Ava Everhart Introduction
Craving warm, sugared donuts without a pot of hot oil? These air fryer donut holes check every box: soft centers, lightly crisp edges, and a fragrance that fills your kitchen the second cinnamon sugar hits warm dough. We lean into an Indian-inspired profile—cardamom in the dough and a glossy saffron-lemon glaze—then shower everything with pistachios and a pinch of dried rose. The result feels festive, fancy, and surprisingly easy.
To meet you where you are, I’m sharing three pathways:
- super fast air fryer donuts without yeast (tender and cake-like),
- the viral air fryer biscuit donuts (a fun shortcut for donut holes with biscuits), and
- a cozy weekend from-scratch air fryer donut recipe (yeasted) for that bakery-style chew.
Because air fryers run hot in different ways, I’ve included a detailed air fryer donuts temperature and time guide for Ninja, Cosori, and Instant Vortex. You’ll see exactly how long to cook donuts in air fryer baskets and when to adjust by 1–2 minutes. By the end, you’ll be able to riff into chocolate glazed air fryer donuts, maple-glazed rings, air fryer cronuts (puff pastry!), pumpkin spice donut holes, and apple cider variations. Let’s bake.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes
- Light(er) & less mess: You get that fresh donut energy with baked air fryer donuts—no deep-fryer, no oil splatter, no lingering smell.
- Choose your own adventure: Make air fryer donut holes three ways—air fryer donuts without yeast for quick weekdays, air fryer biscuit donuts for kid-friendly fun, or yeasted from scratch for weekend baking.
- Signature finish: The saffron-lemon glaze on warm air fryer donut holes melts into every curve. Cardamom + pistachio + rose = instant bakery vibes.
- Dietary flexibility: Simple swaps turn these into gluten free air fryer donuts, vegan air fryer donuts, or a lower-carb almond-flour bite.
- Precise timing: A clear air fryer donuts temperature and time chart (by model) so you know how long to cook donuts in air fryer—every time.
- Endless riffs: From cinnamon sugar donut holes to chocolate glazed air fryer donuts and air fryer cronuts, this base will power a full dessert calendar.
Ingredients & Substitutions (Master List)
You’ll pull from this list depending on your chosen method for air fryer donut holes.
Pantry & Baking
- All-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free baking blend)
- Sugar (granulated for dough/coating; powdered sugar for glazes)
- Baking powder (plus a pinch of baking soda in the no-yeast batter)
- Fine sea salt
- Instant or active dry yeast (for the yeasted, from-scratch air fryer donut holes)
- Ground cardamom (freshly ground = best) + tiny pinch nutmeg
Wet
- Milk (dairy or plant)
- Melted butter or neutral oil
- Egg (yeasted version)
- Plain Greek yogurt (optional in the no-yeast batter for plush texture)
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh lemon zest and juice (for the saffron-lemon glaze)
Glaze & Garnish
- Saffron threads (a pinch, bloomed)
- Warm milk or water (to bloom saffron)
- Pistachios, chopped
- Dried rose petals (food-grade; optional)
- Cocoa powder (for chocolate glazed air fryer donuts)
- Maple syrup (for maple glazed air fryer donuts)
Shortcuts & Variations
- Refrigerated biscuits (for air fryer biscuit donuts / donut holes with biscuits)
- Frozen puff pastry (for air fryer puff pastry donuts / air fryer cronuts)
Dietary Tweaks
- Gluten-free: use a 1:1 GF baking blend for gluten free air fryer donuts
- Vegan: use plant milk + oil; choose a dairy-free glaze for vegan air fryer donuts
- Almond-flour option: see Variations for a lower-carb donut bite
Equipment & Notes
- Air fryer: Ninja, Cosori, Instant Vortex, or similar basket model
- Oil mister: a light spritz helps color air fryer donut holes without greasiness
- Mixing bowls, whisk, mini scoop (for even donut holes)
- Cooling rack: essential for glazing air fryer donut holes neatly
- Instant-read thermometer (optional; for yeasted dough, aim ~190–195°F internal)
Method A: Air Fryer Donut Holes Without Yeast (Fast & Tender)
This is your weeknight hero. These air fryer donuts without yeast are soft, lightly cakey, and ready in minutes. The dough is quickly stirred together—no rise, no mixer—and shaped into air fryer donut holes that cook fast and evenly.
