Air Fryer Donut Holes: Easy, Cinnamon Sugar & 3 Ingredients
Some mornings need a little sugar, a little warmth… and zero extra stress.
When my kids came tiptoeing into the kitchen last Saturday morning, still sleepy-eyed but already asking, “What’s for breakfast?” I looked at the mess of dishes from the night before and thought, “Not a chance, kid.” But then I remembered the magic trio sitting in the fridge biscuit dough, butter, and cinnamon sugar. Boom. These air fryer donut holes saved the day.
You know the ones those warm, bite-sized puffs of golden joy, dusted in sweet cinnamon sugar? They taste like they took all morning but come together in under 10 minutes. And guess what? They’re made in the air fryer. No oil, no mess, and no deep-frying guilt.
Whether you’re wrangling toddlers, brunching with your besties, or just treating yourself on a random Tuesday, this easy air fryer donut recipe is for you.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes
These cinnamon sugar donut holes are the stuff breakfast dreams are made of.
Here’s why they’re a total win:
- Only 3 ingredients (yes, really!)
- No frying, no fuss hello, no fry donut holes
- Ready in less than 10 minutes
- Kid-approved, mom-celebrated
- Perfect for a fun air fryer breakfast sweet or quick dessert
These are basically the unicorns of quick air fryer sweet treats.
Ingredients to make air fryer donut holes (Just 3!)
- 1 can of refrigerated biscuit dough
(not the flaky kind go for the regular or buttermilk biscuits for best results) - 2 tbsp melted butter
- ½ cup cinnamon sugar
(just mix ½ cup granulated sugar with 1 tbsp ground cinnamon)
That’s it. You probably already have these in your kitchen, which means you’re about five minutes away from cozy donut bliss.
How to Make air fryer donut holes
- Pop open the biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Roll each piece into a ball this is fun to do with kids if you’ve got little helpers!
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (optional, but helps with even cooking).
- Place the dough balls in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Give them space they need a little room to puff up.
- Air fry at 350°F for 5-6 minutes, shaking halfway through, until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
- As soon as they’re out, brush with melted butter, then toss in your cinnamon sugar mix while still warm.
- Try not to eat them all before they hit the plate. (I fail at this every time.)
Sarah’s Tip: Make It Yours
- Want to make these extra indulgent? Inject a little Nutella or jam into the center using a piping bag. Instant upgrade.
- These are best served warm, but if you’ve got leftovers, just pop them back in the air fryer for a minute or two to reheat.
- Try swapping the cinnamon sugar for powdered sugar for that classic donut shop vibe.
A Bite of Memory
These donut holes remind me of the mini cinnamon-sugar twists my mom used to bake with leftover pie crust scraps. We’d sit at the kitchen table, flour everywhere, dipping warm bites into bowls of sugar like it was the best thing we’d ever tasted. It was never about fancy ingredients it was about the feeling. That’s what I try to capture here: sweet, simple moments that stick.
This is one of those air fryer kids desserts that brings back those little kitchen memories… and creates new ones too.
Want more ideas? Check out the full roundup: Easy Air Fryer Desserts →
FAQ about air fryer donut holes
Can I use homemade dough instead of biscuit dough?
Sure! If you’re up for it. But the biscuit dough shortcut is what makes this one of my favorite 3 ingredient air fryer desserts.
How do I store leftover donut holes?
Pop them in an airtight container. They’ll keep for 1-2 days, but they’re best eaten fresh. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Yep! Use a dairy-free biscuit dough and swap the butter for melted coconut oil.
If you’re already obsessed with these, you might also love my Air Fryer French Toast Sticks another air fryer breakfast sweet that comes together in a snap. Or for a chocolate fix, check out my Air Fryer Brownie Bites mini and mighty!
Sometimes, the best things come in small (and sugary) packages. These air fryer donut holes are everything you want in a sweet treat: fast, fun, and guaranteed to make you feel like the queen of weekend breakfasts even if you haven’t had your coffee yet.
So go ahead, make a batch this weekend. You deserve something warm, sweet, and covered in cinnamon sugar.
Air Fryer Donut Holes
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Basting Brush
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Donut Holes
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough not flaky; use regular or buttermilk biscuits
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar mix 1/2 cup sugar with 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Pop open the biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Roll each piece into a ball.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (optional, but helps with even cooking).
- Place the dough balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave space between them.
- Air fry at 350°F for 5-6 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- While still warm, brush with melted butter and toss in cinnamon sugar to coat.
