Easy Homemade Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts: Your Perfect Fall Treat Recipe
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma and taste of freshly made donuts to brighten your day. As the leaves begin to change and the crisp autumn air settles in, our cravings often turn to the warm, inviting flavors of fall. And when it comes to seasonal delights, pumpkin reigns supreme! Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, fluffy pumpkin donut, perfectly spiced and subtly sweet. Now, imagine making that delightful treat without the usual mess and added fat of deep frying. Thanks to the magic of the air fryer, you can! Get ready to discover how to create light, crispy, and utterly delicious pumpkin donuts right in your own kitchen.
Skip the hot oil and the lingering fried food smell, and embrace a healthier, simpler approach to your favorite fall indulgence. Our homemade pumpkin spice donuts are crafted with a delightful biscuit-like dough that achieves an incredible texture in the air fryer: a wonderfully crispy exterior that gives way to a soft, pillowy interior. This isn’t just an easy recipe; it’s a game-changer for anyone who loves donuts but prefers a lighter touch. With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll be enjoying these irresistible pumpkin-flavored treats in no time.
Why Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts Are Your New Fall Favorite
These aren’t just any pumpkin donuts; they’re a revelation! The air fryer transforms a simple dough into a culinary masterpiece, delivering all the satisfaction of a fried pastry without the guilt. If you’ve ever shied away from making homemade donuts because of the messy deep-frying process, the air fryer is your new best friend. It circulates hot air to cook food evenly, creating that coveted crispy texture with significantly less oil.
Our recipe uses a versatile biscuit-style dough, which is robust enough to handle the air fryer’s intense heat while remaining tender and moist inside. Each bite offers a satisfying contrast: a delicate crunch on the outside, followed by a soft, warmly spiced interior bursting with pumpkin flavor. This method not only reduces the fat content but also makes cleanup a breeze. Plus, using an air fryer means you can enjoy these delightful treats more often, making them a staple throughout the autumn season. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, as a delightful snack, or a comforting dessert, these air fryer pumpkin donuts are sure to become a beloved tradition.
Other Dessert Ideas You Will Love:
- Easy Soft Yeast Donuts
- Sugar Cinnamon Donuts
- No Bake Banana Split Dessert
- Instant Pot Peach Cobbler
- Carrot Cake Bars
- Apple Coffee Cake
- Banana and Walnut Bread
- Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Frosting
- Pumpkin Ice Cream
- Vegan Baked Donuts
- Baked Chocolate Donuts
Essential Air Fryer Donut Cooking Tips for Perfection
While this recipe for pumpkin donuts is incredibly simple, a few expert tips can elevate your results from good to absolutely amazing. Mastering these simple air fryer techniques will ensure your donuts are perfectly cooked, beautifully shaped, and irresistibly delicious every time.
- Achieve Uniformity with Cutters: While hand-shaping your donut dough into circles is quick and easy, for truly professional-looking and evenly cooked donuts, a biscuit or cookie cutter is a game-changer. Use a larger round cutter (about 2.5-3 inches) for the main donut shape, then a smaller round cutter (like a piping nozzle or a bottle cap) to create the classic center hole. Uniform size is crucial for consistent cooking, preventing some donuts from being undercooked while others are overdone. Don’t waste the dough from the center holes – you can re-roll it to make more donuts, or simply air fry these mini “donut holes” for a delightful bite-sized treat. They’re fantastic tossed in cinnamon sugar!
- Prevent Overcrowding for Optimal Airflow: The key to successful air frying is proper air circulation. It’s tempting to fill your air fryer basket to maximize each batch, but overcrowding is the enemy of crispiness. When donuts are too close together, they trap steam, preventing the hot air from reaching all surfaces. This results in soft, rather than crispy, exteriors. Always arrange your donuts in a single layer, ensuring there’s a small gap between each one. This allows the hot air to circulate freely, guaranteeing that desirable crispy texture. Cook in batches if necessary; the extra few minutes are well worth the superior outcome.
