Light and Delicious Air Fryer Donut Hole Recipe

Make Delicious yet Healthy Donut Holes at Home with an Air Fryer

Donut holes are an irresistible treat, but often loaded with sugar, unhealthy fats, and empty calories. However, by making them in an air fryer, you can cut out much of the oil for a lighter, healthier version. This easy air fried donut hole recipe delivers the taste you crave with a fraction of the guilt!

Benefits of Air Frying Donut Holes

Ditch the deep fryer and all that excess grease! Air frying donut holes offers many advantages:

• Uses little to no oil, lowering fat & calorie content
• Allows donuts to bake evenly for ideal texture
• Yields lightly crisp outer layer without oil soak
• Simple & fast - no dough proofing needed
• Makes house smell like favorite bakery

The key is finding the right dough and air fryer technique to mimic deep-fried taste and texture. Follow this easy recipe for irresistible results!

Ingredients Needed

This recipe makes about 28 bite-sized donut holes. Ingredients include:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Coating (cinnamon-sugar, powdered sugar etc)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for hot, heavenly donut holes straight from your air fryer:

1. Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. In a small bowl, beat together milk, egg, butter and vanilla.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix just until blended. Some lumps are fine.
5. Drop rounded tablespoon-sized balls of dough into air fryer basket lightly coated with nonstick spray.
6. Air fry for 9 minutes, flip and cook additional 3-4 minutes until golden.
7. Roll hot donut holes in cinnamon-sugar, powdered sugar or other coatings.
8. Let cool slightly before enjoying!

Serving Suggestions

Once air fried, roll these tender donut holes in your favorite coatings and serve:

• Cinnamon-Sugar - For classic flavor, coat while hot in a mix of cinnamon and granulated or powdered sugar.
• Powdered Sugar - Simple coated in powdered sugar or glazed for an old-fashioned cake donut taste.
• Chocolate Glaze - Dip in melted chocolate chips or drizzle with chocolate sauce.
• Crushed Nuts - For crunch, roll in finely chopped walnuts, pecans or coconut.
• Dried Fruits - Coat in chopped dates, apricots, cherries or cranberries.
• Sprinkles - Make them festive by coating with holiday or rainbow sprinkles.

Get creative with different flavor combinations! Serve warm or at room temperature alongside coffee or tea.

Recipe Variations

Tailor these easy air fried donut holes to your tastes:

• Fillings: Inject donut holes with fruit jam, chocolate-hazelnut spread, cream cheese or pastry cream before coating.
• Mix-Ins: Add 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit or bacon crumbles into the dough.
• Spices: Mix 1 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice into the dough or use in the coating.
• Glazes: Top baked donut holes with thin glazes like lemon, maple, orange or mocha.

The possibilities are endless for customizing these sweet air fried treats!

Tips for Making the Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes

With a little practice, you can easily whip up bakery-quality donut holes from your air fryer. Follow these helpful tips for flawless results every time:

Use a High-Quality Air Fryer

Invest in a reputable brand air fryer with adjustable temperature controls. This allows you to fine-tune cooking times and crispiness. Look for a fryer basket with nonstick coating to prevent sticking.

Grease the Basket Lightly

A quick spritz of nonstick spray before adding the dough helps donut holes cook evenly and release easily. Over-greasing can make them soggy.

Don't Overfill the Basket

Air fryers need breathing room to circulate air properly. Drop dough balls in a single layer without crowding them together. Cook in batches for best results.

Allow Proper Preheating

Always fully preheat your air fryer before adding anything. This allows the fryer to recover temperature faster for optimal cooking.

Flip Donut Holes Halfway

Turning them over midway through ensures the donut holes brown evenly on all sides versus just the bottom. Gently flip with tongs or a spatula.

Adjust Cook Times as Needed

Cooking times can vary based on air fryer wattage and model. For doughier insides, reduce fry time by 1-2 minutes. For extra crispiness, let them cook 1-2 minutes longer.

