There is just something about a fresh donut hole, isn’t there? That warm, pillowy bite, followed by the crackle of sweet cinnamon sugar—it’s pure magic. Before I got my air fryer, I only dreamed of making them at home because deep frying seemed like way too much trouble for a quick craving. But now? We have the absolute best Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes, and they truly taste like they came straight from the bakery.
From my time sweating it out in busy kitchens, I learned that the smallest treats often make the biggest impression. These little guys are proof of that! They’re simple, fast, and when they come out golden and aromatic, you can’t help but smile. The air fryer gives us that perfect soft interior and a lightly crisp exterior without all that heavy oil. Seeing that beautiful golden color and watching the sugar cling instantly to every warm surface? That’s my favorite textural moment.
Ethan Miller is a Chef and Food Photographer at Sena Recipes. A former restaurant chef from California, he transforms everyday recipes into visually stunning, flavor-packed experiences.
Why You Will Love These Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
I promise you, these little bites hit every mark when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want a huge production. They’re just so fun, and they come together faster than driving to the nearest donut shop! If you need a quick fix after dinner, check out how we manage quick dessert recipes that don’t take all evening.
Quick Dessert Recipes Ready Fast
We’re talking about a recipe where you can mix the dough and toss them in the air fryer in under 15 minutes. These are perfect for when that craving strikes out of nowhere!
Simple Dessert Recipes With Few Ingredients
You likely have everything needed for these beauties in your pantry right now. It’s a very short ingredient list, proving that few components can equal huge flavor.
Bakery Texture Without the Deep Fry
The air fryer is working magic here, giving you that delightfully soft, almost bread-like center with just the slightest golden crunch on the outside, trust me.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
The beauty of this recipe, much like my approach to many delicious homemade desserts, is that we aren’t using a list a mile long. I rely on standard pantry staples to create that classic donut flavor. Forget complicated fillings or glazes for now; we are focusing on texture and coating!
When I was developing this, I tweaked the ratio of flour to butter so that cut-in topping ends up looking just right before the milk goes in. If you’re looking for other fantastic baked goods, you should check out my chocolate-glazed donut recipe too!
Here is everything you need to gather up before you start mixing:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsps. baking powder
- 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp. cold butter, diced
- 3/4 cup milk
- Cooking spray
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon (for coating)
Expert Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
When you’re working with simple ingredients, technique is absolutely everything. I learned this over and over again in the restaurant world—a few extra minutes of attention during the mixing phase results in a completely different final product. You want these to be light and fluffy, not dense little hockey pucks, right? I’ve got a couple of tricks that make sure these little guys cook up beautifully every time.
If you want to see how precision pays off in other areas, check out my guide on how to make perfect cookies every time; the same care applies here!
Achieving the Right Dough Consistency for Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Listen, when you’re cutting that cold butter into the flour mixture, you are aiming for what looks like coarse sand. Don’t rush it! This step creates pockets for the air to expand into later. Once you add the milk, switch to mixing by hand and stop the second the flour disappears. Seriously, stop mixing! Overworking this dough develops gluten, and gluten makes things tough. Remember the goal is soft and tender, not chewy.
Coating Technique for Maximum Flavor Cling
This is a crucial step where many recipes fall flat. You have to coat these donut holes while they are still genuinely warm. The residual heat melts the sugar just slightly, allowing it to adhere perfectly and create that signature glaze-like coating. Don’t wait until they cool down, or the sugar just falls right off!
Also, a little secret from my photography days: if you want that super fine, professional-looking sugar coating, take your coating sugar and cinnamon and pulse it just a couple of times in a small food processor. It makes the texture incredible. Just toss them gently right after they exit the air fryer basket!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Okay, pulling this all together! These instructions are designed for maximum ease so you can get to the tasting part faster. Remember what I said about precision? It mostly applies to the mixing, but the cooking part is easy, provided you follow two simple rules regarding the air fryer itself. If you love creative twists on fried dough, you absolutely must try my apple fritter waffle donuts!
- First, grab your dry crew: the flour, the initial 1/4 cup of sugar, and the baking powder. Whisk them together in a big bowl until everything is perfectly married.
