No frying required! These irresistible air fryer cinnamon sugar donut holes are light, sweet, and covered in a dusting of cinnamon sugar that will remind you of your childhood.
You won't be able to stop popping these little donuts in your mouth! They may take a little time to prep but air frying makes them so easy that you'll want to indulge in these homemade donut holes every day.
Homemade Donut Holes
Some people like glazed donuts, but cinnamon sugar donut holes will always have a special place in my heart. They remind me of cinnamon French toast on early Saturday mornings. These chewy cinnamon sugar doughnut holes are delicious for breakfast or to show off at your next brunch.
The best thing about this donut ball recipe is that it uses the air fryer instead of lots of messy oil. The air fryer uses air instead of oil to fry food, so it's healthier for you (and a lot less messy). Use it to make asiago bagels or corned beef hash and eggs. Just think how much easier it is to clean up after these cinnamon donut holes in the air fryer than in a deep fryer or skillet.
What are donut holes?
Who invented donut holes?
Donut holes were invented by Hanson Gregory, a seafarer, while on a lime-trading ship in 1847. He didn't like the doughy center of a fried doughnut and cut out the middle. After his ship landed, he showed his mom and she started making ring-shaped doughnuts and covered them with sugar and spices.
How are donut holes made?
Traditional donut holes are simply the middle of the dough that's left after the donuts have been cut out from it. Basically, they are mini donuts. They are cooked in the same way as the donuts.
Another Name for Donut Holes
Donut holes are also called donut bites. Dunkin Donuts calls them Munchkins and Tim Hortons calls them Timbits.
Can you make donut holes in an air fryer?
Absolutely, yes! And that's what this recipe is all about. It's so much easier to make cinnamon donut holes in an air fryer basket than in a deep fryer. All you do is place them in the air fryer and let it do all the work.
Why This is the Best Air Fryer Donut Holes Recipe
This easy donut hole recipe shows you how to make donut holes from scratch - with yeast and everything! You'll taste the difference when you make homemade donut holes with yeast. They are fluffy, and chewy, with the perfect amount of air and rise. The dough itself is also slightly sweet - which the cinnamon sugar coating enhances.
These are not made with biscuits or Bisquick. These cinnamon doughnut holes are completely homemade - just not deep fried. Using the air fryer keeps them crispy without being greasy.
Ingredients
For the air fryer donut holes from scratch, you'll need:
- Active dry yeast - make sure that your yeast is not past the expiration date prior to starting
- Granulated sugar - adds sweetness
- Milk - any type of milk can be used. Make sure the milk has reached a temperature between 100-110 degrees.
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Egg
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon
- Cinnamon Sugar - can be replaced with powdered sugar or dip the donut hole in melted chocolate
For coating donut holes with cinnamon sugar, you'll need:
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Butter
How to Make Donut Holes in an Air Fryer
Preparing dough
- In a large bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. If the yeast is not bubbling, your yeast may be too old. Start again with fresh yeast.
- Your yeast should look like this if the yeast is active.
- Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg.
- Stir well.
- Combine the flour and cinnamon and add to the yeast mixture.
- Mix until the ingredients form a soft dough.
- Transfer the dough to a floured workspace and knead for about 4 minutes or until smooth. Place in a bowl, cover, and let rest until doubled in size. About 2 hours.
- Remove the dough from the bowl, place it on a floured surface, roll into log shapes and cut it into 18 small pieces. DO NOT PUNCH THE DOUGH DOWN.
- Shape the pieces into balls. Place them on a baking sheet and let them sit for about 40 minutes.
How to air fry donut holes
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes then place a few of the donut holes into the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd them so they cook properly. You will need to do several batches.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown.
Making Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- Place butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Melt butter in the microwave. It should take about 20-30 seconds.
- Place cinnamon and sugar in a bowl.
- Stir.
- Dip the donut hole in butter then roll in cinnamon sugar.
Recipe Tips
- If your yeast doesn't bloom, it may be dead. Throw it out and try again with a new packet.
- If using rapid rise yeast, you can skip the 5-minute rest for the yeast to bloom.
- Get the milk to the right temperature to activate the yeast. It should be between 100 and 110°F.
- For a lighter coating of cinnamon sugar, skip rolling the air-fried donut holes in butter.
- Be sure to leave space between them in the air fryer so they cook evenly.
Recipe Variations
- Glazed Donut Holes - Combine 1½ cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Dip the donut holes in the glaze instead of coating them with cinnamon sugar.
- Chocolate Coated Donut Holes - Melt chopped chocolate, milk, dark or white, in microwave-safe dish then dip donut holes in warm chocolate. Allow to sit on wire rack until cooled.
- Gluten Free Donut Holes - Substitute the all-purpose flour with 1:1 gluten free baking flour.
- Dairy Free Donuts Holes - Substitute the butter with coconut oil and substitute the milk with almond milk or other plant-based milk.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
These air fried donuts are best served fresh and warm. In case you have extra, here's information on storing, freezing, and reheating them:
To Store: Place the donut holes in an airtight container or plastic ziptop bag and store them at room temperature. They will last up to 3 days.
To Freeze: Place the donut holes in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. They will last up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator or on the countertop.
To Reheat: Microwave for about 10 seconds, or until warm.
More Donut Recipes
- Baked Apple Cider Donuts coated with maple syrup and cinnamon sugar.
- Baked Banana Donuts with chocolate glaze.
- Baked Chocolate Donuts with white chocolate glaze.
- Baked Lemon Blueberry Donuts with lemon glaze.
- Baked Pumpkin Donuts with crumb topping.
- Baked Vanilla Donuts with chocolate glaze are gluten-free.
Find lots of easy donut recipes here on 2CM!
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Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Ingredients
Donut Holes
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup milk warned to 100-110°F
- 3 Tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 Tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
Donut Holes
- In a large bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes (after this time the yeast should start foaming)
- Once the yeast mixture starts foaming, add the melted butter, vanilla, and egg. Mix ingredients well.
- Combine the flour and cinnamon. Add to the yeast mixture and mix until they are fully integrated and a soft dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured workspace and knead the dough for about 4 minutes or until smooth.
- Place the dough in a large oiled bowl, cover it with a towel, set it in a warm place, and let it rest for about 2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Remove the dough from the bowl. Place on a floured surface, roll into logs then cut it into 18 small pieces. DO NOT PUNCH THE DOUGH DOWN.
- Shape the pieces into balls and place them on a baking sheet and let them sit for about 40 minutes.
- When ready to air fry, preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
- Place the donut holes in the air fryer basket being careful not to overcrowd. It may take more than one batch. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- Use a small bowl to combine the sugar and cinnamon.
- Place the butter in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for about 20-30 seconds or until butter has melted.
- While still warm, roll the donuts in melted butter then in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Note: If you like a lighter cinnamon sugar coating, skip the butter and just roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve warm or let them cool and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- If your yeast doesn't bloom, it may be dead. Throw it out and try again with a new packet.
- If using rapid rise yeast, you can skip the 5-minute rest for the yeast to bloom.
- Get the milk to the right temperature to activate the yeast. It should be between 100 and 110°F.
- For a lighter coating of cinnamon sugar, skip rolling the air-fried donut holes in butter.
- Be sure to leave space between the donut holes in the air fryer so they cook evenly.
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