Save There's something magical about the smell of cinnamon and sugar hitting warm donuts—that moment when you pull them from the air fryer and realize you've just made a bakery-quality treat in your own kitchen without any of the oil splatters. I discovered these little bites by accident, honestly, while experimenting with a donut recipe I found and wondering if my air fryer could handle something as delicate as fried dough. Turns out it could, and not only that, but they came out softer and fluffier than I expected. Now whenever I need a quick indulgence or something to impress with minimal effort, this is what I reach for.
I made these for my neighbor one Saturday morning after she'd had a rough week, and watching her face light up when she bit into one—that warm, pillowy sweetness—was worth every tiny bit of effort. She asked for the recipe before she'd even finished the first one, and now her kids request them constantly. There's something about handmade donuts that feels like a genuine act of kindness, even when they only take minutes to create.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): This is your foundation, and measuring by weight ensures consistency—too much flour and your donuts become dense rather than cloud-like.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup for dough): Adds subtle sweetness to the dough itself, but don't skip the topping sugar where the real flavor magic happens.
- Baking powder (1 1/2 tsp): The unsung hero that creates that fluffy, tender crumb without any yeasty waiting around.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): A pinch that amplifies the cinnamon and keeps the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional.
- Milk (1/3 cup): Room temperature milk incorporates more smoothly and creates a more tender final texture than cold milk straight from the fridge.
- Egg (1 large): Binds everything together and adds structure so the donuts hold their shape and stay moist inside.
- Unsalted butter, melted (2 tbsp for dough, 2 tbsp for brushing): Use real butter for the brush coating—it creates that golden, slightly crispy exterior that cinnamon sugar clings to perfectly.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): A small amount that rounds out the flavor and makes people pause wondering what that subtle something is.
- Cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp ground): The star of the show, and worth buying fresh ground cinnamon rather than the dust that's been sitting in your cabinet for two years.
- Granulated sugar for topping (1/4 cup): This is where you taste pure sweetness and warmth in every bite.
Instructions
- Combine your dry ingredients:
- Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl until everything is evenly distributed. This ensures your baking powder isn't clumpy and works its leavening magic throughout the dough.
- Mix the wet ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Cold ingredients can lead to lumps, so if your milk was refrigerated, let it sit out for a few minutes first.
- Bring them together gently:
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined—this is genuinely where the texture magic happens, so resist the urge to keep mixing. Overmixing develops the gluten and makes them tough instead of tender.
- Form the dough balls:
- Lightly grease your hands with a tiny bit of oil and gently shape the dough into 16 small balls, about the size of a tablespoon. They'll expand slightly, so don't make them too large or they won't cook through evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer:
- Set your air fryer to 350°F and let it warm for about 3 minutes. This ensures even cooking from the moment those dough balls hit the basket.
- Arrange and air fry:
- Place the dough balls in a single layer in the basket with a little space between each one—crowding them means they steam instead of fry. If they don't all fit, you'll need to cook in batches, which is perfectly fine.
- Cook with a shake:
- Air fry for 7–8 minutes total, shaking the basket halfway through for even browning. You're looking for a light golden color and a toothpick inserted in the center coming out clean.
- Butter while warm:
- Brush each donut bite with melted butter while they're still hot—this is essential because the butter needs to soften them slightly and create the perfect surface for the cinnamon sugar to cling to.
- Coat in cinnamon sugar:
- Mix your cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl, then toss the warm, buttered donut bites in it, coating all sides. Work quickly while they're still warm because once they cool, the coating won't adhere as well.
- Serve immediately:
- The best texture happens within the first 30 minutes when they're still warm and slightly soft inside. After that, they're still good, but they start to firm up.
Save The best part about these isn't just the taste—it's the moment when someone realizes you made them fresh, in your air fryer, with such ease that you could practically do it with your eyes closed. That realization changes the whole experience from store-bought to something genuinely special.
Why Air Fryer Donuts Are a Game-Changer
Deep frying at home is intimidating and messy, which is probably why most people never attempt homemade donuts. The air fryer removes that barrier entirely—no hot oil spattering on your stovetop, no lingering fry smell in your kitchen for days, and honestly, the results are lighter and less greasy anyway. I've made these alongside traditionally fried donuts, and the air fryer version actually has better texture because it cooks more evenly with less oil absorption. Plus, cleanup is literally just a quick wipe of the basket instead of disposing of a pot of used oil.
Making Them Your Own
While cinnamon sugar is absolutely the classic, these little bites are a blank canvas for creativity. I've experimented with adding a pinch of nutmeg to the dough for a slightly more complex spice profile, and it works beautifully. Another time I dusted them with powdered sugar instead of cinnamon sugar when I wanted something more delicate, and they still disappeared just as quickly. The dough base is forgiving and takes well to simple additions, so feel free to play around.
Storage and Second-Day Enjoyment
Fresh is definitely best, but life happens and sometimes you have leftovers. Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they'll keep for a day or two, though they do firm up slightly. The secret is that the air fryer can revive them beautifully—pop them back in at 300°F for just 2 minutes and they'll taste almost as good as fresh, with that slight warmth and softness returning. I've also made a batch and frozen them (uncoated), then air-fried them straight from frozen with an extra minute or two, and honestly, it's a lifesaver when a craving hits.
- Store in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out too quickly.
- Reheating in the air fryer beats the microwave every single time—trust me on this one.
- You can prep the dough the night before and refrigerate it, then shape and cook in the morning for a quasi-overnight donut situation.
Save These donut bites are proof that the best treats don't require hours of work or special equipment beyond what's probably already in your kitchen. They're the kind of recipe you'll find yourself making on random Tuesday afternoons just because you can, and your family will stop asking why you're not buying them from a shop.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I ensure the donut bites are cooked evenly in the air fryer?
Arrange the dough balls in a single layer with slight spacing and shake the basket halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
- → Can I substitute any ingredients for dietary preferences?
Yes, use plant-based milk and butter alternatives to make the bites dairy-free while maintaining flavor and texture.
- → What is the best way to store leftover donut bites?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature and reheat briefly in the air fryer for about 2 minutes to restore crispness.
- → Can I add extra flavor to the donut bites?
A pinch of nutmeg in the dough adds warmth and depth, complementing the cinnamon coating beautifully.
- → Are these donut bites suitable for a quick snack?
Absolutely, with just 18 minutes total time and easy preparation, they make a perfect fast and tasty treat.