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Pumpkin Donut Holes (Air Fryer or Oven) Recipe

Pumpkin Donut Holes (Air Fryer or Oven) Recipe


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4.8 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Seasonal pumpkin donut holes dance with warm spices, delivering autumn’s sweetness in bite-sized perfection. Crisp exterior and tender center make these treats irresistible for weekend gatherings or quick dessert cravings you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup milk

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Spices:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Blend dry ingredients in a medium bowl, combining flour, leavening agents, salt, and warming spices until evenly distributed.
  2. Whisk wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl, incorporating sugars, pumpkin puree, milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and uniform.
  3. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent gluten development and maintain tender texture.
  4. For air fryer preparation, heat appliance to 350F and shape dough into compact, tablespoon-sized spheres.
  5. Arrange donut holes in air fryer basket without overcrowding, leaving space between each piece for consistent heat circulation.
  6. Cook for 10-15 minutes, rotating basket midway to ensure golden-brown coloration and even cooking throughout.
  7. Alternatively, for oven method, preheat to 350F and arrange dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and center tests clean with inserted toothpick.
  9. Create coating by combining granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in one bowl, melting butter separately.
  10. Once slightly cooled, dunk each donut hole in melted butter, then roll thoroughly in cinnamon-sugar mixture for complete coverage.

Notes

  • Prevent Over-mixing by gently folding dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined, which keeps donut holes tender and light.
  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients like eggs and milk to ensure smoother batter and more even baking, helping donut holes maintain consistent texture.
  • Control Portion Size with a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform donut holes that cook evenly and look professionally made.
  • Experiment with Spice Variations by adding cardamom, replacing some cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice, or incorporating orange zest for unique flavor profiles.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 110 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 140 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg