Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts (Print)

Soft cinnamon-coated donut bites made fluffy and fast using an air fryer for a delightful treat.

# Components:

→ 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)

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined; avoid overmixing.
04 - Lightly grease hands and shape dough into sixteen 1 tablespoon-sized balls.
05 - Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
06 - Place dough balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between; cook in batches if needed.
07 - Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden and fully cooked.
08 - While warm, brush each bite with melted butter.
09 - Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl and toss warm donut bites until evenly coated.
10 - Serve warm for optimal texture and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No hot oil means no splatters, no burnt fingers, and a kitchen that doesn't smell like a deep fryer for three days.
  • From mixing bowl to plate in under 20 minutes, perfect for when you suddenly want donuts at 3 p.m.
  • Soft on the inside with a gentle crunch on the outside, tossed in cinnamon sugar that actually sticks.
02 -
  • Don't overmix the dough—I learned this the hard way with a batch that came out dense and rubbery; tender donuts come from gentle hands.
  • Timing matters; coat them in cinnamon sugar while they're still warm or the butter won't stick and the sugar just falls off.
  • If you're cooking in batches, keep finished ones in a warm bowl covered with foil so they stay soft while you finish the others.
03 -
  • If your air fryer basket is small, cook in two batches rather than overcrowding; even spacing means they cook evenly and brown beautifully.
  • Keep the dough from drying out by working quickly and covering the bowl if you're taking breaks between rolling and cooking.
Back