There is nothing quite like biting into a freshly baked donut—soft, warm, and irresistible. Traditional store-bought and fast-food donuts often come with excessive calories, added sugar, and saturated fat, leaving many of us feeling guilty after enjoying one. Fortunately, you can make a lighter homemade version that still satisfies your sweet tooth by using an air fryer.
This air fryer powdered sugar donut holes recipe is quick and simple and does not rely on yeast, so there’s no need to spend time kneading dough or waiting for it to rise. With just about 20 minutes and a handful of everyday ingredients, you can have a batch of warm donut holes ready to enjoy.
Traditional vs Air Fryer Donuts
Typical donut holes found in coffee shops are often made with processed sugars, animal fats, artificial flavors, and preservatives, then deep-fried in oil. Deep frying adds a significant amount of saturated fat and extra calories, which can contribute to weight gain and raise LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Air fryer donut holes achieve a golden, slightly crisp exterior and a tender interior without being submerged in oil. The circulating hot air creates the texture while using far less fat. Compared to many commercial options, air-fried donut holes can contain substantially fewer calories and less fat, making them a lighter treat you can feel better about.
Air Fryer Donut Topping Variations
- Traditional Glaze: Whisk 1/3 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk (or water for dairy-free) until smooth and drizzle over warm donut holes.
- Chocolate Glaze: Combine 1/3 cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, then stir in 1/2 tablespoon milk or water and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
- Nutty Crunch: Finely chop 1 tablespoon each of almonds, cashews, and peanuts. Mix with 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 1 tablespoon maple syrup, then press onto a glaze or drizzle.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Toss donut holes in a mixture of 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon for a classic coating.
- Maple Glaze: Stir 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 5 tablespoons pure maple syrup and toss the warm donut holes in the glaze.
Oven-Baked Option
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these donut holes in a conventional convection oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake the donut holes for about 8 minutes, or until they are lightly golden. Immediately toss them in powdered sugar while still warm, then transfer to a cooling rack and cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Air Fryer Powdered Sugar Donut Holes Recipe
Servings: 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
- 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Nonstick cooking spray
For powdered sugar coating:
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer basket to 370°F (about 188°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients: coconut oil, applesauce, honey, and vanilla. Mix until mostly combined.
- Add the dry ingredients—flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt—to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and roll it between your palms into small donut hole shapes. Arrange them in the basket with space between; cook in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
- Air fry for a total of 6 minutes. After 3 minutes, use tongs to flip each donut hole and continue cooking for the remaining 3 minutes.
- Place the powdered sugar into a large bowl. While the donut holes are still warm, transfer them with tongs into the powdered sugar and toss until evenly coated—the sugar adheres best when the donuts are warm.
- Set donut holes on a cooling rack for 5–10 minutes, then serve and enjoy.
Notes
- The dough can be sticky when shaping. Lightly dust your palms with flour or chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to make handling easier.
- Storage: These donut holes are best eaten fresh. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave (about 10–15 seconds) if you prefer them warm.
Nutrition (per donut hole)
- Calories: 48 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fat: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Saturated fat: 1 g
- Sodium: 84 mg
- Sugar: 2 g
Tried this recipe? Share your results on social media and tag your photos to show how yours turned out—these donut holes are a quick, satisfying treat that’s easy to customize with different coatings and glazes.