These air fryer pumpkin donut holes are easy enough to make while you’re half asleep. In under 15 minutes, you’ll be enjoying a warm and delicious bite-sized sweet treat with your coffee.
Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes
When I’m craving a lighter version of those pumpkin donuts from the donut shop, I make these. air fryer pumpkin donut holes are quick to make—no proofing, no rising, and no heavy fried taste. just light, fluffy, pumpkin-y bites that hit the spot every time.
I love them with my morning coffee, but I also like to toss a few on top of my ice cream at night. donuts and ice cream together are seriously the best combo.
Why I Love This Recipe
- It’s super quick—no waiting around for dough to rise, so I can have fresh donuts fast.
- They’re light and fluffy without the heavy, greasy feel of fried donuts.
- The air fryer makes cleanup easy, so I’m not left with a mess in the kitchen.
Ingredients
To create these delicious pumpkin donut holes, you’ll need a simple lineup of ingredients that work together perfectly.
- All-purpose flour – gives the dough its shape and soft bite.
- Light brown sugar – sweet with that hint of molasses. If that combo’s your thing, my pumpkin brown sugar muffins run with it.
- Baking powder – for the lift.
- Pumpkin pie spice – all the fall flavor in one spoonful.
- Cinnamon – backs up the spice.
- Pumpkin purée – moisture, flavor, and that deep orange color.
- Vanilla extract – smooth background note.
- Egg – binds everything together.
- Milk – keeps the batter soft.
- Oil – adds richness and keeps the inside tender.
- Granulated sugar for coating – the crisp finish.
- Spray oil for frying – helps them brown evenly in the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes
What’s better than a light and fluffy pumpkin donut hole? 25 of them. Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, mix together all of your dry ingredients with a whisk. This includes the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon.
- Step 2: Add in your wet ingredients: the pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, egg, milk, and oil. Stir until everything is combined, and when it starts to form a dough, dump it out of the bowl and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Step 3: Once you’re happy with the consistency of the dough, divide it into 25 small balls. A pastry scraper works well for this. Then, working in batches, place the donut holes into the air fryer basket.
- Step 4: Give them a quick spray of oil, and bake them at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.
- Step 5: As soon as they come out and are still warm, toss them in a bowl of sugar to coat. Repeat the process until all of your donut holes are cooked and coated.
Recipe Tips
Here are a few handy tips to help you get the most out of these donut holes:
- Sometimes, I like to use sweet potato puree instead of pumpkin puree to give them a different flavor. You can also coat them in cinnamon sugar for an extra kick of flavor. There are no rules.
- If you don’t have an air fryer or prefer not to use it, you can bake the donut holes in a convection oven for about 18 minutes or until they look done. The end result is very similar to my pumpkin cake donuts.
Storage and Freezing
If you want to save some of these air fryer donut holes for later, here’s how to store and freeze them:
- Storage: Keep any leftover donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but this will help keep them soft.
- Freezing: To freeze, place the donut holes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature or pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to warm them up.
MORE AIR FRYER DESSERT RECIPES
If you love quick and easy desserts, the air fryer is one of the best tools for the task.
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
- Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Chex Mix
- Air Fryer S’mores Egg Rolls
- Air Fryer Apple Pie Chimichangas
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Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes
Ingredients
- 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsps. milk
- 1/2 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
- cooking spray for air frying
- granulated sugar for coating
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon.2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- Next, add the pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, egg, milk and oil and stir to combine. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.1 cup pumpkin puree , 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup + 2 tbsps. milk, 1/2 cup canola oil
- Divide the dough into 25 small balls. Working in batches, place the donut holes in the air fryer basket, spray them with oil, and bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.cooking spray
- Once they’re done, coat them with sugar and repeat the process until all the donut holes are finished.granulated sugar
Notes
Nutrition
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