Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts (Printable view)

Fluffy cinnamon sugar-coated bites prepared quickly in an air fryer for a perfect sweet snack.

# What You Need:

→ Donut Dough

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/3 cup milk
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Sugar Topping

09 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

# How To Make:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
03 - Add the wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
04 - Lightly grease your hands and form the dough into 16 small balls, approximately 1 tablespoon each.
05 - Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes.
06 - Place the dough balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spacing them slightly apart. Cook in batches if necessary.
07 - Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through until golden brown and cooked through.
08 - Brush each warm donut bite with melted butter immediately after cooking.
09 - In a shallow bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar, then toss the warm donut bites in the mixture to coat evenly.
10 - Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No deep frying mess—your kitchen stays clean and your clothes don't smell like oil for days.
  • Ready in less than 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for when you want homemade donuts without the fuss.
  • They're soft and fluffy inside with that irresistible cinnamon sugar coating that tastes way better than anything store-bought.
02 -
  • Don't overmix the dough—I learned this the hard way when my first batch came out more like hockey pucks than fluffy donuts.
  • Brush them with melted butter immediately after cooking while they're warm, otherwise the cinnamon sugar won't stick properly.
03 -
  • Don't skip shaking the basket halfway through cooking—this one detail is what makes them brown evenly and cook all the way through.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 6 minutes; if it runs cool, they might need the full 8 minutes.
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