
Light, fluffy donut holes tossed in cinnamon sugar and finished with festive sprinkles, made quickly in the air fryer for holiday mornings and parties.

This batch of Air Fryer Christmas donut holes began as a mid December experiment the year I decided holiday mornings should smell like a bakery but without the long wait. I discovered this combination when I wanted warm, lightly spiced little rounds for a family brunch and realized the air fryer could give them a crisp exterior and tender interior in a fraction of the time. They are soft, pillowy, and gently spiced with cinnamon so each bite evokes cozy kitchen memories and makes the house feel celebratory.
I call these my emergency holiday treat because they come together with simple pantry ingredients and cook fast enough to be ready while the coffee brews. The outside crisps to a pale golden color while the inside stays moist and cake like. The cinnamon sugar coating gives a nostalgic finish and the red green white sprinkles read as festive without being over the top. Whether you make them for a family breakfast or a last minute party platter, they always disappear quickly.
I still remember my youngest sneaking the very first warm donut hole right off the cooling rack and announcing they tasted better than a bakery. That reaction confirmed these would become a holiday staple. Friends who taste test them ask for the recipe and parents appreciate that they are made quickly and use familiar ingredients.
My favorite part is how quickly they transform a sleepy morning into a festive event. Once during a family brunch I served these with hot cocoa and watching everyone reach for seconds reminded me why quick special treats matter. The simple act of adding sprinkles turned a plain round into something celebratory which always draws smiles and conversation at the table.
To store leave uncoated donut holes in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage place cooled pieces in a freezer friendly container separated by parchment and freeze for up to three months. To reheat from frozen, thaw at room temperature ten to twenty minutes and refresh in the air fryer at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three minutes then coat with butter and cinnamon sugar to restore texture.
If you need dairy free options substitute the whole milk with a full fat plant milk such as oat or soy and use a dairy free spread in place of butter. For egg free use a commercial egg replacer or a flax egg made with one tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons water, though texture will be slightly denser. For gluten free try a 1 to 1 gluten free baking flour blend and add one quarter teaspoon xanthan gum if the blend lacks binding agents.
Serve warm on a platter dusted lightly with extra cinnamon sugar with small bowls of warm chocolate sauce caramel sauce and fruit compote for dipping. These are perfect with coffee tea or hot chocolate and work well as part of a holiday brunch spread alongside cinnamon rolls and roasted fruit. Garnish with a light dusting of powdered sugar and extra sprinkles for a festive presentation.
Small sweet fried or baked dough points appear in many traditions around the world from beignets to loukoumades. These little rounds draw inspiration from classic American cake doughnuts and European fritters but adapted to an air fryer for modern convenience. The ritual of coating in cinnamon sugar echoes many wintertime treats where warming spices are associated with celebrations and family gatherings.
For a winter variation add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough or fold in a tablespoon of orange zest for brightness. For a cozy autumn twist add pumpkin pie spice and swap sprinkles for chopped toasted pecans. For a New Year s version swap sprinkles for edible gold dust or use a limoncello glaze for a citrus finish.
Shape all the dough ahead of time and place on a sheet tray covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to four hours then cook in the air fryer when ready. This saves active hands on morning of serving. Keep the coating separate and coat each piece right after cooking for the best texture. Packaging in shallow containers with padding prevents the coating from being knocked off during transport.
These donut holes are forgiving and fast. They make weekday breakfasts special and holiday mornings relaxed. Try making a double batch and freezing half so you have an instant treat ready for unexpected guests.
Preheat the air fryer so the exterior crisps immediately and you get an even golden color.
Use a tablespoon measure to shape evenly sized pieces so they cook in the same time.
Coat donut holes while warm so the butter helps the cinnamon sugar and sprinkles adhere.
This nourishing air fryer christmas donut holes recipe is sure to be a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy every moist, high protein slice — it is perfect for breakfast or as a wholesome snack any time.
Cook times vary by air fryer. Start checking at seven minutes. If they are browning too quickly reduce temperature by 10 to 15 degrees.
Freeze cooled donut holes uncoated in a single layer then transfer to a sealed bag. Reheat in the air fryer then toss in butter and cinnamon sugar.
This Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes recipe makes perfectly juicy, tender, and flavorful steak every time! Serve with potatoes and a side salad for an unforgettable dinner in under 30 minutes.

Set the appliance to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to come to temperature for consistent browning. Preheating reduces cooking time and improves texture.
Whisk together all purpose flour granulated sugar baking powder ground cinnamon and salt in a large bowl until evenly distributed.
In another bowl whisk whole milk melted butter egg and vanilla until smooth ensuring the butter is not too hot to avoid cooking the egg.
Pour wet into dry and stir until a soft cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing. Lightly flour hands as needed to shape.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls about one tablespoon each and place in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 to 8 minutes shaking once until golden.
While warm dip each piece in melted butter then roll in cinnamon sugar and press on sprinkles. Serve immediately for best texture.
Last Step: Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.
Leave a comment & rating below or tag
@epicula on social media!


Ultra-fudgy brownies crowned with toasted mini marshmallows and warm cocoa icing, with molten chocolate pockets in every bite.

Buttery shortbread crust topped with a gooey brown sugar pecan filling. Just 10 minutes to prep for bakery-worthy bars with irresistible crunch.

Ultra-creamy pumpkin cheesecake with a graham crust, bakes without cracks, and shines with caramel and rum-kissed whipped cream.

Leave a comment & rating below or tag @epicula on social media!
Enjoyed this recipe? Share it with friends and family, and don't forget to leave a review!
This recipe looks amazing! Can't wait to try it.
Comments are stored locally in your browser. Server comments are displayed alongside your local comments.

Join to receive our email series which contains a round-up of some of our quick and easy family favorite recipes.