Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
I remember the first time I made these—warm, pillowy rings dusted in cinnamon sugar in under 15 minutes. Air fryer cinnamon sugar donuts are a quick, cozy treat that feels like a bakery pick-me-up without the fuss. They’re perfect for a weekend brunch, an after-school snack kids love, or a last-minute dessert when guests pop by. If you enjoy sweet, cinnamon-forward snacks, you might also like this cinnamon-sugar air fryer banana chips twist for a crunchy companion: https://mixmirth.com/cinnamon-sugar-air-fryer-banana-chips-sweet-snack-2/
Why you’ll love this dish
These donuts hit a sweet spot: minimal hands-on time, no deep frying, and a soft interior with a lightly crisp exterior from the air fryer. They’re budget-friendly (basic pantry ingredients), kid-approved, and elegant enough to serve for a casual brunch. Because they bake rather than fry, they’re less greasy but still indulgent thanks to the butter and cinnamon-sugar coating.
“My family declared these better than the store-bought donuts—fluffy, warm, and gone in minutes.” — a satisfied home baker
Benefits at a glance:
- Fast: ready in about 15–20 minutes start to finish.
- Simple: a straightforward batter with no yeast or rising time.
- Flexible: easy to tweak for dietary needs or flavor swaps.
Step-by-step overview
- Whisk dry ingredients (flour, sugar, leaveners, salt, cinnamon).
- Combine wet ingredients (buttermilk, egg, melted butter).
- Fold wet into dry gently to avoid a dense crumb.
- Spoon batter into a greased donut pan and air-fry until golden.
- Toss warm donuts in cinnamon-sugar for that classic finish.
This short roadmap helps you scan the process before you get into the details.
What you’ll need
Key ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
Notes and substitutions:
- Buttermilk: if you don’t have it, stir 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let sit 5 minutes.
- Butter: use melted coconut oil for a dairy-free touch (texture will be slightly different).
- Flour: for a denser, nuttier donut try half whole-wheat pastry flour (not a 1:1 swap for all recipes).
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Greasing the donut pan prevents sticking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter until blended.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined — small lumps are fine; overmixing makes dense donuts.
- Spoon the batter into a greased donut pan, filling each cavity about halfway. This allows room for the donuts to rise without spilling.
- Place the pan in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350°F for 5–7 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check at 5 minutes — air fryer models vary.
- While the donuts cook, mix the coating: combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Transfer donuts to a wire rack to cool just until they’re easy to handle (a minute or two). Dip each donut into the cinnamon-sugar and gently shake off excess. For a lighter coating, dust instead of dipping.
- Serve warm. These are best the day they’re made but can be stored for later.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve these donuts warm with coffee, hot chocolate, or a spiced latte. For a brunch spread, plate them alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, and savory items like scrambled eggs or bacon. For a fun twist, stack a couple on a plate and drizzle a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk) over the top. If you like a crunchy contrast, pair them with cinnamon-sugar air fryer banana chips for a snack board: https://mixmirth.com/cinnamon-sugar-air-fryer-banana-chips-sweet-snack/
Presentation ideas:
- Dust with extra cinnamon sugar right before serving.
- Offer a small bowl of warmed caramel or chocolate sauce for dipping.
- Serve on a parchment-lined tray for easy sharing at gatherings.
Storage and reheating tips
Short-term storage:
- Room temperature: keep donuts in an airtight container for up to 24 hours to maintain crisp edges and a soft center.
- Refrigerator: if your kitchen is very warm, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days (texture will firm up).
Freezing:
- Freeze cooled, uncoated donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once firm, transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Reheating:
- Best method: reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes to refresh the exterior without drying the inside.
- Oven: 300°F for 5–7 minutes wrapped loosely in foil.
- Microwave (quick): 10–12 seconds, but note the exterior won’t crisp.
Food safety: Donuts with dairy and eggs should not sit at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
Helpful cooking tips
- Don’t overmix: folding until just combined keeps the crumb tender.
- Fill the pan halfway: overfilling leads to misshapen donuts and spillover.
- Check early: air fryer models vary; start checking at 5 minutes.
- Grease well: use nonstick spray or melted butter on the donut cavities, especially if your pan isn’t nonstick.
- Coat while warm: donuts pick up the cinnamon-sugar best when slightly warm; if too hot they can become soggy, if too cool the coating won’t adhere as well.
- Make a test donut: cook one first to confirm timing, then adjust for the rest.
If you’re experimenting with flavors, I used a small twist in the coating once—adding a pinch of nutmeg—and it brightened the flavor beautifully. For another cinnamon-sweet bite alongside donuts, try making this sweet cinnamon banana chips recipe: https://mixmirth.com/sweet-cinnamon-air-fryer-banana-chips/
Creative twists
- Glazed: swap the cinnamon-sugar for a classic powdered sugar glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 1–2 tbsp milk).
- Chocolate-dipped: dip half in melted chocolate and chill until set.
- Apple-cinnamon: fold 1/4 cup finely diced apple into the batter and add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
- Vegan version: use a flax “egg” (1 tbsp ground flax + 2.5 tbsp water), dairy-free milk + 1 tsp vinegar for buttermilk, and coconut oil for butter.
- Gluten-free: use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend formulated for baking; texture may be slightly different.
Your questions answered
Q: How long does it take to make these donuts from start to finish?
A: About 15–20 minutes including heating the air fryer — prep is quick and cook time per batch is 5–7 minutes.
Q: Can I make these without a donut pan?
A: Yes. Pipe or spoon batter into silicone muffin liners and press a small well in the center with the back of a spoon after cooking to mimic a donut hole. Timing may vary slightly.
Q: What’s a good substitute for buttermilk?
A: Stir 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar into 1/2 cup milk. Let sit 3–5 minutes; it will thicken and work as sour buttermilk.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes — batter scales easily. Cook in batches; don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
Q: Why are my donuts dense?
A: Likely overmixing the batter or using too much flour. Fold gently and measure flour by spooning into the cup and leveling.
Conclusion
These air fryer cinnamon sugar donuts deliver warm, bakery-style comfort with minimal fuss — ideal for a quick brunch or a cozy treat. For more air-fryer donut inspiration and variations you can compare techniques and ideas with this Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donuts recipe from another home-cook perspective and Anna Banana’s take on Air Fryer Doughnuts to explore different batters and coatings: Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donuts and Air Fryer Doughnuts – Anna Banana. Enjoy experimenting and serving them fresh — they disappear fast.
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour You can substitute half with whole-wheat flour for a denser texture.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup buttermilk You can substitute with milk mixed with lemon juice or vinegar.
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter You can substitute with melted coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar For coating donuts.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon For coating donuts.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and grease the donut pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter until well blended.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; small lumps are fine.
- Spoon the batter into the greased donut pan, filling each cavity halfway.
Cooking
- Place the pan in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Check the donuts at 5 minutes with a toothpick inserted into the center.
Finishing Touch
- While the donuts are cooking, mix the coating: combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Transfer warm donuts to a wire rack, then dip each into the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve warm for the best experience.
