Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer donut holes kid friendly recipe! My niece Sophie calls them “magic balls” because they disappear so fast. I swear, these little golden nuggets are the easiest way to make kids think you’re a kitchen wizard – and the best part? You’ll have warm, cinnamon-sugar coated happiness ready in under 20 minutes flat.
I stumbled onto this recipe one chaotic Saturday morning when my nephew begged for donuts but I didn’t want to deal with hot oil. The air fryer saved the day! Now these donut holes are our special weekend tradition – sometimes we even let the kids roll them in rainbow sprinkles before breakfast (don’t judge me). They’re perfectly portioned for little hands, and way less messy than you’d think.
The secret? A simple batter that comes together faster than you can say “more please,” and that magical air fryer crispness without any frying drama. Trust me, once you see how easy these are, you’ll be making them weekly too!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes Kid Friendly
Let me tell you why these little donut holes will become your new best friend in the kitchen:
- Super fast: From bowl to belly in under 20 minutes – perfect for sudden snack attacks!
- No frying mess: Say goodbye to greasy counters and that lingering fried food smell.
- Kid-approved: Little hands love rolling the dough balls and shaking them in cinnamon sugar.
- Healthier option: All the crispy goodness without the oil bath – about half the fat of traditional donuts.
- Customizable: Let the kids go wild with toppings – sprinkles, powdered sugar, or even a quick glaze.
Seriously, these are the snack I wish I’d discovered years ago – all the joy of donut shop treats without the hassle or guilt!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes Kid Friendly
Okay, gather round – here’s everything you’ll need for these magical little bites. The best part? You probably have most of this in your pantry already!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled, don’t pack it!
- 1/4 cup sugar – I use regular granulated, but brown sugar adds nice flavor too
- 1 tsp baking powder – make sure it’s fresh for maximum puff
- 1/4 tsp salt – just enough to balance the sweetness
- 1/4 cup milk – any kind works, we usually use whole milk
- 1 large egg – room temperature mixes in better
- 1 tbsp melted butter – cooled slightly so it doesn’t cook the egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract – the good stuff makes all the difference
- Cooking spray – for the air fryer basket
- 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar (optional) – our favorite coating!
See? Nothing fancy – just simple ingredients that transform into something magical. Now let’s get mixing!
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes Kid Friendly
Alright, let’s dive into the fun part! Making these donut holes is so easy even my 5-year-old nephew can help (with supervision, of course). Here’s exactly how we do it:
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
First things first – grab your favorite mixing bowl (mine’s the yellow one with the chipped edge). Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until they’re best friends. No lumps allowed! I like to give it a good 30-second whisk to make sure everything’s evenly distributed. This dry team is the foundation of our donut holes, so take your time here.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Now for the magic! Make a little well in your dry ingredients and pour in the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to gently mix – we’re not making bread here, so don’t overdo it! The dough should come together into a slightly sticky ball that holds its shape when pinched. If it’s too dry, add a teaspoon more milk. Too wet? A sprinkle of flour will fix it.
Step 3: Shape and Cook
Here’s where the kids can really help! Spray your air fryer basket generously – trust me, you don’t want sticky donut holes. Use a small cookie scoop or teaspoon to portion the dough, then roll between slightly damp hands to make smooth balls about 1-inch wide. Space them out in the basket – they’ll puff up! Cook at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until they’re golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. The smell will tell you when they’re done before the timer does!
Pro tip: Work in batches and don’t overcrowd – I usually do 6-8 at a time depending on my air fryer size. The wait gives you time to set up your cinnamon sugar station!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes Kid Friendly
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds – the kids never get tired of them!), I’ve picked up some tricks for perfect donut holes every time:
- Cookie scoop magic: That little ice cream scoop isn’t just for cookies! It gives you perfectly even donut holes that cook at the same rate.
- Toothpick test: Insert one into the center – if it comes out clean with just a crumb or two, they’re done. No guessing!
- Damp hands: Lightly wet your fingers before rolling the dough balls – no more sticky mess!
- Golden rule: They’ll keep cooking a bit after removing from the air fryer, so pull them when they’re just slightly lighter than you want.
Bonus tip: Let the kids decorate with different toppings – it keeps them busy while you cook the next batch!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Donut Holes Kid Friendly
Oh, the fun really begins when these warm little beauties come out of the air fryer! My kids go crazy for the “decorating station” we set up with small bowls of toppings. Here are our absolute favorites:
- Cinnamon sugar classic: Roll them while warm – the sugar sticks perfectly to the slightly oily surface.
- Powdered sugar snow: Toss in a bag with powdered sugar for instant winter magic (messy but worth it!).
- Simple glaze: Mix powdered sugar with a splash of milk and vanilla – dip and let set for shiny perfection.
- Rainbow sprinkles: Because everything’s better with sprinkles, right? Press them on while the glaze is wet.
We love serving these with ice-cold milk for dunking, or sliced strawberries for a hint of freshness. Breakfast, snack time, or dessert – they disappear no matter when we make them!
Storage and Reheating
Now, I know these donut holes rarely last long enough to store, but just in case you have willpower stronger than mine: pop any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 2 days – though they’re best eaten the same day. When you’re ready for round two, just toss them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F to bring back that fresh-baked magic. No soggy donuts here!
Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Donut Holes Kid Friendly
Now, let’s be real – these are still treats, but they’re way better for you than the deep-fried versions! Here’s the scoop on what’s in each serving (about 3 donut holes):
- 180 calories – perfect for a satisfying snack
- 12g sugar – less than most store-bought donuts
- 5g fat (only 3g saturated) – thank you, air fryer magic!
- 4g protein – who knew donut holes could be kinda nutritious?
Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary slightly based on ingredients and toppings. But hey, when the kids are happily munching on homemade treats instead of begging for the drive-thru, that’s a win in my book!
FAQs About Air Fryer Donut Holes Kid Friendly
I get questions about these donut holes all the time from fellow parents and snack-loving friends! Here are the most common ones with my tried-and-true answers:
Can I use whole wheat flour instead?
Absolutely! Swap half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat – any more and they might get too dense. The kids won’t even notice the difference, especially with all that cinnamon sugar coating!
Can I freeze these donut holes?
You bet! Freeze them plain (without toppings) in a single layer first, then transfer to a bag. When the craving hits, pop them frozen into the air fryer at 300°F for 3-4 minutes. They’ll taste just-baked!
My dough is too sticky – help!
No worries! Just add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s workable. And remember – slightly damp hands make rolling way easier.
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Yes! Bake them the morning of and store at room temperature. Right before serving, give them a quick 1-minute warm-up in the air fryer before adding toppings.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake these at 375°F on a parchment-lined sheet for 8-10 minutes – they won’t be quite as crispy, but still delicious! If you are looking for more air fryer baking tips, check out this guide.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my foolproof recipe for air fryer donut holes kid friendly that’ll make you the coolest grown-up on the block! I can’t wait for you to see those little faces light up when they bite into these warm, sugary treats. Give them a try this weekend and let me know how it goes – tag me in your kitchen adventures or leave a comment with your favorite topping combos. Happy air frying, friends! If you are interested in learning more about the science behind how air fryers work, this resource is helpful.
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17-Minute Air Fryer Donut Holes Kid Friendly Magic
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 12 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy air fryer donut holes perfect for kids. Quick, fun, and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Cooking spray
- 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Scoop small portions of dough and roll into balls.
- Place donut holes in air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
- Roll in cinnamon sugar while warm if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a small cookie scoop for even-sized donut holes.
- Check doneness by inserting a toothpick—it should come out clean.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American