Air Fryer Apple Cider Doughnut Holes
Equipment
- Ice Cream Scoop, 1-Ounce
- medium mixing bowl
- Silicone Pastry Brush
- Small mixing bowl
- Silicone spatula
- wire cooling rack
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Doughnut Holes
- 1½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider hard or nonalcoholic and chilled
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons Buttermilk chilled
- 1 large Egg lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 pinch Nutmeg freshly grated
- Vegetable Oil for brushing
For the Applesauce Glaze
- 2 tablespoons Applesauce unsweetened
- 1 pinch Kosher Salt
- ½ cup Powdered Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Whisk the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and nutmeg together in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the chilled buttermilk, apple cider, and beaten egg.
- Stir gently with a silicone spatula until the dough just comes together.
- Do not continue mixing once no dry patches of flour remain.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (177°C).
- Use a 1-ounce ice cream scoop or 2 tablespoons to divide the dough into 10 equal portions.
- Drop the portions into the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for airflow.
- Lightly brush the tops with vegetable oil.
- Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for approximately 6 minutes.
- Check that the doughnut holes are golden brown, fluffy, and cooked through in the centre.
- Transfer them to a wire cooling rack.
- Let the doughnut holes cool completely before glazing.
- Place the powdered sugar, unsweetened applesauce, vanilla extract, and kosher salt in a small mixing bowl.
- Stir until the glaze is completely smooth.
- Dip the top of each cooled doughnut hole into the applesauce glaze.
- Return the glazed doughnut holes to the wire cooling rack.
- Let them stand until the glaze has set.
- Serve at room temperature.
- For warm doughnut holes, prepare the glaze while they cook and serve it separately as a dipping sauce.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the doughnut holes with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or warm apple cider. They make an easy autumn breakfast, brunch treat, or afternoon snack. For the best texture, serve them on the day they are prepared, after the applesauce glaze has had time to set.Recipe Notes
Keep the buttermilk and apple cider chilled until needed. Mix the dough only until it comes together because overmixing can make the doughnut holes firm. Leave enough space between the portions in the basket so the circulating hot air can cook them evenly.Variations
Add ground cinnamon, allspice, ginger, or an extra pinch of nutmeg to the flour mixture. For a cinnamon-sugar coating, brush the warm doughnut holes lightly with melted butter and roll them in cinnamon sugar instead of adding glaze. Pear purée can replace the applesauce.Storage
Store cooled doughnut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Keep glazed pieces in a single layer so they do not stick together. Refresh unglazed doughnut holes briefly in the air fryer before serving, then add fresh glaze.Wine Advice
A lightly sparkling Moscato d’Asti complements the apple, vanilla, and nutmeg without overpowering the delicate doughnuts. For a drier pairing, choose an aromatic Riesling with fresh apple notes and lively acidity.Nutrition values
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About Apple Cider Doughnut Holes
Apple Cider Doughnut Holes bring the familiar flavour of autumn doughnuts to the kitchen without deep-frying or preparing a complicated yeast dough. Apple cider, buttermilk, and freshly grated nutmeg flavour the soft dough, while a quick applesauce glaze reinforces the apple character. The air fryer cooks the ten miniature doughnuts in approximately six minutes, making this a practical recipe for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.
Traditional apple cider doughnuts are often fried and coated with cinnamon sugar. This version uses baking powder and baking soda for lift and needs only a light brushing of vegetable oil. The finished doughnut holes are golden on the outside and light inside, but they avoid the quantity of oil associated with deep-frying.
Why Air Fryer Mini Doughnuts Work
Air fryer mini doughnuts cook quickly because their small size allows the circulating heat to reach the centre in only a few minutes. Leaving space between the portions is essential. If the dough touches or the basket is overcrowded, the hot air cannot circulate properly and the doughnuts may cook unevenly.
The combination of baking powder and baking soda creates a light texture. Baking soda reacts with the acidity in the buttermilk and apple cider, while baking powder supplies additional lift during cooking. The dough should be mixed only until it comes together. Continued stirring develops gluten and can turn a light doughnut into a dense one.
Choosing the Apple Cider
Both nonalcoholic and hard apple cider can be used in this recipe. Nonalcoholic cider provides a direct, family-friendly apple flavour. Hard cider may add a slightly more complex fermented note, although only a small amount is required. Whichever type you choose, use cider rather than clear apple juice for a fuller autumn character.
Keep the cider and buttermilk chilled until they are added to the dry ingredients. Cold liquid helps control the consistency of the soft dough and prevents it from becoming overly sticky during portioning. A 1-ounce ice cream scoop is the easiest way to create ten reasonably even pieces. Two tablespoons can be used when a scoop is unavailable.
Making the Applesauce Glaze
The glaze needs only powdered sugar, unsweetened applesauce, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Applesauce supplies both liquid and flavour, eliminating the need for milk or water. Stir the ingredients until no lumps of powdered sugar remain. If the glaze seems too thick for dipping, add a very small amount of applesauce. If it becomes too thin, mix in additional powdered sugar.
Let the Apple Cider Doughnut Holes cool completely before dipping their tops into the glaze. Applying it while they are hot causes the sugar mixture to melt and run off. If you prefer to eat the doughnuts warm, prepare the glaze while they cook and serve it separately as a dipping sauce.
Serving and Flavour Variations
These mini doughnuts pair naturally with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or warm apple cider. Ground cinnamon, ginger, or allspice can be added when you want a stronger spice profile. Another option is to skip the glaze and roll the warm doughnuts in cinnamon sugar after brushing them lightly with melted butter.
For another rich homemade air fryer bake, try our Chocolate White Chocolate Banana Bread. The chocolate loaf and apple doughnuts can be served together as part of an informal breakfast or autumn brunch.
Storage and Food Safety
The doughnut holes have their best texture on the day they are made. Once completely cool, they can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Store glazed pieces in a single layer or separate the layers with baking paper to prevent sticking.
Reheat only unglazed doughnut holes in the air fryer because the sugar glaze can melt and make a mess in the basket. Add fresh glaze after reheating. Follow current FDA safe food-handling guidance when working with eggs and buttermilk and when storing homemade baked goods.
With their quick cooking time, gentle apple flavour, and simple glaze, Apple Cider Doughnut Holes offer an easy way to enjoy freshly made miniature doughnuts throughout autumn.