Get ready for the most delightful and effortless holiday treat you’ll make all season! These Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes are warm, fluffy, and ridiculously easy to whip up, making them perfect for a festive Christmas morning breakfast or a quick dessert. Using refrigerated biscuit dough, your air fryer transforms simple ingredients into magical, bite-sized donuts in under 10 minutes. Forget the hassle of deep-frying; this recipe delivers all the flavor with minimal effort and cleanup.
Why This Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes Recipe is a Holiday Must-Have
You are going to fall in love with the simplicity and charm of this recipe. It’s designed for busy home cooks who want to create special holiday memories without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Incredibly Fast: From opening the can of biscuits to serving warm, sugary donut holes, the entire process takes less than 15 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for an impromptu holiday craving.
- Beginner-Friendly: With just a few simple steps, even the kids can help make these. It’s a wonderful way to get the whole family involved in the holiday baking.
- Perfectly Festive: Dressed up with red and green sprinkles or a simple glaze, these donut bites become a beautiful and delicious addition to any Christmas platter. They look as good as they taste!
- Healthier than Deep-Fried: By using the air fryer, you get that satisfyingly crisp exterior and soft interior with a fraction of the oil used in traditional deep-frying.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on pantry staples and a can of refrigerated biscuits, making it easy to prepare at a moment’s notice.
For the Donut Holes
- Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: One standard can (like Pillsbury Grands!) is all you need. The flaky layers work wonderfully for a light, airy texture.
- Melted Butter: This helps the toppings adhere and adds a rich, delicious flavor.
- Cooking Spray or Oil: Just a touch to ensure the donut holes don’t stick to the air fryer basket.
For the Festive Toppings
- Granulated Sugar & Cinnamon: For a classic, cozy cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Powdered Sugar: For a simple, sweet glaze when mixed with a splash of milk.
- Christmas Sprinkles: Red, green, and white nonpareils, jimmies, or sanding sugar add the perfect holiday sparkle.
Essential Equipment for Perfect Donut Holes
The beauty of this recipe is its minimal equipment list. The star of the show is, of course, the air fryer. Any model will work perfectly. You’ll also want a small bowl for melting butter and another for mixing your cinnamon-sugar topping. That’s it!
How to Make Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple instructions to create warm, fluffy donut holes that will disappear in minutes.
- Prepare the Dough: Open the can of biscuit dough and separate the biscuits. Cut each individual biscuit into four equal pieces. Gently roll each piece into a small ball.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat for a few minutes. This ensures the donut holes cook evenly.
- Cook the Donut Holes: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the dough balls in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch. You may need to cook in two batches. Air fry for 4-6 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Coat and Decorate: While the donut holes are still warm, brush them with melted butter. Immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated. If making a glaze, dip the buttered tops into the glaze and add festive sprinkles right away.
Pro Tips for the Best Holiday Donut Holes
To guarantee your Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes come out perfectly every time, keep these simple tips in mind.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Give the donut holes space to puff up and cook evenly. Working in batches is key to getting a perfectly golden exterior on all sides.
- Use Parchment Liners: For even easier cleanup, use a perforated parchment paper liner designed for air fryers.
- Coat While Warm: The key to getting the toppings to stick is to coat the donut holes while they are fresh and hot from the air fryer. Have your butter and toppings ready to go!
- Check for Doneness: Air fryer models can vary. Check your donut holes at the 4-minute mark. They are done when they are puffed and a deep golden brown. Looking for another festive treat? Try these delicious buttery soft Christmas cookies.
Festive Decoration and Flavor Variations
While classic cinnamon-sugar is always a winner, these donut holes are a blank canvas for your holiday creativity. If you need a show-stopping cake, this Christmas red velvet poke cake is a must-try.
Christmas Glaze Ideas
- Simple Vanilla Glaze: Mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth.
- Peppermint Glaze: Add a 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the vanilla glaze for a minty twist.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt white or milk chocolate chips and drizzle them over the cooled donut holes.
Fun with Sprinkles and Toppings
Beyond sprinkles, try crushed candy canes, finely chopped nuts, or festive sanding sugar. Setting up a small decorating bar is a fun activity for the whole family on Christmas morning.
Storing Your Homemade Donut Holes
These donut holes are definitely best enjoyed fresh and warm from the air fryer. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 1-2 minutes to restore their warmth and softness. For a different kind of sweet bite, check out these cherry cheesecake crescent muffins.
Frequently Asked Questions about Air Fryer Donut Holes
Absolutely! While this recipe is designed for speed using refrigerated biscuit dough, you can use your favorite from-scratch donut dough recipe. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
The best way to prevent sticking is to lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil or use a perforated parchment paper liner specifically designed for air fryers. This also makes cleanup much easier.
For this recipe, you should cook the donut holes for 4-6 minutes at 350°F (175°C). It’s best to flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they are evenly golden brown on all sides.
These donut holes are best enjoyed fresh and warm. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 1-2 minutes.
Beyond a classic cinnamon-sugar coating, you can toss them in powdered sugar, dip them in a simple vanilla glaze (powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract), or drizzle them with melted white or dark chocolate and top with festive sprinkles.
More Festive Treats to Try
Your holiday baking shouldn’t stop here! For another incredibly easy and festive dessert, try our famous no-bake Grinch pie. Or, if you’re in the mood for something both sweet and savory, these cranberry brie bites are a huge crowd-pleaser.
Get the Full Recipe!
Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes (Easy Holiday Treat!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Separate the 8 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into 4 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil.
- Place the dough balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch. Cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- While the donut holes cook, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- As soon as the donut holes are done, brush them with melted butter and immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated. Add sprinkles if desired.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Tip 2: For a simple glaze, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk and dip the warm donut holes.
Tip 3: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Share Your Festive Creations!
I hope you and your family love making these simple and delicious Air Fryer Christmas Donut Holes! There’s nothing better than sharing a warm, homemade treat during the holidays. If you make this recipe, I would love to see your creations! Please leave a comment below or share a photo on Pinterest. Happy holidays!
