Description

Soft and fluffy air fryer pumpkin spice donut holes made with pumpkin puree and warm fall spices, then brushed with melted butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar.

Ingredients

Scale

Donut-Hole Dough

1 3/4 cups / 220 g all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 tsp / 4 g baking powder
1/4 tsp / 1 g baking soda
1/4 tsp / 1.5 g fine salt
2 tsp / 4 g pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp / 1.3 g ground cinnamon
1/3 cup packed / 70 g light brown sugar
3 tbsp / 42 g unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup / 120 g plain pumpkin puree, not pie filling
1 large egg
1 tsp / 5 mL vanilla extract

Cinnamon-Sugar Coat

3 tbsp / 42 g butter, melted
1/3 cup / 67 g granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

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Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 4 minutes. Lightly mist the clean basket or a perforated silicone liner with neutral oil.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon.
Mix the Pumpkin Base
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until creamy. Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla until combined.
Make the Dough
Fold the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture just until no dry flour remains. Do not overmix.
Shape the Donut Holes
Divide the dough into 24 equal portions, approximately 22 grams or 1 level tablespoon each. With lightly damp or oiled hands, gently roll each portion into a ball about 1¼ inches (3 cm) across.
Arrange in the Air Fryer
Place 8–9 donut holes in the basket in a single layer, leaving at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) between them.
Air Fry
Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until the donut holes are puffed, lightly golden, and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. While the donut holes are still warm, brush them lightly with melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Notes

For the best texture, mix the dough only until the flour disappears. Avoid overworking it. Leave about 1 inch between the donut holes in the air fryer basket so the hot air can circulate evenly. Air fry in batches rather than overcrowding.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes per batch
Category: Dessert
Method: air fryer
Cuisine: American