These air fryer donut holes are soft, fluffy, and incredibly easy to make with just two simple ingredients. They are yeast-free, egg-free, and dairy-free, making them perfect for anyone looking for a quick homemade treat without complicated steps. Lightly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, these bite-sized donuts are ready in under 30 minutes and can be coated in cinnamon sugar or filled with your favorite jam.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These air fryer donut holes are the ultimate shortcut to homemade donuts.
They are made with a simple 2-ingredient dough that requires no yeast and no rising time.
There is no need for a donut pan or deep frying.
They cook faster than oven-baked donuts.
They are dairy-free and egg-free.
The texture is fluffy and soft with a golden exterior.
They can be customized with fillings, coatings, and flavors.
Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Kid-friendly and freezer-friendly.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 ¾ cups self-rising flour
3 to 4 tablespoons extra self-rising flour for shaping (only if needed)
1 cup vanilla plant-based yogurt
1 tablespoon light-flavored oil (for kneading and greasing hands)
For coating
2 tablespoons plant-based butter, melted
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional filling
⅓ cup strawberry jam
If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own by combining:
1 cup all-purpose flour + 2 teaspoons baking powder
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, add the self-rising flour and vanilla plant-based yogurt.
Using a rubber spatula, stir the mixture until it forms small lumps and begins to come together.
Lightly oil your hands with a neutral oil such as avocado, olive, or canola oil. Knead the dough in the bowl until it forms a soft, elastic ball. The oil helps reduce stickiness and improves elasticity.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in up to 3–4 tablespoons of additional flour. Avoid adding more than this, or the donut holes may turn dense.
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Lightly grease your hands with oil and roll each portion into a smooth ball.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the donut holes inside, leaving space between them since they expand while cooking. Lightly spray the tops with oil.
Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 8–9 minutes. If they are still pale, shake the basket and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
Remove from the air fryer and allow them to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes. Repeat with the remaining batch if needed.
In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.
Brush each warm donut hole with melted plant-based butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
If filling with jam, insert a piping syringe into the side of each donut hole and gently squeeze jam inside. Stop once you feel resistance or see jam slightly emerging. You may fill from multiple sides for more filling.
Servings and timing
Servings: 12 donut holes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12–15 minutes (depending on air fryer and batch size)
Total time: approximately 25 minutes
Each donut hole (without jam) contains approximately 127 calories.
Variations
Chocolate sugar coating
Replace cinnamon with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder mixed into the sugar.
Lemon flavor
Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the dough and coat with powdered sugar instead of cinnamon sugar.
Glazed donut holes
Skip the cinnamon coating and drizzle with a simple glaze made from ½ cup powdered sugar and 1–2 tablespoons plant-based milk.
Filled options
Try raspberry jam, blueberry jam, or chocolate spread instead of strawberry jam.
Oven-baked version
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Place donut holes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes until golden.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To freeze, place cooled donut holes in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
To reheat, warm in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 2–3 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds until soft.
FAQs
Can I use plain yogurt instead of vanilla?
Yes. Plain yogurt works well, but the dough will be less sweet. You can add 1–2 tablespoons of sugar to compensate.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add 2 teaspoons of baking powder per cup of flour.
Why is my dough too sticky?
It may need a small amount of extra flour or more oil on your hands. Add flour gradually to avoid making the donuts dense.
Why are my donut holes dense?
Too much flour can make them heavy. Measure carefully and avoid over-kneading.
Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
Do I need to flip them in the air fryer?
No flipping is required, but shaking the basket halfway helps ensure even browning.
Can I skip the cinnamon sugar coating?
Absolutely. You can dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze instead.
How do I know when they are fully cooked?
They should be golden brown on the outside and feel firm yet springy when gently pressed.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Simply double all ingredients and cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
Can I prepare the dough in advance?
It is best cooked fresh, but you can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before shaping and air frying.
Conclusion
These air fryer donut holes are a quick and simple way to enjoy homemade donuts without yeast, eggs, or dairy. With just two core ingredients and minimal preparation, you can create fluffy, golden bites that are perfect for sharing. Whether coated in cinnamon sugar or filled with jam, they deliver classic donut flavor in a healthier, lighter form.
Soft and fluffy air fryer donut holes made with just two simple ingredients. These yeast-free, egg-free, and dairy-free treats are quick to prepare, lightly crisp outside, tender inside, and perfect for coating in cinnamon sugar or filling with jam.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups self-rising flour
3–4 tablespoons extra self-rising flour (for shaping, if needed)
1 cup vanilla plant-based yogurt
1 tablespoon light-flavored oil (for kneading and greasing hands)
