Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try these air fryer donut holes with a soft center! They’re my secret weapon when I need a quick, cozy treat that feels indulgent but doesn’t take all day. I stumbled on this recipe one lazy Sunday when I was craving something sweet but didn’t want to deal with deep frying – and wow, did the air fryer deliver! The outside gets just golden enough while the inside stays pillow-soft, like little clouds of happiness. My kids go crazy for them, and honestly? I might love them even more because cleanup takes two seconds. Perfect with coffee, perfect for sneaking bites while they’re still warm…just perfect.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes Soft Center
Let me tell you why these little guys are about to become your new obsession:
- They’re ridiculously quick – ready in under 20 minutes from bowl to bliss
- The texture is magically soft inside with just the right golden kiss on the outside
- Uses basic pantry ingredients – no fancy stuff required
- Way less messy than traditional frying (goodbye, oil splatters!)
- Perfect for when that sweet tooth hits but you don’t want to spend all day baking
Seriously, once you taste that warm, pillowy center, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes Soft Center
Gather these simple ingredients – I bet you already have most in your kitchen right now!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, please don’t pack it!)
- 1/4 cup sugar – regular granulated works perfectly
- 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 – whole milk makes them extra tender
- 1 egg – large, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp melted butter – cooled slightly so it doesn’t cook the egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract – pure vanilla if you have it
- Oil spray – just a quick spritz to help them brown
- Cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar (optional but highly recommended!)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Here’s where you can play around:
- Milk swap? Almond milk or oat milk work great too
- Gluten-free? 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend substitutes perfectly
- No butter? Vegetable oil works in a pinch
- Want extra flavor? Add 1/4 tsp nutmeg or cinnamon to the dry ingredients
- Important: That “melted butter” means liquid but cooled – not softened butter!
The dough should look shaggy when mixed – that’s how you know you didn’t overwork it!
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes Soft Center
Okay, let’s get to the fun part! Making these little bites of joy is so simple, you’ll be amazed. Just follow these steps:
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Don’t skip the whisking – it helps everything distribute evenly!
- Whisk wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat the egg lightly, then stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. The butter should be melted but not hot – we don’t want scrambled eggs in our dough!
- Combine gently: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined. A few lumps are totally fine – overmixing makes tough donut holes, and we want that soft center!
- Shape them: With lightly floured hands, roll the dough into small balls (about 1-inch diameter). Pro tip: If the dough sticks, dampen your hands slightly instead of adding more flour.
- Preheat air fryer: This is crucial! Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes while you shape the dough.
- Cook in batches: Lightly spray the basket with oil, then arrange donut holes in a single layer with space between them. Air fry for 5-6 minutes until golden – no peeking for the first 4 minutes!
- Coat while warm: If you’re using cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar, roll them while they’re still warm so the coating sticks perfectly.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes Soft Center
- Don’t crowd the basket! They need space to puff up properly. I do 6-8 at a time in my 4-quart air fryer.
- Check doneness early – air fryers vary. If they look done at 5 minutes, pull them out!
- Let them rest 2 minutes after cooking – they’ll firm up slightly but stay soft inside.
- No oil spray? Lightly brush the basket with oil using a silicone brush instead.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Donut Holes Soft Center
Oh, the possibilities! These little beauties shine with coffee (my morning ritual) or hot chocolate. For extra indulgence, drizzle melted chocolate or a simple powdered sugar glaze while they’re still warm. Kids love them rolled in cinnamon sugar – just toss them in a bag with the mixture and shake! And if you’re feeling fancy, serve them with a side of warm Nutella for dipping. Honestly? They’re dangerously good straight out of the air fryer too – no toppings needed.
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Donut Holes Soft Center
Listen, I know the idea of having leftovers seems crazy – but if you somehow resist eating them all at once, here’s what to do! Store cooled donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For that just-made magic, pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 1-2 minutes – they’ll taste warm and fresh all over again. Pro tip: Don’t sugar-coat them until after reheating, or the coating gets weirdly sticky!
Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Donut Holes Soft Center
Just so you know what you’re biting into – these sweet treats land somewhere between breakfast and dessert nutritionally. Keep in mind that actual numbers will vary depending on your specific ingredients and serving size. The beauty of homemade? You control exactly what goes in – unlike store-bought versions loaded with who-knows-what! As with all good things, enjoy them mindfully (though I won’t judge if you “accidentally” eat three at once). For more information on general baking science, check out resources on baking powder activation.
FAQ About Air Fryer Donut Holes Soft Center
Q: Why did my donut holes turn out dense?
A: Overmixing is usually the culprit! Stir just until combined – lumps are fine. Also check your baking powder isn’t expired. And don’t pack that flour when measuring!
Q: Can I freeze these donut holes?
A: Absolutely! Freeze them plain (no coating) in a single layer first, then transfer to a bag. Reheat frozen in the air fryer at 325°F for 3-4 minutes – they’ll taste fresh!
Q: My air fryer burns the bottoms – help!
A: Try lowering the temp to 325°F and adding a minute. Some models run hot – mine does! A quick shake halfway through helps too.
Q: Can I make these ahead for brunch?
A: Yes! Prep the dough the night before (covered in fridge), then shape and cook in the morning. They’re best fresh but still delicious after a few hours. If you are looking for other quick brunch ideas, check out these air fryer biscuits.
Share Your Air Fryer Donut Holes Soft Center
Did you make these little clouds of joy? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Snap a pic or leave a note below – your tips might help the next baker nail that perfect soft center. If you enjoy these, you might also want to try our recipe for air fryer churro bites!
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Irresistible Air Fryer Donut Holes with 5-Minute Soft Center Magic
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make delicious air fryer donut holes with a soft center using this simple recipe. Perfect for a quick treat.
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
- Oil spray for coating
- Cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar for coating (optional)
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Roll dough into small balls (about 1-inch diameter).
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly spray donut holes with oil.
- Air fry for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
- Roll in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the texture soft.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American