Save There's something almost magical about the moment when a plain ball of dough transforms into a golden, fluffy donut in the air fryer. I discovered these cinnamon sugar bites one Sunday morning when I was craving donuts but didn't want the mess of deep frying—the air fryer seemed like a wild card, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed. Eighteen minutes from craving to warm, cinnamon-dusted pillows of joy sitting on my kitchen counter. My kids still ask for them by name, which tells you everything about how this recipe stuck around.
I'll never forget bringing these to a friend's house on a Tuesday evening with fresh coffee, watching her face light up the moment she bit into one—that warm, just-right sweetness hit different when someone genuinely wasn't expecting homemade donuts. She asked for the recipe three times before I finally texted it to her, and now she makes them more often than I do, which somehow feels like the highest compliment a recipe can receive.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: The structure of your donut, and a full cup (125g) gives you that tender crumb without being dense or gummy.
- Granulated sugar: Split between the dough (1/4 cup) for subtle sweetness and the topping (1/4 cup) for that satisfying crunch.
- Baking powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons is the magic amount that makes these puff up like they've got air pockets throughout.
- Salt: Just 1/4 teaspoon, but it wakes up all the other flavors so nothing tastes flat or one-dimensional.
- Milk: Use 1/3 cup (80ml) at room temperature if you can—cold milk takes longer to fully hydrate the flour.
- Egg: One large egg binds everything together and adds richness without overpowering the delicate donut flavor.
- Melted butter: 2 tablespoons in the dough plus 2 more tablespoons for brushing warm donuts creates that tender crumb and helps the cinnamon sugar stick.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon rounds out the flavor so there's depth behind the cinnamon.
- Ground cinnamon: 1 1/2 teaspoons in the coating—this is where you taste the soul of the recipe, so use fresh cinnamon if you have it.
Instructions
- Mix the dry base:
- Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until you see no streaks of flour. This prevents lumps when you add the wet ingredients.
- Combine the wet mixture:
- In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until the mixture is uniform and the egg is fully incorporated.
- Bring them together gently:
- Pour wet into dry and stir just until combined—a few small lumps are your friend here, because overmixing toughens the dough.
- Shape into balls:
- Lightly grease your hands with a little oil or butter, then roll the dough into 16 equal balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Don't pack them too tight or they'll be dense.
- Heat the air fryer:
- Set it to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat for 3 minutes so the basket is properly heated when the donuts go in.
- Arrange and fry:
- Place dough balls in the basket in a single layer with a tiny bit of space between each one—they'll puff up slightly. If everything doesn't fit, just do two batches.
- Cook with a shake:
- Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through so they brown evenly on all sides.
- Brush while warm:
- Pull them out when they're golden and still warm, then brush each piece with melted butter—this helps the sugar coating cling and adds richness.
- coat in cinnamon sugar:
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl, then toss the warm donut bites until every piece is coated. The warmth of the donut helps the sugar stick.
- Serve immediately:
- They're best eaten within a few minutes while they're still warm and the texture is at its peak.
Save There was one rainy Saturday morning when my partner made these for me before I even woke up, the smell of cinnamon and warm dough pulling me out of bed. That's when I realized these donuts had become more than just a quick dessert—they'd turned into an easy way to say 'I was thinking of you' without making a production out of breakfast.
Why the Air Fryer Changes Everything
Deep frying donuts means heating a pot of oil to an exact temperature, dealing with splatters, burning yourself, and then disposing of used oil—it's a whole production that keeps most home cooks from even trying. The air fryer skips all of that drama while still giving you that golden exterior and fluffy interior, which feels almost like cheating in the best way possible. You preheat for three minutes, cook for eight, and you're done with cleanup that takes less time than it took to make them.
Customizing Your Batch
Once you nail the basic dough, you can play with flavors without worrying you'll ruin the recipe. A pinch of nutmeg in the dough adds an autumnal warmth, while a chocolate or caramel dipping sauce turns these into something closer to a restaurant-level dessert. I've also made versions with maple cinnamon sugar for fall and cardamom for when I'm in the mood for something more fragrant and complex.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg to the dry mix if you want a subtle spice depth.
- Make them dairy-free by swapping plant-based milk and butter—they work just as well.
- Dip them in melted chocolate or caramel sauce within minutes of coating for an indulgent upgrade.
Timing and Storage
These donuts are a textbook example of when 'fresh is best' actually matters—they peak in flavor and texture within the first hour of making them. If you do have leftovers (which is rare in my house), a quick 2-minute reheat in the air fryer brings them back to almost their original state, though nothing quite compares to eating them warm from the basket.
Save These donuts proved to me that sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that stick around longest, becoming the ones people request by name. They're not complicated or pretentious—they're just warm, sweet, and honest, which is exactly what a donut should be.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use a different type of milk?
Yes, plant-based milks like almond or oat milk can be used as dairy substitutes without compromising texture.
- → How do I keep the donut bites soft?
Avoid overmixing the dough and serve the bites warm, brushed with melted butter to maintain softness.
- → Is preheating the air fryer necessary?
Preheating to 350°F ensures even cooking and optimal texture for the donut bites.
- → Can I add extra spices to the dough?
Adding a pinch of nutmeg or other warm spices can enhance the flavor without overpowering the cinnamon.
- → How should leftovers be stored?
Store in an airtight container and reheat gently in the air fryer for 2 minutes to restore crispness.