Air Fryer Powdered Donut Holes Recipe

There is something deeply satisfying about biting into a freshly baked donut. It’s a favorite morning treat for many, but store-bought and fast-food donuts are often loaded with calories, sugar, and saturated fat, which can leave you feeling guilty.

Thankfully, you can enjoy a lighter homemade version using an air fryer. These powdered sugar donut holes are quick, yeast-free, and perfect when you’re short on time. The recipe takes about 20 minutes and uses simple ingredients for a tender interior and a lightly crisp exterior.

Traditional vs Air Fryer Donuts

Most traditional donut holes from coffee shops are made with refined sugars, animal fats, artificial flavors, and preservatives, then deep-fried in oil. Deep frying adds unnecessary saturated fat and extra calories, which can contribute to weight gain and raise levels of unhealthy cholesterol.

Air fryer donut holes, by contrast, achieve a golden, slightly crisp exterior without being submerged in oil. The circulating hot air creates their texture, so they typically contain less fat and fewer calories than deep-fried alternatives—often about half the calories and fat when compared with many store-bought varieties.

Air Fryer Donut Topping Variations

• Traditional Glaze: Whisk ⅓ cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk until smooth. For a dairy-free version, use water instead of milk.
• Chocolate Glaze: Combine ⅓ cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder. Gradually stir in ½ tablespoon milk or water and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
• Nutty Crunch: Finely chop 1 tablespoon each of almonds, cashews, and peanuts. Mix with ½ teaspoon almond extract and 1 tablespoon maple syrup for a crunchy topping.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Toss donut holes in a mixture of ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon for a classic finish.
• Maple Glaze: Stir ½ cup powdered sugar with 5 tablespoons pure maple syrup and toss the donut holes to coat.

Oven-Baked Donuts

No air fryer? No problem. You can bake these donut holes in a convection oven. Preheat the oven to 375 °F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and bake for about 8 minutes or until lightly golden. Immediately toss them in powdered sugar while still warm, then transfer to a cooling rack for 5 minutes before serving.

Air Fryer Powdered Sugar Donut Holes Recipe

Yield: 20 donut holes   |   Prep Time: 10 mins   |   Cook Time: 6 mins   |   Total Time: 16 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• Nonstick cooking spray

For the powdered sugar coating:

• ⅓ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 370 °F (188 °C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients: coconut oil, applesauce, honey, and vanilla. Stir until mostly combined.
3. Add the dry ingredients—flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt—to the wet mixture and mix until incorporated into a soft dough.
4. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Using about 1 tablespoon of dough at a time, roll into small balls between your palms to form donut holes. If the dough is sticky, lightly dust your hands with flour or chill the dough for 30 minutes.
5. Place the donut holes in the air fryer basket with space between them. Cook for 6 minutes total, flipping each donut hole with tongs after 3 minutes so they brown evenly.
6. Put the powdered sugar into a large bowl. While the donut holes are still warm, transfer them directly into the powdered sugar and toss until evenly coated.
7. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool for 5–10 minutes before enjoying.

Notes

• The dough can be sticky while shaping—coating your palms with a little flour or chilling the dough helps.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave for about 15 seconds if you prefer them warm.

Nutrition (per donut hole)

Serving: 1 donut hole   |   Calories: 48 kcal   |   Carbohydrates: 7 g   |   Protein: 1 g   |   Fat: 2 g