Air Fryer Donuts are easy to make and everybody in your family will be asking you to share this air fryer donut recipe! It will be a hit at your next family brunch.
AIR FRYER DONUTS RECIPE
You know those times when you really just want a donut? Sometimes that craving can be almost overpowering. I have a recipe that is perfect for those times!
If you are a huge breakfast fan, I would suggest that you also check out our Cinnamon roll french toast casserole and our Simple quiche.
These air fryer donut holes are perfect! They are gluten-free and vegan. They taste every bit as delicious as conventional donuts. These air fryer donuts are perfect for your friends who have food allergies and those who do not. This air fryer donut recipe is a hit with everybody!
I literally make everything in the air fryer so why not air fryer donuts?! Do you agree? Many times you will see air fryer donut recipes that use a premade biscuit for the dough. This air fryer donut recipe is from scratch and honestly just as easy! Want more Air Fryer Donuts? Try Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Donuts - A Krispy Kreme copycat!
These little air fryer donuts are so delicious that you’ll want to eat them immediately from the air fryer! I promise you, you’ll want them to cool down a bit 🙂
WHAT IS AN AIR FRYER?
It is a countertop appliance that will soon win your heart over! It is basically a smaller (the inside of it) type of convection oven that moves very hot air around.
The circulating air cooks your food quickly and evenly. I am guessing that you have probably seen an air fryer infomercial or two!
While smaller inside than a convection oven, the outside is often typically the size of a toaster oven or slightly smaller. Many people buy air fryers to use when camping in their RV or even for cooking “stinky” foods (think air fryer broccoli) outside.
AIR FRYER success each and every time
I’ve owned my air fryer now for a while, and I have to be honest…I’ve yet to find a recipe that I don’t love. And did I mention how simple it is?
To say I’m a creature of habit is an understatement. I love being able to cook a meal and know with confidence that it’s going to taste amazing each and every time.
With the Air Fryer, I absolutely have no doubts. I know that from the moment I press start, to the moment that I remove the food from the machine, it will be cooked to perfection each and every time.
INGREDIENTS IN AIR FRYER DONUTS
Vegan butter - This will help the cinnamon and sugar stick to the donut holes.
Sugar - We're making donuts - there's going to be sugar involved.
Cinnamon - warm and comforting, cinnamon and sugar is a classic donut combination.
Gluten-Free Flour - The base of our donut dough.
Crispy Gluten-Free Cereal - These "crispies" will bulk up our dough and give a crunchy and light texture to the donuts.
Baking Powder - to help the donuts puff up while they cook.
Salt - A bit of seasoning goes a long way in sweet dishes.
Vegetable Shortening - Is added to our dough as well.
Non-Dairy Milk - Helps to bring the dough ingredients together.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you.
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER DONUTS
- In a bowl mix flour, cereal, sugar, baking powder and salt. Fold in shortening. Stir until mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk.
- Roll mixture into 1 inch balls with your hands.
- Place donut holes into the air fryer. Air Fry as directed in recipe.
- When donut holes are done cooking, carefully remove the air fryer donut holes. Carefully (they will be hot) dip each ball into melted butter.
- Then dip into "coating mixture" of cinnamon and sugar.
- Place on a plate to cool, then enjoy!
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
AIR FRYER TIPS
- Looking for vegan air fryer recipes? We have some of those too! You can even check out our YouTube channel for some air fryer videos.
- Still don’t have an air fryer of your own? Be sure to check out our air fryer reviews from several of the top models out there. You’ll be whipping up free air fryer recipes in no time!
- Want to learn more about Air Fryers? Check out our Air Fryer 101 post! Having an Air Fryer is great but may also mean that you have a ton of questions as well.
- We have some great tips for using your air fryer! Be sure to check out our Common Air Fryer Mistakes post so you are avoiding common problems when using your air fryer.
- How to clean your air fryer, that is the million dollar question that we’ve been hearing lately! Wondering the correct and best way to clean your air fryer? Check out these tips for cleaning your airfryer!
HOW DO I CLEAN MY AIR FRYER?
That is a great question and it will vary by model. I honestly get this question a lot!
For our power fryer Xl and Cosori Air Fryer we have a removable inner basket. So we can hand wash each basket individually.
It is listed on the new ones in the instruction manual that the basket is dishwasher safe. Be sure to check your manual.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR AIR FRYER – STEP BY STEP
- Unplug your air fryer from the outlet. While this might seem like common sense, it is worth mentioning as it is very important.
- Let your air fryer completely cool down. There is no need to immediately clear your machine right after use. It is dangerous and you can easily burn yourself!
- Wipe the outside of your oil less fryer with a damp cloth. The cloth should be wet enough to gently wipe away food or grease but it should not be dripping with moisture.
- Remove the basket container. Your basket should have two parts. Be sure to remove the inner basket from the outer basket, when cool. Gently scrub each basket with soap and water. Many new air fryer models have dishwasher safe baskets!
- If the inside of your air fryer is dirty, you can wipe it down with a damp sponge.
- Check the heating element of your fryer. You might need to gently turn the machine upside down to easily see and access the air fryer heating element. You can use a damp sponge to clean or a soft brush.
Side note: If you are in the market for an air fryer, I recently created a post about the best air fryers on the market. The post is based off of reviews from friends, family and online consumers! Be sure to check out the best air fryers on the market!
