Oh my gosh, you have no idea how much my kids go crazy for these air fryer donut holes on busy school mornings! One Sunday, I was scrambling for a quick breakfast when I remembered this ridiculously easy recipe – 15 minutes later, we were all dunking warm, cinnamony bites into our coffee. That’s the magic of air fryer donut holes quick: no yeast, no waiting, just pantry staples mixed up in one bowl and cooked to golden perfection. Now we make them for sleepovers, last-minute playdates, or when I need a sweet treat fast. Trust me, once you see how simple these are, you’ll keep the ingredients stocked all the time!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes
Listen, I’m not exaggerating when I say these little bites will change your breakfast game forever. Here’s why:
- They’re crazy fast – from bowl to table in under 15 minutes when that morning hunger hits hard
- Uses pantry basics you probably have right now (no special baking runs!)
- That magical air fryer crisp outside with a pillowy soft inside – like fair food without the grease
- Kids go wild helping mix the batter and shake them in cinnamon sugar (my 5-year-old’s favorite job)
- Tastes like you spent hours when really you just threw everything together between coffee sips
Seriously, once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever survived busy mornings without them!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes Quick
Here’s the beautiful part – you likely have everything for these donut holes already! I love recipes like this because I can whip them up without a special grocery trip. Just gather:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (whole wheat works too, but they’ll be denser)
- 1/4 cup sugar – regular white sugar is perfect here
- 1 tsp baking powder – make sure it’s fresh!
- 1/4 tsp salt – just a pinch to balance the sweetness
- 1/4 cup milk – any kind you have, even almond milk works
- 1 egg – straight from the fridge is fine
- 1 tbsp melted butter, cooled slightly (vegetable oil works in a pinch)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract – the good stuff makes a difference!
- Cooking spray – for the air fryer basket
- 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar (optional but HIGHLY recommended)
See? Nothing fancy – just simple ingredients that transform into magic!
Equipment You’ll Need
Okay, let’s talk tools – and I promise you don’t need anything fancy! Here’s what I grab every time:
- Your air fryer (obviously!) – any model works
- A medium mixing bowl – plastic, glass, whatever’s clean
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A fork or small whisk for mixing
- Optional but handy: Cookie scoop or two spoons for dropping batter
That’s it! No stand mixer, no special pans – just grab and go.
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes Quick
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – turning that simple batter into golden little bites of joy! I’ll walk you through each step so yours turn out perfect every time.
Mixing the Batter
First things first – grab that mixing bowl and whisk together your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt). In another bowl or measuring cup, beat the egg lightly, then stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Here’s my secret: pour the wet into the dry and stir just until combined – a few lumps are totally fine! Overmixing makes tough donut holes, and nobody wants that.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F – this takes about 3 minutes in most models. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray, then drop tablespoon-sized scoops of batter in, leaving space between them (they’ll puff up!). Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, giving the basket a gentle shake halfway if needed. Pro tip: cook one test donut hole first to check your air fryer’s timing – some models run hotter than others!
Adding Cinnamon Sugar (Optional)
While the donut holes are still warm (but cool enough to handle), toss them in cinnamon sugar – the warmth helps it stick perfectly. I use a shallow bowl and roll them around with a spoon to coat evenly. Then? Try not to eat them all straight from the bowl like I usually do!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds – we’re obsessed!), I’ve learned a few tricks for donut hole perfection:
- Space them out! Overcrowding = uneven cooking. I do 6-8 at a time in my 5-quart air fryer.
- Test one first – air fryers vary wildly. Cook a single donut hole to check timing before doing the whole batch.
- Shake gently halfway if needed – but only if they’re not browning evenly.
- Watch closely after 5 minutes – they go from golden to dark fast!
- Let them rest 1 minute before coating – too hot and the sugar melts, too cold and it won’t stick.
Follow these, and you’ll get that dreamy crisp outside with a cloud-soft center every time!
Variations for Air Fryer Donut Holes
Oh, the fun you can have with these little guys! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe (which is perfect as-is, don’t get me wrong), try these easy twists:
- Chocolate glaze: Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips with 1 tsp coconut oil, then dunk!
- Lemon zest: Add 1 tbsp zest to the batter for sunny morning vibes
- Powdered sugar: Skip cinnamon sugar and give them a snowy dusting instead
- Maple glaze: Whisk 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 2 tbsp maple syrup
My kids love taking turns picking our “flavor of the day” – keeps breakfast exciting! If you want another sweet air fryer treat, check out these air fryer apple fritters.
Serving and Storing Air Fryer Donut Holes
Oh, you have to eat these warm if you can – that’s when the cinnamon sugar coating is all crackly and the insides are like little clouds! But if (somehow) you have leftovers, pop them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Quick tip: Reheat for 30 seconds in the air fryer to bring back that fresh-out-the-basket magic. Just don’t blame me when your family starts requesting them daily – mine did! For another quick dessert, try these soft air fryer chocolate chip cookies.
Air Fryer Donut Holes Quick Nutrition
Here’s the scoop – each batch varies slightly, but generally, two donut holes clock in around 120 calories. Remember, these are estimates (your flour brand, exact sugar amount, etc. all tweak the numbers). The cinnamon sugar coating adds a bit more sweetness, but hey – life’s too short to skip the good stuff! Understanding the nutritional impact of ingredients like sugar is always helpful, so you can review general FDA guidelines on nutrition labeling.
FAQs About Air Fryer Donut Holes
I get questions about these donut holes all the time – here are the big ones with my tried-and-true answers:
Can I use whole wheat flour? Absolutely! Swap half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat if you want – but know they’ll be denser. I sometimes do this and add an extra tablespoon of milk to keep them tender.
Why do mine stick to the basket? Two words: cooking spray. And don’t skimp! Give that basket a good coating before adding batter. If they still stick, let them cool 30 seconds before removing – they’ll release easier.
Can I make these ahead? The batter? No – it needs baking powder’s fresh lift. But cooked donut holes? Store them plain and recrisp in the air fryer for 1 minute before serving. The texture stays perfect! If you prefer a different style of fried dough, check out these air fryer churro bites.
No air fryer? No problem! Bake at 375°F on a parchment-lined sheet for 8-10 minutes. They won’t get quite as crispy, but still delicious!
Rate This Recipe
I’d love to hear how your air fryer donut holes turned out! Drop a quick note below if you tried them – your feedback makes my day.
Print
15-Minute Air Fryer Donut Holes Quick & Mind-blowing
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 12 donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Quick and easy air fryer donut holes, perfect for a fast breakfast or snack.
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 your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Drop small spoonfuls of batter into the air fryer.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden.
- If desired, roll warm donut holes in cinnamon sugar.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American