You’ll need (makes ~24 air fryer donut holes):
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or GF 1:1 for gluten free air fryer donuts)
- 1½ tsp baking powder + pinch baking soda
- ¼ cup sugar + ¼ tsp fine salt
- ½ tsp ground cardamom + tiny pinch nutmeg
- ½ cup milk (dairy or plant)
- 2 Tbsp melted butter or neutral oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- (Optional) 2 Tbsp Greek yogurt (for extra-plush air fryer donut holes)
Steps
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes. Preheating gives air fryer donut holes a jump-start and better browning.
- Whisk dry ingredients in one bowl: flour, baking powder/soda, sugar, salt, cardamom, nutmeg.
- Whisk wet in a second bowl: milk, butter/oil, vanilla (and yogurt, if using).
- Combine wet into dry just until a soft, scoopable dough forms—do not overmix; that’s how air fryer donut holes go dense.
- Shape: Lightly oil your hands. Scoop ~1 Tbsp portions; roll into smooth balls.
- Air fry: Mist the basket and the tops of the air fryer donut holes lightly. Cook 5–7 minutes, shaking once. You’re aiming for golden, puffed donut holes with a tender crumb.
- Finish: Toss warm air fryer donut holes in cinnamon sugar or dip into saffron-lemon glaze (below).
Vegan note: Swap dairy milk for oat/almond and butter for oil to keep these vegan air fryer donuts soft and moist.
Method B: Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts (Donut Holes with Biscuits)
Air fryer biscuit donuts are the fastest route to donut holes with biscuits—two to three ingredients, kid-approved, and seriously satisfying. The texture is light and a bit flaky, perfect for cinnamon sugar donut holes or a chocolate glaze.
You’ll need
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits (homestyle or flaky)
- Neutral oil spray
- Cinnamon + sugar, or your favorite glaze
Steps
- Preheat to 330–340°F (165–170°C). Lower heat keeps air fryer biscuit donuts evenly golden.
- Cut & roll: Quarter each biscuit; roll into smooth balls (uniform size = even cook).
- Air fry: Lightly spritz basket and dough. Cook 5–6 minutes, shaking once; remove when the donut holes with biscuits are puffed and golden.
- Finish: Toss in cinnamon sugar for instant cinnamon sugar donut holes or dip into chocolate glazed air fryer donuts territory.
Tips for biscuit-based air fryer donut holes
- Flaky biscuits = layered interior; homestyle = cakier bite.
- If you’re using an Instant Vortex, start at 330°F; the heater runs hot.
- For air fryer donut holes that brown evenly, don’t crowd the basket.
Method C: From-Scratch Air Fryer Donut Holes (Yeasted)
When you want bakery-style air fryer donut holes with a tender chew, make them yeasted. This from-scratch air fryer donut recipe uses a small batch of enriched dough and an easy first rise.
You’ll need
- 1 cup flour, 2 Tbsp sugar, ⅛ tsp salt
- ¼ cup warm milk, ¾ tsp yeast (instant or bloomed active)
- 1 Tbsp melted butter
- ½ egg (whisk 1 egg, use half), ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp cardamom + tiny pinch nutmeg
Steps
- Mix & knead 5–7 minutes until smooth. You want a soft, slightly tacky dough for perfect air fryer donut holes.
- First rise: Cover; let puff 45–60 minutes in a warm spot.
- Shape: Pinch walnut-size pieces; roll into balls; rest 10 minutes (this relaxes gluten so air fryer donut holes cook evenly).
- Air fry at 345°F (174°C) 6–7 minutes, lightly spritzed with oil.
- Glaze: While warm, dip each air fryer donut hole into saffron-lemon glaze and finish with pistachios and rose.
Thermometer check: Yeasted air fryer donut holes are perfect around 190–195°F in the center.
Saffron-Lemon Glaze + Pistachio & Rose
This glaze elevates humble air fryer donut holes into something celebration-worthy. The saffron brings color and perfume; lemon keeps things bright; pistachio and rose add crunch and glam.
