Are you a fan of donuts but looking for a healthier and easier way to make them at home? Then I got the perfect recipe for you. Check out these air fryer doughnut holes!
With just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can whip up a batch of delicious, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside donut holes in no time.
This recipe uses scone mix as the base, which makes it even easier to put together. Simply add milk to the mix, knead until the dough forms, and then cut out rounds with a cookie cutter.
After a quick air fry at 400F for 7-8 minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked donut holes ready to be topped with a classic cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Very Easy To Make: This donut holes air fryer recipe is incredibly simple to put together, using just a few basic ingredients that can be easily found at your local grocery store.
Plus, the use of an air fryer cuts down on cooking time, allowing you to enjoy your delicious treats in just a matter of minutes.
Healthier Than Traditional Donuts: Unlike traditional donuts, which are often fried in oil, this recipe uses an air fryer to cook the donut holes with little to no oil.
This means that you can enjoy the same great taste and texture of donuts without the added calories and unhealthy fats.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast treat, a fun snack for a party, or a delicious dessert, these air fryer donut holes are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Family-Friendly and Fun: Making these air fryer donut holes is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy.
👨🍳 Air Fryer Donut Holes Ingredients
For this air fryer donut holes recipe you will need:
- 10.5 oz (300g) Scone Mix
- 5floz (150ml) Milk
- 5 tablespoons Sugar (granulated)
- 5 tablespoon Butter
- 1 1/4 tablespoons Cinnamon (ground)
⭐ Making Air Fryer Doughnut Holes
Follow this air fryer donut holes recipe, it’s super easy:
Step 1
Add the scone mix to a mixing bowl. Then, start gradually adding milk. Knead the mixture until the dough forms.
Step 2
Pat the dough onto a floured surface. It should be around 2 inches thick. Then, use a cookie cutter to cut it into rounds and form the doughnut holes.
Step 3
After spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray, place the donuts inside in a single layer.
Step 4
Air fry at 400F (200C) for 7-8 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket after the first 5 minutes.
Step 5
To make the topping for these air fryer doughnut holes, add the sugar and cinnamon to a mixing bowl. Mix them together.
Step 6
Melt the butter in another small mixing bowl.
Step 7
Remove the donut holes from the air fryer and dip them in the melted butter while they are hot. Then, dip them in the cinnamon mixture.
That’s it! Enjoy these delicious air fryer donut holes!
🟢 More Air Fryer Recipes
If you liked making these air fryer donut holes from scratch, check out these recipes as well:
- Air Fryer Frozen Mini Tacos
- Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki Thighs
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
💡 Tips
1. Try Different Toppings
While the cinnamon-sugar mixture is a classic and delicious topping, you can always try new and creative options. Some of them are:
Powdered sugar: Dust the donut holes with powdered sugar for a tasty treat.
Glazes: Mix powdered sugar with a small amount of milk and your choice of extract (vanilla, almond, lemon, etc.) to create a flavorful glaze. Dip the donut holes in the glaze or drizzle it over them.
Chocolate ganache: Melt equal parts chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. Dip the donut holes in the ganache or drizzle it over the top. I tried it, and it’s amazingly tasty!
2. Adding Fillings
For an extra burst of flavor, you can add various fillings to your air fryer donut holes.
To do this, fill a piping bag with your desired filling and insert a small, round piping tip.
Once the donut holes are cooked and cooled slightly, gently insert the tip into the center of each donut hole and squeeze the filling inside. Some filling ideas include:
- Fruit preserves or jams
- Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread
- Custard or pudding
- Whipped cream
- Dulce de leche or caramel
3. Don’t Overcrowd The Air Fryer
To ensure even cooking and prevent the donut holes from sticking together, make sure to space them evenly in the air fryer basket.
Also, keep in mind that all air fryers are a bit different. Monitor your donut holes during the cooking process and adjust the time and temperature as needed.
If you find that the outside is browning too quickly, lower the temperature and cook for a longer time to ensure the inside is fully cooked.
