Dough

First, pop open that can of biscuits – you know, the one that always makes you jump when it bursts open! Separate the biscuits and lay them on a clean surface. I like to use a bit of flour on my hands so they don’t stick.

Now, take each biscuit and cut it into 4 equal pieces. Don’t stress about making them perfect – rustic is charming! Roll each piece between your palms to form little balls. Pro tip: If the dough feels sticky, dust your hands with a tiny bit of powdered sugar instead of flour – it adds sweetness without altering the texture.

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper (the pre-cut rounds are lifesavers here) or use a light spritz of cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Air Frying the Donut Holes

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes. While it’s warming up, arrange your dough balls in a single layer – don’t overcrowd them or they won’t cook evenly. I usually do about 8-10 at a time depending on my air fryer size.

Slide the basket in and set the timer for 3 minutes. When the beeper goes off, give the basket a gentle shake – this helps them brown evenly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until they’re puffed up and golden brown. The exact time might vary slightly depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on them the first time you make these.

Carefully remove them with tongs (they’re hot!) and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. This helps prevent soggy bottoms. The smell at this point is absolutely heavenly – try not to eat them straight from the basket like I always do!

Coating and Glazing

While the donut holes are still warm (but not too hot to handle), mix your granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Melt the butter and brush each donut hole lightly – this helps the sugar stick. Roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. I like to do this while they’re warm because the sugar forms this amazing slightly crunchy crust.

For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. You want it thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle. If it’s too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time. Too thin? Add more powdered sugar.

Now for the best part – drizzling! You can use a spoon or put the glaze in a ziplock bag, snip the corner, and pipe it over the donut holes. I let my kids do this part because they love making zigzag patterns. The glaze will set slightly as it cools, creating that perfect bakery-style finish.

Serve them warm and watch them disappear faster than you can say “seconds please!”

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes Glazed

After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds – don’t judge my donut habit), I’ve picked up some tricks that take them from good to “oh-my-goodness-where-have-these-been-all-my-life” amazing. Here are my hard-earned secrets:

• Give them space to breathe – Overcrowding the air fryer basket leads to sad, unevenly cooked donut holes. I leave about 1/2 inch between each one so the hot air can circulate properly.
• The glaze sweet spot – Your glaze should be the consistency of honey. Too thick? Add milk a teaspoon at a time. Too thin? More powdered sugar. Pro tip: Dunk a spoon in and lift it – the glaze should slowly drip off in ribbons.
• Timing is everything – These cook FAST. Set a timer for the first check at 3 minutes, then watch like a hawk. One minute too long and they go from golden to hockey pucks (learned that the hard way).
• Fresh is best – While they’ll keep for a day in an airtight container, they’re absolute magic eaten warm. If you must store them, reheat for 30 seconds in the air fryer to bring back that just-made texture.

Oh! One last thing – if your donut holes seem to be browning too fast, lower the temperature by 25°F. Every air fryer runs a bit differently, so treat your first batch as a test run. Once you nail the timing for your model, write it on the recipe – future you will be grateful!

Variations for Air Fryer Donut Holes

Once you’ve mastered the basic version (and trust me, you’ll want to make them weekly), it’s time to play with flavors! These little dough balls are like blank canvases – here are my favorite ways to mix things up when I’m feeling fancy:

• Pumpkin spice magic – Swap the cinnamon sugar for a mix of pumpkin pie spice and sugar. Bonus points if you add a teaspoon of maple syrup to the glaze!
• Chocolate lover’s dream – Skip the vanilla glaze and melt some chocolate chips with a splash of cream. Dip the warm donut holes halfway for that classic chocolate-dipped look.
• Lemon zest delight – Add a tablespoon of lemon zest to the powdered sugar glaze for a bright, citrusy twist. Perfect for spring brunches!
• Cinnamon roll vibes – Before air frying, roll the dough balls in a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon. Top with cream cheese glaze instead of vanilla.

The best part? You can mix and match coatings and glazes to create your own signature version. My neighbor swears by sprinkling crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top of the glaze – and honestly? She might be onto something genius there.