Bloom a pinch of saffron in 1 Tbsp warm milk or water for 5–10 minutes.
Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, the saffron liquid, 1–2 tsp lemon juice, ¼ tsp lemon zest, plus ½–1 Tbsp milk as needed to reach a silky drizzle.
Dip warm air fryer donut holes halfway; let excess drip.
Garnish with chopped pistachios and a tiny pinch of dried rose petals.
Other glazes for air fryer donut holes
- Chocolate glaze: powdered sugar + cocoa + milk + vanilla → shiny chocolate glazed air fryer donuts.
- Maple glaze: powdered sugar + real maple syrup + pinch of salt → dreamy maple glazed air fryer donuts.
- Cinnamon sugar: ½ cup sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon → classic cinnamon sugar donut holes.
Air Fryer Donuts Temperature and Time (By Model)
Readers always ask how long to cook donuts in air fryer baskets. Use this as your quick reference, then adjust 1–2 minutes based on size and your appliance.
No-Yeast Air Fryer Donut Holes
- Ninja: 350°F (175°C), 6–7 min
- Instant Vortex: 340–350°F, 5–6 min
- Cosori: 350°F, 5–7 min
Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts (Donut Holes with Biscuits)
- Ninja: 340°F (170°C), 5–6 min
- Instant Vortex: 330°F, 5–6 min
- Cosori: 340°F, 5–6 min
From-Scratch (Yeasted) Air Fryer Donut Holes
- Ninja: 345°F (174°C), 6–7 min
- Instant Vortex: 340°F, 6–7 min
- Cosori: 345–350°F, 6–7 min
Rings vs holes: For larger ring-style baked air fryer donuts, add 1–2 minutes. For yeasted rings, check that the center hits ~190–195°F.
Flavor Variations (Build Your Donut Library)
- Chocolate Glazed Air Fryer Donuts: Dip any method into glossy chocolate; add sprinkles for birthday-energy air fryer donut holes.
- Maple-Pecan: Stir a touch of maple into glaze; finish with toasted pecans—simple, irresistible baked air fryer donuts.
- Air Fryer Puff Pastry Donuts (Cronuts): Cut puff pastry into rings; stack two layers with a small center hole. Air fry at 330°F until deeply golden for shattery air fryer cronuts. Dust with sugar or dip in salted caramel.
- Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes: Whisk 2–3 Tbsp pumpkin purée + pumpkin spice into the no-yeast batter; toss in cinnamon sugar for autumn-perfect air fryer donut holes.
- Apple Cider Donut Holes: Reduce 1 cup apple cider to ¼ cup; fold into batter; finish with apple-cinnamon sugar.
- Gluten Free Air Fryer Donuts: Use a 1:1 GF blend, plus 1–2 tsp extra milk if the no-yeast dough feels dry.
- Vegan Air Fryer Donuts: Plant milk + oil; dairy-free glaze.
- Almond-Flour Donut Bites: 1 cup almond flour + 2 Tbsp coconut flour + 1 egg + 2 Tbsp sweetener + ½ tsp baking powder + splash almond milk; 320–330°F, 6–7 min for low-carb air fryer donut holes.
Why Are My Donut Holes Dense?
- Overmixed no-yeast dough: Stir just until combined; overworking toughens air fryer donut holes.
- Under-proofed yeasted dough: Let it puff visibly before shaping air fryer donut holes.
- Too hot / too long: Overbakes dry the centers; reduce by 10°F or 1 minute.
- Crowded basket: Air needs to circulate; cook air fryer donut holes in a single layer.
- Greasy exterior: Too much oil mist; a light spritz is enough.
- Glaze sliding off: Donuts too hot; wait 3–5 minutes before glazing.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead
- Same-day best: Especially the no-yeast and air fryer biscuit donuts.
- Overnight: Airtight at room temp; reheat 2–3 min at 300°F to refresh air fryer donut holes.
- Freeze: Undipped air fryer donut holes freeze up to 2 months. Reheat 320°F for 4–5 min, then glaze.