- Smart Oil Application for a Healthier Crunch: Traditional fried donuts get their golden, crispy crust from a bath in hot oil. While our air fryer method drastically cuts down on oil, a little bit of fat is still essential for achieving that beautiful golden-brown color and a satisfying crisp. Instead of brushing with a significant amount of vegetable oil, opt for a light mist of nonstick cooking spray. This provides an even, thin layer of oil, which contributes to the crispy exterior without adding excessive calories or fat. Alternatively, if you’re using a brush, apply a very thin, even coating. When it comes to coating your donuts with cinnamon sugar or pumpkin spice sugar, nonstick cooking spray can also be used instead of melted butter to help the sugar adhere, further reducing the fat content while keeping them deliciously coated. Avocado oil or coconut oil sprays are excellent options for this.
Delectable Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts Toppings
Once your air fryer pumpkin donuts are perfectly cooked and cooled, it’s time to take them to the next level with a delicious topping! While they’re delightful plain, a thoughtful topping adds an extra layer of flavor and texture that truly elevates the experience. Here are some fantastic topping ideas to complement your warm, spiced pumpkin donuts:
- Classic Pumpkin Spice Sugar: Enhance the inherent fall flavors by combining granulated sugar with a generous amount of pumpkin pie spice. For every 1/3 cup of sugar, start with 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice, adjusting to your taste. While the donuts are still slightly warm (but not hot enough to melt the sugar), brush them lightly with melted butter or nonstick spray, then gently toss or sprinkle them with this aromatic sugar mixture. The warmth helps the sugar adhere and creates a delightful sweet, spicy crust.
- Irresistible Cinnamon Sugar: A timeless classic, cinnamon sugar is always a winner. Whisk together 1/3 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon until well combined. Just like with the pumpkin spice sugar, lightly brush your warm donuts with melted butter or nonstick cooking spray, then roll or sprinkle them generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture. The sweet, warm spice of cinnamon perfectly complements the pumpkin.
- Smooth Vanilla Glaze: For those who prefer a creamy, sweet finish, a simple vanilla glaze is ideal. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk. Start with 1 tablespoon of milk and add more, half a teaspoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency. For a thicker glaze, add a bit more powdered sugar. Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, letting any excess drip off before placing them on a wire rack to set. For a beautiful presentation, you can also drizzle the glaze over the donuts with a spoon.
- Rich Cream Cheese Frosting: Take a cue from carrot cake or pumpkin roll and top your donuts with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Beat together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Spread or pipe this decadent frosting over your cooled donuts for an extra special treat.
- Chocolate Drizzle: For the chocolate lovers, a simple melted chocolate drizzle can add a touch of elegance and richness. Melt dark, milk, or white chocolate chips (with a teaspoon of coconut oil if needed for smoothness) and drizzle over the cooled, plain, or lightly sugared donuts.
How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Donuts
Just like their deep-fried counterparts, air fryer donuts are truly at their best when enjoyed fresh, ideally while still slightly warm. The crispy exterior and soft interior are most pronounced right after cooking. However, if you find yourself with a few delicious leftovers, proper storage will keep them enjoyable for a couple of days.
Ensure your pumpkin donuts are completely cool before storing them. Placing warm donuts in an airtight container will create condensation, making them soggy. Once fully cooled, transfer them to an airtight container. Store them at room temperature for the best results, where they will maintain their quality for up to two days. For longer storage, or if you prefer them warmed, you can briefly reheat them. A quick 1-2 minute session in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) can help restore some of their crispness and warmth. Alternatively, a few seconds in the microwave can warm them up, though it won’t bring back the crisp texture. These methods are particularly effective for plain or sugar-coated donuts. Glazed or frosted donuts are best eaten fresh, as reheating can alter the texture of the toppings.
Homemade Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Recipe
Yields: 12 donuts
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes per batch
Ingredients for Your Delicious Pumpkin Donuts
To create these delightful air fryer pumpkin donuts, you’ll need a combination of pantry staples and fall-inspired ingredients:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our donut dough, providing structure and texture.
