GoAir Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes: Soft Inside, Crisp Outside
Key facts at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Best air fryer temp | 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) |
| Internal temp or doneness check | Golden all over, springs back when pressed |
| Single layer or crowded? | Single layer, always. Crowding steams food instead of crisping it |
See it as you cook
Use these images as a visual check while you cook. The hero image shows the finished dish. The two images below show the prep stage and the cook stage.
Roll even 1.5 inch balls. Keep them the same size.
Brush with butter first. Roll while warm so the sugar sticks.
Ingredients (serves 4, makes 16 donut holes)
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, for coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for coating
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, for coating
Method, step by step
- Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk the flour with sugar and baking powder in a bowl. Add salt and cinnamon. Break up any lumps. An even mix gives you an even rise.
- Add the wet ingredients. Stir in milk, egg, melted butter and vanilla. Mix until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix. A sticky dough is fine.
- Shape small balls. Flour your hands lightly. Roll 16 balls about 1.5 inches wide. Keep them even so they cook at the same rate. Place them on a plate.
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) for 3 minutes. Line the basket with parchment made for air fryers if you have it. Or spray lightly with oil.
- Cook in a single layer. Place the balls with space between them. Do not crowd the basket. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes. Turn once halfway through.
- Check for doneness. Look for a deep golden color all over. Press one gently. It should spring back. Cut one open the first time you make them. The center should be soft, not doughy.
- Brush with butter. Brush each warm hole with melted butter. Work while they are warm. Butter helps the sugar stick. Do not wait until they cool.
- Roll in cinnamon sugar. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Roll each buttered hole until coated. Serve at once while warm. Warm holes taste best.
Time and temperature
Size decides time. Check early the first time you cook this in your model.
| Item | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donut holes, 1.5 inch | 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) | 7 to 9 min | Turn once, coat while warm |
| Donut holes, small 1 inch | 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) | 6 to 7 min | Check early, they dry fast |
| Donut holes, large 2 inch | 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) | 9 to 11 min | Cut one open to check |
| Biscuit dough holes, 1 inch | 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) | 6 to 8 min | Roll cut pieces into balls first |
Why this recipe works
Donut holes suit the air fryer because they are small and round. Hot air wraps around every side. That gives you even color without a pot of oil. Deep frying needs care and leaves a mess. The air fryer gives you a crisp coat with just a brush of butter.
Baking powder does the lifting here. It puffs the dough as it heats. That puff makes a soft fluffy center. A yeast dough would need hours of rising. This quick dough goes from bowl to basket in minutes. You get fresh warm holes on a weeknight.
The butter and sugar coat does two jobs. It adds flavor and a crisp sweet crust. Warm dough grabs the coat well. Cold dough shakes it off. That is why timing matters at the end. Coat at once and the sugar stays put.
Ingredient notes and swaps
All purpose flour is the right pick here. Bread flour makes a chewy hole. Cake flour makes a hole that falls apart. Stick with all purpose for a soft sturdy crumb. Spoon the flour into the cup and level it. Scooping packs it down and dries the dough.
Whole milk adds richness and softness. Low fat milk works too. The holes will be a little less tender. Buttermilk is a nice swap if you have it. It adds a gentle tang that suits cinnamon well.
Butter shows up twice in this recipe. Melted butter in the dough adds flavor. Melted butter on the outside holds the sugar. Use unsalted butter for both. Salted butter works too, but cut the salt in the dough a little.
Cinnamon quality matters more than you think. Old cinnamon tastes dusty and flat. Fresh ground cinnamon smells warm and sweet. If your jar is over a year old, buy a new one. The coat is the main flavor, so it must shine.
Equipment and which fryer size works best
You need an air fryer and a bowl. You also need a brush and tongs. A pastry brush spreads butter evenly. Tongs turn the holes without squashing them. Parchment made for air fryers stops sticking. Do not use plain paper in a hot basket.
A 5 to 6 quart basket fits 16 holes in a single layer. A smaller basket needs two batches. Keep the first batch warm under foil. Coat all the holes at the end together. Warm holes take the coat best.
For a fryer that handles sweet bakes and dinner at once, see the best air fryer guide linked below. A dual basket helps on busy nights. You can cook dinner in one side and dessert in the other.
Variations
- Powdered sugar donut holes: Skip the cinnamon sugar. Dust warm holes with powdered sugar instead.
