There is honestly nothing better than grabbing a warm, slightly gooey sweet treat right out of the air fryer basket, especially when it barely takes any effort. If you’re looking for incredibly simple desserts, stop what you’re doing because these Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes are about to become your new favorite thing. They are fast, they don’t involve deep frying, and the simple coating is pure heaven.
I made these on a quiet weekend morning, and watching my family dip each warm donut hole into cinnamon sugar became one of those simple, happy kitchen moments I’ll always remember. As the Adaptation Specialist here at Recipes by Betty, I test a lot of quick items, but these really stand out for their speed and texture. They’re absolutely perfect for brunch or sneaking one (or five!) in the afternoon.
Why This Recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes is a Must-Try
You know I love a good baking project, but sometimes you just need a win without the mess, right? That’s why I champion this method. It delivers unbelievable texture—fluffy inside with that perfect, slightly crisp exterior—without heating up a pot of oil. Seriously, shaking these hot donut holes in cinnamon sugar is way more fun than dealing with cleanup later. They truly are among the best simple desserts when you need something fast.
The magic here is how little time it takes. If you are looking for easy treats that seem much fancier than they actually are, this is it. We use basic pantry staples, and the air fryer does all the heavy lifting for us. Trust me, if you need quick ideas, check out my thoughts on easy healthy snack ideas; these fit right in!
Quick Preparation for Easy Desserts With Few Ingredients
We’re talking 10 minutes of prep time, folks! That’s barely enough time to wash your mixing bowl. Since the dough uses common items like flour, sugar, and milk, you probably already have everything you need. This recipe cuts out complicated yeast proofing or multiple rises. It’s pure satisfaction, fast.
Essential Equipment for Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes
This recipe is brilliant because it relies mostly on things you already have stashed away. You’ll definitely need a sturdy Mixing Bowl; we’re combining wet and dry here, so grab one big enough to let you really work that dough!
But the real star, of course, is the air fryer. If you’ve been eyeing purchasing an air fryer, let this be your sign! Because we aren’t deep frying, the machine circulates that hot air to cook the dough balls fast and maintain a nice light texture all the way through. It’s a total game-changer for quick treats. For more ideas on what these amazing gadgets can do, take a peek over at Taste of Home’s air fryer donut recipes!
Gathering Ingredients for Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes
Okay, gathering your ingredients is the next calm step before the fun begins! Since these are made fairly quickly, measuring everything out first—what we pros sometimes call mise en place—is super helpful. I want you to feel confident that you have everything precise because getting these ratios right elevates these from just okay to absolutely amazing. Trust me, having your cinnamon sugar ready to go makes all the difference when the donut holes come out of the air fryer blazing hot!
Dough Ingredients
For the actual dough that puffs up so beautifully in the air fryer, make sure you have the following ready. We keep things simple here, which is why this is one of my top go-to baking ideas!
- 200 g of flour
- 70 g of sugar
- 1 tsp of baking powder (make sure yours isn’t ancient!)
- 120 ml of milk
- 1 egg
- 30 g of melted butter (don’t use cold or warm, it needs to be just melted)
Coating Ingredients
This coating is what makes these true donut holes! You need the sugar and cinnamon mix right by your side, ready for action the second they finish cooking. This step is super important for that signature crinkle.
- 1 serving of Cinnamon sugar (This is for coating—adjust to your liking!)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes
Okay, time to get mixing! This is where the magic starts to happen, and I promise, if you follow these quick steps, you will have amazing results. Remember, the air fryer needs to be nice and hot to start, so get that preheating done before you even drop the first dough ball in. We want these cooked fast, not steamed!
Mixing the Dough Base
First step is always combining the dry crew—that’s your flour, sugar, and baking powder—in one bowl. Stir them up really well so the leavening agent is evenly spread. Now, pour in your wet ingredients: the milk, the egg, and that lovely melted butter. Mix just until everything comes together into a cohesive dough. Stop stirring the second you don’t see streaks of dry flour anymore! Overmixing dough like this is the quickest way to make things chewy instead of tender, and we are aiming for deliciousness, not chewiness.
Air Frying Your Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes
Once your dough is ready, scoop it out in small, bite-sized balls. Think about the size of a large marble or maybe a quarter. This small size is what makes them cook so fast. Arrange your little dough balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You absolutely cannot overcrowd the basket; give them a little breathing room! Set your air fryer to 180°C (356°F) and let them cook for exactly 8 minutes. You’ll check them, and they should look gorgeously golden brown.
The Final Cinnamon Sugar Coating
This is my favorite part, and you have to be quick! As soon as those donut holes pop out of the basket, they need to go straight into your prepared cinnamon sugar mix. Being hot lets the sugar stick perfectly and melts just a tiny bit into the surface. Roll them around gently until they are totally coated. If you wait even five minutes, the coating won’t adhere nearly as well. For more tips on getting dough textures just right, you might find my guide on secrets to perfect scones helpful, as the mixing principles overlap!
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes
Getting these right consistently is so easy once you know the little secrets. My biggest tip, which I learned the hard way, is to pay attention to your baking powder—it’s the lift mechanism for these babies! If your baking powder is old, these donut holes will turn out heavy discs instead of fluffy balls, so check that expiration date.
When placing them in the air fryer, make sure they aren’t touching. They need that hot moving air all around to brown properly. If they overlap, you’ll end up with pale, doughy spots, and nobody wants that! Also, if your dough seems too sticky to handle, just chill it in the fridge for about 10 minutes before scooping; it firms up beautifully.
And remember that immediate roll in the sugar? That’s non-negotiable for a crisp coating! For general pantry stuff, always check out my notes on the differences between kosher salt vs. sea salt; while we don’t use specialized salt here, attention to ingredient quality always pays off in baking!
