Irresistible Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Churro Donut Holes in 10 Minutes

Okay, I have to confess—I’m a total sucker for anything cinnamon sugar. But when I discovered I could make crispy, golden churro donut holes in my air fryer in just 10 minutes? Game. Changer. No messy deep-frying, no waiting forever for the oil to heat up—just warm, sugary bites of heaven that disappear way too fast in my house. My kids go absolutely wild for these (and honestly, so do I). The best part? You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry right now. So let’s turn those basic staples into magic—because who can resist that warm cinnamon scent filling the kitchen in under 10 minutes?

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Churro Donut Holes

Trust me, these little bites of joy will become your new go-to dessert—or let’s be real, sneaky breakfast. Here’s why:

• 10-minute magic: From bowl to golden perfection before your coffee’s even finished brewing.
• Zero grease splatters: No deep-fryer mess means no scrubbing oil off your stove (or your favorite shirt).
• Kid-approved: My littles beg to roll them in cinnamon sugar—great for tiny helper hands!
• Crispy outside, pillowy inside: That perfect churro texture without the carnival price tag.
• Emergency dessert savior: Surprise guests? Last-minute bake sale? You’ve got this.

Really, it’s dangerous how easy these are. You’ve been warned.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Churro Donut Holes

Grab these simple pantry staples—I bet you’ve got most already! Pro tip: measure everything before starting. When these babies cook in 5 minutes flat, you’ll thank past-you for being prepared.

• Dry team: 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt
• Wet squad: ½ cup milk (any kind!), 1 large egg (room temp works best), 2 tbsp melted butter (cooled slightly)
• Cinnamon sugar magic: ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (the good stuff!), 2 tbsp melted butter for coating

See? No weird ingredients—just pure, simple deliciousness waiting to happen.

How to Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Churro Donut Holes

Okay, let’s get to the fun part—turning that bowl of ingredients into golden, sugar-coated bites of joy. I promise it’s easier than you think, but follow these steps closely for that perfect churro texture!

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

First things first—preheat that air fryer to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, whisk together your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt) in one bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg lightly, then stir in the milk and that glorious melted butter. Now, here’s the key: pour the wet mix into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. A few lumps? Totally fine! Overmixing = tough donut holes, and we want pillowy-soft insides.

Step 2: Shape and Cook

Grab a small cookie scoop (or a tablespoon) to portion the dough—this keeps them all the same size so they cook evenly. Roll each portion into smooth balls (about 1-inch diameter) between your palms. Arrange them in the air fryer basket with some breathing room—they’ll puff up! Cook for 5-6 minutes until they’re golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. (Peek at 5 minutes—some air fryers run hot!)

Step 3: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While those beauties cook, mix your cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. Melt the extra butter in a microwave-safe dish. As soon as the donut holes come out of the air fryer, brush each one with melted butter (careful, they’re hot!), then roll them in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated. The warmth helps the sugar stick like glitter on a craft project—irresistible!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churro Donut Holes

After burning one too many batches (oops!), I’ve learned these tricks make all the difference:

• Peek early: Check at 4 minutes—air fryers vary wildly! They’re done when golden with a crisp “shell.”
• Parchment is your friend: Cut a round to fit your basket so nothing sticks (but leave space for air flow!).
• Size matters: Keep dough balls small (1-inch max) so centers cook before outsides burn.
• Coating hack: Toss warm donut holes in a paper bag with cinnamon sugar—less mess, even coverage!

Bonus: If your first batch isn’t perfect, adjust time by 30-second increments. You’ll nail it!

Variations for Air Fryer Churro Donut Holes

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, the fun begins! Try these easy twists:

• Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to your cinnamon sugar for extra warmth.
• Chocolate dip: Melt semi-sweet chocolate with a splash of cream for dunking—kid heaven!
• Gluten-free: Swap in 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (my favorite works perfectly).
• Citrus zest: Orange or lemon zest in the dough adds a bright surprise.

The best part? No one will guess these fancy upgrades took barely any extra time!

Serving and Storing Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Churro Donut Holes

Here’s the truth – these donut holes disappear FAST when served warm. I always set out extra napkins because fingers get happily sticky! If by some miracle you have leftovers (rare in my house), pop them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To revive that just-made magic, give them 1-2 minutes in the air fryer – they’ll crisp right back up!

Air Fryer Churro Donut Holes Nutritional Information

Just so you know—these numbers are estimates (because let’s be real, who measures cinnamon sugar coating perfectly?). For 5 donut holes: 180 calories, 6g fat (3.5g saturated), 28g carbs, 12g sugar. Not bad for a treat that tastes this indulgent! Enjoy without guilt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?
Nope—and trust me, I’ve tried! The air fryer’s rapid hot air gives that signature crispy shell while keeping the insides tender. Baking makes them more like soft muffins (still tasty, but not churro magic).

Can I freeze these donut holes?
Absolutely! Freeze them before coating in cinnamon sugar. Just pop the plain cooked donut holes in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. When cravings hit, air fry frozen for 3-4 minutes, then coat!

How to make these vegan?
Easy swaps: use almond milk and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water). For the butter, coconut oil works great—just melt it slightly before mixing in.

Got more questions? Drop them in the comments—I check every day! And if you try this recipe (you totally should), snap a pic and tag me. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen successes!

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