You know those lazy Sunday mornings when you crave something sweet but don’t want to deal with frying oil or complicated recipes? That’s exactly how I stumbled upon these magical Vegan Air Fryer Donut Holes. I was skeptical at first – could something so simple really satisfy my donut cravings? But one bite of these warm, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside treats and I was hooked! The best part? They come together in about 15 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. No fancy equipment, no messy cleanup – just pure, delicious donut joy that happens to be vegan. My air fryer has never worked harder (or made me happier) than when making these little bites of heaven!
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Air Fryer Donut Holes
Let me count the ways these little gems will steal your heart (and your snack time)! First off, they’re ridiculously quick – we’re talking fresh donut holes in under 20 minutes from start to finish. No waiting for yeast to rise or dealing with hot oil splatters. Just mix, roll, and air fry!
Here’s what makes them so special:
- Crispy golden outsides with pillowy-soft centers – that perfect donut texture without the grease
- Healthier than traditional fried donuts (but you’d never guess they’re vegan!)
- Uses simple pantry staples – no weird ingredients
- Endless flavor possibilities (wait till you see my variations section!)
- Kid-friendly and perfect for portion control (though good luck stopping at just one!)
Seriously, these vegan air fryer donut holes are about to become your new go-to treat. My friends still don’t believe something this delicious came from my kitchen in minutes!
Ingredients for Vegan Air Fryer Donut Holes
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up these irresistible donut holes – I promise it’s all simple stuff! The beauty of this recipe is how basic the ingredients are, yet they transform into something magical in the air fryer. I’ve included my favorite substitutions too, because we’ve all been in that “oops, out of almond milk” situation!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend if needed)
- 2 tbsp sugar – regular white works great, but coconut sugar adds nice depth
- 1 tsp baking powder – make sure it’s fresh!
- 1/4 tsp salt – just enough to balance the sweetness
- 1/4 cup almond milk (any plant milk works – soy makes them extra fluffy)
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil – cooled slightly (vegetable oil works in a pinch)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract – the good stuff makes a difference!
- Oil spray for coating – I use coconut oil spray but any neutral oil works
See? Nothing fancy – just pantry staples ready to become your new favorite treat! If you’re interested in other quick air fryer recipes, check out this air fryer pecan pie bars recipe.
How to Make Vegan Air Fryer Donut Holes
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these magical little bites! The process is so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making vegan air fryer donut holes every weekend. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm, delicious donut holes before you know it!
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
First things first – grab a medium mixing bowl and whisk together your dry ingredients. That’s the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. I like to give them a good whisk for about 30 seconds – this isn’t just mixing, it’s making sure everything is evenly distributed so you get perfect donut holes every time. No one wants a bite that’s all sugar or all flour, right?
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Now for the magic! Pour in your almond milk, melted (but slightly cooled) coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until just combined – don’t overmix! The dough should come together nicely and be slightly sticky but manageable. If it seems too dry, add a teaspoon more milk. Too wet? A sprinkle more flour. Easy peasy!
Step 3: Shape and Cook
Here’s where the real fun begins! Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls (I use a small cookie scoop for perfect portions). Spray your air fryer basket lightly with oil, then arrange the dough balls inside – don’t crowd them! They need space to puff up beautifully. Cook at 350°F for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket gently halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown and smell amazing. Let them cool for a minute or two before devouring – trust me, that patience pays off!
Tips for Perfect Vegan Air Fryer Donut Holes
After making dozens (okay, maybe hundreds) of batches, I’ve picked up some tricks for absolute donut hole perfection! First – invest in a small cookie scoop. It gives you uniform sizes so everything cooks evenly. No more giant dough balls with raw centers!
Watch your air fryer like a hawk the first time – models vary wildly in heat. Mine runs hot, so I pull them at 5 minutes. Yours might need 6-7. They’re done when golden with a slight spring when pressed. For general information on how air fryers work, you can check out resources on air fryer safety and function.
For extra magic, roll them in cinnamon sugar while still warm – the coating sticks beautifully. Or drizzle with melted chocolate for special occasions. Just try not to eat them all before serving!
Variations for Vegan Air Fryer Donut Holes
Oh, the possibilities! Once you’ve mastered the basic vegan air fryer donut holes, it’s time to play. My favorite part? These little guys are like blank canvases for flavor experiments. Try adding 1/2 tsp cinnamon to the dry ingredients for cozy spice donut holes – perfect with your morning coffee. If you enjoy spice variations, you might also like these air fryer sweet and spicy carrots.
Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Mix in 2 tbsp cocoa powder (reduce flour by 1 tbsp) for rich chocolate donut holes. Feeling fancy? Dip cooled donut holes in melted vegan chocolate or a simple powdered sugar glaze. The variations are endless, and honestly? I’ve yet to find one that wasn’t delicious!
Serving Suggestions
These vegan air fryer donut holes are perfect with your morning coffee – the warmth melts any powdered sugar coating beautifully. For a fun brunch, serve them with small dipping bowls of vegan chocolate sauce and jam. My kids love them dusted with cinnamon sugar as an after-school treat. Honestly? They disappear too fast for fancy presentation!
Storage & Reheating
Here’s the best part – these vegan air fryer donut holes stay delicious for days! Store any leftovers (if you have any!) in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Want that fresh-from-the-fryer crispiness? Just pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 1-2 minutes – they’ll taste like new! For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer to a bag. Reheat frozen ones for 3-4 minutes – perfect for sudden donut cravings!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are estimates since ingredients can vary! Per serving (that’s 3 delicious donut holes), you’re looking at about 120 calories, with 4g of fat (mostly from that good coconut oil). They’ve got 18g carbs (not too bad for a treat!) and 2g protein.
The best part? Zero cholesterol since we’re keeping it plant-based. The sugar content comes in around 5g per serving – not bad compared to bakery donuts! Of course, if you roll them in extra sugar, that’ll change things. But hey, life’s about balance, right?
FAQ
Can I use gluten-free flour for these donut holes?
Absolutely! I’ve had great success with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for proper texture. The donut holes might be slightly more delicate, but just as delicious!
How long do these vegan donut holes stay fresh?
They’re best eaten the same day (no problem in my house!), but will keep in an airtight container for 2-3 days. The air fryer works magic reheating them – just 1-2 minutes brings back that fresh-made crispiness!
Can I make these without an air fryer?
You can bake them at 350°F for about 10 minutes, but they won’t get quite as golden and crispy. The air fryer really makes them special – it’s worth borrowing one if you don’t own one yet!
What’s the best way to coat them with sugar?
Roll them in cinnamon sugar while still warm – the heat helps it stick beautifully. For powdered sugar, wait until they’ve cooled slightly so it doesn’t melt right off. Pro tip: toss them in a paper bag with the sugar and shake!
Try this recipe and share your results! Tag me on social media – I love seeing your vegan air fryer creations!
Print
Irresistible Vegan Air Fryer Donut Holes in 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 16 mins
- Yield: 12 donut holes 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Crispy and delicious vegan donut holes made quickly in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Oil spray for coating
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add almond milk, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Roll the dough into small balls.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
- Place the dough balls in the air fryer, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use a cookie scoop for even-sized donut holes.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- For extra sweetness, roll in powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 6 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 donut holes
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: vegan donut holes, air fryer dessert, easy vegan recipe