Air Fryer Donut Holes: Easy, Quick, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient and healthier alternative to deep frying, and they can be used to make a delicious treat—donut holes. With just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can make this scrumptious snack in minutes. The air fryer's ability to cook food evenly and quickly makes it perfect for creating fluffy, soft, and crispy donut holes.

How to make the dough

To make the dough for air fryer donut holes, you'll need a few simple ingredients. Most recipes call for self-rising flour or all-purpose flour, sugar, and a leavening agent such as yeast or baking powder. Some recipes also include salt, butter, eggs, and milk.

Start by mixing together your dry ingredients in a large bowl. This will typically include the flour, sugar, and any leavening agents and spices you're using. Once your dry ingredients are combined, create a well in the centre and add your wet ingredients. This may include milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.

Stir the mixture gently until it forms a soft, dough-like consistency. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your donut holes tough. If you're using yeast, you'll need to activate it first by sprinkling it over lukewarm milk and adding a little sugar. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Once your dough is ready, you can start shaping your donut holes. Take small portions of the dough and roll them into balls, aiming for a size of approximately 1 inch in diameter. You can use your hands or a cookie scoop to achieve a consistent size.

If you're using a yeast-based dough, you'll need to let it rise before cooking your donut holes. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size. This may take about an hour or more, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.

Now you're ready to cook your donut holes in your preheated air fryer! Lightly grease the air fryer basket and place the shaped dough, leaving a little space between each piece. Cook at around 350°F (175-180°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

How to shape the donut holes

Shaping donut holes for an air fryer is a simple process. The first step is to gather your dough and a cookie scoop or cutter. If you don't have a cookie scoop, you can use your hands to achieve a similar size and shape. Take small portions of the dough and roll them into balls, aiming for a diameter of around 1 inch.

If you're using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into the desired shape and size. You can also use a wide drinking glass or a wide-mouthed canning ring if you don't have a cutter. Alternatively, you can use the lid from a drink bottle to cut out the donut holes.

Once you've shaped your donut holes, place them on a lightly floured surface or parchment paper, leaving some space between each one as they will expand during frying. You can also spray the donut holes with cooking oil spray to prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Now you're ready to start frying! Place the donut holes into the preheated air fryer basket and follow your recipe's cooking instructions.

How to cook the donut holes in the air fryer

How to Cook Donut Holes in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make donut holes in an air fryer:

• 1 cup of flour
• 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 cup of milk (any type)
• 1/4 cup of melted butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Cooking spray or oil for greasing the air fryer basket
• Cinnamon and sugar for coating (optional)

Method

• Mix the dry ingredients: Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure they are evenly distributed.
• Add the wet ingredients: Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donut holes tough.
• Shape the donut holes: Take small portions of the dough and roll them into balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter. You can use your hands or a cookie scoop for this step.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C). This step ensures that the donut holes cook evenly and have a golden exterior.
• Grease the air fryer basket: Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
• Place the donut holes in the basket: Put the shaped donut holes in the basket, leaving a little space between each piece for proper airflow. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can affect the cooking time and result in uneven cooking.
• Air fry the donut holes: Cook the donut holes in the preheated air fryer for about 5-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. For even cooking, flip them halfway through using tongs or a fork.
• Prepare the glaze or coating (optional): While the donut holes are cooling, you can prepare a glaze or coating. Traditional options include a simple powdered sugar glaze, a chocolate glaze, or rolling the donut holes in cinnamon and sugar.
• Enjoy: Serve the donut holes as they are or with your chosen glaze or coating.

Tips:

• Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough donut holes.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket: Leave space between each donut hole to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.
• Experiment with flavours: Try different flavours and toppings such as hazelnut extract, melted chocolate, crushed hazelnuts, or filling the donut holes with jam or jelly.

How to make a glaze

Making a glaze for your donuts is simple and only requires a few ingredients. Here is a basic glaze recipe that you can adapt to your taste:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240g) of powdered sugar, also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar
• 1/2 to 2/3 cup (80-120ml) of milk or cream. You can also use non-dairy milk alternatives.
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you want a pure white glaze, use clear vanilla extract.
• A pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions:

• Start by adding the powdered sugar to a bowl. If your sugar is lumpy, sift it into the bowl to remove any lumps and create a smooth glaze.
• Add your milk or cream. The amount of milk you use will depend on how thick you want your glaze to be. Start with less and gradually add more until you achieve the desired consistency.
• Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
• (Optional) Add a pinch of salt to cut through the sweetness and enhance the other flavors.
• Mix all the ingredients until you have a smooth and fluid glaze.
• Dip your donuts into the glaze, making sure to coat both sides.
• Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack to allow any excess glaze to drip off and let them sit until the glaze sets. This should take around 20 minutes.

You can also experiment with different flavors by replacing the milk with fruit juice or swapping the vanilla with other extracts or citrus zest. For example, you can make a chocolate glaze by adding cocoa powder or melted chocolate to the mixture.

How to store leftover donut holes

Donut holes are best consumed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate or freeze them.

If you choose to refrigerate your leftover donut holes, make sure to use an airtight container, and they will last for 3-4 days. Refrigerating them will give them a firmer texture.

Freezing is another option, and donut holes will last for up to three months in the freezer. It is best to freeze unglazed donut holes, and you can reheat them in the air fryer and glaze them once they are out of the oven.

To store leftover donut holes, follow these steps:

• Allow the donut holes to cool completely before storing.
• Place the donut holes in an airtight container. You can use a zip-top bag with the air squeezed out, plastic wrap, or a lidded plastic or glass storage container.
• Keep the sealed container at room temperature, away from sunlight, and consume within 1-2 days.

If you have glazed donut holes, be aware that the glaze may melt and absorb into the donut, making them soggy. To prevent this, it is recommended to store them in a slightly open container or on a glass cake platter to allow some airflow.

Additionally, if you have filled donut holes, such as those with dairy-based or jelly fillings, it is best to store them in the refrigerator to prevent the filling from spoiling or growing mould.

By following these storage guidelines, you can enjoy your leftover donut holes for a few days while maintaining their freshness and quality.

Frequently asked questions