Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts (Printable)

Soft and fluffy cinnamon-coated donut bites made quickly using an air fryer with simple ingredients.

# What You'll 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 whole 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)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
03 - Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined without overmixing.
04 - Lightly grease hands and form dough into 16 balls, approximately 1 tablespoon each.
05 - Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
06 - Place dough balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spacing evenly; cook in batches if necessary.
07 - Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
08 - While still warm, brush each donut bite with melted butter.
09 - Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl; toss donut bites to coat evenly.
10 - Enjoy the donut bites immediately for optimal texture.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They're ridiculously fast—eight minutes of actual cooking means donut cravings solved before anyone loses patience.
  • No deep fryer means no lingering oil smell or grease splatters on your stovetop.
  • The texture stays soft and fluffy even hours later, making them perfect for lunchboxes or quick breakfasts.
02 -
  • Don't overmix the batter—it will turn dense and gummy instead of tender and fluffy, and no amount of air frying will fix that.
  • The melted butter brushed on while they're warm is absolutely essential; it's what makes the cinnamon sugar adhere properly and gives them that bakery finish.
03 -
  • Don't skip the three-minute preheat—it's the difference between unevenly cooked and perfectly golden donuts.
  • If your air fryer is smaller, cooking in two batches gives you better results than crowding the basket and ending up with some that steam instead of fry.
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