4. Serve Them Hot
The warm and slightly crispy texture, combined with the sweet and cinnamon-y flavor, is sure to delight your taste buds. Serve the donut holes straight from the air fryer basket, allowing your guests to enjoy them hot and crispy as they come out of the machine.
5. Serve With Coffee Or Tea
The sweet and cinnamon-y flavor of the donut holes pairs perfectly with the rich and complex flavor of coffee, or the subtle and soothing flavor of tea.
You can also serve the donut holes with a flavored latte or cappuccino to create a truly indulgent and enjoyable treat.
✔️ Variations
Chocolate Glazed Donut Holes: If you are a chocolate lover, try dipping the warm air fryer doughnut holes in a chocolate glaze instead of the classic cinnamon sugar.
To make the glaze, melt together 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream.
Dip the doughnut holes in the chocolate glaze and allow them to cool for about 10 minutes.
Strawberry Filled Donut Holes: Fill the air fryer doughnut holes with strawberry jam. Use a piping bag to inject the filling into the center of the doughnut after they have cooled.
Dust with powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze.
Lemon Poppyseed Donut Holes: For a tangy and fresh flavor, add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds to the dough mixture before kneading.
After cooking, dust with powdered sugar and a drizzle of lemon juice glaze.
Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes: Add 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the dough mixture before kneading.
Dust with cinnamon sugar and serve with a warm cup of pumpkin spice latte.
Maple Glazed Donut Holes: For a sweet and indulgent treat, try dipping the warm doughnut holes in a maple glaze.
Mix about 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of milk to make the glaze.
Dip the doughnut holes in the glaze and allow them to cool.
Blueberry Lemon Donut Holes: Add 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough mixture before kneading.
Dust with powdered sugar and serve with a lemon curd dipping sauce.
Caramel Apple Donut Holes: For a classic fall flavor, add 1/2 cup of diced apples and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the dough mixture before kneading.
After cooking, drizzle the warm doughnut holes with caramel sauce and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Serve with warm apple cider.
👪 FAQ
Can I make the doughnut holes ahead of time and reheat them later?
Yes, you can make the doughnut holes ahead of time and reheat them later in the air fryer or microwave. But, keep in mind that the texture may not be as crispy as freshly made doughnut holes.
Can I freeze the doughnut holes?
Yes, you can freeze the doughnut holes for up to one month. Allow them to cool completely before freezing, and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
When ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat them in the air fryer (for 4-5 minutes).
Can I use a different type of topping for the doughnut holes?
Sure, you can use any type of topping, such as powdered sugar, glaze, or chocolate sauce. Feel free to experiment with different flavors and toppings to suit your preferences.
I hope you liked my donut holes air fryer recipe. This easy and delicious treat is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without taking too much time in the kitchen.
You can serve this tasty snack as a dessert or even as an appetizer. The air fryer makes the donut holes nice and crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.
If you have any questions about this air fryer donut holes recipe – feel free to comment below. Also, check out other great air fryer recipes on my website. I add new recipes every week. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Doughnut Holes
- 10.5 oz Scone Mix (300g)
- 5 floz Milk (150ml)
- 5 tablespoons Sugar (granulated)
- 5 tablespoon Butter
- 1 1/4 tablespoons Cinnamon (ground)
- Add the scone mix to a mixing bowl. Then, start gradually adding milk. Knead the mixture until the dough forms.
- Pat the dough onto a floured surface. It should be around 2 inches thick. Then, use a cookie cutter to cut it into rounds and form the doughnut holes.
- After spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray, place the donuts inside in a single layer.
- Air fry them at 400F (200C) for 7-8 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket after the first 5 minutes.
- To make the topping- add the sugar and cinnamon to a mixing bowl. Mix them together.
- In another small mixing bowl- melt the butter.
- Remove the donut holes from the air fryer and dip them in the melted butter while they are hot. Then, dip them in the cinnamon mixture.