- Granulated Sugar: For sweetness, balancing the pumpkin and spices.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents give the donuts their light and fluffy rise.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: The essential blend that infuses our donuts with warm, autumnal flavors.
- Salt: A pinch enhances all the other flavors.
- Cold Butter: Cut into small pieces, it’s crucial for achieving that tender, biscuit-like crumb.
- Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient, adding moisture, flavor, and that beautiful orange hue. Ensure it’s 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Milk: Helps to bring the dough together and achieve the right consistency. Whole milk is recommended for richness, but any milk will work.
- Vegetable Oil: A light brush before air frying helps achieve a golden, slightly crispy exterior. Nonstick cooking spray can be used as an alternative for less fat.
For the optional but highly recommended topping:
- Melted Butter: For brushing the cooked donuts, helping the sugar mixture adhere.
- Granulated Sugar & Pumpkin Pie Spice: For a delightful, aromatic coating.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make These Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until thoroughly combined. This ensures all the leavening and spices are evenly distributed.
- Incorporate Butter: Add the cold butter, cut into small pieces, to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand with some pea-sized crumbs. This method creates pockets of butter that melt during cooking, resulting in a tender texture.
- Form the Dough: Pour in the pumpkin puree and 1/4 cup of milk. Stir with a spoon or your hands until the dough just begins to come together. Be careful not to overmix. If the mixture appears too dry or crumbly, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of milk, one tablespoon at a time, until a cohesive, slightly sticky dough forms. The exact amount of milk can vary based on the moisture content of your pumpkin puree and humidity.
- Knead and Shape: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough a few times until it’s smooth and pliable. Avoid over-kneading, as this can make the donuts tough. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. For classic donut shapes, roll each piece of dough into a long tube (about 4-5 inches) and then connect the ends to form a circle. Alternatively, you can roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness and use a donut cutter or two different-sized round cookie cutters to cut out your donut shapes and holes.
- Prepare for Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for at least 5 minutes. While the air fryer preheats, lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Carefully place the prepared donuts into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching each other to allow for proper air circulation. Lightly brush the tops of each donut with vegetable oil or a quick spray of nonstick cooking spray; this helps them achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and a crispy exterior.
- Air Fry to Golden Perfection: Cook the donuts in the preheated air fryer for 8 minutes, or until they are puffed up, golden brown, and cooked through. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your donuts. Once cooked, transfer the donuts to a wire cooling rack. Continue cooking the remaining donuts in batches, making sure to re-spray the basket and brush the donuts with oil for each new batch.
- Cool and Coat with Topping: Allow the cooked donuts to cool on the wire rack for a few minutes. While they are still warm, prepare your topping. In a small, shallow bowl, whisk together the 1/3 cup of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice for the coating. In a separate small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Brush each donut generously with the melted butter, ensuring all surfaces are covered.
- Final Coating: Immediately after brushing with butter, dip each donut into the pumpkin spice sugar mixture, turning to coat evenly on all sides. Gently shake off any excess sugar. Place the coated donuts back on the wire rack to fully cool before serving. Enjoy your freshly made, healthier air fryer pumpkin donuts!
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Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
petro
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Equipment
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mixing bowl
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whisk
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air fryer
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cooling rack
Ingredients
For the donuts
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter cut into small pieces
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the topping
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
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Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
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Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
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Add the pumpkin puree and ¼ cup of milk. Stir until the dough begins to come together. If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add more milk one tablespoon at a time.
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Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Separate the dough into 12 equal pieces.
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Roll each piece dough into a long tube and connect the ends to form a circle.
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Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees. Place the donuts in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching. Brush each donut with vegetable oil.
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Cook in the air fryer for 8 minutes, until golden brown. Continue cooking in batches until all the donuts have been cooked.
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Transfer the cooked donuts to a wire cooling rack to cool. When the donuts are cool, whisk together the sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Brush each donut with melted butter.
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Dip in the sugar mixture until coated.
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