Name: Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (16.3 oz / 462 g, 8 biscuits); 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57 g, melted); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g); 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

These air fryer cinnamon sugar donut holes are the fastest way to get warm, bakery-style donuts on the table: no yeast, no rising, no deep frying, and no special equipment. You only need 4 simple ingredients and about 15 minutes from start to finish, because the “dough” is a can of refrigerated biscuits. The air fryer puffs each little ball up golden and crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy inside, then a quick dip in melted butter and a roll in cinnamon sugar gives them that classic donut-shop finish.

Air fryer cinnamon sugar donut holes piled on a plate with cinnamon sticks

They are perfect for lazy weekend breakfasts, after-school snacks, and last-minute dessert cravings. Kids love helping roll the dough balls and shake them in the cinnamon sugar, and because the recipe makes 32 bite-size donut holes, there are always enough to share. If you love easy air fryer wins like these, try my Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Potatoes next — they use the same set-it-and-forget-it air fryer magic.

Why This Recipe Works

Here is why these air fryer cinnamon sugar donut holes turn out perfectly every single time:

4 ingredients, zero fuss. Canned biscuit dough does all the work of a yeasted dough — no mixing, kneading, or proofing.
Ready in 15 minutes. Five minutes of prep and two quick batches in the air fryer. Cooking in 2 batches keeps the basket uncrowded so every donut hole browns evenly.
No deep frying. The air fryer’s circulating hot air gives you a crisp, golden crust with just a light spray of oil — all of the flavor, none of the splattering pot of oil.
The coating actually sticks. Brushing the warm donut holes with melted butter before rolling them in cinnamon sugar means every bite is evenly coated.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (16.3 oz / 462 g, 8 biscuits)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57 g), melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Plus a light spray of cooking oil for the basket. That is genuinely it! Any standard refrigerated biscuit dough works — homestyle or flaky layers both puff up beautifully. For a quick nutrition reference for biscuit dough and other staples, we like USDA FoodData Central.

How to Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes

Making air fryer cinnamon sugar donut holes is mostly quick assembly — the air fryer does the rest of the work.

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
Separate the biscuits and cut each one into quarters. Roll each piece between your palms into a smooth ball — you will have 32 donut holes.
Stir the sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow bowl. Melt the butter in a separate small bowl.
Working in 2 batches so the basket is not crowded, arrange half the balls in a single layer with a little space between them.
Air fry for 4–5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until puffed and deep golden brown. Repeat with the second batch.
While warm, brush or dip each donut hole in the melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar until well coated.
Serve immediately while warm and crisp — they are lovely next to a batch of Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins for a full brunch spread.

Tips for Perfect Donut Holes

A few small habits make these air fryer cinnamon sugar donut holes come out bakery-perfect:

Don’t crowd the basket. Hot air needs room to circulate. Two batches of 16 gives you evenly browned donut holes instead of pale, steamed ones.
Roll smooth balls. Sealing the cut edges by rolling keeps the donut holes round and helps them puff evenly.
Coat while warm. Butter and cinnamon sugar cling best in the first minute or two out of the air fryer.
Watch the first batch. Air fryers vary — start checking at 4 minutes so the sugar coating later doesn’t hide an over-browned bottom.

Variations and Storage

Powdered sugar: Skip the cinnamon and roll the buttered donut holes in powdered sugar instead. Chocolate glazed: Dip in a quick mix of powdered sugar, cocoa, and milk. Apple pie spice: Swap the cinnamon for apple pie or pumpkin pie spice in the fall.

Storage: Air fryer cinnamon sugar donut holes are best the day they are made, but leftovers keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 2 minutes to crisp them back up. Freeze uncoated donut holes for up to 1 month, then thaw, warm, and coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade dough instead of canned biscuits?

Yes — a simple homemade biscuit or pizza dough works. Cut it into roughly 1-inch pieces, roll into balls, and add 1–2 minutes to the cook time since homemade dough is usually a little wetter.

Why are my donut holes doughy in the middle?

They were probably crowded or rolled too large. Keep the balls about 1 inch wide, leave space between them, and cook in 2 batches so the centers finish cooking through.

Can I make donut holes without butter?

Yes. Brush with melted coconut oil or a neutral cooking spray instead — the cinnamon sugar just needs something tacky to cling to.

Can I bake these in the oven instead?

Absolutely. Bake on a parchment-lined sheet at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, until golden, then butter and coat the same way.

How do I keep the cinnamon sugar coating from falling off?

Coat the donut holes while they are still warm and make sure every surface gets a light layer of melted butter first — that butter is the glue.

Ready to make a batch? You will find the printable recipe card for these air fryer cinnamon sugar donut holes right below — happy snacking!