Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts – Easy Recipe for Soft & Delicious Fall Treats!
Hey there, donut fans! ???? It’s officially fall, and you know what that means—pumpkin everything! Today, I’m going to share one of my all-time favorite fall recipes, Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts.
These donuts are light, fluffy, and packed with cozy fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
Plus, they’re made with wholesome ingredients like pumpkin puree and brown sugar, which give them that deep, caramel-like sweetness we all crave this time of year.
With just a little bit of melted butter and buttermilk, these donuts are quick, easy, and slightly healthier while still being incredibly tasty.
And the best part? They’re made in the air fryer!
It’s a total game-changer in the kitchen, allowing you to get that crispy, golden exterior you’d expect from frying without deep frying or loads of oil.
Plus, air fryers cook faster and more evenly, meaning you’ll have delicious, warm donuts ready in no time!
If you’ve never made donuts before, don’t worry! I’m going to walk you through every step of the process—from gathering your ingredients to air frying these little bites of heaven.
Plus, if you’re missing any ingredients, I’ve got plenty of alternatives (like whole wheat flour or oat flour) to make sure you can still whip these up whenever the pumpkin craving hits.
Lets Get the Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Recipe – Print It and Run for Kitchen!
Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
15 mins
8 mins
23 mins
Dessert
American
12 donuts
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Baking soda | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground nutmeg | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground ginger | ¼ teaspoon |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon |
| Pumpkin puree | ¾ cup |
| Brown sugar | ½ cup |
| Egg | 1 large |
| Melted butter | 2 tablespoons |
| Buttermilk | ¼ cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
Calories: 49 per ½ cup (120g)
Protein: 2 grams
Fat: 0.2 grams
Carbohydrates: 12 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Vitamin A: 245% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin C: 19% of the Daily Value (DV)
Cooking Steps
Step 1: Preheat and Mix
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
Step 2: Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, egg, melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine & Pipe
Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Pour the batter into a piping bag and pipe into a greased donut mold.
Step 4: Air Fry
Place the donut mold in the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 5: Serve
Remove from the mold and let the donuts cool slightly before serving. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze if desired.
Now I Move for The Detail Process
Before we dive in, let’s go over the ingredients. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything exactly as listed. I’ll share some easy swaps!
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup | Use whole wheat or oat flour for gluten-free option. |
| Baking powder | 1 tsp | Gives donuts rise and fluffy texture. |
| Baking soda | ½ tsp | Keeps them soft and airy. |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tsp | Key spice for fall flavors. |
| Ground nutmeg | ½ tsp | Adds warmth and autumn flavor. |
| Ground ginger | ¼ tsp | Adds a kick of spice. |
| Salt | ¼ tsp | Balances sweetness. |
| Pumpkin puree | ¾ cup | Ensure it’s pure pumpkin puree. |
| Brown sugar | ½ cup | Adds caramel-like sweetness. |
| Large egg | 1 | Helps bind everything together. |
| Melted butter | 2 tbsp | Coconut oil or vegetable oil works too. |
| Buttermilk | ¼ cup | Can substitute with 1 tsp vinegar + milk. |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp | Rounds out the flavors beautifully. |
Ingredient Alternatives
Don’t have everything on the list? No problem! Here are some easy swaps:
- Flour: Swap out half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat or use oat flour to make the donuts gluten-free.
- Sugar: If you don’t have brown sugar, regular white sugar will work fine.
- Butter: Coconut oil or vegetable oil are great alternatives if you’re out of butter.
- Buttermilk: As mentioned earlier, if you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice with regular milk.
Kitchen Accessories You Need
Before we jump in, make sure you’ve got everything ready. Here’s a quick list of kitchen tools that will make the process even easier:
- Mixing Bowls – One for your dry ingredients and one for your wet ingredients.
- Whisk & Spatula – For mixing everything together without overworking the batter.
- Donut Pan – If you don’t have one, you can also use silicone molds that fit in your air fryer.
- Air Fryer – Of course! Any air fryer will do, just make sure it has enough space to fit your donut molds.
- Cooling Rack – This helps the donuts cool evenly after frying.
- Pastry Brush – Optional, but helpful for brushing on any glazes or butter.
How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
Alright, now that you’ve got your ingredients and tools ready, let’s get to the fun part: making the donuts!
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
This is going to be the base of your donuts, so make sure everything is evenly combined.
Step 2: Mix Your Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, egg, melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
The pumpkin puree adds moisture and that rich, fall flavor we all love.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to gently fold the mixture until just combined.
Don’t overmix—it’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy. Overmixing can make the donuts tough instead of soft and fluffy.
Step 4: Fill Your Donut Molds
Lightly grease your donut molds with some cooking spray or a brush of oil. Then, spoon or pipe the batter into the molds.
Don’t fill them all the way to the top—about ¾ full is perfect.
Step 5: Air Fry the Donuts
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the donut molds into the air fryer basket and cook for about 8 minutes. Depending on your air fryer, you might need to adjust the time slightly, so check them after 6 minutes.
You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean, and the tops are golden brown.
Step 6: Cool the Donuts
Once the donuts are cooked, carefully remove the molds from the air fryer and let the donuts cool for a few minutes in the molds.
Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Resist the urge to eat them straight out of the fryer—they’re super hot!
Optional Maple Glaze or Cinnamon Sugar Coating
Here’s where things get even more delicious. You can enjoy these donuts as-is, or take them to the next level with a glaze or a coating of cinnamon sugar.
Maple Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk everything together until smooth, and dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the glaze. Let them sit for a few minutes to set. The maple glaze pairs perfectly with the pumpkin flavor!
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Brush the donuts lightly with melted butter and then dip them in a mix of cinnamon and sugar. The result? A crispy, sweet coating that adds a little extra flavor and texture.
Storing Your Donuts
If you somehow manage to have leftovers (which is rare in my house), store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the fridge where they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
Why I Love Using the Air Fryer
Air fryers are a game-changer for making donuts!
They cook the donuts evenly, give them a slight crisp on the outside, and keep them fluffy on the inside—all without the need for a vat of oil.
Plus, they’re super quick. No need to wait for the oven to preheat, and clean-up is a breeze!
Hope, Your FAMILY WILL LOVE iT!
These Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts are the perfect way to welcome fall into your kitchen. They’re easy to make, bursting with pumpkin flavor, and you can have them ready in under 30 minutes!
Give them a try, and let me know how they turn out!
Happy baking!