Nutrition Snapshot (Per No-Yeast Donut Hole)
Approximate (varies by glaze): ~85–100 calories; 2–3g fat; 15–17g carbs; 1–2g protein. Air fryer donut holes are still a treat—but lighter than deep-fried donuts.
FAQs
Are these baked or fried?
They’re essentially baked air fryer donuts—no deep-fryer required—yet your air fryer donut holes will still taste crispy-soft.
What’s the quickest method?
Air fryer biscuit donuts or the two-ingredient style of air fryer donuts without yeast. Both give fast, fluffy air fryer donut holes.
Which models do you test?
I include air fryer donuts temperature and time for Ninja, Cosori, and Instant Vortex. Use the chart above to see how long to cook donuts in air fryer baskets by model.
Can I make gluten-free or vegan?
Yes—see the swaps for gluten free air fryer donuts and vegan air fryer donuts in Ingredients and Variations.
Can I make rings instead of holes?
Absolutely. Cut rings and adjust timing per the chart; glazed rings make gorgeous baked air fryer donuts.
Air Fryer Donut Holes (Cardamom) with Saffron-Lemon Glaze + Time & Temp Guide
Description
Soft, golden air fryer donut holes scented with cardamom and finished with a bright saffron-lemon glaze. Three flexible methods: a quick no-yeast batter, a 10-minute biscuit shortcut, and a cozy yeasted version. Lightly crisp outside, tender inside—bakery taste without deep-frying.
Ingredients (No-Yeast Base)
Cinnamon Sugar (optional)
Saffron-Lemon Glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes.
- Whisk dry: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda (pinch), sugar, salt, cardamom, and nutmeg.
- Whisk wet: In a second bowl, whisk milk, melted butter (or oil), vanilla, and Greek yogurt (if using).
- Combine: Pour wet into dry and fold just until a soft, scoopable dough forms—do not overmix.
- Shape: Lightly oil your hands. Scoop ~1 Tbsp dough and roll into smooth balls (about 24).
- Air fry: Mist basket and tops of dough balls lightly with oil. Cook 5–7 minutes, shaking once, until puffed and golden.
- Finish:
- Cinnamon sugar: Toss warm donut holes in the cinnamon-sugar mix.
- Saffron-lemon glaze: Bloom saffron in warm milk/water 5–10 min. Whisk with powdered sugar, lemon juice/zest, and enough milk to make a silky glaze. Dip warm donut holes; garnish with pistachios/rose.
- Ninja: 350°F · 6–7 min
- Instant Vortex: 340–350°F · 5–6 min
- Cosori: 350°F · 5–7 min
- (Adjust ±1–2 min based on size; aim for even golden color.)
- Preheat 330–340°F (165–170°C).
- Quarter biscuits; roll into balls.
- Lightly spray; air fry 5–6 minutes, shaking once.
- Toss in cinnamon sugar or glaze and serve warm.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour · 2 Tbsp sugar · ⅛ tsp salt
- ¼ cup warm milk · ¾ tsp yeast (instant or active, bloomed)
- 1 Tbsp melted butter · ½ egg (whisk 1 egg, use half) · ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp cardamom + pinch nutmeg
- Instructions:
- Mix and knead 5–7 min until smooth.
- Rise 45–60 min until puffy.
- Shape walnut-size balls; rest 10 min.
- Air fry 345°F (174°C) for 6–7 min, lightly sprayed.
- Glaze warm and garnish as desired.
- Target internal temp (yeasted): ~190–195°F.
Time & Temp Quick Guide (Holes)
Biscuit Shortcut (Donut Holes with Biscuits)
From-Scratch Yeasted Version (Small Batch)
Notes
- Texture control: Overmixing makes no-yeast dough tough. Stir just until combined.
Don’t crowd: Cook in a single layer so hot air circulates.
Oil mist: A light spray boosts color/crisp without greasiness.
Glaze timing: Let donut holes cool 3–5 minutes so the glaze sets instead of slipping off.
Gluten-free: Swap in a 1:1 GF baking blend; add 1–2 tsp extra milk if dough feels dry.
Vegan: Use plant milk + oil; choose a dairy-free glaze.
Make-ahead: Freeze undipped donut holes up to 2 months. Reheat 320°F for 4–5 minutes, then glaze/toss.
