You know those moments when a sweet craving hits, but you don’t want to make a whole batch of anything? That’s exactly why I fell in love with these air fryer donut holes single serve style. It’s just you, your air fryer, and four perfect little bites of cinnamon-sugar joy in about 10 minutes flat.
I’ve tested this recipe more times than I can count – usually at 11pm when I “just need something little.” The beauty is in its simplicity: pantry staples transform into warm, pillowy donut holes without turning on the oven or dealing with leftovers. No sharing required (though good luck resisting that second batch).
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes Single Serve
Let me count the ways these little wonders will become your go-to treat:
- Instant gratification – From craving to eating in under 15 minutes
- No commitment baking – Just enough for you (okay, maybe you’ll make seconds)
- One bowl magic – Mix, shape, cook – that’s the whole cleanup
- Endless possibilities – Switch up flavors or coatings to match your mood
- No oven required – Perfect for summer or tiny kitchens
Seriously, the hardest part is waiting those 6 minutes while the air fryer works its magic!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes Single Serve
Grab these simple ingredients – I bet you have most in your pantry right now! The key is measuring carefully for that perfect donut texture. Trust me, I learned the hard way when I eyeballed the flour once (let’s just say hockey pucks weren’t the goal).
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it! No packing
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar – For that gentle sweetness
- 1/4 tsp baking powder – Our little lift agent
- Pinch of salt – Balances all the flavors
- 1 tbsp milk – Any kind works, even almond milk
- 1/2 tbsp melted butter, cooled – Not hot! We don’t want scrambled eggs
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract – The flavor booster
- Cinnamon sugar – For that classic donut shop coating
See? Nothing fancy – just honest ingredients that transform into magic. Now let’s get mixing!
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes Single Serve
Alright, let’s turn those simple ingredients into golden little bites of happiness! I’ve made this so many times I could do it in my sleep, but here are all my tricks for perfect donut holes every single time.
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Grab your favorite little mixing bowl – I use the same yellow custard cup my grandma gave me. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and that tiny pinch of salt. Don’t skip the whisking! We want to banish any sneaky lumps and get everything evenly distributed. It should look like pale, powdery gold when you’re done.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Now the fun part! Pour in the milk, cooled melted butter (seriously – cooled!), and vanilla. Stir gently with a fork just until the dough comes together. It’ll be sticky – that’s perfect! Overmixing is the enemy of tender donut holes. When no dry spots remain and it looks like a shaggy biscuit dough, you’re golden.
Step 3: Shape and Cook
Preheat that air fryer to 350°F – this gives us the perfect crispy outside. While it heats, lightly wet your hands (trust me, this saves the sticky battle) and roll the dough into 4 little balls, about the size of large marbles. Arrange them in the basket with space to puff up – they’re social but need personal space! Cook for 5-6 minutes until they’re beautifully golden. Peek at 5 minutes – some air fryers run hot!
Step 4: Coat and Serve
Here’s where the magic happens! While the donut holes are still piping hot, roll them in cinnamon sugar. The heat helps the coating stick perfectly. I use a shallow bowl and just give them a gentle tumble. Then – this is crucial – pop one in your mouth immediately. That first warm, cinnamon-kissed bite? Absolute bliss.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes Single Serve
After making these dozens of times (purely for research, of course), here are my hard-won secrets for donut hole perfection:
- Cookie scoop trick – Use a 1/2 tablespoon scoop for perfectly even balls that cook uniformly
- Early peek policy – Check at 5 minutes – some air fryers run hotter than others
- Spice it up – A tiny pinch of nutmeg in the dough adds that “what IS that delicious flavor?” factor
- Wet hands win – Damp fingers prevent sticky dough disasters when shaping
- Space matters – Crowding leads to steamed, not crispy, donut holes
Remember – these are supposed to be fun, not fussy! Even the “ugly” ones taste amazing. If you enjoy quick baking projects, you might also love these air fryer churro bites.
Variations for Air Fryer Donut Holes Single Serve
Oh, the possibilities with these little guys! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists when the mood strikes:
- Almond joy – Swap vanilla for almond extract and roll in toasted coconut flakes
- Lemon zest magic – Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for bright morning vibes
- Chocolate lover – Mix in mini chocolate chips and dust with powdered sugar
- Maple bliss – Drizzle with real maple syrup instead of cinnamon sugar
The best part? You can invent your own signature version – these donut holes are your blank canvas! For another quick treat, check out how to make air fryer apple fritters.
Storage and Reheating
Listen, I know the idea of having leftovers with this single-serve recipe is laughable – but just in case you miraculously resist eating all four donut holes at once, here’s the scoop. Store them uncovered at room temperature (no plastic wrap – they’ll get soggy!) for up to one day. When that next craving hits, pop them back in the air fryer for just 60 seconds at 350°F. They’ll come out nearly as good as fresh, with that same irresistible warmth and slight crispiness. Though let’s be real – they never last long enough in my house to need reheating!
Nutrition Information for Air Fryer Donut Holes Single Serve
Okay, let’s keep it real about these donut holes – they’re a treat, but not a guilty one! Here’s the scoop per donut hole (based on my exact ingredients – yours might vary slightly):
- 45 calories – Tiny but mighty!
- 1.5g fat – Mostly from that glorious butter
- 7g carbs – Just enough sweet satisfaction
- 3g sugar – A gentle sweetness that won’t overwhelm
Remember, nutrition can change based on your specific brands or if you go wild with the cinnamon sugar coating (no judgment here!). But honestly? Some joys are worth every bite. Understanding the basics of nutrition labeling can help you track treats like this.
FAQs About Air Fryer Donut Holes Single Serve
Got questions? I’ve got answers from all my donut hole experiments! Here are the ones I get asked most:
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just cook them in batches – overcrowding the air fryer leads to sad, steamed dough balls instead of perfect golden puffs. I usually do two batches back-to-back when my husband catches the scent and comes running.
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, but heads up – the texture changes a bit. A 1:1 gluten-free blend works, but your donut holes might be slightly denser. I’ve had best results adding an extra pinch of baking powder to help them puff.
How do I prevent sticking?
A quick spritz of oil or swipe of butter on the basket works wonders! Or use parchment paper cut to fit – just make sure it’s perforated or has holes poked in it so air can circulate. Stuck donut holes break my heart almost as much as an empty cinnamon sugar bowl. For more general air fryer tips, check out guides on air fryer best practices.
Share Your Results
Did you make these magical little donut holes? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Tag me in your photos or leave a quick rating – your feedback makes my day (and helps other donut lovers find this recipe). Now go enjoy those warm, cinnamon-sugar bites – you’ve earned them!
Print
4 Irresistible Air Fryer Donut Holes Single Serve in Minutes
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 4 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy single-serve recipe for air fryer donut holes. Perfect for a sweet treat without leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tbsp melted butter
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Cinnamon sugar for coating
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
- Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Shape the dough into small balls.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place dough balls in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
- Roll warm donut holes in cinnamon sugar.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a cookie scoop for even-sized donut holes.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American