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

Air fryers are a great way to make delicious treats like donut holes without deep-frying. The air fryer donut holes are soft and fluffy on the inside with a slightly crisp exterior. They are easy to make and can be prepared in under 15 minutes. The basic ingredients include flour, sugar, butter, milk, and cinnamon. You can also add nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla extract for extra flavour. The dough is rolled into balls and placed in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes, before being coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Choosing your ingredients

Dough Options:

• You can use premade biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers or Southern-style/buttermilk biscuits. This is a quick and easy option.
• For a more homemade approach, you can make your own dough with simple ingredients like flour, milk, sugar, egg, butter, and leavening agents like baking powder or yeast.
• If you want an even simpler dough, you can try a two-ingredient dough using self-rising flour and Greek yogurt.

Toppings and Coatings:

• A classic cinnamon-sugar mixture is a popular choice for coating your donut holes. You can also add nutmeg or other spices to the mix.
• For a more indulgent treat, dip your donut holes in a glaze made with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
• Other topping options include sprinkles, powdered sugar, or a chocolate glaze.

Fats:

• Butter is commonly used in the dough to add tenderness and flavour. You can use salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference.
• Oil is also used for greasing the air fryer basket and can be brushed on the donut holes before coating them in cinnamon-sugar. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil are some options.

Leavening Agents:

• Baking powder or baking soda will help your donut holes rise and give them a fluffy texture.
• For an even fluffier texture, you can use yeast instead of baking powder. This will take a bit more time but is still a simple process.

Milk:

Whole milk is recommended over skim milk as it adds extra fat, moisture, and flavour to the donut holes.

Flour:

• All-purpose flour is typically used in donut hole recipes. If you only have self-rising flour, you can adjust by mixing it with a small amount of salt and baking powder/baking soda.
• If you want to make gluten-free donut holes, you can try using gluten-free all-purpose flour.

Preparing the dough

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a basic dough, you will need flour, sugar, butter, and milk. You can also add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves for extra flavour. If you want to make your dough from scratch, you will need an egg and baking powder or yeast. For a simpler option, you can use premade biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers or Southern-style biscuits.

If you are making the dough from scratch, start by combining the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the flour, sugar, a pinch of salt, and any spices you are using. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. You can also add an egg if you want a richer dough.

Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a sticky dough forms. You may need to adjust the consistency by adding small amounts of flour if the dough is too wet, or a little milk if it is too dry.

Once you have a soft dough, it's time to knead it. Lightly flour a clean surface and turn out your dough. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it is smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, grease your hands with a little oil or butter to prevent it from sticking.

Now your dough is ready to be shaped into donut holes!

Shaping the dough

Rolling the Dough:

Start by preparing your dough according to your chosen recipe. The dough should be soft, slightly sticky, and easy to work with. Lightly flour a clean, flat surface and place your dough on it. Using a rolling pin, gently roll out the dough to your desired thickness. Aim for an even thickness throughout the dough, as this will ensure consistent cooking and a uniform shape for your donut holes.

Cutting the Dough:

Use a round cookie cutter or the top of a small glass to cut out circles from the rolled-out dough. The size of the circles can vary depending on your preference for the size of your donut holes. Typically, donut holes are smaller than regular donuts, so aim for a smaller diameter. You can also use a donut hole cutter, which will remove the dough and leave a hole in the centre.

Forming the Donut Holes:

Collect the scraps of dough and gently reform them into a ball. You can then re-roll the dough and cut out more circles until most of the dough has been used. If the dough becomes too sticky, you can lightly flour your hands and the rolling pin to prevent it from sticking to your work surface. Place the cut-out circles of dough onto a floured surface or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Shaping the Donut Holes:

Once you have cut out all your circles, it's time to shape them into balls. Lightly grease your hands with a neutral-flavoured oil or cooking spray, and gently roll each circle of dough into a ball between your palms. This step gives the donut holes their distinctive shape. Place the shaped donut holes onto a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each one to prevent them from sticking together.

Finalising the Shape:

Before placing the donut holes into the air fryer, you can give them a final roll to ensure they are nicely rounded and have a consistent shape. Lightly grease your hands again if needed to prevent the dough from sticking. This step is optional but will give your donut holes a more uniform appearance.

Now your donut holes are shaped and ready to be placed into the air fryer! Remember to follow the cooking instructions for your chosen recipe to ensure they cook evenly and achieve the desired texture. Enjoy your freshly made air-fried donut holes!

Cooking the donut holes

The cooking process for air fryer donut holes will vary depending on the specific recipe you are following. However, there are some general guidelines and tips you can follow to ensure your donut holes turn out perfectly.

First, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, which is typically between 320°F and 360°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.

Next, prepare your donut hole dough according to your chosen recipe. This could involve mixing together dry and wet ingredients, kneading the dough, and shaping it into small balls. The dough can be made with a variety of ingredients, including flour, milk, eggs, butter, and leavening agents like baking powder or yeast.

Once your dough is ready, place the donut holes into the air fryer basket, making sure to space them out evenly to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the donut holes in batches.

Cook the donut holes for the recommended time, which is usually around 4 to 8 minutes. It's important to keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook. Halfway through the cooking time, you may need to flip or shake the air fryer basket to ensure even browning.

While the donut holes are cooking, prepare your coating by melting butter and mixing together cinnamon and sugar in separate bowls.

Once the donut holes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and immediately coat them in the melted butter, followed by the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Make sure to coat all sides evenly. You can also experiment with other coatings, such as powdered sugar, vanilla glaze, or chocolate glaze.

Finally, place the coated donut holes on a wire rack or parchment paper to cool slightly before serving. Donut holes are best enjoyed warm, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Adding toppings

The classic choice is a cinnamon and sugar mix. You can simply combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and roll the donut holes until they are fully coated. You can also dip them in butter before coating to ensure an even thicker layer.

If you're feeling extra indulgent, you can make a glaze by whisking together powdered sugar and milk, with a touch of vanilla. You can also experiment with different glazes, like chocolate, strawberry, or cream cheese. For a citrusy twist, replace the milk and vanilla with orange juice.

For a healthier option, brush the donut holes with maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon for an oil-free and refined sugar-free treat.

Don't be afraid to get creative with your toppings. You can try a variety of spices like pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, nutmeg, or ground cloves. You can also add some crunch with sprinkles or dip them in melted chocolate.

The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite combinations. Enjoy your sweet treats!

Frequently asked questions