There’s a certain magic to donuts. They’re not fancy food. They’re not trying to impress anyone. They’re just comforting, nostalgic, and somehow always hit the spot — whether it’s with a cup of coffee at 10am or as a “just one more” treat after dinner.
But let’s be real for a minute. Traditional donuts come with a few downsides: deep frying, hot oil everywhere, and that heavy feeling afterwards that makes you swear you won’t do it again… until next time. That’s exactly why the air fryer has quietly become the best thing to ever happen to home donut makers.
Air fryer donuts are quicker, lighter, and far less intimidating. No yeast if you don’t want it. No standing over bubbling oil. And best of all? They’re incredibly adaptable. Gluten-free? Easy. Dairy-free? No problem. Vegan? Absolutely doable — and no one has to miss out.
I’ve pulled together seven air fryer donut recipes that cover all the bases. These are the kind of recipes you can tweak depending on who’s coming over, what’s in the pantry, or what stage of life you’re in (because honestly, our bodies have opinions these days). Every recipe below includes notes for gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan swaps so you can make them work for you.
1. Classic Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donut Bites
These are the ones everyone should start with. Soft, fluffy, lightly golden, and rolled in cinnamon sugar while still warm. They taste like old-school donut holes from the bakery — minus the deep fryer and the oil smell lingering for days.
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ? cup butter
- 1 cup milk (almond milk works well)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ tbsp cinnamon
Method
Warm the butter, milk, and sugar together until melted and combined. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, then stir in the warm mixture. Once slightly cooled, add the egg and vanilla. Roll into balls, air fry at 180°C for 8–10 minutes, then roll in cinnamon sugar while warm.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Dairy-Free: Use plant milk and dairy-free butter
Vegan: Swap egg for ¼ cup applesauce
2. Chocolate Chip Air Fryer Donut Bites
These feel like a donut–muffin hybrid and are wildly popular with kids and chocolate lovers. Mini chocolate chips work best so they don’t sink or melt too aggressively.
Ingredients
Use the classic donut bite base, plus:
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Method
Prepare the base dough as above. Fold in chocolate chips at the very end. 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 less sweet, perfect if cinnamon sugar isn’t your thing. Bright, fresh, and lovely with afternoon tea.
Ingredients
- Base donut dough
- Zest of 1 lemon
Lemon Sugar Coating
- ½ cup sugar
- Extra lemon zest
Method
Add lemon zest to the dough when mixing. Air fry as usual. Roll warm donuts in lemon sugar instead of cinnamon sugar.
Gluten-Free: Add 1–2 tbsp extra milk if dough feels dry
Dairy-Free: Plant-based milk and butter
Vegan: Applesauce egg replacement
4. Apple Cinnamon Air Fryer Donut Bites
These smell incredible while cooking and feel very “baked goods cooling on the bench” cozy. Perfect for autumn or when you want something comforting but not heavy.
Ingredients
- Base donut dough
- ½ cup very finely diced apple
Method
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 dice apple and use GF flour
Dairy-Free: No changes needed with plant swaps
Vegan: Applesauce egg replacement (still works beautifully)
5. Pumpkin Spice Air Fryer Donuts
Soft, cake-like, and full of warm spices. These feel indulgent but not overly sweet — especially good if you’re baking for adults.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup flour
- ¼ cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of clove or allspice
- Remaining base ingredients as usual
Method
Mix pumpkin purée into the wet ingredients. Dough will be softer. Roll gently, air fry, and coat in cinnamon sugar.
Gluten-Free: Reduce pumpkin slightly if dough is too wet
Dairy-Free: Plant milk and butter
Vegan: Pumpkin purée replaces egg entirely
6. Vanilla Glazed Air Fryer Donuts
For those who don’t love cinnamon sugar, this is your bakery-style option. Soft donuts with a simple vanilla glaze that sets beautifully as they cool.
Ingredients
Use the base donut recipe.
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla
Method
Air fry donuts as usual. Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over warm donuts. Let set for 5–10 minutes.
Gluten-Free: Use GF flour and GF icing sugar
Dairy-Free: Use plant milk for glaze
Vegan: Applesauce egg replacement + plant milk glaze
7. Jam-Filled Air Fryer Donut Bites
These feel fancy without being difficult. A little jam surprise in the middle makes them perfect for brunch or special occasions.
Ingredients
- Base donut dough
- Thick jam (raspberry, strawberry, or apricot work best)
Method
Flatten each dough ball slightly, add ½ tsp jam, seal carefully, then roll into a ball. Air fry and coat lightly in sugar.
Gluten-Free: Chill dough briefly before shaping
Dairy-Free: Use plant-based swaps
Vegan: Applesauce egg replacement + vegan jam
Vegan Air Fryer Donut Bites (No Eggs, No Dairy)
These are soft, lightly sweet, and surprisingly fluffy for an egg-free donut. Applesauce does all the heavy lifting here, keeping the texture tender without making them dense or gummy.
Ingredients
- 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
Method
Warm the dairy-free butter, almond milk, and sugar in a small saucepan until melted and combined. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the warm milk mixture, then stir in the applesauce and vanilla until a soft dough forms.
Roll into small balls. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway. Roll in cinnamon sugar while still warm.
Texture tip: These are slightly softer than traditional donuts — think cake donut rather than fried donut.
Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donut Bites (Soft, Not Crumbly)
Gluten-free donuts can be hit or miss, but this version stays soft inside with a light outer crust — no chalky texture, no crumbling mess.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free plain flour blend (with xanthan gum)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ? cup butter or dairy-free butter
- ¾–1 cup milk (start with ¾ cup)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ tbsp cinnamon
Method
Warm the butter, milk, and sugar until melted. Let cool slightly.
In a bowl, mix gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the warm mixture, then add the egg and vanilla. The dough should be soft but scoopable — add extra milk a tablespoon at a time if needed.
Roll gently into balls. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 9–11 minutes, turning once.
Roll in cinnamon sugar while warm.
Important note: Let these cool for 2–3 minutes before eating — gluten-free dough firms up as it rests.
Dairy-Free Air Fryer Donut Bites (Classic Taste, No Dairy)
If you still eat eggs but avoid dairy, this is the closest match to a traditional donut bite. Same flavour, same texture — no one will know the difference.
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ? cup dairy-free butter
- 1 cup almond milk or oat milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ tbsp cinnamon
Method
Melt dairy-free butter with almond milk and sugar over low heat. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in the warm milk mixture, then add egg and vanilla.
Roll into balls and air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway. Roll in cinnamon sugar while warm.
Best dairy-free butter options: Olive oil–based or soy-based spreads give the most “real donut” flavour.
