Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes

Featured in: Sunrise Spoonfuls

These fluffy donut holes are a festive holiday treat, made quickly using an air fryer for a golden finish. A soft dough built from flour, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla is shaped into small balls and air fried until cooked through. Once warm, they’re dipped in melted butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar, then topped with colorful sprinkles for a festive touch. Ideal for sharing, they bring a delightful balance of sweet spices and a crisp exterior with a soft center. Simple to prepare, they pair wonderfully with hot cocoa or coffee for cozy celebrations.

Updated on Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:53:00 GMT
Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes are golden brown and coated in cinnamon sugar and festive sprinkles. Save It
Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes are golden brown and coated in cinnamon sugar and festive sprinkles. | sunnyspoonful.com

Fluffy, bite-sized donut holes with festive sprinkles, cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer. A quick and delightful holiday treat for the whole family.

This recipe has become a holiday favorite in my family because it is easy to make and tastes just like a warm bakery treat.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp holiday-themed sprinkles (red, green, white)

Instructions

Preheat:
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Mix dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Mix wet ingredients:
In another bowl, mix milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine:
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
Shape dough:
Lightly flour your hands and shape the dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
Arrange:
Place donut holes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each.
Cook:
Air fry for 7-8 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
Coat:
While still warm, dip each donut hole in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar.
Sprinkle:
Sprinkle with festive sprinkles. Serve warm.
These delicious Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes are perfectly bite-sized, warm, and ready to enjoy with a holiday theme. Save It
These delicious Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes are perfectly bite-sized, warm, and ready to enjoy with a holiday theme. | sunnyspoonful.com

These donut holes always bring smiles at family gatherings and remind us of cozy winter mornings together.

Required Tools

Air fryer, mixing bowls, whisk, measuring cups and spoons, small brush or dipping bowl for butter.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), dairy (milk, butter), and egg. Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per donut hole: Calories 90, Total Fat 4 g, Carbohydrates 13 g, Protein 2 g.

Close-up of freshly made Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes, with colorful sprinkles and a hint of cinnamon aroma. Save It
Close-up of freshly made Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes, with colorful sprinkles and a hint of cinnamon aroma. | sunnyspoonful.com

Enjoy these air fryer donut holes fresh and warm for the best taste and texture.

Recipe FAQs

What makes these donut holes fluffy?

The combination of baking powder and careful mixing creates a light and airy texture, while the air fryer cooks them evenly for a fluffy interior.

Can I use a different coating instead of cinnamon sugar and sprinkles?

Yes, powdered sugar or a simple glaze would complement the donut holes well and provide a different flavor profile.

How do I prevent the donut holes from sticking in the air fryer basket?

Arrange them in a single layer without overcrowding and lightly grease the basket if needed to avoid sticking during cooking.

Can these donut holes be made ahead of time?

They are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheat gently.

Are there any easy substitutions for the wet ingredients?

You can replace whole milk with plant-based milk and use a butter substitute to fit dietary preferences while maintaining moisture.

Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes

Golden, bite-sized donut holes with cinnamon sugar and colorful sprinkles, cooked to fluffy perfection in an air fryer.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Duration
23 mins
Authored by Lana Bright

Recipe Type Sunrise Spoonfuls

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Style American

Recipe Yield 24 Serving Size

Diet Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 2/3 cup whole milk
02 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 1 large egg
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating

01 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 2 tablespoons holiday-themed sprinkles (red, green, white)

Directions

Step 01

Preheat Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 350°F and allow it to preheat.

Step 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until evenly mixed.

Step 03

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, blend the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract thoroughly.

Step 04

Form Dough: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until a soft dough forms.

Step 05

Shape Donut Holes: Lightly dust your hands with flour and shape the dough into 1-inch balls, using approximately one tablespoon of dough for each.

Step 06

Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the dough balls in a single layer within the air fryer basket, ensuring space between each for even cooking.

Step 07

Cook Donut Holes: Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even browning, until golden and cooked through.

Step 08

Coat Donut Holes: While warm, dip each donut hole into the melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture for coating.

Step 09

Add Sprinkles: Finish by sprinkling holiday-themed sprinkles over the coated donut holes. Serve immediately.

Tools You'll Need

  • Air fryer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small bowl or brush for butter dipping

Allergy Information

Review each ingredient to identify potential allergens, and consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy (milk, butter), and egg.

Nutrition Details (Per Serving)

This nutritional data is for reference only and isn't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 90
  • Fats: 4 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 13 grams
  • Proteins: 2 grams