If you’re looking for a ridiculously easy and utterly delicious treat to whip up in no time, you’ve got to try this Air Fryer Donut Bites with Cinnamon-Sugar Coating Recipe. I absolutely love how these donut bites turn out—light, fluffy, and coated in a perfect cinnamon-sugar hug that’s just irresistible. Plus, with the air fryer doing all the work, you get that golden crisp without any deep-frying mess. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to snack or dessert for busy days and surprise guests alike.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish in just 15 minutes—perfect for a last-minute treat.
- Light and Fluffy Texture: The secret is Greek yogurt, which gives the bites a tender crumb without heaviness.
- Less Mess Than Frying: Air frying keeps things clean while still delivering that golden, donut perfection.
- Versatile and Fun: You can enjoy them plain, cinnamon-sugar coated, or jazz them up with chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together so simply yet create a magical bite you’ll want again and again. I always buy Greek yogurt with the right balance of tang and sweetness to keep the flavor bright without overpowering the cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Self-raising flour: Helps give the donut bites a natural lift without needing yeast or baking powder separately.
- Sweetened Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and tenderness while keeping the batter on the lighter side.
- Granulated sugar: For that classic crunchy sweetness in the cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Ground cinnamon: The warm spice that makes all the difference—freshly ground is best if you can.
- Melted butter: Used for brushing the bites before coating, it helps the cinnamon sugar stick like a dream.
- Melted chocolate (optional): Because sometimes you just want to level up with a drizzle of chocolatey goodness.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Air Fryer Donut Bites with Cinnamon-Sugar Coating Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. You can mix it up depending on what you have in the kitchen or what mood you’re in. You’ll be surprised how little tweaks can totally revamp the experience.
- Gluten-Free Version: I swapped self-raising flour with a gluten-free blend once, and it worked beautifully—just watch the cooking time carefully, as it can vary a bit.
- Spiced Up: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar mix adds a sophisticated twist that my friends kept asking about!
- Sweet Tooth Upgrade: Drizzling with melted chocolate or dipping in a quick vanilla glaze transforms these bites into a party-worthy dessert.
- Dairy-Free Option: I’ve experimented with coconut yogurt replacing Greek yogurt for a dairy-free bite that still holds together well.
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Bites with Cinnamon-Sugar Coating Recipe
Step 1: Mix and Knead the Dough
Start by combining your self-raising flour and sweetened Greek yogurt in a large bowl. I like to stir gently until a soft dough forms. Don’t worry if it’s a bit sticky at first; that’s normal. When I first tried this, I found that rubbing a little oil on my hands helps tame the stickiness while kneading on a lightly floured surface. Just knead until the dough is smooth and no dry bits remain—about 2-3 minutes. This step is key for those fluffy bites you’re aiming for!
Step 2: Shape the Donut Bites
Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll each into a long log about an inch thick, then cut into small pieces weighing around 8 to 12 grams. I like to roll each piece gently between my palms to get these perfect little balls. They look so cute, and that uniform size really helps everything cook evenly in the air fryer.
Step 3: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for about 5 minutes, then lightly brush the basket with oil to keep the bites from sticking. Toss your dough balls in melted butter—that’s the secret to a rich, tasty crust—and place them in the basket with enough space between. Air fry for 5 minutes or until puffed up and golden; don’t fret if they don’t brown evenly, it happens with air frying. I’ve learned to trust my instincts here and peek in early the first few times you try to avoid overcooking.
Step 4: Coat in Cinnamon-Sugar While Warm
As soon as the bites come out warm, brush them again with melted butter and immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. This step is crucial because when the dough is warm, the sugar sticks like magic, giving you that classic, irresistible coating. Believe me, I discovered this trick after a first failed attempt when they cooled too much, and my sugar just slid right off!
If you’re feeling fancy (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love fancy?), drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an extra indulgence. My family absolutely goes crazy for this little upgrade.
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Donut Bites with Cinnamon-Sugar Coating Recipe
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Giving each donut bite space lets them puff up nicely and brown better.
- Warm Butter Coating Works Wonders: Brushing bites with butter before and after air frying seals in moisture and helps the sugar stick perfectly.
- Use a Kitchen Scale: I found that weighing each dough piece creates more uniform donut bites that cook evenly every time.
- Don’t Skip Preheating: An evenly hot air fryer cooks your donut bites to perfection with that slight crispy edge and soft center.
