Air Fryer Donut Holes are bite-sized donut treats made with all-purpose flour, baking powder, milk, egg, melted butter, vanilla, and a cinnamon-sugar coating. It’s quick and works well for breakfast, dessert, or a snack, since they’re ready fast and made without deep frying. Unlike traditional deep-fried donut holes, this version uses the air fryer to get a crispy outside and soft, fluffy inside with less mess and less oil.
Why You'll Love This Brilliant Breakfast
- Quick and Easy. Ready in just 15 minutes from start to finish.
- Healthier Alternative. Made without deep frying, these are lower in fat.
- Versatile. Perfect as a breakfast, snack, or dessert, and customizable with your favorite toppings.
With the magic of the air fryer, you get that crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior without the mess of traditional frying. Plus, they’re a hit with both kids and adults alike!
What Is Another Name For Donut Holes?
Another name for donut holes is "Munchkins." This term was popularized by the Dunkin' Donuts chain. Donut holes are also sometimes referred to as "donut balls" or "donut pops."
What Do Air Fryer Donut Holes Taste Like?
Air fryer donut holes have a deliciously light and airy texture with a crispy outer layer. When made fresh, they are slightly warm, soft, and tender on the inside. They taste sweet and slightly buttery, with a mild vanilla essence. When coated in cinnamon sugar, they have a warm, spiced flavor.
The air fryer method gives them a healthier twist, retaining the classic donut taste with less oil.
Ingredients You'll Need
For The Dough
- 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour- The base of the dough, giving it structure.
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder- Helps them rise and become fluffy.
- 1/4 tsp Salt- Enhances the flavors.
- 3 TBSP Granulated Sugar- Adds sweetness to the dough.
- 1/3 Cup Milk- Provides moisture and softness to the dough.
- 2 TBSP Butter- Adds richness and flavor.
- 1 Egg- Helps bind the ingredients together, contributing to the soft texture.
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract- Adds a hint of vanilla flavor.
For The Coating
- 2 TBSP Melted Butter- Helps the coating stick to the donut holes.
- 1/2 tsp Granulated Sugar or Cinnamon Sugar- Adds sweetness and a bit of texture.
How To Make Donut Holes
- Prepare the Dough. Start by whisking together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. You'll need flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Mix Wet Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense bite.
- Shape Them. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. You should get around 12-15 bites, depending on the size.
- Preheat the Air Fryer. Set your air fryer to 350°F and let it preheat for about 3 minutes.
- Cook the Donut Holes. Place the donut holes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Cook for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Coat Them. While they are still warm, brush them with melted butter and roll them in granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar.
- Serve. Serve them warm, with a side of your favorite dipping sauce like chocolate or caramel, or enjoy them on their own!
Tips And Tricks
Making the perfect air fryer donut holes requires just a few simple tricks:
- Don’t Overmix. Overmixing the dough can lead to a tough bite. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Uniform Size. Make sure they are the same size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
- 3. Don’t Overcrowd. Give them enough space in the air fryer to expand and cook evenly. You may need to cook them in batches.
- 4. Serve Fresh. These are best enjoyed warm, right after they’re cooked. They’re soft, fluffy, and full of flavor!
Variations
Air fryer donut holes are incredibly versatile and can be customized in many ways:
- Glazed- Instead of rolling in sugar, dip them in a simple glaze made of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Chocolate- Add some cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist, or drizzle with melted chocolate.
- Filled- After cooking, use a piping bag to fill them with your favorite filling, like jam, Nutella, or custard.
What To Enjoy With Donut Holes
These donut holes are a delightful treat on their own, but they also pair well with:
- Coffee or Hot Chocolate- The perfect companion to a warm donut hole, especially on a chilly morning.
- Fresh Fruit- Balance the sweetness with some fresh berries or apple slices.
- Ice Cream- Make it a decadent dessert by serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
How Long Do They Last?
Air fryer donut holes are best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F.
Can You Freeze Them?
Yes! To freeze, allow the donut holes to cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw them at room temperature and warm them in the air fryer for a few minutes.
If your air fryer donut holes are raw inside, the most common cause is they’re too big or unevenly sized, so the outside browns before the center cooks through, especially if the air fryer temp is a little high.
Keep the dough balls small and uniform (a cookie scoop helps), cook in a single layer with airflow, and flip/shake halfway for even heat.
If they’re still underdone, lower the temperature slightly and add a few extra minutes so the center sets without over-browning the outside.
If your air fryer donut holes are dense (not fluffy), it’s usually because the batter/dough was overmixed, the baking powder is old, or the flour was packed in (too much flour = heavy donut bites).
Mix just until combined, use fresh baking powder for that quick “no-yeast” lift, and portion evenly so they cook through without needing extra time that dries them out.
Also, avoid crowding the basket. Good airflow helps them rise and stay light instead of compact.
To get cinnamon sugar to stick to air fryer donut holes, coat them while they’re still warm and slightly tacky.
Brush or toss with a thin layer of melted butter (or a quick spritz of oil), then immediately roll in the cinnamon-sugar mix so it grabs.
If the donut holes have cooled, re-warm them for a minute in the air fryer, then butter-and-roll. This timing is the secret to a classic cinnamon sugar donut hole finish that doesn’t fall off.
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Ingredients
For The Donut Holes
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
- 3 tbsp Granulated Sugar
- 1/3 cup Milk
- 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
For Coating
- 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough. Start by whisking together the dry ingredients in a large bowl – flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Mix Wet Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense bite.
- Shape Them. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. You should get around 12-15 bites, depending on the size.
- Preheat the Air Fryer. Set your air fryer to 350°F and let it preheat for about 3 minutes.
- Cook the Donut Holes. Place the donut holes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Cook for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Coat Them. While they are still warm, brush them with melted butter and roll them in granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar.
- Serve. Serve them warm, with a side of your favorite dipping sauce like chocolate or caramel, or enjoy them on their own!
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