Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts (Print Version)

Soft, fluffy donut bites coated in cinnamon sugar, prepared quickly using an air fryer method.

# What You'll Need:

→ Donut Dough

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
03 - 1½ teaspoons baking powder
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - ⅓ cup whole milk
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Sugar Topping

09 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
10 - 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk thoroughly.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; avoid overmixing.
04 - Lightly grease hands and roll dough into 16 uniform balls, approximately 1 tablespoon each.
05 - Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes to ensure even cooking.
06 - Place dough balls in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, spacing them evenly; cook in batches if necessary.
07 - Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and thoroughly cooked.
08 - Immediately brush warm donut bites with melted butter to enhance flavor and moisture.
09 - Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl; toss each donut bite to coat evenly while still warm.
10 - Present immediately to enjoy optimal texture and freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No deep frying means your kitchen stays clean and you avoid that lingering oil smell.
  • From mixing bowl to plate in under 20 minutes, these are perfect when cravings strike suddenly.
  • The outside gets crispy while the inside stays impossibly soft and fluffy.
02 -
  • Do not overmix your dough—lumpy batter makes softer, fluffier donuts; thoroughly mixed batter makes dense ones.
  • Brush with butter immediately after cooking while everything is still steaming; it makes all the difference in how the cinnamon sugar adheres and how tender the final bite feels.
03 -
  • If your donuts look pale after 7 minutes but feel soft, give them another minute; they continue cooking slightly as they cool and will firm up beautifully.
  • Keep your hands slightly damp, not greasy, when rolling the dough balls—it prevents sticking without adding excess moisture that makes them fall apart.
Return