How to Serve Air Fryer Donut Bites with Cinnamon-Sugar Coating Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with just the cinnamon-sugar coating, but sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of powdered sugar on top for a delicate finish. For a fun morning twist, a little dollop of whipped cream or a smear of fruit jam on the side really complements the warm bites beautifully.
Side Dishes
These donut bites pair wonderfully with a cup of strong coffee or chai tea. When my kids are around, I love serving them alongside fresh fruit or a mellow vanilla yogurt dip—it balances the sweetness and adds freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I line the bites up on a platter with little wooden picks for easy snacking. Another fun idea I tried was stacking them into a mini “donut tower” drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled nuts for texture—it was a real hit at our family brunch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover donut bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They stay reasonably soft, but you’ll want to reheat them slightly to bring back that fresh-baked feel before indulging again.
Freezing
Freezing works surprisingly well for these! Once cooled completely, I freeze the bites in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. They keep for about 1 month, making it super convenient to enjoy these any time without starting from scratch.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop frozen or refrigerated donut bites back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 170°C (340°F) or until warm and crispy again. This brings back their “just made” magic and keeps the cinnamon-sugar coating fresh and crunchy.
FAQs
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Can I use plain Greek yogurt instead of sweetened?
Yes! You can use plain Greek yogurt, but I recommend adding a teaspoon of honey or sugar to the dough so your donut bites still have that subtle sweetness. Sweetened yogurt just gives a little extra flavor without extra fuss.
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Do these donut bites taste like classic fried donuts?
While they’re not exactly the same as deep-fried donuts, these air fryer donut bites are wonderfully light and fluffy with a crisp outside. The cinnamon-sugar coating delivers that classic flavor we all love, and the air fryer makes them less oily but just as satisfying.
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Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just bring it back to room temperature before shaping and air frying so it cooks evenly.
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What if my air fryer doesn’t brown the donut bites evenly?
This is quite common! Don’t worry too much—it won’t affect the taste. You can try flipping them halfway through cooking for a more even color, but I usually just embrace the rustic look.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Air Fryer Donut Bites with Cinnamon-Sugar Coating Recipe has become one of my comfort go-tos whenever I want something sweet without the hassle of frying or complicated ingredients. I love how forgiving and quick it is, yet it delivers such a treat-worthy result. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy every warm, cinnamon-speckled bite just as much as I do (and probably end up making it your family’s favorite too!).
Print
Air Fryer Donut Bites with Cinnamon-Sugar Coating Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 doughnut bites
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These light and fluffy Air Fryer Donut Bites are a quick and delicious treat made with simple ingredients. Using self-raising flour and sweetened Greek yogurt, these donuts are air-fried to perfection, coated in a warm cinnamon-sugar mixture, and optionally drizzled with melted chocolate for an extra indulgence. Easy to make and perfect for a snack or dessert, these donut bites come together quickly with minimal fuss and no deep frying required.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 140 g self-raising flour
- 140 g sweetened Greek yogurt
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Melted chocolate for drizzling (optional)
- Melted butter for brushing and coating
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour and sweetened Greek yogurt. Stir until a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently with your hands until smooth and free of dry flour patches. If the dough feels sticky, rub a little oil on your hands to handle it more easily.
- Shape the Donut Bites: Divide the dough into two equal portions and roll each into a long log about 1 inch thick. Using a dough scraper or knife, cut the dough into small pieces weighing approximately 8-12 grams each. Roll each piece gently between your palms to form smooth balls.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (356°F) for about 5 minutes. Lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent the doughnuts from sticking.
- Air Fry the Doughnut Bites: Toss the doughnut balls in melted butter to coat lightly. Arrange them spaced apart in the air fryer basket, as they will expand during cooking. Air fry for 5 minutes or until they are puffed and golden. Note that the browning may be uneven, which is normal with air frying.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: While the doughnut bites are still warm, brush them again with melted butter, then roll them immediately in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to ensure the topping sticks well.
- Optional Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra indulgence, drizzle the cooled doughnut bites with melted chocolate before serving.
Notes
- Use self-raising flour to help the donuts rise and become fluffy without additional leavening agents.
- If the dough is too sticky, lightly oiling your hands will make shaping easier.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave space between doughnuts for even cooking and expansion.
- These donut bites are best enjoyed fresh and warm for optimal texture and flavor.
- Check all ingredients for allergens if you have specific dietary restrictions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 doughnut bite
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
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