Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts (Printable Version)

Quickly made cinnamon-coated soft donut bites with air fryer cooking method, perfect for a sweet snack.

# What You'll 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 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

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
03 - Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined; avoid overmixing.
04 - Lightly grease your hands and form the dough into 16 small balls, about one tablespoon each.
05 - Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes.
06 - Place the dough balls in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, spacing them slightly apart; cook in batches if necessary.
07 - Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked.
08 - While still warm, brush each donut bite with melted butter.
09 - Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl, then toss the warm bites to coat evenly.
10 - Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They're ready in under 20 minutes, which means you can satisfy a sweet craving without planning ahead.
  • No deep fryer mess—just air fryer magic that leaves your kitchen smelling like cinnamon heaven instead of hot oil.
  • The texture is impossibly soft inside with just enough structure to coat them in cinnamon sugar without falling apart.
02 -
  • Don't overmix the dough or they'll turn dense and cake-like instead of light and tender.
  • Brushing them with butter immediately after cooking is what transforms them from good to irresistible—the warmth helps the butter and cinnamon stick and adds a richness that matters.
03 -
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 6 minutes to avoid overbrowning—ovens vary, and donut bites are forgiving if you catch them early.
  • Melting the butter for brushing while the donuts cook ensures it's still warm and pliable when you need it, making the cinnamon sugar adhere better.
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