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

Making doughnut holes in an air fryer is a convenient and healthier alternative to deep-frying. You can make the dough from scratch or use pre-made biscuit dough. The dough is made with a combination of flour, sugar, yeast, butter, egg, milk, and a leavening agent. The dough is then shaped into small balls and cooked in the air fryer for a few minutes until golden brown. After cooking, the doughnut holes can be coated in butter, cinnamon-sugar, or a simple glaze.

How to make the dough

To make the dough for air fryer donut holes, you'll need the following ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Milk (whole, low-fat, or any type of your preference)
• Cane sugar or white granulated sugar
• Instant dry yeast or active dry yeast
• Vanilla extract
• Butter (some at room temperature, and some melted)
• An egg (medium or large) at room temperature
• Ground cinnamon

You may also need some oil spray or cooking spray, and a glaze of your choice.

Begin by combining the sugar, milk, and dry yeast in a large bowl. Ensure the milk is warm, but not hot, so as not to harm the yeast. Add the butter, egg, vanilla extract, and flour, and knead well using an electric mixer with spiral dough hooks or your hands. The dough should be soft, elastic, and slightly sticky. If it feels too sticky, add a little more flour, and if it feels too dry, add a touch more warm milk.

Cover the bowl with cling film and place it in a warm, draft-free place for an hour, or until the dough has roughly doubled in size. You can also transfer the dough to a bread maker or multicooker and use the bread rise mode for 30-40 minutes.

Once the dough has risen, place it on a lightly floured surface and cut it into small pieces. Shape the dough into balls, each no larger than 1 inch in diameter, and cover them with a dish towel. Let the dough balls rest for another 30 minutes.

How to shape the donut holes

Shaping the perfect donut holes is an important step in making delicious air-fried donuts. Here is a detailed guide to help you achieve the desired shape:

Start by preparing your dough as per your chosen recipe. Once your dough is ready, it's time to shape the donut holes. Take small portions of the dough and roll them into balls using your hands or a cookie scoop. Aim for a consistent size, approximately 1 inch in diameter. This ensures even cooking in the air fryer. Cover the shaped dough balls with a dish towel and let them rest for about 30 minutes to allow them to rise slightly.

Next, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically around 350-375°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.

Now, carefully place the dough balls into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each ball. Avoid overcrowding the basket as it can affect cooking time and doneness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the donut holes in batches.

Close the air fryer and cook the donut holes for about 5-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. For even browning and cooking, remember to flip the donut holes halfway through the cooking time using tongs or a fork.

Once they are cooked to perfection, remove the donut holes from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. You can now enjoy them as they are or take it up a notch by adding various coatings or fillings. For a classic approach, roll the warm donut holes in cinnamon sugar for a mouthwatering treat. Alternatively, dip them in a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and lemon juice or fill them with your favorite jam for a fruity surprise.

How to cook the donut holes in the air fryer

Now that you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to cook your donut holes in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preparing the Dough

Before you start cooking, ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients, including flour, sugar, yeast, milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Also, make sure your yeast is active by combining it with warm milk and a bit of sugar; if it's working, you should see some foam after about 5 to 10 minutes.

Now, it's time to make the dough. In a large bowl, mix together your dry ingredients: flour, sugar, yeast, and any other dry ingredients you're using. Once combined, add in the wet ingredients: milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until a soft dough forms. You can use an electric mixer with spiral dough hooks or do this by hand. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour; if it's too dry, add a touch more warm milk.

First Rise

Cover your mixing bowl with cling film or plastic wrap, and place it in a warm, draft-free spot. Let the dough rise for about an hour, or until it has roughly doubled in size. This step is crucial for light and airy donuts, so don't skip it!

Shaping the Donut Holes

Once your dough has risen, it's time to shape it into donut holes. On a lightly floured surface, roll out your dough to about 0.5 inches thick. Use a small cookie cutter or the top of a narrow bottle to cut out circles for your donut holes. Place the shaped donut holes on a baking sheet or tray, leaving a little space between each one, and let them rise for another 30 to 45 minutes.

Cooking the Donut Holes

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-375°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Place the donut holes inside, making sure they're in a single layer and not overlapping. Cook for about 5-8 minutes, or until the donut holes are golden brown and cooked through. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Coating and Serving

For a simple coating, melt some butter in one bowl, and combine cinnamon and sugar in another bowl. Dip each donut hole in the melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. You can also experiment with different coatings, like powdered sugar or a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and lemon juice. Enjoy your homemade donut holes! They're best served fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container for a day or two.

How to make a glaze

Making a glaze for your air fryer donut holes is simple and only requires a few ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a basic glaze:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of confectioner's sugar, sifted
• A pinch of salt (optional)
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 10 to 12 tablespoons of milk or cream

Instructions:

• Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl: Start by adding the confectioner's sugar to the bowl, and if your sugar is lumpy, you can sift it into the bowl to remove any lumps.
• Add the milk or cream: You can use anything from skimmed milk to cream or non-dairy milk alternatives.
• Add the vanilla extract: You can use clear vanilla extract if you want a pure white glaze, as some vanilla extracts can add a brown hue to the glaze.
• Mix until smooth and fluid: Use a whisk or a spatula to mix all the ingredients until you have a smooth and fluid glaze.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions:

• Make-ahead: You can make this glaze ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you need it. Simply cover the bowl with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. Remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before using and stir to loosen the glaze.
• Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze the donut glaze.
• Storage: If your glaze contains milk, it is best to consume the glazed donuts within a day or two. You can store them at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Variations and Tips:

• Flavour variations: You can experiment with different flavours by replacing the milk with your favourite fruit juice or swapping the vanilla extract with other extracts or citrus zest. For example, you can add a tablespoon of citrus zest, such as lemon or orange zest, for a fruity twist.
• Adjusting sweetness: If you prefer your glaze less sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar by a few tablespoons. Alternatively, you can add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavours.
• Thickening the glaze: If your glaze is too thin, add more confectioner's sugar a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. A thicker glaze will also help it stick to the donuts better.
• Ensuring a smooth glaze: To avoid lumps in your glaze, be sure to sift your confectioner's sugar before combining it with the liquid ingredients.
• Glaze hardening: Donut glaze will harden as it sets. After glazing your donuts, let them sit for a while to allow the glaze to harden. You can even place them in the fridge to speed up the process.

Now you have a basic glaze recipe and some tips to get you started! Feel free to experiment with different flavours and adjust the recipe to your taste. Enjoy glazing your air fryer donut holes!

How to store the donut holes

Donut holes are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have any leftovers, you can store them in a sealed container at room temperature. They will stay good for the next day, but they won't be as tasty as when they were fresh.

If you want to store your donut holes for longer, you can place them in an airtight container or Ziplock bag and keep them at room temperature for one to two days. Make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent drying or mould. You can also refrigerate them, but this may affect their texture and make them soggy.

If you want to freeze your donut holes, it is best to do so without any glaze or toppings. Frozen donut holes can be reheated in the air fryer and glazed once they are out of the oven.

• Donut holes are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored for a day or two.
• Store them in a sealed container at room temperature.
• For longer storage, use an airtight container or Ziplock bag and keep at room temperature for one to two days.
• Avoid direct sunlight and moisture to prevent drying or mould.
• Refrigeration may affect their texture and make them soggy.
• Freeze only unglazed donut holes and reheat them in the air fryer before glazing.

Frequently asked questions