Nothing says holidays like the warm, spicy smell of gingerbread wafting through the kitchen. And let me tell you, these air fryer gingerbread donuts are my newest obsession! I’ve been playing with air fryer desserts for years (ever since my sister gifted me that first model back in 2018), but these festive treats might just be my favorite creation yet.

What I love most is how ridiculously easy they are – we’re talking less than 20 minutes from bowl to plate. The air fryer gives them this perfect tender crumb while keeping the tops beautifully domed. And that molasses-kissed glaze? Absolute magic. My kids start begging for them the moment December hits, and honestly, I don’t blame them one bit.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts

Trust me, these aren’t just any donuts – they’re little bites of holiday magic! Here’s why they’ll become your new favorite:

Ready in under 20 minutes – faster than running to the bakery!
That cozy gingerbread flavor with all the warm spices you crave
Perfectly portioned – no more fighting over who gets the biggest piece
Easy cleanup (my favorite part!) – just one bowl and your air fryer
Smells like Christmas morning while they’re cooking

Seriously, I’ve made these three times this week already – they’re that good!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these spiced wonders – I’ve grouped them so you can measure as you go:

Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp each: nutmeg & cloves
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter (cooled slightly)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

No molasses? Use dark corn syrup or honey (though the flavor will be milder). Dairy-free? Almond milk works beautifully. For gluten-free donuts, I’ve had success with 1:1 gluten-free flour blends – just add an extra tablespoon of milk if the batter seems thick. And if you’re out of brown sugar, white sugar plus 1/2 tsp molasses makes a decent substitute in a pinch!

Equipment You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll want to grab before diving in:

Air fryer (obviously!) – any model works
Donut pan that fits your air fryer basket
Two mixing bowls – one for dry, one for wet ingredients
Whisk & spatula for mixing

Nice-to-haves: a piping bag for neat batter transfer (though a ziplock with the corner snipped works too!), and a small sifter for dusting powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy.

How to Make Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts

Okay, let’s get baking! These gingerbread donuts come together so easily – just follow these simple steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for even cooking – I learned the hard way when my first batch came out lopsided!
Whisk dry ingredients in one bowl until well combined. Those spices need to be evenly distributed for that perfect gingerbread flavor in every bite.
Mix wet ingredients in another bowl. Make sure your melted butter has cooled slightly so it doesn’t cook the egg!
Combine wet and dry gently with a spatula. Stop mixing as soon as no flour streaks remain – overmixing makes tough donuts.
Grease your donut pan thoroughly (I use butter or baking spray) and pipe or spoon batter in, filling each cavity halfway.
Air fry for 6-8 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. They’ll be puffed and spring back when lightly pressed.
Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack. This prevents soggy bottoms – trust me!
Make the glaze by whisking powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Dip each cooled donut halfway and let excess drip off.
Let glaze set for about 10 minutes before serving. The wait is torture, but it’s worth it!

Pro Tips for Perfect Donuts

After burning through more batches than I’d like to admit, here’s what I’ve learned: First, grease every nook of that donut pan – those crevices love to trap batter. Second, resist overmixing – a few lumps are better than tough donuts. And my biggest “aha” moment? Letting them cool upside down on the rack prevents that flat side from getting soggy. Now you get perfect donuts every time!

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts

Oh, the possibilities! These donuts shine brightest with a steaming cup of coffee or spiced chai – the perfect holiday breakfast combo. For extra festive flair, dust with powdered sugar while still warm or add colorful sprinkles before the glaze sets. My kids go wild when I arrange them on a vintage cake stand with cinnamon sticks tucked between. Honestly, they rarely last long enough for fancy presentation – we’re usually grabbing them straight off the cooling rack!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Here’s how to keep those gingerbread donuts tasting fresh (if they last that long!): Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days – the glaze actually helps keep them moist. Want to revive day-old donuts? Just pop them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F. Whatever you do, don’t refrigerate them – it makes the texture weirdly dense. Though honestly, mine never stick around long enough to worry about storage!

Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts FAQ

I get asked about these gingerbread donuts all the time – here are answers to the most common questions:

Can I freeze these donuts?
Absolutely! Freeze unglazed donuts in a single layer first, then transfer to an airtight bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze right before serving – they taste freshly made!

Why are my donuts dense?
Usually means you overmixed the batter or packed the flour. Spoon flour into your measuring cup lightly – no scooping! And mix just until combined.

Can I make these without a donut pan?
Try muffin tins or shape them freeform on parchment – they won’t have the classic ring shape but will taste just as delicious!

My glaze is too runny/thick – help!
Easy fix! Too runny? Add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. Too thick? Drizzle in milk drop by drop until it ribbons off your whisk.

Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re biting into (not that it stops me from eating two at a time!): Each gingerbread donut clocks in at about 210 calories. Keep in mind these estimates vary based on your exact ingredients – my neighbor’s version with almond milk came out slightly lighter. Here’s the breakdown per donut:

Calories: 210
Sugar: 18g
Fat: 5g (3g saturated)
Carbs: 38g
Protein: 3g

Now go enjoy that holiday spice goodness – life’s too short to count every crumb!

Final Thoughts

Give these gingerbread donuts a try this holiday season – then snap a photo and tag me! I’d love to see your festive creations. If you are looking for other quick holiday treats, check out these air fryer pecan pie bars!

For more air fryer dessert inspiration, you might enjoy looking into general guidelines on food safety when using air fryers, or perhaps exploring how to make air fryer apple crumble cups.

Irresistible Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts in 20 Minutes

Author: Ella Parker
Total Time: 18 mins
Yield: 6 donuts 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Easy air fryer gingerbread donuts with warm spices and a sweet glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 tbsp melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
2 tbsp milk (for glaze)

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
Whisk wet ingredients in another bowl.
Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
Fill greased donut pan halfway with batter.
Air fry for 6-8 minutes until firm.
Cool donuts for 5 minutes.
Mix powdered sugar and milk for glaze.
Dip cooled donuts in glaze.
Let glaze set before serving.

Notes

Use a piping bag for easier batter transfer.
Check doneness with a toothpick.
Store in airtight container for up to 2 days.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 8 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: 210
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 85mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: air fryer gingerbread donuts, holiday donuts, easy dessert