Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts (Printable)

Fluffy donut bites coated with cinnamon sugar, cooked quickly using an air fryer for a speedy sweet treat.

# 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 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

# How-To:

01 - Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until blended.
03 - Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
04 - Lightly grease your hands and shape the dough into 16 small balls, approximately 1 tablespoon each.
05 - Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
06 - Place the dough balls in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, spacing them apart. Cook in batches if necessary.
07 - Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and fully cooked.
08 - While warm, brush each donut bite with melted butter to add richness.
09 - Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl, then toss the warmed donut bites evenly in the mixture.
10 - Enjoy immediately for optimal texture and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No deep frying means your kitchen stays grease-free and smells like cinnamon instead of oil.
  • Ready in under 20 minutes from mixing bowl to your mouth—weeknight dessert just got realistic.
  • Soft and fluffy inside with a crispy exterior that rivals any bakery donut, but honestly better because you made it.
02 -
  • Don't skip the preheating step; an air fryer basket that hasn't had time to get hot will cook your donuts unevenly and they'll be dense instead of fluffy.
  • Shaking the basket halfway through matters—some donuts sit closer to the heating element, and a quick shake ensures they brown evenly and cook through.
03 -
  • If your air fryer basket is small and you can only fit 8 donuts at a time, don't crowd them; two small batches cook better than one overcrowded attempt.
  • Keep the cinnamon sugar mixture in a bowl for 10 minutes before tossing; sugar absorbs moisture from warm donuts and clumps less if it sits dry.
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