Moist 15-Minute Air Fryer Donut Holes
Who knew you could make donut holes this good without deep frying? I’ve been obsessed with this recipe ever since I figured out that the air fryer gives you that perfectly crispy outside with a soft, pillowy inside — and the whole thing takes just 15 minutes. No hot oil, no mess, no waiting. Just warm, sugar-coated donut holes that taste like they came from a bakery.
These are perfect for weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or honestly just any time you want something sweet and homemade without a huge production. And because they’re made in the air fryer, they’re a little lighter than the traditional deep-fried version — not that anyone needs an excuse to eat more of them.
What Makes These Donut Holes So Moist
The secret to keeping these donut holes moist is a combination of buttermilk and a touch of sour cream in the batter. Buttermilk adds a slight tang and keeps the dough tender, while the fat in the sour cream prevents them from drying out during cooking. Don’t skip either one — they’re doing a lot of work here.
The other thing that matters is not overcooking them. Air fryers run hot and fast, so pull them at the 6-7 minute mark when they’re golden brown. They’ll continue to cook slightly from carry-over heat, and you want that center to stay soft.
Coating and Flavor Variations
The classic finish here is a simple cinnamon sugar coating, but you have options. Roll them in powdered sugar straight out of the air fryer for a lighter, bakery-style look. Or dip them in a quick vanilla glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and a splash of vanilla extract. If you want to go all out, try a maple glaze or even a chocolate dip.
You can also flavor the dough itself — a pinch of nutmeg, a little cinnamon mixed in, or even a splash of vanilla extract all work beautifully. These little tweaks go a long way in a small bite.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Overmixing the batter Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing develops gluten and makes the donut holes dense and chewy instead of light and fluffy.
2. Skipping the preheat Always preheat your air fryer for 2-3 minutes before adding the dough. A cold air fryer means uneven cooking and donut holes that don’t get that golden crust.
3. Crowding the basket Give each donut hole space. Crowding traps steam and prevents browning. Cook in batches if needed — it’s worth the extra few minutes.
4. Not coating them immediately Roll or dip them in your coating right when they come out of the air fryer. The residual heat and slight moisture on the surface is what makes the coating stick.
What You’ll Need
Before you get started, here’s everything you’ll need to make these air fryer donut holes. Nothing fancy — just simple pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
- All-purpose flour — the base of the dough
- Baking powder + baking soda — for that light, fluffy rise
- Salt — balances the sweetness
- Ground nutmeg — adds that classic donut flavor
- Granulated sugar — sweetens the dough and the coating
- Buttermilk — keeps the dough tender and moist
- Sour cream — the secret to extra moisture
- 1 large egg — binds everything together
- Melted butter — adds richness to the batter and helps the coating stick
- Vanilla extract — rounds out the flavor
- Cinnamon — for the coating mix
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Two mixing bowls
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon (for portioning the dough)
- Pastry brush (for the butter coating)
Moist 15-Minute Air Fryer Donut Holes
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and sugar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls (a cookie scoop works great here) and place in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each.
- Air fry at 350°F for 6-7 minutes until golden brown.
- While hot, brush with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
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