There’s a sure magic to donuts. They’re not fancy meals. They’re not attempting to impress anybody. They’re simply comforting, nostalgic, and one way or the other all the time hit the spot — whether or not it’s with a cup of espresso at 10am or as a “only one extra” deal with after dinner.

However let’s be actual for a minute. Conventional donuts include a couple of downsides: deep frying, sizzling oil in every single place, and that heavy feeling afterwards that makes you swear you gained’t do it once more… till subsequent time. That’s precisely why the air fryer has quietly grow to be one of the best factor to ever occur to dwelling donut makers.

Air fryer donuts are faster, lighter, and much much less intimidating. No yeast should you don’t need it. No standing over effervescent oil. And better of all? They’re extremely adaptable. Gluten-free? Simple. Dairy-free? No downside. Vegan? Completely doable — and nobody has to overlook out.

I’ve pulled collectively seven air fryer donut recipes that cowl all of the bases. These are the form of recipes you may tweak relying on who’s coming over, what’s within the pantry, or what stage of life you’re in (as a result of truthfully, our our bodies have opinions lately). Each recipe under contains notes for gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan swaps so you can also make them be just right for you.

1. Basic Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Bites

These are those everybody ought to begin with. Smooth, fluffy, calmly golden, and rolled in cinnamon sugar whereas nonetheless heat. They style like old-school donut holes from the bakery — minus the deep fryer and the oil scent lingering for days.

Substances

1 cup plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp sugar ? cup butter 1 cup milk (almond milk works effectively) 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

½ cup sugar ½ tbsp cinnamon

Technique

Heat the butter, milk, and sugar collectively till melted and mixed. Combine dry substances in a bowl, then stir within the heat combination. As soon as barely cooled, add the egg and vanilla. Roll into balls, air fry at 180°C for 8–10 minutes, then roll in cinnamon sugar whereas heat.

Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix Dairy-Free: Use plant milk and dairy-free butter Vegan: Swap egg for ¼ cup applesauce

2. Chocolate Chip Air Fryer Donut Bites

These really feel like a donut–muffin hybrid and are wildly in style with children and chocolate lovers. Mini chocolate chips work finest so that they don’t sink or soften too aggressively.

Substances

Use the traditional donut chunk base, plus:

½ cup mini chocolate chips

Technique

Put together the bottom dough as above. Fold in chocolate chips on the very finish. Roll, air fry, and coat in cinnamon sugar or plain sugar.

Gluten-Free: Use GF flour + GF-certified chocolate chips Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free chocolate chips Vegan: Applesauce egg swap + vegan chocolate chips

3. Lemon Sugar Air Fryer Donuts

These are lighter and fewer candy, excellent if cinnamon sugar isn’t your factor. Brilliant, recent, and wonderful with afternoon tea.

Substances

Base donut dough Zest of 1 lemon

Lemon Sugar Coating

½ cup sugar Further lemon zest

Technique

Add lemon zest to the dough when mixing. Air fry as normal. Roll heat donuts in lemon sugar as a substitute of cinnamon sugar.

Gluten-Free: Add 1–2 tbsp further milk if dough feels dry Dairy-Free: Plant-based milk and butter Vegan: Applesauce egg substitute

4. Apple Cinnamon Air Fryer Donut Bites

These scent unbelievable whereas cooking and really feel very “baked items cooling on the bench” cozy. Good for autumn or while you need one thing comforting however not heavy.

Substances

Base donut dough ½ cup very finely diced apple

Technique

Fold apple into the dough after mixing. Roll gently so the apple stays evenly distributed. Air fry and coat in cinnamon sugar.

Gluten-Free: Finely cube apple and use GF flour Dairy-Free: No modifications wanted with plant swaps Vegan: Applesauce egg substitute (nonetheless works superbly)

5. Pumpkin Spice Air Fryer Donuts

Smooth, cake-like, and stuffed with heat spices. These really feel indulgent however not overly candy — particularly good should you’re baking for adults.

Substances

¾ cup flour ¼ cup pumpkin purée 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp nutmeg Pinch of clove or allspice Remaining base substances as normal

Technique

Combine pumpkin purée into the moist substances. Dough shall be softer. Roll gently, air fry, and coat in cinnamon sugar.

Gluten-Free: Cut back pumpkin barely if dough is simply too moist Dairy-Free: Plant milk and butter Vegan: Pumpkin purée replaces egg solely

6. Vanilla Glazed Air Fryer Donuts

For many who don’t love cinnamon sugar, that is your bakery-style choice. Smooth donuts with a easy vanilla glaze that units superbly as they cool.

Substances

Use the bottom donut recipe.

Vanilla Glaze

1 cup icing sugar 1–2 tbsp milk ½ tsp vanilla

Technique

Air fry donuts as normal. Combine glaze substances and drizzle over heat donuts. Let set for five–10 minutes.

Gluten-Free: Use GF flour and GF icing sugar Dairy-Free: Use plant milk for glaze Vegan: Applesauce egg substitute + plant milk glaze

7. Jam-Stuffed Air Fryer Donut Bites

These really feel fancy with out being tough. Slightly jam shock within the center makes them excellent for brunch or particular events.

Substances

Base donut dough Thick jam (raspberry, strawberry, or apricot work finest)

Technique

Flatten every dough ball barely, add ½ tsp jam, seal fastidiously, then roll right into a ball. Air fry and coat calmly in sugar.

Gluten-Free: Chill dough briefly earlier than shaping Dairy-Free: Use plant-based swaps Vegan: Applesauce egg substitute + vegan jam

Vegan Air Fryer Donut Bites (No Eggs, No Dairy)

These are delicate, calmly candy, and surprisingly fluffy for an egg-free donut. Applesauce does all of the heavy lifting right here, preserving the feel tender with out making them dense or gummy.

Substances

1 cup plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp sugar ? cup dairy-free butter or melted coconut oil ¾ cup almond milk (or oat milk) ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce 1 tsp vanilla

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

½ cup sugar ½ tbsp cinnamon

Technique

Heat the dairy-free butter, almond milk, and sugar in a small saucepan till melted and mixed. Take away from warmth and let cool barely.

In a big bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour within the heat milk combination, then stir within the applesauce and vanilla till a delicate dough kinds.

Roll into small balls. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes, turning midway. Roll in cinnamon sugar whereas nonetheless heat.

Texture tip: These are barely softer than conventional donuts — assume cake donut relatively than fried donut.

Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donut Bites (Smooth, Not Crumbly)

Gluten-free donuts may be hit and miss, however this model stays delicate inside with a light-weight outer crust — no chalky texture, no crumbling mess.

Substances

1 cup gluten-free plain flour mix (with xanthan gum) 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp sugar ? cup butter or dairy-free butter ¾–1 cup milk (begin with ¾ cup) 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

½ cup sugar ½ tbsp cinnamon

Technique

Heat the butter, milk, and sugar till melted. Let cool barely.

In a bowl, combine gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir within the heat combination, then add the egg and vanilla. The dough must be delicate however scoopable — add further milk a tablespoon at a time if wanted.

Roll gently into balls. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 9–11 minutes, turning as soon as.

Roll in cinnamon sugar whereas heat.

Necessary be aware: Let these cool for two–3 minutes earlier than consuming — gluten-free dough companies up because it rests.

Dairy-Free Air Fryer Donut Bites (Basic Style, No Dairy)

When you nonetheless eat eggs however keep away from dairy, that is the closest match to a standard donut chunk. Identical flavour, identical texture — nobody will know the distinction.