Serving and Storing Air Fryer Donut Holes Glazed

Here’s the truth – these donut holes rarely last long enough to need storing in my house! But when they do (miraculously), here’s how to keep them tasting fresh. First rule: serve them warm if at all possible. That’s when the glaze is still slightly gooey and the cinnamon sugar coating has that perfect crackle against the pillowy dough.

If you’re serving a crowd, I like to arrange them on a platter with the glaze drizzled artfully over the top. For extra fun, put little bowls of different toppings – sprinkles, crushed nuts, or coconut flakes – so everyone can customize their bites. My kids go wild for this “donut hole bar” setup at sleepovers!

Now, about storing leftovers (if you have any!): Let them cool completely, then tuck them into an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep at room temperature for about a day, but honestly? They’re best eaten within a few hours. The sugar coating tends to soften over time.

To revive day-old donut holes, pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for just 60-90 seconds. This brings back that fresh-from-the-fryer warmth and texture. Don’t microwave them unless you enjoy soggy donuts – trust me on this one. Learned that lesson the hard way during a desperate midnight snack attack!

One last pro tip: If you’re making these ahead for a brunch, you can prep the dough balls and keep them covered in the fridge overnight. Just add an extra minute to the cook time since they’ll be going in cold. The glaze should always be made fresh though – it takes literally two minutes to whisk together right before serving.

Nutritional Information

Now, let’s be real – we’re not eating donut holes for their health benefits! But since you might be curious (or need to justify eating three… or five), here’s the scoop. These numbers are estimates based on standard ingredients – your exact values might vary depending on the brands you use or if you go wild with the glaze (no judgment here!).

A serving is about 2 donut holes, which gives you that perfect sweet fix without going overboard. The biscuit dough does most of the heavy lifting calorie-wise, while the glaze and cinnamon sugar add that irresistible sweetness we all crave. If you’re watching sugar intake, you can always reduce the glaze amount or skip the cinnamon sugar coating (but where’s the fun in that?).

Remember, treats like these are all about balance and joy. I firmly believe a warm, glazed donut hole shared with someone you love is worth every delicious bite!

FAQs About Air Fryer Donut Holes Glazed

Can I use homemade dough instead of canned biscuits?
Absolutely! While the canned dough is my go-to for speed, homemade biscuit dough works beautifully. Just roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness before cutting. The texture might be slightly denser, but still delicious. My grandma’s buttermilk biscuit recipe makes incredible donut holes – though I’ll admit, on sleepy Sunday mornings, that pop-can convenience wins every time.

How do I prevent the donut holes from sticking to the air fryer?
Two foolproof tricks: parchment paper liners (the pre-cut round ones are lifesavers) or a light spritz of cooking spray. I’ve learned the hard way that skipping this step leads to heartbreak when half your beautiful donut holes stick to the basket. If you do get some sticking, let the basket cool slightly, then gently loosen with a silicone spatula – they usually release better when not piping hot.

Can I freeze these glazed donut holes?
You can, but with a catch! Freeze them before adding the glaze. The sugar coating holds up okay, but the glaze gets weirdly crystallized when frozen. To reheat, pop the frozen donut holes straight into a 325°F air fryer for 2-3 minutes until warmed through, then add fresh glaze. They’ll never be quite as perfect as fresh-made, but they’re still pretty darn good for a quick freezer treat!

Final Thoughts

There you have it – my foolproof way to get that donut shop magic in your own kitchen without the deep-fryer mess or crazy early morning baking sessions. I can’t wait for you to experience that first bite of warm, cinnamon-sugared perfection with the sweet vanilla glaze dripping down your fingers (yes, lick them – I do!).

If you try these air fryer donut holes glazed to golden perfection, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment telling me your favorite variation or what time of day you devoured them (midnight snackers unite!). And if you snap a photo of your glazed masterpieces, tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen wins.

Now go forth and make someone’s day with these little bites of happiness. Maybe hide a few for yourself first… I won’t tell!

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