Nothing says holiday cheer like the smell of freshly baked treats wafting through the house! These Christmas air fryer cake donuts have become my go-to holiday tradition—they’re so easy, even my kids can help make them (and believe me, that’s saying something). I remember the first time I tried making them; I was skeptical about the air fryer for desserts, but one bite of these fluffy, sprinkle-topped beauties and I was hooked. They’re perfect for Christmas morning, holiday parties, or even as edible gifts. Best part? They come together in under 20 minutes—no deep fryer mess, just pure festive magic!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Air Fryer Cake Donuts
Trust me, these donuts are about to become your new holiday obsession—here’s why:
- So easy, even Santa would approve: From bowl to table in under 20 minutes? Yes! No waiting for yeast or dealing with hot oil.
- Light as snow, fluffy as elf slippers: The air fryer gives them the perfect tender crumb—like a cloud with sprinkles.
- Christmas magic in every bite: That crackly glaze and festive sprinkles make them look as merry as they taste.
- Air fryer secret weapon: Less mess than traditional frying, and you can make them while the cookies bake!
Ingredients for Christmas Air Fryer Cake Donuts
Gather these simple ingredients – you probably have most already! The magic happens when basic pantry staples transform into something special. Here’s what you’ll need:
- For the donuts:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled – don’t pack it!)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (I prefer cane sugar for extra richness)
- 1 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh!)
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt (trust me, it balances the sweetness)
- 1/4 cup whole milk (room temperature works best)
- 1 large egg (let it sit out for 30 minutes first)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (the good stuff makes a difference)
- For the glaze and toppings:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (sift it to avoid lumps)
- 1 tbsp milk (add gradually until you get the perfect drizzling consistency)
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (I use the jimmie-style – they stick better than nonpareils)
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these Christmas donuts! Here’s what I always grab:
- Your trusty air fryer (mine’s a basic 5-quart model)
- Silicone donut molds (or parchment paper if you’re shaping by hand)
- One medium mixing bowl (I use my favorite chipped blue one)
- A simple whisk (no stand mixer required!)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A pastry brush for greasing (or your fingers in a pinch)
That’s it! See? I told you this was easy.
How to Make Christmas Air Fryer Cake Donuts
Okay, let’s get to the fun part! I promise this is easier than wrapping presents—here’s exactly how I make these holiday treats year after year:
Mixing the Batter
First, grab that medium bowl and whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Here’s my trick: make a little well in the center—it’ll help everything incorporate smoothly. Now pour in the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir just until you don’t see flour streaks anymore! This isn’t the time to overmix—a few small lumps are totally fine and will keep your donuts tender. The batter should be thick but spoonable, like pancake batter that’s had a strong coffee.
Shaping and Air Frying
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C)—trust me, that preheat makes all the difference! While it warms up, generously grease your donut molds (or cut parchment paper into squares if you’re shaping freehand). Spoon the batter into the molds, filling them about 3/4 full—they’ll puff up like Santa’s belly in the fryer! Cook for 6 minutes first, then peek—my Ninja needs exactly 7 minutes, but some models might need 8. They’re ready when golden and springy to the touch.
Glazing and Decorating
Let the donuts cool for 5 minutes—just enough to handle but still warm for that perfect glaze grab. Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until it’s like thin Elmer’s glue (add milk slowly—you can always add more!). Dip each donut top straight in, give it a twist, and immediately shower with sprinkles—they’ll stick like magic! Pro tip: do this over a tray to catch runaway sprinkles (my dog still finds red ones in January).
Tips for Perfect Christmas Air Fryer Cake Donuts
After making dozens of batches (and a few flops!), here are my can’t-miss secrets for donut success:
- Grease like you mean it: Those molds need a serious butter coat—use a pastry brush to get into every nook. Stuck donuts = holiday heartbreak.
- Toothpick test FTW: A few crumbs clinging is perfect; wet batter means give it another minute. They keep cooking slightly after pulling them out!
- Batter too thick? Add milk 1 tsp at a time until it drops slowly off a spoon. Too thin? Sprinkle in flour by the teaspoon.
- Work in batches: Don’t crowd your air fryer—leave space for hot air to dance around each donut.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Out of something? Want to mix it up? No problem—here are my favorite twists on these Christmas donuts:
- Dairy-free? Almond milk works beautifully, and coconut oil replaces butter (just melt it first).
- Gluten-free friends: Swap in 1-to-1 GF flour—my neighbor swears by Bob’s Red Mill.
- Extra festive: Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for cozy spice.
- Zesty glaze: Replace milk with orange juice and add zest—tastes like Christmas morning!
See? Even Rudolph could customize these!
Serving & Storage
Oh my stars—these donuts are absolute heaven when fresh and warm! I always serve them within an hour of making for that just-fried texture (even though they’re not fried, shhh). If you must store them, pop them in an airtight container—they’ll keep for about 2 days, though the sprinkles may lose some crunch. Freeze unglazed donuts for up to a month! Just reheat in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked magic.
Nutrition Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist—just a donut-loving home cook—but I want to be upfront about what you’re biting into! These Christmas air fryer cake donuts are definitely a treat (we’re not fooling anyone here). The nutritional values will vary depending on your exact ingredients and how generous you are with those sprinkles!
Since I know some of you like to track these things (looking at you, Aunt Carol with your food diary), here’s the deal: each donut has roughly the same calories as a couple of Christmas cookies. They’ve got carbs from the flour and sugar, some protein from the egg, and yes, a bit of fat from that glorious butter. But hey—it’s the holidays! And since we’re using the air fryer instead of deep frying, we’re already saving some calories right there.
Remember: nutritional info is always an estimate and changes based on brands and substitutions. My advice? Enjoy one (or two) with your favorite holiday beverage and savor every merry bite!
Common Questions About Christmas Air Fryer Cake Donuts
Over the years, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions about these festive air fryer donuts—here are the ones that pop up most often!
Can I bake these in a regular oven? Absolutely! Just preheat to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 10 minutes in greased donut pans. They won’t get quite as golden, but they’ll still taste delicious.
Why did my donuts stick to the molds? Oh honey, I’ve been there! The secret is greasing those molds like you’re frosting a cake—get into every nook with butter or nonstick spray. Silicone molds work best if you’ve got ’em.
Can I make these ahead for Christmas morning? You bet! Freeze the unglazed donuts for up to a month. Day-of, pop them in the air fryer for 2 minutes to warm, then glaze and decorate—fresh as Santa’s cookies!
Now go make some holiday magic—and don’t forget to tag me in your donut pics! #AirFryerDonutMagic
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20-Minute Christmas Air Fryer Cake Donuts – Pure Joy
- Total Time: 18 mins
- Yield: 6 donuts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make these easy Christmas air fryer cake donuts for a festive treat. They are soft, fluffy, and perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (for topping)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1 tbsp milk (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the batter into greased donut molds or shape into rings on parchment paper.
- Place in the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool, then dip in a glaze made of powdered sugar and milk.
- Top with sprinkles and serve.
Notes
- Make sure the donut molds are well-greased to prevent sticking.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Let donuts cool slightly before glazing for better coverage.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American