You know those lazy Sunday mornings when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to turn on the oven? That’s where these magical little air fryer donut holes come in! I stumbled upon this no-oven trick one bleary-eyed morning when my kids begged for donuts but our oven was broken. Seven minutes later, we were all happily munching on warm, golden bites of heaven. What I love most is how these turn out perfectly crisp outside and tender inside – just like my favorite bakery donuts, but without the deep-fryer mess or waiting for the oven to preheat.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes
These little guys are my secret weapon for instant gratification baking! Here’s why they’ve become my go-to:
- Ready in under 20 minutes – faster than running to the donut shop
- No oven means no waiting for preheating on hot mornings
- Uses basic pantry staples you probably have right now
- Endlessly customizable – I’ve rolled them in cinnamon sugar, drizzled glaze, even stuffed a few with jam
- Kids can help shape the dough balls (messy hands = happy memories)
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes
Grab these simple ingredients – you might already have most in your pantry! The magic is in the details:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled – don’t pack it!)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for that perfect sweetness)
- 1 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh!)
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt (balances the sweetness)
- 1/4 cup whole milk (room temperature works best)
- 1 large egg (also room temp – no cold eggs here!)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (cooled slightly – hot butter will cook the egg)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (the good stuff makes a difference)
- Cooking spray or neutral oil (for that golden crispness)
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
No stress if you’re missing something – here’s how to adapt:
- Milk: Almond or oat milk work great for dairy-free
- Flour: Swap 1:1 with gluten-free flour if needed
- Sugar: Coconut sugar gives a caramel note, but reduce slightly
- Butter: Coconut oil works in a pinch (use refined for neutral taste)
- No vanilla? A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds warmth
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes No Oven
Here’s the fun part! My kids love helping with these steps – just wait until you smell that sweet vanilla scent filling your kitchen. The best part? No waiting around for an oven to heat up!
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Don’t just dump and stir – take 30 seconds to really whisk them. This keeps the baking powder evenly distributed so your donut holes rise perfectly. A few tiny flour lumps are fine, but break up any big ones with your fingers.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk that room-temperature egg like you mean it! Then add your slightly cooled melted butter (hot butter makes scrambled eggs – yuck!), milk, and vanilla. Whisk until it’s all smooth and creamy. Pour this into your dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Overmixing makes tough donuts, so stop when you still see a few flour streaks.
Step 3: Shape & Air Fry
Scoop teaspoon-sized portions and roll into 1-inch balls between slightly damp hands (this prevents sticking). Spray your air fryer basket well – I mean really coat it – then arrange the balls without touching. They need breathing room! Air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes, shake the basket gently, then cook 1-2 more minutes until golden. Watch closely – they go from perfect to overdone fast!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes
After burning one too many batches (oops!), I’ve learned these tricks make all the difference:
- Toothpick test: Poke the biggest donut hole – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs
- Shake it up: Gently shake the basket halfway through cooking for even browning
- Watch closely: Air fryers vary – start checking at 5 minutes and add time in 1-minute bursts
- Space matters: Don’t crowd them! They’ll steam instead of getting that perfect crisp exterior
- Cool slightly: They firm up as they cool – resist eating straight from the basket!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Donut Holes
Oh, the possibilities! My family goes wild for these fresh from the air fryer. Here’s how we love them:
- Toss warm donut holes in cinnamon sugar – the classic that never fails
- Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy, bakery-style treat
- Drizzle with simple glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp milk + 1/2 tsp vanilla)
- Serve with coffee for dunking – perfection at breakfast
- For kids: Let them decorate with sprinkles while glaze is still wet
- Special occasion? Melt some chocolate for dipping – so fancy!
Honestly? They’re amazing plain too – that first warm, vanilla-scented bite gets me every time.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Here’s how I keep these little bites of joy tasting fresh (though let’s be honest – they rarely last long in my house!). Store cooled donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to revive that just-made crispness, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for just 1-2 minutes – no preheating needed! Trust me, the microwave will make them sad and soggy (learned that the hard way). For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag – they’ll keep for a month, and you can reheat straight from frozen (add an extra minute).
Air Fryer Donut Holes FAQs
I’ve gotten so many questions since sharing this recipe – here are the ones that pop up most often in my kitchen (and my mom group texts!):
Why did my donut holes turn out dense?
This usually means you overmixed the batter – stop stirring as soon as the flour disappears. Also check your baking powder isn’t expired! Those little bubbles make them light and airy.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the flour 1:1 with your favorite gluten-free blend. My neighbor swears by the King Arthur mix – her kids never notice the difference.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake these at 350°F in a regular oven for 10-12 minutes, but they won’t get quite as golden and crisp as the air fryer magic!
Help – mine stuck to the basket!
Next time, spray that basket like you’re painting a masterpiece! And let them cool for 2 minutes before trying to remove – they firm up as they sit.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! Roll the balls and freeze them raw on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Cook from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes. Perfect for sudden donut cravings!
Nutritional Information
These air fryer donut holes are a lighter treat than traditional fried donuts, but remember – estimates vary based on your specific ingredients and brands used. Enjoy them as an occasional sweet indulgence! For more general information on the benefits of air frying over deep frying, check out this comparison of cooking methods.
If you are looking for other quick sweet treats, you might enjoy these air fryer churro bites or perhaps some air fryer cinnamon rolls.
For those who prefer a savory snack after their sweet fix, these air fryer garlic knots are fantastic. If you are interested in learning more about the science behind how air fryers work to achieve crispiness without oil, you can read about FDA guidelines on air frying.
Print
7-Minute Air Fryer Donut Holes No Oven – Irresistible!
- Total Time: 17 mins
- Yield: 12 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make delicious donut holes quickly using an air fryer without needing an oven.
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 or oil for coating
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Roll dough into small balls (about 1-inch diameter).
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Coat donut holes lightly with cooking spray or oil.
- Air fry for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For extra sweetness, roll donut holes in cinnamon sugar after cooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 7 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American