- Now, bring in the cold, diced butter. You need to work this in using a pastry cutter, or honestly, just use your fingertips if you don’t mind the chilling effect! You are looking for that coarse sand texture we talked about.
- Next, pour in the cold milk. Mix it just until the dough starts to come together into a shaggy mass. Don’t overthink it here; the less you handle it now, the better!
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter. Now, knead it—but gently! Go for about five minutes until it feels smooth and cooperative. It needs to happen, but don’t go wild!
- Divide that dough logically into 16 small balls. Keep them small, aiming for just under golf-ball size. Uniformity means they cook evenly, which is key.
- Prep your air fryer—this is important: do not preheat! Spray the basket generously with cooking spray. Place your little dough balls inside. Make sure there is some space between them so the hot air can circulate.
- Set your air fryer to 350 degrees F and cook for 20 minutes. Here’s the shake rule: halfway through (around the 10-minute mark), pull out the basket and give it a good shake to redistribute the heat. This prevents one side from getting too dark.
- While those beauties are cooking, quickly combine your coating—the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and the warm ground cinnamon—in a shallow dish.
- When the timer goes off, carefully remove the piping hot donut holes. Immediately dip and toss each warm bite into that cinnamon-sugar mix until it’s completely coated. Serve them hot!
Making Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even the best recipes can run into snags, depending on your oven or air fryer model. Don’t panic if your first batch isn’t totally perfect. We’re aiming for joy here, not professional perfection, but a few simple checks can save you from disappointment. Since we’re relying on hot air circulation instead of oil, things can sometimes cook unevenly, or the texture might be slightly off if we aren’t careful with that dough.
If you are looking for other ways to conquer your air fryer, I have tons of tips over in my guide for easy air fryer chicken recipes; cooking principles are often the same!
My Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes Are Not Browning
If they look pale after 20 minutes, it usually boils down to physics inside that basket. Always double-check that you didn’t overcrowd the fryer! If the balls are touching too much, the heat can’t circulate properly, and they steam instead of crisping up. Also, make sure your temperature is locked in at 350 degrees F. Sometimes, an older or smaller air fryer needs an extra minute or two to really get that lovely golden hue we’re after.
Why Are My Donut Holes Tough Instead of Fluffy?
This is almost always a dough issue, and I warned you about this while mixing! If you find they have a chewy or tough texture, you definitely overworked the dough after you added the milk. Once the liquid hits the flour, you must stop mixing almost immediately. You want just enough stirring so that no dry flour streaks remain. Next time, practice a lighter touch—we want tenderness in these treats!
Serving Suggestions for Homemade Desserts
These little bursts of joy are truly at their peak when served warm, but presentation really seals the deal for these homemade desserts. I love taking a simple white serving bowl and piling the golden, sparkling donut holes high in the center. That immediate visual impact makes them look like something special, even though they came from your air fryer basket just moments ago!
For pairing, you can’t go wrong with something cool and creamy to balance out the spicy sugar. Think about drizzling them with a light vanilla bean glaze—or, if you want to get really decadent, serve them alongside a slice of my cream cheese banana bread for dipping. They’re fantastic with coffee, too, of course!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
As much as I wish they would all disappear hot out of the basket—which they probably will—sometimes you have leftovers. Since these are best served warm right after coating, they won’t be quite as incredible the next day, but we can fix that easily!
Store any extras in a completely airtight container. If you leave them on the counter uncovered, that lovely coating gets mushy fast. Don’t worry if they lose a little steam; you can revive them! Pop them back into the air fryer at about 325 degrees F for just two or three minutes maximum. That quick blast of heat brings back the slight exterior crispness. They’ll be good as new, ready for another quick snack—you can check out my guide on reheating for almost any dish, including quick reheat tips like those for frozen salmon in air fryer, to get the timing down right!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
I totally get it; sometimes you need quick answers before you even start mixing ingredients. These questions pop up a lot when people are looking for simple dessert recipes or planning out their baking schedule. I tried to answer the common sticking points so your batch turns out perfect!
Can I make these Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes ahead of time?