- Chocolate dip donut holes: Coat with plain sugar only. Dip warm holes in melted chocolate.
- Pumpkin spice donut holes: Swap cinnamon for pumpkin spice in the coat. Add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough.
- Lemon glaze donut holes: Skip the sugar coat. Drizzle warm holes with lemon juice and powdered sugar glaze.
- Apple pie spice donut holes: Swap cinnamon for apple pie spice in the coat. Serve with warm apple sauce for dipping.
What to serve with it
Serve donut holes warm with coffee or milk. Chocolate sauce makes a fun dip for kids. Fresh berries cut the sweetness nicely. For a brunch plate, add air fryer cinnamon rolls and air fryer apple pie bites. All three share the same warm spice feel.
Storage and reheating
Store leftover donut holes in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Keep them at room temp, not in the fridge. The fridge dries them out fast. The sugar coat softens over time. Reheat at 300 degrees F (149 degrees C) for 2 to 3 minutes. Roll in fresh cinnamon sugar after reheating.
Do not store them coated for days. The coat turns damp and sticky. Freeze uncoated holes for up to 1 month instead. Cool fully before you pack them. Reheat from frozen at 300 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes. Coat only after they are warm again.
The difficult part. And why it fails
The difficult part of donut holes is the short window between soft and dry. At 350 degrees F, a small ball can pass perfect in about a minute. That is why size and timing matter more than any secret ingredient. Uneven balls make the problem worse. Small ones dry out while large ones stay doughy. You cannot fix that after cooking.
The second trap is coating cold holes. Sugar needs warm butter to stick. Cold holes shake the coat off onto the plate. You get plain buns with a pile of sugar beside them. Brush and roll the moment they leave the basket. Work fast and the coat stays put.
The third trap is crowding. A full basket looks efficient. It is not. Balls touching each other steam instead of crisping. You get pale soft sides with no color. Cook in batches if you must. A second batch takes minutes. A crowded batch ruins the whole plate.
Frequently asked questions
How long do donut holes take in an air fryer?
Donut holes take 7 to 9 minutes at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Turn them once halfway. Check for golden color early. Small balls can finish in 7 minutes.
What temperature is best for air fryer donut holes?
Use 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). That heat cooks the center without burning the outside. Higher heat browns too fast. Preheat for 3 minutes first.
Can you use canned biscuit dough for air fryer donut holes?
Yes, canned biscuit dough works well. Cut each biscuit into quarters. Roll the pieces into small balls. Cook at 350 degrees F for 6 to 8 minutes.
How do you keep cinnamon sugar on donut holes?
Brush with melted butter while the holes are warm. Roll them at once in cinnamon sugar. Warm butter acts like glue. Dry cool holes will not hold the coat.
Why are my air fryer donut holes dry?
Usually they cooked too long or the temp was too high. Check at 7 minutes the first time. Pull when golden and springy. Butter brushing also adds moisture back.
Do you need to flip donut holes in an air fryer?
Yes, flip once halfway. Flipping gives you even golden color. It also stops one side from staying pale. Use tongs for a gentle flip.
Can you make donut holes ahead of time?
You can shape the dough balls ahead. Keep them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Cook them fresh when you want them. Fresh cooked holes taste far better.
How do you store air fryer donut holes?
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day. The sugar coat softens over time. Keep them at room temp, not in the fridge. Reheat briefly before serving.
Can you freeze air fryer donut holes?
Yes, freeze them uncoated for up to 1 month. Cool fully before you pack them. Reheat at 300 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes. Coat in cinnamon sugar after reheating.
What dipping sauces go with cinnamon sugar donut holes?
Warm chocolate sauce is the classic pick. Salted caramel also works well. A simple vanilla glaze suits a sweet tooth. Fresh berries cut the sweetness nicely.
Can you make donut holes without eggs?
Yes, skip the egg and add 2 tbsp more milk. The dough will be a little softer. Handle it with floured hands. Cook time stays the same at 350 degrees F.
Why did my donut holes stick to the basket?
Usually the basket lacked oil or parchment. Spray lightly before cooking. Or use parchment made for air fryers. Do not use plain paper in a hot basket.
As an Amazon Associate, GoAirFry may earn from qualifying purchases if you buy through retailer links we add in future, at no extra cost to you. No retailer links are live on this page yet. Always check the retailer's site for the final price. Times and temperatures here are starting points. Check with a thermometer and check food early the first time you cook it in your model.