Craving warm, sweet donuts without the mess and oil of deep-frying? Look no further! These amazing air fryer donut holes are your new favorite treat. You can whip up a batch in just 20 minutes with only a few simple ingredients.
They offer a healthier alternative to traditional donuts, giving you all the deliciousness with less guilt. Get ready to enjoy perfectly golden, soft, and chewy bites, coated in irresistible cinnamon sugar.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Donut Holes
You’ll quickly fall in love with these easy air fryer donut holes for so many reasons.
- Quick and Easy: They are ready to enjoy in just minutes, perfect for busy schedules.
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need 6 pantry staples to create this delightful treat.
- Healthier Alternative: Air frying means less oil than deep-frying, making them a lighter option. According to Healthline, air-fried foods are lower in fat than deep-fried foods, which can help reduce calorie intake.
- Delicious Texture: Each bite offers a wonderfully soft, fluffy, and chewy experience.
- Perfectly Coated: Enjoy the classic, sweet crunch of cinnamon sugar on every piece.
- No Yeast Required: Forget long proofing times; this recipe is yeast-free and instant.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These bite-sized treats are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack anytime.
Ingredients
Making these incredible air fryer donut holes requires only a handful of common ingredients. You likely have most of these in your kitchen already!
For the Donut Holes:
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) Greek yogurt: Full-fat works best for a tender texture and rich flavor.
- 120 g (1 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour: The standard base for our dough.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder: This provides the lift and fluffiness.
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 60 g (2.1oz – approx. half a stick) unsalted butter: Melted for dipping, it helps the sugar stick.
- 75 g (1/3 cup) granulated sugar: For classic sweetness in the coating.
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon: Essential for that irresistible flavor.
Also:
- Neutral oil: A little bit for greasing your hands and the air fryer basket.
Notes & Substitutions
- Greek Yogurt: Full-fat Greek yogurt yields the best results, creating moist and tender donut holes. You can use low-fat Greek yogurt, but the texture might be slightly less rich. For a dairy-free option, use a thick, plain dairy-free yogurt alternative, ensuring it has a similar consistency to Greek yogurt.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is essential for this recipe. Do not substitute with cake flour or bread flour as they have different protein contents that affect the dough texture.
- Sweetener: Granulated sugar is perfect for the cinnamon sugar coating. For an extra fine coating, you can use caster sugar. For a different flavor, try a brown sugar and cinnamon variation for a caramel-like note.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is key to the classic flavor. Feel free to experiment with other warm spices like ground nutmeg, a pinch of cardamom, or a pumpkin pie spice blend for seasonal variations.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds a rich flavor and helps the coating adhere. If you need a dairy-free option, use a plant-based butter alternative that melts well.
- Oil: Any neutral-flavored oil works well for greasing. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, or a non-stick cooking spray are all great choices.
Equipment
You don’t need much specialized gear to make these delicious air fryer donut holes.
- Air Fryer: This is the star appliance, making these donuts crispy and golden.
- Large mixing bowl: For easily combining your dough ingredients.
- Small bowls: You’ll need two small bowls, one for melted butter and one for the cinnamon sugar.
- Spoon or spatula: Useful for initial mixing of the dough ingredients.
- Pastry brush (optional): Handy for evenly greasing the air fryer basket.
Instructions For Air Fryer Donut Holes
Creating these delightful air fryer donut holes is simple and quick. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.
- Prepare the Dough: Place the Greek yogurt, plain flour, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: Mix everything together using your hands or a sturdy spoon until all ingredients are well combined. This should only take a minute or two to form a cohesive dough.
- Shape Dough Balls: Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Grease your hands lightly with a neutral oil before shaping each piece into a smooth, even ball. Greasing your hands helps prevent stickiness.
- Grease Air Fryer Basket: Lightly grease the inside of your air fryer basket. You can use spray oil or brush on a little neutral oil. This prevents the donut holes from sticking.
- Arrange Donut Holes: Carefully add the dough balls into the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave a bit of space between each ball, as they will expand slightly during cooking.
- Begin Air Frying: Cook on the air fryer setting at 180C/350F for 8-9 minutes.
- Shake Halfway: Check halfway through the cooking time and give the basket a gentle shake. This helps ensure even browning and prevents the donut holes from sticking to the basket.
- Cook Until Golden: Continue cooking until the air fryer donut holes are beautifully golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare Coating: While the donut holes are cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a small bowl. In a second small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, mixing them well.
