An air fryer donuts recipe with cinnamon sugar is the fastest way to get warm, bakery-style donuts at home without a pot of hot oil. The dough stays soft and pillowy inside while the outside picks up a light, crisp edge from the circulating heat. You get a classic sugared donut with far less grease and almost no cleanup.

These donuts use a simple raised dough that proofs once, then cooks in about six minutes per batch. The cinnamon sugar coating sticks to a light brush of butter, giving you the same crackly sweetness you’d expect from a shop donut. It’s a practical recipe built for a weekday treat or a relaxed weekend bake. If you enjoyed this, our peach bellini grapefruit is worth trying next. Making this air fryer donuts recipe with cinnamon sugar at home is surprisingly straightforward once you know the key steps.

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Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donuts Recipe With Cinnamon Sugar

Ready in about 20 minutes from mixed dough to finished donut
Uses basic pantry ingredients with no special equipment beyond an air fryer
Lighter than deep-fried donuts but still soft and tender inside
Cinnamon sugar coating gives a sweet, spiced crunch in every bite
Kid-friendly to shape and finish, no hot oil to manage

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 2 tbsp for dusting
2 tsp instant yeast
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup warm whole milk, about 40°C
1 large egg, room temperature
3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar mixed with 2 tsp ground cinnamon for coating
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, for brushing after cooking

Ingredient Substitutions

All-purpose flour: Replace with an equal weight of bread flour for a chewier, more structured donut. Bread flour has higher protein, so the dough holds its shape better and springs back when pressed. Expect a slightly taller donut with a denser bite, which some prefer for dunking. The air fryer donuts recipe with cinnamon sugar works well for weeknight cooking when time is limited.

Whole milk: Use an equal volume of oat milk for a dairy-free version that still gives a soft crumb. Oat milk is a touch sweeter and less rich, so the donut may brown a little slower. Keep the milk warm so the yeast activates at the same rate. Storing leftover air fryer donuts recipe with cinnamon sugar correctly keeps it tasting good for days.

Unsalted butter: Swap the softened butter in the dough with an equal weight of coconut oil for a mild tropical note. Coconut oil firms up when cool, so the dough should be worked quickly before it stiffens. The melted brushing butter can also be coconut oil, though the coating will be less creamy. For the best results with this air fryer donuts recipe with cinnamon sugar, read through all the steps before starting.

Granulated sugar in dough: Use the same amount of caster sugar to speed dissolving and soften the crumb. Caster sugar is finer, so it blends into the dough with less mixing. The flavor stays neutral and the crust caramelizes slightly faster. For another easy option, check out our blog.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mix 2 cups flour, 2 tsp yeast, 3 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Add 3/4 cup warm milk and 1 egg, then stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead in 3 tbsp softened butter for about 5 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes until doubled.
Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut with a 3-inch cutter and a 1-inch center cutter to make rings.
Place rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket lined with parchment. Cook at 180°C / 350°F for 6 minutes until golden and crisp at the edges.
Brush warm donuts with 3 tbsp melted butter, then toss in the cinnamon sugar mix until fully coated. cinnamon rolls use a similar spice blend if you want a soft alternative.

Pro Tips

Let the cut donuts rest 10 minutes before air frying so the gluten relaxes and the rings hold their shape. This prevents shrinking during cooking.

Don’t skip the melted butter brush; it acts as the glue for the cinnamon sugar and adds a rich finish. air fryer basics from The Kitchn explain why a light fat layer improves coating adhesion.

Work in batches and leave a 1-inch gap between donuts so the hot air circulates. Crowding leads to pale, uneven donuts.

Use a microplane for the cinnamon if you want a finer, more even spice distribution in the sugar.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using cold milk stops the yeast from activating and leaves a dense donut. Always check the milk feels warm, not hot, to your wrist.

Over-flouring the bench makes the dough dry and hard to roll. Add flour one tablespoon at a time only if the dough sticks.

Opening the basket early drops the temperature and slows browning. Wait until the 6 minutes mark before checking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the donuts warm within 30 minutes for the best texture. Pair with moscato sangria for a light brunch spread.

Add a side of cinnamon sugar focaccia if you’re building a sweet bread board for guests.

Storage and Reheating

Keep cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The coating softens but the crumb stays tender.

For longer storage, freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months and coat after reheating. Warm in the air fryer at 160°C / 320°F for 3 minutes before butter and sugar.

Don’t leave cooked donuts out for more than 2 hours since the milk-based dough spoils at room temperature beyond that.

Recipe Variations

Chocolate Dip

After the cinnamon sugar step, dip the top half in 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate. The chocolate sets in 10 minutes and adds a bitter contrast to the sweet coating.

Apple Spice

Add 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg and 1/4 cup finely grated apple to the dough. The apple keeps the crumb moist and shifts the spice toward a fall flavor.

Glazed Version

Skip the cinnamon sugar and brush with a mix of 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tbsp milk. You get a smoother, shinier finish closer to a cake donut. air fryer sandwiches make a savory partner if you serve a mixed brunch.

Maple Coat

Use 1/2 cup maple sugar instead of granulated in the coating for a deeper, woodsy sweetness. The donuts brown a little faster, so check at 5 minutes.

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