Description
There’s something instantly nostalgic about a warm, sugary donut—soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and dusted with cinnamon sugar. But if you’ve ever craved that bakery-fresh flavor without all the mess of deep frying, air fryer donut bites are the answer.
I remember weekend mornings as a kid, standing on a stool next to my grandma as she rolled dough and dropped it into sizzling oil. That unmistakable scent of fried dough filled the kitchen, and it felt like the ultimate treat. Fast forward a few years, and I’ve found a way to bring that same joy—without the oil, fuss, or cleanup.
These air fryer donut bites are made using a quick dough (or even biscuit dough for extra ease), rolled into little balls, and air fried until golden and puffed. A quick toss in cinnamon sugar, and you’ve got a cozy bite-sized treat ready in just 10 minutes. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch spreads, or a surprise after-school snack.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cooking spray (for the air fryer basket)
- For cinnamon sugar coating:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the air fryer
Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat while you make the dough. - Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. - Step 3: Combine wet ingredients
In a small bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir just until a dough forms. - Step 4: Shape the bites
Lightly flour your hands and roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. You should get around 12–14 bites. - Step 5: Air fry to perfection
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the dough balls inside, leaving space between each one. Air fry for 7–9 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and puffed. - Step 6: Cinnamon sugar coating
While the donut bites are still warm, brush each with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. - Step 7: Serve warm
Serve your air fryer donut bites immediately while they’re warm and tender inside with a sweet, crisp coating outside.
Notes
For an ultra-easy shortcut, you can use refrigerated biscuit dough—just cut into pieces, roll, and air fry as directed. Great for busy mornings or when the craving hits fast.
Nutrition
- Calories: 90