MORE EASY AIR FRYER RECIPES
Air Fryer Gluten Free Eggplant Parmesan is a multi step recipe that takes a bit of extra time but it's well worth it!
Roast up some Air Fryer Chickpeas to add to salads or for a snack.
Air Fryer Broccoli is my favorite way to cook broccoli for a slightly crispy side dish.
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey - If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook, too!
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Air Fryer Donuts
Ingredients
- Coating for doughnut holes:
- ½ cup melted vegan butter (or dairy butter)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 T cinnamon
- Doughnut Ingredients:
- 1 ⅓ cup gluten free flour (or AP flour)
- 1 cup crispy gluten free cereal (or rice krispies)
- 2 T sugar
- 1 T baking powder
- ½ t salt
- ¼ cup vegetable shortening
- ½ cup non dairy milk (or dairy milk)
Instructions
- In a small pan, melt butter. Pour butter into its own bowl. In a new bowl combine sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a bowl mix flour, cereal, sugar, baking powder and salt. Fold in shortening.
- Stir until mixture crumbly. Stir in milk.
- Roll mixture into 1 inch balls with your hands.
- Place donut holes into the air fryer. Air Fryer at 380 degrees F for 6 minutes. At the 3 minute mark, give the air fryer basket a quick shake.
- When donut holes are done cooking, carefully remove the air fryer donut holes. Carefully (they will be hot) dip each ball into melted butter and then the "coating mixture".
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Looking for vegan air fryer recipes? We have some of those too! You can even check out our YouTube channel for some air fryer videos.
- Still don’t have an air fryer of your own? Be sure to check out our air fryer reviews from several of the top models out there. You’ll be whipping up free air fryer recipes in no time!
- Want to learn more about Air Fryers? Check out our Air Fryer 101 post! Having an Air Fryer is great but may also mean that you have a ton of questions as well.
- We have some great tips for using your air fryer! Be sure to check out our Common Air Fryer Mistakes post so you are avoiding common problems when using your air fryer.
- How to clean your air fryer, that is the million dollar question that we’ve been hearing lately! Wondering the correct and best way to clean your air fryer? Check out these tips for cleaning your airfryer!
Nutrition
Vegetarian Air Fryer Resources – We have a vegetarian air fryer newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. We also have a specific vegetarian air fryer recipes group on facebook. You can find that Veg Air Fryer FB Group here.
If you are looking for vegetarian recipes beyond air fryer ones, we have a Vegetarian Newsletter as well as a Vegetarian Recipes facebook group. This newsletter and FB group offers up recipes that on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, in the instant pot and more!
Other Resources:
- Air Fryer Calculator (convert oven recipes to air fryer)
- Common Air Fryer Mistakes
- Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet
- Can You Put Foil in the Air Fryer
- How to Clean Your Air Fryer
- Tips for Your Air Fryer
- Cosori Air Fryer Reviews
More Air Fryer Goodies:
- Meat + Veg Newsletter
- Air Fryer Recipes – Facebook Group (large + fast paced – meat/veg)
- Air Fryer Recipes for Seniors – Facebook Group
- Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes – Facebook Group
- Air Fryer Eats – Facebook Group (slower paced)
I just got my air fryer and this was the perfect recipe to try with it for the first time!! It was super simple and the donuts were absolutely delicious - my whole family devoured them! 🙂
Thank you! Yes, it is so simple and quick! We love these air fryer donuts too!
Oh! These are so yummy! My son just gobbled them up! I had to a couple for me! I can't wait to make them again!
So glad you loved this air fryer donut recipe, Beth! Glad you saved a few for yourself!
You know, I've used my air fryer for a lot of things, but never to make donuts before. It is such a good idea! My kids love donuts and I think this will be a great special treat for them.
Thank you Vicky! I hope your kids love these air fryer donuts!
These look amazing!! Fresh cinnamon sugar donuts are one of the few sweet treats I truly enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by and checking out our air fryer donuts!
These were PERFECT for a brunch spread I created for a group of people with mixed dietary restrictions - gluten, dairy, vegam etc - everyone loved them!! Thanks for sharing
So glad that you loved our air fryer donuts! It does make a great addition to any brunch spread! Especially with those with food restrictions!
I feel like one is supposed to dunk the donut holes in the butter.....though recipe doesn't say....is that before cooking, after cooking, both?
HI Karen 🙂 It is after they are cooked, sorry that was confusing! I corrected it to make it clearer! Enjoy!
What kind of cereal do you use?
I used a sprouted brown rice crispy cereal that was vegan and gf 🙂 I ordered it online 🙂
Hi can I use butter in place of the shortening?
Hello! I haven't tried it in this recipe, but generally you can sub butter for shortening 1-1, so it should work. Let me know if you try, that will help other readers in the future :). My kids LOVE these!
Hi! I’m so glad I found this recipe! Is there a good substitution for the vegetable shortening?
Hello! I haven't tried it but when I did a little research it says that you can sub butter, so that would be a dairy or dairy free butter. Let me know if you try it! 🙂
Don’t know what happened here but I ended up getting more of a biscuit hole as opposed to the donut texture. Still super good, great new invention…Biscuit Holes!
This might be the new million dollar idea...biscuit holes! ha! I love it. Sorry they didn't give you the texture you were looking for but glad you liked the taste and came up with a new invention!