Few treats bring instant joy like warm donut holes—soft on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and coated in sugar or glaze. With an air fryer, you can make Air Fryer Donut Holes at home in minutes, without deep frying, messy oil, or complicated steps.
These donut holes are perfect for:
- Quick breakfast treats
- Kid-friendly snacks
- Weekend brunch
- Parties & celebrations
- Late-night sweet cravings
This complete long-form guide covers everything you need to know to make perfect air fryer donut holes every time.
What Are Air Fryer Donut Holes?
Air Fryer Donut Holes are bite-sized donuts made in the air fryer instead of being deep-fried. They’re usually prepared using:
- Biscuit dough (quick & easy), or
- Simple homemade dough (from scratch)
The air fryer cooks them with circulating hot air, giving you a tender, fluffy interior with a lightly crisp exterior—using little to no oil.
Why Make Donut Holes in the Air Fryer?
Traditional donuts require deep frying, which means hot oil, long cleanup, and extra calories. The air fryer offers a smarter alternative.
Benefits of Air Fryer Donut Holes
✔ No deep frying
✔ Ready in under 10 minutes
✔ Less oil, less mess
✔ Kid-friendly & fun to make
✔ Perfect for small batches
✔ Great texture every time
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🍩 Soft, fluffy centers
- ⏱ Super quick (10 minutes or less)
- 🧒 Loved by kids & adults
- 🧽 Easy cleanup
- 🍬 Customizable coatings
- 🎉 Perfect for parties
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes
You can make donut holes two ways: with biscuit dough (easy) or homemade dough.
Option 1: Biscuit Dough Donut Holes (Fastest)
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
- Cooking spray
For Coating (Choose One)
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
OR
- Powdered sugar
- Chocolate glaze
✔ Best for beginners
✔ No yeast required
✔ Ready in minutes
Option 2: Homemade Donut Hole Dough
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Equipment You’ll Need
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl (if making dough)
- Knife or dough cutter
- Tongs or spoon
- Small bowl for coating
Step-by-Step: How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes (Biscuit Dough)
This is the most popular and foolproof method.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Temperature: 350°F (175°C)
- Time: 3 minutes
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
- Open biscuit dough
- Cut each biscuit into 4 equal pieces
- Roll lightly into balls (optional)
Step 3: Prepare the Basket
- Lightly spray basket with oil
- Place donut holes in a single layer
⚠️ Leave space—they expand slightly.
Step 4: Air Fry
- Cook at 350°F for 5–6 minutes
- Shake basket halfway
Check at 5 minutes:
- Outside golden
- Inside cooked through
Step 5: Coat the Donut Holes
- Toss warm donut holes in melted butter
- Roll in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar
Serve immediately.
⏱ Total Time: 8–10 minutes
Step-by-Step: Homemade Donut Holes in the Air Fryer
For a from-scratch version.
Step 1: Make the Dough
- Mix dry ingredients
- Add wet ingredients
- Stir until soft dough forms
Step 2: Shape
- Roll dough into small balls (1 inch)
Step 3: Air Fry
- Cook at 350°F for 6–7 minutes
- Shake once halfway
Step 4: Coat & Serve
Same as biscuit version.
How to Get Soft & Fluffy Donut Holes
✔ Don’t overcrowd basket
✔ Cook at moderate heat
✔ Remove as soon as golden
✔ Coat while warm
✔ Don’t overcook
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Result |
|---|---|
| High temperature | Burnt outside |
| Overcooking | Dry inside |
| Overcrowding | Uneven cooking |
| Skipping coating | Less flavor |
| Cooking too long | Hard donut holes |
Delicious Donut Hole Variations
🍩 Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Classic & most popular.
🍫 Chocolate Glazed Donut Holes
Dip in melted chocolate or glaze.
🍯 Honey Butter Donut Holes
Brush with butter, drizzle honey.
🍓 Jam-Filled Donut Holes
Inject jam using piping bag (after cooking).
🎂 Birthday Cake Donut Holes
Add sprinkles to coating.
🌱 Vegan Donut Holes
Use plant-based milk & dairy-free butter.
Serving Styles & Presentation Ideas
🍽 Breakfast Plate
- Donut holes
- Fresh fruit
- Coffee or milk
🎉 Party Platter
- Mixed flavors
- Chocolate & sugar dips
🧒 Kid-Friendly Snack
- Mini donut holes
- Chocolate dip
🍨 Dessert Style
- Donut holes + vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate drizzle
☕ Coffee Shop Style
- Dust with powdered sugar
- Serve with latte
Storage & Reheating
Best When Fresh
Donut holes are best eaten warm.
To Store
- Room temperature: 1 day
- Airtight container
To Reheat
- Air fryer: 300°F for 2 minutes
Avoid microwaving—it makes them chewy.
Nutrition Information (Approximate, Per Donut Hole)
- Calories: 60–80
- Carbs: 8–10g
- Fat: 3–4g
- Sugar: 3–5g
A lighter alternative to deep-fried donuts.
Air Fryer vs Deep-Fried Donuts
| Feature | Air Fryer | Deep Frying |
|---|---|---|
| Oil use | Minimal | Heavy |
| Cleanup | Easy | Messy |
| Calories | Lower | Higher |
| Texture | Soft & fluffy | Greasy |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I use crescent dough?
Yes—results will be softer but tasty.
Q2: Can I make these ahead of time?
They’re best fresh but can be reheated.
Q3: Can kids help make these?
Yes—kids love rolling & coating.
Q4: Are air fryer donut holes healthy?
Healthier than fried donuts, but still a treat.
Q5: Can I double the recipe?
Yes—cook in batches.
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Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Donut Holes are proof that indulgent treats don’t need deep frying or complicated steps. With simple ingredients and quick air fryer cooking, you get soft, sweet donut bites that everyone loves.
Once you make them, they’ll become a repeat favorite in your kitchen.
