Save One Sunday morning, my kitchen filled with the smell of butter and cinnamon before anyone else in the house was awake. I'd grabbed a bag of store-bought donut bites from the freezer section out of habit, then stopped myself—why not try making them in the air fryer instead? Fifteen minutes later, I had golden, pillowy-soft donuts dusted in cinnamon sugar, warm enough to melt on my tongue. That moment changed how I thought about weekday mornings.
I made these for my kids' friends one afternoon when three extra kids showed up unexpectedly. Everyone crowded into the kitchen while the air fryer hummed away, watching through the basket window as the little dough balls puffed up and turned golden. The moment I tossed them in cinnamon sugar, the whole group went quiet—that's how you know you've got something good.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives structure without heaviness; measure by spooning into your cup and leveling off, not scooping straight from the bag.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough itself, not just the coating; dissolves smoothly into the wet ingredients.
- Baking powder: The real star here, creating lift and that signature fluffy crumb; make sure yours is fresh by checking the date.
- Salt: A small pinch that somehow makes the cinnamon taste more cinnamon-y.
- Milk: Keeps the dough tender and moist; room temperature works better than straight from the fridge.
- Egg: Binds everything together and helps the donuts brown beautifully on the outside.
- Melted butter: For richness in both the dough and the brush coating; melting it first means it incorporates smoothly.
- Vanilla extract: A quiet flavor booster that rounds out the sweetness without announcing itself.
- Ground cinnamon: The whole point, really; don't skip using the good stuff here.
Instructions
- Combine your dry ingredients:
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl until evenly mixed. This step aerates the flour and distributes the baking powder so you get even rise.
- Mix the wet mixture:
- In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Keeping wet and dry separate until the last moment prevents tough, overmixed donuts.
- Bring them together gently:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until the flour disappears. A few small lumps are fine; overmixing develops gluten and makes the donuts chewy instead of pillowy.
- Form the dough balls:
- Wet your hands lightly with water so the dough doesn't stick to your skin, then roll the dough into 16 balls about the size of a tablespoon. They'll look small, but they puff up in the air fryer.
- Preheat your air fryer:
- Set it to 350°F and let it run for 3 minutes so the heat is really there when the donuts go in. A properly preheated fryer gives you that golden exterior.
- Arrange and air fry:
- Place the dough balls in a single layer in the basket with a little space between each one; they'll expand slightly as they cook. Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they're golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Coat while warm:
- Brush each donut bite with melted butter right out of the air fryer when they're still warm. The warmth helps the butter soak in and the sugar stick.
- Roll in cinnamon sugar:
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl, then toss the buttered donuts until fully coated. Do this step while they're still warm or the butter won't grip the sugar properly.
- Eat immediately:
- Serve right away while they're at their softest and warmest. This is not a time to be patient.
Save There's something almost meditative about pulling warm donut bites from the air fryer and coating them in cinnamon sugar. It feels like a small act of care, even when you're only feeding yourself before the rest of the world wakes up.
Variations and Flavor Ideas
Once you have the basic dough down, you can play with the seasonings. I've added a pinch of nutmeg to the dough for autumn baking, and the warmth it brings is subtle but noticeable. You can also sift cocoa powder into the cinnamon sugar for chocolate-cinnamon donuts, or press a tiny dot of jam into each dough ball before air frying for a surprise center.
Dietary Adjustments and Substitutions
Making these dairy-free is straightforward—swap the milk for any plant-based milk you have on hand and use melted coconut oil or dairy-free butter for brushing. The texture stays the same and no one eating them would know the difference unless you tell them.
Storage and Reheating
These are truly best eaten the day you make them, but life happens and sometimes there are leftovers. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours, and reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for about 2 minutes to restore that warm, soft texture.
- Don't refrigerate them or they'll dry out faster than you'd think.
- If you want to make ahead, freeze the raw dough balls on a baking sheet before air frying, then cook them straight from frozen and add 2 to 3 minutes to the cooking time.
- Dipping sauces like warm chocolate or caramel transform these into something special if you're serving them for company.
Save These donuts prove that some of the best kitchen moments don't require fancy equipment or complicated techniques. Just a little butter, cinnamon, and warmth.
Your Questions Answered
- → What makes these donut bites soft and fluffy?
The combination of baking powder and gentle mixing helps create a tender, airy texture in these donut bites.
- → Can I substitute ingredients for dietary needs?
Yes, plant-based milk and butter can replace dairy for a dairy-free variation without compromising flavor.
- → How do I prevent the donut bites from sticking in the air fryer?
Lightly grease the air fryer basket or use parchment paper to ensure easy removal without sticking.
- → Is shaking the basket during cooking necessary?
Shaking the basket halfway through cooking promotes even browning and ensures all sides crisp nicely.
- → Can I add extra spices to enhance flavor?
Adding a pinch of nutmeg to the dough provides a warm, complementary flavor to the cinnamon coating.