Irresistible Air Fryer Donut Holes in Just 20 Minutes

Oh my gosh, you guys—I’ve been obsessed with making air fryer donut holes ever since I got my first air fryer five years ago. There’s just something magical about biting into those warm, golden-brown little puffs of joy that taste like they came straight from a bakery, but without all the oil! I’ve tested this recipe more times than I can count (my neighbors love me for it), and I’m thrilled to share my foolproof version with you.

These air fryer donut holes are my go-to when I need a quick sweet fix—they come together in under 20 minutes from bowl to plate. The outside gets this perfect crispness while the inside stays pillow-soft, just like traditional donuts but way lighter. My kids go crazy when they smell them cooking, and honestly? So do I. That cinnamon sugar coating? Absolute perfection.

What I love most is how simple they are—basic pantry ingredients, no fancy equipment needed, and you can customize them a million ways. Whether you’re making them for Sunday brunch or a midnight snack (no judgment here), these little bites of happiness never disappoint.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes

Trust me, once you try these little bites of joy, you’ll be hooked! Here’s what makes them so special:

• Crazy quick: From mixing bowl to mouth in under 20 minutes—no waiting around for dough to rise or oil to heat up like traditional donuts.
• Easy peasy: One bowl, simple ingredients you probably have right now, and zero fancy skills required. Even my 8-year-old can make them!
• Perfect texture: That magical combo of crispy golden outsides and cloud-soft centers that’ll make you do a little happy dance.
• Healthier-ish: Way less oil than deep-fried donuts but all the flavor—I call that a win!
• Endless fun: Roll ‘em in cinnamon sugar, dust with powdered sugar, or drizzle with glaze. Add sprinkles, dip in chocolate—make ‘em your own!

Seriously, these are the ultimate “I deserve a treat” snack that doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down. Morning, noon, or midnight—they’re always a good idea.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes

Grab these simple ingredients—I bet you’ve got most in your pantry right now! Here’s what you’ll need for a dozen perfect little donut holes:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off—no packing!)
• ¼ cup sugar (granulated works best here)
• 1 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh for maximum puff)
• ¼ tsp salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
• ¼ cup milk (whole milk makes them extra tender, but almond milk works great too)
• 1 egg (room temperature blends smoother)
• 1 tbsp melted butter (cooled slightly so it doesn’t cook the egg)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff—it makes a difference!)
• Cooking spray or oil (just a spritz to prevent sticking)
• Cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar (for that irresistible coating)

See? Nothing fancy! If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon to the dry ingredients—my secret little flavor boost.

How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes

Okay, friends—let’s get to the good stuff! Making these air fryer donut holes is easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be snacking on warm, sugar-coated goodness in no time.

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

First things first—grab a medium bowl and whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. I like to give it a good 30-second whisk to make sure everything’s evenly distributed. This is where you can add that extra pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg if you’re feeling fancy!

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In another bowl (or just make a well in your dry ingredients), mix together the milk, egg, slightly cooled melted butter, and vanilla. Pro tip: Make sure your butter isn’t piping hot, or it might scramble the egg—yuck! Stir until everything’s smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Shape and Cook Donut Holes

Now for the fun part! Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) while you prepare the dough. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined—don’t overmix! The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray, then roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls (I use a small cookie scoop for perfect portions). Arrange them in the basket with some breathing room—they’ll puff up as they cook! Air fry for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Peek at the 5-minute mark—every air fryer is different!

Step 4: Coat with Sugar

Here comes the magic! While the donut holes are still warm (but cool enough to handle), roll them in cinnamon sugar or dust generously with powdered sugar. The warmth helps the coating stick perfectly. I like to do this in a shallow bowl—just drop a few in at a time and give ’em a gentle shake. Voila! Instant happiness in bite-sized form.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes

After burning my fair share of batches (oops!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make your air fryer donut holes absolutely perfect every single time:

• Give ’em space! Crowding the basket is recipe for uneven cooking—those little guys need room to puff up and get crispy all over. I do mine in two batches if needed.
• Set a timer for 5 minutes—that’s your checkpoint! My air fryer usually needs the full 7 minutes, but yours might run hotter. Peek through the window to check for golden perfection.
• Love ’em extra crisp? Add another minute or two at the end. Prefer softer bites? Pull ’em out at 5 minutes. It’s your donut adventure!
• Dough too sticky? Wet your hands lightly before rolling—it’ll stop the dough from clinging like crazy glue.

Remember, air fryers can be temperamental little beasts—the first batch is always your test run to nail the timing!

Variations for Air Fryer Donut Holes

Oh, the possibilities! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, it’s time to play. Here are my favorite ways to mix things up:

• Chocolate lovers: Drizzle warm donut holes with melted chocolate or dunk them halfway—add sprinkles while the chocolate’s still wet for extra fun!
• Zesty twist: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough and roll in a lemon-sugar mix (1/2 cup sugar + 1 tbsp lemon zest). Sunshine in every bite!
• Pumpkin spice magic: Swap 2 tbsp milk for pumpkin puree and add 1 tsp pumpkin spice to the dry ingredients. Perfect for fall mornings.

My kids love when I split the batch into mini flavors—half cinnamon sugar, half chocolate. Why choose when you can have both?

Serving and Storing Air Fryer Donut Holes

These air fryer donut holes are best served warm—trust me, that first bite is pure bliss! If you’re not devouring them all right away (I wouldn’t blame you), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To bring back that fresh-out-of-the-air-fryer magic, pop them back in for 1-2 minutes at 350°F. They’ll be just as crispy and delicious as the first time!

Air Fryer Donut Holes FAQs

I get SO many questions about these little guys—here are the answers to what everyone wants to know:

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?
You bet! Swap half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat if you want. Just know they’ll be a bit denser—still tasty, but not quite as light and fluffy. If you go all whole wheat, add an extra tablespoon of milk since it absorbs more liquid.

Why did my donut holes turn out dry?
Oh no—sad donut holes break my heart! Usually it means they cooked too long (check them at 5 minutes!) or the dough was overmixed. Stir just until combined—a few lumps are totally fine. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh!

Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough keeps in the fridge for a day—just let it come to room temp before rolling. Already cooked? They reheat beautifully in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to crisp back up.

Why won’t my sugar coating stick?
Timing is everything! Roll them while they’re warm but not piping hot. If they cool too much, spritz lightly with water or brush with melted butter before coating—instant sticky magic.

Nutritional Information

Just so you know, the nutritional info for these air fryer donut holes is based on standard ingredients and serving sizes—your exact values might vary depending on the brands you use or any tweaks you make. A serving of two donut holes comes in at around 120 calories, with 6g of sugar and 3g of fat. They’re definitely a treat, but hey, they’re way lighter than deep-fried versions! Always check labels if you’re using substitutions or have specific dietary needs.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—my foolproof recipe for irresistible air fryer donut holes! I can’t wait for you to try them and see how ridiculously easy (and delicious) they are. When you do, tag me on social or leave a comment—I’d love to hear how yours turned out and what fun twists you tried. Happy air frying, friends—may your kitchen always smell like freshly made donuts!

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