You can definitely prep the dough ahead of time, which is great for making easy desserts for a crowd! Once you’ve kneaded the dough (Step 4), wrap it tightly and chill it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, let it warm up for about 20 minutes so you can roll the balls easily. However, I strongly recommend *not* coating them until you are ready to eat them. The warm toss is what makes that coating stick perfectly!
Are these Easy Desserts For A Crowd?
Right now, this recipe yields 16 donut holes, which is perfect for a small family snack but might vanish fast at a party! Scaling this up is super simple, though. I often double the entire recipe right away, making 32 holes. Just be sure when you put them in the air fryer basket that you cook them in batches. You never want to overcrowd the basket, or they won’t cook evenly, and you’ll end up stepping back to the realm of basic, less-than-impressive easy dessert ideas.
What is the best substitute for butter in this recipe?
Since butter plays a role in both flavor and texture here (it helps create that sandy texture when cutting it in), I prefer sticking close to the original when I can. If you absolutely need to swap it out, use a high-quality, cold shortening (the firm kind, not the soft tub stuff) in the exact same amount. It handles cutting in similarly. If you’re just looking for other great sweets, check out my collection of easy cookie recipes for reliable alternatives!
Estimated Nutritional Data for Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Okay, let’s talk numbers for a second. I know some of you are tracking macros or just curious about what you’re enjoying! Remember, because these are homemade and we are using an air fryer—not a deep fryer—the fat content is significantly lower than traditional donuts. That’s a big win, flavor-wise, if you ask me!
These values are estimated based on the ingredients and serving size of one donut hole, and they are for the recipe as written here. If you decide to dip them in a coffee glaze or add extra sugar, those numbers are obviously going to shift. If you’re focused on lighter options, I always keep my general list of healthy recipes for weight loss handy!
Here’s the breakdown based on one serving:
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 6g (with 3g of that being saturated fat)
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 3g
- Sugar: 10g
See? It proves that you can absolutely enjoy these sweet treats without that heavy, greasy feeling you get from deep-fried versions. They are just pure, fluffy, cinnamon-sugar goodness!
Share Your Best Dessert Ideas
That’s it! You’ve got the knowledge now to make these beautiful, aromatic Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes anytime you want a little moment of joy. I really hope they become one of your best dessert recipes for quick weeknight cravings or unexpected guests. Because they are so simple, they leave so much room for you to play around with variations!
I’d absolutely love to see how yours turned out! Did you stick to the classic coating, or did you try adding a little espresso powder to the sugar? Maybe you went totally wild and tried adding a pinch of cardamom? Head down to the comments below and give this recipe a rating—it really helps me know what you all are loving to bake up at home. I am always looking for new desert ideas to try out myself!
Don’t forget to take a picture when they are fresh and warm; that’s when they look their absolute best! If you have a favorite trick for keeping them soft or a different shape you tried (like little twisted logs instead of balls?), tell us all about it! We are building a community for easy dessert ideas here, and every contribution helps.
If you’re looking for more ways to impress without spending hours in the kitchen, I’ve compiled a huge list of easy dessert ideas that rely on that same quick, smart cooking philosophy. Happy baking, friends!
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Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make soft, fluffy donut holes with a classic cinnamon-sugar coating using your air fryer for a quick, indulgent dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsps. baking powder
- 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp. cold butter, diced
- 3/4 cup milk
- cooking spray
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
- Combine the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and baking powder in a bowl.
- Add the diced cold butter and work it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
- Add the milk and mix until the dough just combines.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until the dough is soft and elastic.
- Break the dough into 16 balls, making sure each ball is smaller than a golf ball.
- Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the dough balls inside.
- Air fry at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes (do not preheat). Shake the basket halfway through cooking so the donut holes cook evenly.
- While the donut holes cook, combine the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Remove the cooked donut holes from the air fryer. Dip each warm donut hole in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and toss to coat completely.
Notes
- These donut holes are best served warm immediately after coating.
- For a finer coating texture, pulse the coating sugar and cinnamon briefly in a food processor before using.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut hole
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes, Quick Dessert Recipes, Easy Desserts With Few Ingredients, Simple Dessert Recipes, Homemade Desserts, Air Fryer Desserts, Donut Holes, Cinnamon Sugar