Work in Small Batches

Only fry 4-6 donut holes at a time. Too many restricts air flow. Fry multiple batches at the same temperature for consistency.

Let Donuts Cool Before Coating

If coated while piping hot, steam will make spices and sugars melt off. Let donut holes rest 1-2 minutes after frying before rolling in cinnamon-sugar or other toppings.

Donut Hole Pairings: Dips, Drizzles, Fillings & More

While delicious on their own, donut holes become over-the-top decadent when paired thoughtfully. Consider these sweet complement combinations:

Dips

For dunking satisfaction, serve donut holes with:

• Melted chocolate - milk, dark or white
• Warm berry compotes
• Nutella or other chocolate-hazelnut spreads
• Dulce de leche or cajeta (caramelized sweetened milk)
• Creamy vanilla or chocolate pudding
• Whipped cream cheese frosting

Drizzles

Drizzle donut holes with:

• Chocolate sauce - fudge, ganache, hot fudge
• Butterscotch or caramel sauce
• Honey
• Lemon or orange glazes
• Berry purees like raspberry, strawberry, blackberry or blueberry sauces

Fillings

Fill donut holes with sweet stuffings like:

• Jams, jellies and preserves - strawberry, blueberry, apricot etc
• Sweetened mascarpone, ricotta or cream cheese
• Pastry cream or vanilla pudding
• Sliced fresh fruit - berries, stone fruit, citrus
• Hazelnut, almond or peanut butter
• Chocolate - ganache, hazelnut spread, melted chips

Toppings

Finish off your filled donut holes with fun toppings like:

• Crushed cookies - Oreos, ginger snaps, etc
• Toasted coconut flakes or mini chocolate chips
• Crumbled bacon or candied nuts
• Crushed pretzels or potato chips
• Sprinkles - jimmies, sanding sugars or nonpareils

With so many sweet combinations, you could enjoy air fried donut holes for breakfast, dessert or a snack all week long!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Donut Holes

If you end up with leftover donut holes, don't let them go to waste! Properly stored, they can be enjoyed later.

Storage Tips

For best results, store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days. To extend shelf life, store in a freezer bag in the freezer up to 2-3 months.

Reheating Methods

To reheat leftover donuts and return their just-fried taste and texture, use one of these methods:

• Oven: Place on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven until warmed through, 2-3 minutes.
• Microwave: Microwave on half power in 10 second intervals until soft, 15-30 seconds.
• Air Fryer: Place back in air fryer basket at 330°F, flipping once, 1-2 minutes.
• Toaster Oven: Toast in toaster oven at 300°F until crispy, 1-2 minutes per side.

Avoid frying again or letting sit in a steamy environment as this can make donuts soggy.

Serving Reheated Donuts

For best flavor, choose a reheating method that allows donuts to recrisp slightly. Once warmed, roll again in coatings like cinnamon-sugar or dip into a warm chocolate sauce.

With proper storage and reheating, day-old air fried donut holes taste nearly as scrumptious as the day they were made!

More Delicious Air Fryer Donut Recipes to Try

Now that you've mastered basic donut holes, take your air fryer skills up a notch by trying these tasty varieties:

Glazed Donuts

Air fry yeast-risen glazed donuts for a tender-on-the-inside, crisp-outside treat. Glaze while warm with simple powdered sugar icing.

Apple Cider Donuts

Add nutmeg, cinnamon and apple to the dough. Roll in cinnamon-sugar spiked with apple pie spice after air frying.

Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Stir canned pumpkin puree into the dough along with pumpkin pie spice. Glaze with maple icing.

Blueberry Cake Donuts

Fold fresh or frozen (thawed) blueberries into the batter before air frying. Top with a tangy lemon glaze.

Crullers

Shape yeast dough into twisted cruller shapes before frying. Dip the ends in chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peanuts.

S'mores Donuts

Top chocolate glazed donuts with toasted marshmallow and crushed graham crackers.

Let your imagination run wild when it comes to flavoring both dough and toppings! Air frying allows you to indulge in donuts anytime with better-for-you ingredients.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.