Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts (Printer View)

Fluffy cinnamon-coated donut bites made fast in an air fryer. Soft texture and sweet flavor.

# What you'll need:

→ Donut Dough

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/3 cup whole milk
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Sugar Topping

09 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

# Method:

01 - Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
04 - Lightly grease your hands and shape the dough into 16 small balls, each about 1 tablespoon in size.
05 - Set the air fryer to 350°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
06 - Place the dough balls in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Cook in batches if needed.
07 - Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
08 - While the bites are warm, brush each one with melted butter.
09 - Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl, then toss the warm donut bites to coat evenly.
10 - Serve immediately for optimal texture and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish, no excuses about not having time for homemade treats.
  • The air fryer does all the heavy lifting—no oil splatters, no standing over a stove, just set and forget.
  • That crispy-outside, pillowy-inside texture feels indulgent but tastes simple and honest.
02 -
  • Don't skip the halfway shake of the basket—those bottom bites need the same golden treatment as the ones on top, and the shake redistributes heat.
  • The dough needs to be just thick enough to hold together but still slightly tacky; too much flour makes them cake-like, too little makes them fall apart.
03 -
  • Use a small cookie scoop or measuring spoon to get uniform-sized donut bites every time, which ensures they cook evenly without guessing.
  • Keep the cinnamon sugar mixture in a shallow bowl and get your hands messy coating each warm donut bite—it's faster and more fun than anything else.
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