Save There's something magical about opening the air fryer basket to find golden, fluffy donut bites waiting inside—no splattering oil, no mess, just pure cinnamon sugar bliss. My kitchen smelled like a carnival for the first time when I realized I could skip the deep fryer entirely and get that same irresistible texture in minutes. What started as a lazy Sunday experiment became my go-to when friends drop by unexpectedly or when I need something warm in my hands before noon. These bites disappear faster than I can make them.
I made these for my sister's book club last month, and watching everyone's faces light up when they bit into one—that moment when good food stops being a recipe and becomes a memory—reminded me why I love cooking. She texted me the next day asking for the recipe, which I took as the highest compliment.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): The foundation that keeps things tender; don't pack it down when measuring or you'll end up with dense bites.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup for dough): Just enough sweetness in the dough so the cinnamon sugar topping becomes the star.
- Baking powder (1 1/2 tsp): This is your lift and fluff—no substitutions here or you'll lose that airy texture.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): The secret ingredient that makes everything taste more like itself.
- Milk (1/3 cup): Whole milk gives the best flavor, but any kind works in a pinch.
- Large egg: Your binding agent and the reason these stay together instead of crumbling apart.
- Unsalted butter, melted (2 tbsp for dough): Adds richness without overpowering the delicate crumb.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): A whisper of vanilla that rounds out the flavor in a way people can't quite name but absolutely notice.
- Granulated sugar for topping (1/4 cup): This is where the magic happens—paired with cinnamon, it creates that irresistible coating.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp): The soul of the recipe; use fresh cinnamon if you can, as old spice gets muted and dusty.
- Melted butter for brushing (2 tbsp): This acts like glue for the cinnamon sugar and adds that buttery richness.
Instructions
- Mix your dry base:
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl, letting the dry ingredients get to know each other. This prevents clumpy pockets of baking powder later.
- Combine the wet ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth and unified. There's no rush here—just let them become one team.
- Bring wet and dry together:
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined, leaving a few flour streaks visible. This is the hardest part to resist, but overmixing creates tough, dense bites instead of fluffy ones.
- Form the dough balls:
- Lightly grease your hands with a damp touch and roll the dough into 16 small balls about the size of a tablespoon. They'll feel soft and slightly sticky, which is exactly right.
- Preheat your air fryer:
- Set it to 350°F and let it warm for 3 minutes; this matters because cold air fryer baskets cook unevenly. You'll see the difference in how golden they get.
- Arrange and air fry:
- Place the dough balls in a single layer with a little space between each one—they need room to puff. Fry for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden on the outside and cooked through inside.
- Brush while warm:
- The moment they come out, brush each donut bite with melted butter while they're still hot; the butter sinks in and adds moisture. This step makes the cinnamon sugar stick better and tastes incredible.
- Coat in cinnamon sugar:
- Toss the warm bites in a shallow bowl of mixed cinnamon and sugar, making sure each one gets fully coated. Work quickly while they're warm so the coating adheres instead of sliding off.
- Serve and savor:
- Eat them immediately for the best texture when the outside is still crispy and the inside is still steaming.
Save My nephew once ate six of these in a row without stopping, then looked up and asked if there were more—that's when I knew I'd nailed something worth making again and again. It's the kind of simple recipe that becomes a ritual, something you reach for when life needs a small, delicious pause.
Why the Air Fryer Changes Everything
The air fryer gives you all the texture of deep-fried donuts with a fraction of the oil and cleanup, which means you'll actually make these on a Tuesday instead of saving them for weekends. The circulating hot air creates that crispy exterior while keeping the inside impossibly soft—something that's genuinely hard to replicate in the oven. I've tried, and there's just no comparison.
Flavor Variations That Work
Once you nail the base recipe, you can play with what goes on top or inside the dough without overthinking it. Some mornings I add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough itself, which gives these an almost doughnut-shop sophistication. Other times I've mixed maple powder with the cinnamon sugar, or even a hint of cardamom when I'm feeling adventurous.
Storage and Reheating Tips
These are genuinely best eaten straight away, but I've learned that leftovers stay better than expected if you keep them in an airtight container—they'll stay soft for about two days. A quick 2-minute reheat in the air fryer at 300°F brings back that crispy-outside texture without drying them out.
- Fresh donuts have the texture you're after, so make these the day you plan to enjoy them if possible.
- If you must make them ahead, skip the cinnamon sugar topping and add it right before reheating for maximum crunch.
- Freeze uncoated donut bites for up to two weeks and air fry from frozen, adding just a minute or two to the cooking time.
Save These little bites remind me that the best recipes are the ones you keep making because they bring joy, not because they're complicated or impressive. I hope they become a favorite in your kitchen too.
Recipe Guide
- → How do I ensure the donut bites stay soft?
Use fresh ingredients and avoid overmixing the dough. Cooking them just until golden in the air fryer keeps them tender.
- → Can I use a different sweetener for the cinnamon sugar coating?
Yes, alternatives like coconut sugar or brown sugar work well and add depth to the flavor.
- → Is it necessary to brush with melted butter before coating?
Brushing helps the cinnamon sugar stick evenly and adds richness to the final bites.
- → Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the formed dough balls for a few hours before air frying to save time later.
- → What are good dipping sauces to pair with these bites?
Chocolate, caramel, or cream cheese dips complement the cinnamon sugar coating nicely.