- Coat Donut Holes: Once cooked, immediately drop one warm donut hole into the melted butter. Roll it around to coat it completely.
- Roll in Cinnamon Sugar: Transfer the butter-coated donut hole to the bowl with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll it around until it’s fully coated on all sides.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the coated donut hole to a serving plate. Repeat the coating process with the remaining warm donut holes. Serve these delicious treats immediately for the best experience!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
These tips will help you achieve perfect air fryer donut holes every time.
- Dough Consistency: If your dough feels too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour, a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a small splash of Greek yogurt.
- Even Cooking: Always shake your air fryer basket gently halfway through cooking. This promotes even browning and ensures all sides are cooked.
- Prevent Sticking: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to leave enough space between the donut holes. Greasing the basket is also crucial.
- Golden Perfection: Keep an eye on your donut holes during the last few minutes of cooking. Air fryers can vary, so adjust cooking time slightly until they are perfectly golden.
- Greasing Hands: Lightly oiling your hands before rolling the dough balls makes the process much less sticky and easier.
- Flavor Boost: Using quality full-fat Greek yogurt truly makes a difference in the moisture and richness of the donut holes.
- Coating Warm: Apply the butter and cinnamon sugar coating while the donut holes are still warm. The warmth helps the butter stick and the sugar melt slightly for a better coating.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These versatile air fryer donut holes are delicious on their own or with creative additions.
Serving Suggestions:
- Classic Cinnamon Sugar: Enjoy them as is, warm and fresh from the air fryer.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some chocolate chips and drizzle over the top for an extra treat.
- Powdered Sugar Dusting: For a simple, elegant finish, dust with powdered sugar.
- Fruit Compote: Serve alongside a berry or apple compote for a fruity pairing.
- Beverage Buddy: They are perfect with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.
Storage:
- Store any cooled donut holes in an airtight container.
- Keep them at room temperature for up to 1 day for best freshness.
- For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain some warmth and crispness.
Freezing:
- These donut holes are truly best enjoyed fresh.
- If you must freeze them, do so before coating. Freeze individual, cooked, and cooled donut holes on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw, then warm in the air fryer and coat as directed.
Flavor Variations:
- Lemon Zest & Powdered Sugar: Add lemon zest to the dough and dust with powdered sugar.
- Maple Glaze & Chopped Nuts: Drizzle with a simple maple glaze and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Coconut & Lime Zest: Mix shredded coconut and lime zest into the sugar coating.
- Chocolate Chip Dough: Fold a few mini chocolate chips into the dough before rolling.
- Mixed Spice Coating: Combine cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg and cardamom for an aromatic coating.
Nutrition
Here is the approximate nutritional information per serving for these air fryer donut holes. This information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 74 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 6 mg |
| Sodium | 4 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 1.1 g |
| Serving Size | 1 serving |
Disclaimer: These are approximate values. Actual nutritional content may vary depending on specific brands and quantities of ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of Greek yogurt is best?
Full-fat Greek yogurt is highly recommended as it contributes significantly to the donut holes’ moistness and tender crumb.
Can I use self-rising flour?
You can, but you will need to adjust or even omit the baking powder. Self-rising flour already contains leavening agents.
My dough is too sticky/dry. What should I do?
If sticky, add a teaspoon of flour at a time. If too dry, add a small amount of Greek yogurt gradually until the right consistency is reached.
Conclusion
These homemade air fryer donut holes are a true game-changer, proving that delicious treats don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In just 20 minutes, you can create perfectly soft, warm, and sweet bites that will satisfy any craving. They’re a fantastic, healthier alternative to deep-fried donuts, making them a treat you can feel good about.
Don’t wait – give this recipe a try and experience the joy of quick, easy, and utterly delightful homemade donuts. We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please share your comments and ratings below!
Air Fryer Donut Holes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, flour, and baking powder to form a cohesive dough.
- Divide dough into 12 pieces and roll each into a ball with lightly oiled hands.
- Grease the air fryer basket lightly with neutral oil.
- Place dough balls into the basket with space between each. Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 8–9 minutes, shaking halfway.
- While cooking, melt butter in one bowl. In another bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon.
- Once cooked, roll each warm donut hole in melted butter, then coat with cinnamon sugar.
- Serve immediately while warm for the best taste and texture.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt for best texture.
- A dairy-free yogurt and plant butter can be used as substitutes.
