Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts

One Saturday morning, my kid wandered into the kitchen asking for donuts, and I realized we had no time for a trip to the bakery. I remembered reading about air fryers and thought, why not try making donuts at home? Fifteen minutes later, we had golden, cinnamon-dusted bites that tasted like a bakery secret. They were so good that I've made them dozens of times since, and now they're the first thing anyone asks for when they visit.

I tested this recipe on a weeknight when my partner came home stressed about a work deadline. I had these warm donut bites ready with coffee, and I watched their entire mood shift in two bites. Since then, they've become my comfort food peace offering, a little gesture that says I was thinking of you without needing words.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives these bites their tender crumb without toughness.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetness in the dough plus extra for the coating that caramelizes just slightly in the air fryer.
• Baking powder: Your lift agent that ensures these stay fluffy and pillowy, not dense.
• Salt: A tiny pinch that makes the cinnamon flavor pop.
• Milk: Brings moisture and richness to the dough.
• Egg: Binds everything together while adding structure.
• Unsalted butter, melted: Use melted so it blends evenly, and unsalted so you control the salt balance.
• Vanilla extract: That subtle depth that makes people ask what the secret ingredient is.
• Ground cinnamon: Quality matters here; fresh cinnamon makes a real difference in the topping's brightness.

Instructions

Gather and prepare your mise en place:

Measure everything out first so you're not scrambling mid-mix. Your air fryer should be nearby and ready to preheat.

Whisk the dry team together:

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. A quick whisk breaks up any lumps and distributes the leavening evenly.

Build the wet mixture:

In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. This is where the dough gets its tender, moist character.

Bring them together gently:

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten and makes these tough instead of tender, so stop as soon you don't see flour streaks.

Shape into little orbs:

Lightly grease your hands and roll the dough into 16 balls about the size of a tablespoon each. They don't need to be perfect; slightly irregular actually looks more homemade.

Heat your air fryer:

Set it to 350°F and let it preheat for 3 minutes. This ensures even cooking from the first second the donuts hit the basket.

Arrange in a single layer:

Space them with a little breathing room so hot air circulates. If your basket is crowded, cook in two batches rather than piling them up.

Air fry with a shake:

Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning. You're looking for golden sides and a set interior that springs back when you poke it.

Brush with warm butter while hot:

This is the trick that makes the cinnamon sugar stick and gives you that luxe bakery finish. Work quickly while they're still steaming.

Coat in cinnamon sugar:

Toss the warm donut bites in a shallow bowl of cinnamon-sugar mixture until every piece is generously covered. The warmth helps everything adhere beautifully.

Serve immediately:

These are best eaten warm, when the outside has just set and the inside is still soft. Any longer and they start to firm up, though they're still delicious.

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What started as a quick breakfast fix has become a ritual. My kid now helps roll the dough balls, and we celebrate each batch coming out golden and perfect. These donut bites have a way of turning an ordinary morning into something special, which I think is what homemade desserts are really about.

Why the Air Fryer Is Your Secret Weapon

The air fryer does something special here that regular ovens and deep fryers can't quite match. It circulates heat so intensely that the outside gets that slightly crispy, caramelized edge while the inside stays impossibly soft, all without a splash of oil. I used to think homemade donuts required deep frying and professional equipment, but this method proved that assumption wrong. Now I actually prefer air fryer donuts because they taste less heavy and feel less indulgent, even though they taste incredible.

Flavor Variations That Keep Things Fresh

The base recipe is wonderful on its own, but I've experimented with the cinnamon sugar coating and dough additions more times than I can count. Sometimes I add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for deeper warmth, or I've replaced half the cinnamon sugar with a honey-vanilla glaze. My favorite discovery was dipping them in melted chocolate while still warm, which turns them into something that feels almost decadent. The flexibility here is part of why I keep coming back to this recipe.

Storage and Make-Ahead Thinking

These are genuinely best served hot and fresh, but life isn't always that tidy. I've kept leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days and reheated them in the air fryer for 2 minutes at 325°F, and they come back almost as good as new. You can also make the dough a few hours ahead and refrigerate it in the bowl covered with plastic wrap, though the balls are so quick to roll that I usually just make them fresh. For dairy-free versions, swap in plant-based milk and butter with no changes to the method, and they turn out just as pillowy.

• Airtight containers keep them from drying out overnight, though you really should eat them the same day if possible.
• If you're doubling this recipe, the cooking time stays the same as long as you work in batches rather than overcrowding the basket.
• These freeze surprisingly well unbaked in a single layer on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag, and you can air fry them directly from frozen, adding just 2 extra minutes.

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There's something deeply satisfying about walking into the kitchen and having fresh donuts ready in less time than it takes to get dressed on a weekend morning. This recipe has become my answer to quick cravings, late-night cravings, and moments when I want to do something kind for the people I live with.