Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts in Just 8 Minutes

Oh my gosh, you guys – I have to tell you about my latest kitchen obsession! Last fall, I was craving pumpkin donuts but didn’t want to deal with deep frying (hello, oil splatters and that lingering fry smell). That’s when I discovered how magical air fryers are for making Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts! Now I whip up batches whenever the pumpkin spice craving hits – which, let’s be honest, is basically all season long in my house.

The best part? These come together in under an hour with ingredients I bet you already have. No fancy equipment needed beyond your air fryer, and cleanup is a breeze compared to traditional donut making. My kids go crazy for them warm from the fryer, rolled in that spiced sugar coating. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never go back to store-bought pumpkin donuts again!

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Why You’ll Love These Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

Listen, I get it—baking can sometimes feel like a project. But these donuts? They’re the opposite of fussy. Here’s why they’re about to become your go-to fall treat:

• Quick as a wink: From mixing bowl to sugar-coated perfection in under an hour (yes, really!)
• Healthier-ish: Way less oil than deep-fried donuts, but just as delicious—no greasy aftertaste
• Pumpkin spice magic: Warm cinnamon-nutmeg vibes in every bite, like autumn in donut form
• No deep-fry mess: Say goodbye to oil splatters and that lingering fried-food smell in your kitchen
• Weekend or weekday: Simple enough for lazy Sundays but fast enough for surprise Tuesday cravings

My favorite thing? That moment when the spicy-sugar coating sticks to your fingers—you’ll be licking them clean, I promise.

Ingredients for Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

Grab these simple ingredients—most are probably already in your pantry! The key is using real pumpkin puree (not pie filling) and keeping that butter cold and cubed for the perfect dough texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (plus extra for coating)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder (yes, tablespoons—it’s not a typo!)
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (plus 1 tbsp for coating)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (plus 2 tbsp melted for topping)
• ¾ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling—check the label!)
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons milk (any kind, but whole milk makes them extra tender)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for brushing—a spray works too)

Pro tip: If your kitchen’s warm, pop the cubed butter back in the fridge while you prep other ingredients it makes all the difference!

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t stress you probably have most of this stuff already! Here’s what I grab when making my Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts:

• Air fryer (obviously!) – mine’s a basic 6-quart model
• 2 mixing bowls (one for dry ingredients, one for wet)
• Pastry cutter or two forks (for blending the butter)
• Wire rack (lets the donuts cool without getting soggy)
• Silicone brush or spray bottle (for that light oil coating)

That’s it! No fancy donut pans or deep fryers required—just simple tools for seriously delicious results.

How to Make Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

Okay, let’s get to the fun part—making these pumpkin spice wonders! I’ll walk you through each step so your donuts turn out perfectly golden and tender every time. Just follow along, and don’t worry—it’s way easier than you think!

Preparing the Dough

First, whisk together all your dry ingredients in a big bowl—flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Now here’s the secret: take that cold, cubed butter and work it into the dry mix with a pastry cutter or two forks until it looks like coarse sand. This creates little butter pockets that make the donuts tender. Stir in the pumpkin puree and milk just until the dough comes together—if it seems dry, add an extra splash of milk. The dough should be soft but not sticky!

Shaping and Air Frying

Lightly flour your hands and divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each into a rope about as thick as your thumb (6-8 inches long), then pinch the ends together to form donut shapes. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F—this is crucial for even cooking! Arrange a few donuts in the basket (don’t let them touch!), lightly brush or spray with oil, and air fry for 8 minutes until golden. Work in batches—patience pays off here!

Coating the Donuts

While the donuts cool slightly on a wire rack, mix sugar and pumpkin pie spice in a shallow bowl. Here’s my favorite step: brush each warm donut with melted butter, then roll it in the spiced sugar until fully coated. The warmth helps the sugar stick beautifully. Warning: you’ll probably eat one straight from the bowl—I always do! Let them sit for 5 minutes so the coating sets before serving.

Tips for Perfect Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

After making dozens of batches (okay, maybe hundreds—don’t judge my pumpkin spice addiction!), I’ve learned a few tricks to guarantee perfect donuts every time:

• Pumpkin puree matters: Always use 100% pure pumpkin—pie filling has added sugars and spices that’ll throw off your recipe
• Toothpick test: If unsure about doneness, insert a toothpick—it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter
• Cool before coating: Let donuts rest 5 minutes after frying so the sugar coating sticks better without melting
• Room temp ingredients: Cold pumpkin puree can make dough sticky—let it sit out 15 minutes before mixing
• Batch carefully: Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking—give each donut some breathing room in the basket

My biggest tip? Make a double batch—these disappear faster than you can say “pumpkin spice latte”!

Variations for Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can mix it up! Here are some fun twists I’ve tried (and loved):

• Cinnamon sugar classic: Swap the pumpkin pie spice topping for plain cinnamon sugar—my kids beg for this version
• Chocolate drizzle: Melt some chocolate chips and zigzag it over the cooled donuts for a decadent touch
• Maple glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with a splash of maple syrup and milk for a sticky-sweet finish
• Nutty crunch: Roll buttered donuts in chopped pecans or walnuts instead of sugar for texture

Honestly? The basic recipe is perfection, but playing with toppings makes baking feel like a creative adventure. What variations will you try first?

Fall flavors are the best! Try these soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting or a slice of Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread for more cozy desserts.

Storing and Reheating

Here’s the good news these donuts stay delicious for days! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer (though let’s be real, they rarely last that long in my house), freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When that pumpkin spice craving hits, just pop frozen donuts straight into the air fryer at 350°F for 2 minutes they’ll taste freshly made!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on what you’re biting into! These Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts come in at about 180 calories each (give or take depending on how heavy-handed you are with that butter coating). Each donut has roughly 8g fat, 25g carbs, and a happy little 1g of fiber from that pumpkin goodness.

Remember nutrition varies based on your exact ingredients and how much of that irresistible spiced sugar ends up sticking (or, in my case, how much gets licked off fingers!). But hey, it’s pumpkin that counts as a vegetable, right?

Final Thoughts

There you have it—my foolproof method for Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts that taste like autumn in every bite! I can’t wait for you to experience that first warm, spiced bite straight from the fryer. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be hooked just like I am. Don’t forget to tag me if you make them—I love seeing your kitchen creations! Now go grab that pumpkin puree and get frying. Happy baking, friends!

FAQs About Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts

I get asked about these donuts all the time—here are the answers to your burning questions!

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