Variations for Your Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes
While the classic cinnamon sugar is amazing, sometimes changing up the coating is exactly what a baking routine needs! These basic dough balls are just begging for experimentation. If you want something slightly spicier, try mixing a pinch of cardamom right into your cinnamon sugar blend. Wow, that elevates things immediately!
For a different look altogether, skip the cinnamon sugar entirely and roll the hot donut holes in powdered sugar instead. It gives them that lovely, soft, almost snow-capped look. Or, if you love glazes—and who doesn’t?—you could whip up a quick drizzle. You’ll want to check out my recipe for sprinkle sugar cookie frosting; thinning that frosting out just a touch with milk makes the most incredible glaze for these air-fried treats!
Serving Suggestions for Easy Desserts For A Crowd
These little guys vanish so fast! They are genuinely fantastic as one of those easy desserts for a crowd because they are bite-sized and people can just grab one or two without needing plates or forks. If you’re serving them for brunch, a big pot of good, strong coffee is non-negotiable. Honestly, they are perfect with a tall glass of cold milk, too.
But if you want to make them feel extra special—maybe you’re bringing them to a gathering—you need a drizzle! A quick chocolate ganache is easy enough to make while the air fryer is running. Or, if you’re having an event that needs something fun and fizzy, I always suggest making a batch of my favorite non-alcoholic sparkling drink; you can find the recipe for the Christmas Punch Mocktail on the site. It looks festive and tastes amazing next to warm cinnamon sugar!
Storing Leftover Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes
Now, I always say that leftover air fryer donut holes rarely make it past breakfast, but just in case you’re more disciplined than my family, storage is super simple. The main thing is fighting off sogginess, because nobody wants a pancake disguised as a donut hole the next day!
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. Seriously, don’t put them in the fridge! The fridge steals all their moisture and makes them taste stiff and sad. They are perfectly fine sitting on the counter for a day or two, though honestly, they are best eaten the day you make them.
If you do have leftovers and they’ve gotten a little soft, don’t toss them! The air fryer is the miracle worker here for reheating. Just pop them back into the air fryer—no need to spray or add anything—at about 325°F (160°C) for just 2 to 3 minutes. That quick blast of intense, dry heat brings back that wonderful crisp exterior and makes them taste almost freshly coated again. It fixes everything that went slightly soft, and it’s my favorite little secret for saving them!
Frequently Asked Questions About These Easy Treats
I always get so many questions when I post these because they seem too good to be true! Because everyone is looking for fast, simple desserts, I’ve compiled the ones I hear most often about these sweet bites. Let’s clear up any confusion so you can get baking!
Are Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes healthier than fried donuts?
Oh, absolutely, yes! This is the best part about using the air fryer for these easy treats. Traditional donuts require submerging them in oil, which soaks up a ton of fat. Since we are cooking ours with just circulating hot air, we use only the little bit of butter in the dough itself. It’s a massive reduction in fat while keeping all the flavor and fluffiness!
Can I use biscuit dough instead of making the dough from scratch for these Easy Treats?
Yes, you totally can, especially if you are desperate for an even quicker version. If you swap out the flour, sugar, milk, egg, and baking powder for one can of refrigerated biscuit pieces, you can skip the dough mixing entirely. Just cut the biscuits into quarters, roll them into balls, and proceed with the recipe. It makes them even more of an easy dessert with few ingredients!
What is the best way to reheat these donut holes?
You know I mentioned this before, but it bears repeating because reheating is crucial for texture! If you try to microwave them, they turn into chewy little hockey pucks. Instead, pop them back in the air fryer at about 325°F (160°C) for 2 to 3 minutes. That brief blast of heat re-crisps the outside beautifully. If you want general tips on adjusting recipes, you might find my thoughts on adding protein powder to mixes useful for future experiments!
Nutritional Estimates for Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes
Now, I know many of you are looking for easy treats, but you also want to keep tabs on what you’re eating, especially for brunch! I’m not a nutritionist, heavens no, I’m in the kitchen measuring butter! But based on the core ingredients used in this recipe and the generous yield of about 18 donut holes, I can give you a ballpark estimate per serving (which we set at four people, meaning about 4-5 donut holes each).
Here are my approximate figures. Remember, because the air frying technique eliminates so much external oil, these are naturally lower in fat than their deep-fried cousins. However, these numbers are just guidelines based on standard measurements, and your actual totals might wiggle a bit depending on the brand of flour or how generously you roll them in the sugar!
- Estimated Calories: 280-310 per serving
- Estimated Fat: 8g per serving
- Estimated Protein: 5g per serving
- Estimated Carbohydrates: 45g per serving
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Share Your Homemade Desserts Experience
I truly hope these Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes bring as much simple joy to your kitchen as they do to mine. Seriously, when you finish rolling those hot balls in that sweet, spicy coating, you have created something truly special, and I want to see it!
Did they come out perfectly crisp? Did your family devour them faster than expected? Please come back here and give this recipe a rating right below—it really helps other bakers know they can trust the process. And if you snap a quick picture of your homemade desserts, please tag us! Sharing our successes is what makes this community so fun.
If you run into any snags or have a brilliant idea that changed the game for you (maybe you tossed in some nutmeg?), don’t forget you can always reach out directly through my contact page. Happy baking, friends!
Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Holes
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 200 g flour
- 70 g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 120 ml milk
- 1 egg
- 30 g melted butter
Coating
- 1 Cinnamon sugar For coating
Instructions
- Mix the flour, sugar, and baking powder together in a bowl.
- Add the milk, egg, and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
- Scoop the dough into small balls and place them in your air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 180°C (356°F) for 8 minutes.
- While the donut holes are hot, roll them in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated.