Irresistible Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Bites in 20 Minutes

There’s nothing like the smell of pumpkin spice wafting through the kitchen on a crisp fall morning—except maybe when that smell comes from a batch of warm, golden Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Bites ready in under 20 minutes. I stumbled on this recipe one October when my daughter begged for donuts, but I couldn’t bear to turn on the oven. A little experimenting later, and voilà! These tender, spice-kissed bites became our go-to autumn treat. They’re just sweet enough, perfectly portioned, and have that irresistible doughnut-shop vibe—without the fryer oil or the wait. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be making double batches all season long.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Bites

Let me count the ways these little bites will steal your heart (and probably your whole afternoon snack time):

• They’re ridiculously easy – No deep frying mess! Just mix, scoop, and let the air fryer work its magic while you sip your pumpkin spice latte
• That perfect texture – Crispy golden outsides giving way to tender, cakey centers that practically melt in your mouth
• All the cozy fall vibes – Warm cinnamon sugar coating hugging every nook of these pumpkin-spiced beauties
• Guilt-free indulgence – Way lighter than traditional donuts but with all the satisfying flavor you crave

Seriously, these disappear faster than fall leaves in a windstorm at my house!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Bites

Here’s everything you’ll need for these irresistible bites – I like to measure everything out before starting so I can mix with abandon:

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or make your own blend!)

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree (not pie filling!)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1/4 cup milk (any kind works)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Coating:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

No brown sugar? Coconut sugar works beautifully. Out of milk? Plain yogurt thinned with water does the trick. For gluten-free versions, I’ve had success with 1:1 GF flour blends. Big warning: That can of pumpkin pie filling will make these WAY too sweet – stick to pure pumpkin puree! The batter should look thick but scoopable – if it seems dry, add another tablespoon of milk.

How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Bites

Okay, let’s get to the fun part – turning these simple ingredients into magical little donut bites! Here’s exactly how I do it:

1. Preheat that air fryer! This is non-negotiable – set it to 350°F (175°C) for at least 3 minutes while you prepare the batter. A properly heated air fryer means even cooking from the start.
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl – whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until they’re fully incorporated.
3. Whisk wet ingredients in another bowl – pumpkin puree, brown sugar, egg, melted butter, milk, and vanilla should be beaten until smooth and creamy.
4. Combine carefully – Pour wet into dry ingredients and stir just until no flour streaks remain. Overmixing makes tough donuts!
5. Portion evenly – Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to make 20 balls (about 1-inch diameter). Wet hands help prevent sticky situations.
6. Air fry in batches – Place balls in single layer with space between (about 6-8 at a time). Cook 5-7 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
7. Coat immediately – While still warm, roll bites in cinnamon sugar mixture for that signature crunchy-sweet coating.

The hardest part? Waiting those agonizing seconds before popping one in your mouth! You’ll know they’re done when they spring back lightly to the touch and smell like autumn happiness.

Pro Tips for Perfect Donut Bites

For bakery-quality results every time: Use a small ice cream scoop for uniform sizes, check doneness with a toothpick (a few moist crumbs are perfect), and toss in sugar while warm so it sticks beautifully. Oh, and that first batch disappears FAST – consider yourself warned!

Serving & Storing Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Bites

These little bites are absolute perfection with a steaming cup of coffee or hot apple cider – the cinnamon sugar coating makes the perfect sweet contrast to a bold brew. I love serving them warm in a big bowl so everyone can grab a few (though they rarely last long enough to make it to the table!).

If by some miracle you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To bring back that just-made crispness, pop them in the air fryer at 300°F for 1-2 minutes – they’ll taste freshly made all over again!

Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Bites FAQs

I get asked these questions ALL the time when friends try these donut bites – here are my tried-and-true answers:

Can I bake these instead of using the air fryer?
Absolutely! They’ll be slightly less crisp but just as delicious. Bake at 350°F in a muffin tin (greased or lined) for 10-12 minutes. The tops won’t brown as evenly, so I like to give them a quick broil at the end for color.

Can I freeze pumpkin spice donut bites?
Yes! Freeze uncoated bites on a tray first, then transfer to bags once solid. When craving strikes, air fry frozen bites at 350°F for 5-6 minutes, then roll in cinnamon sugar. They taste nearly fresh!

How do I get them extra crispy?
Two tricks: First, spray bites lightly with oil before air frying. Second, let them cool completely on a rack before storing – this prevents steam from softening that perfect crust. My grandma’s secret? A pinch of cornstarch in the coating mix for extra crunch!

Nutritional Information

Just a quick note – these numbers are estimates based on the ingredients used. For 2 donut bites (about 1 oz each), you’re looking at roughly:

• 120 calories
• 8g sugar
• 3g fat (1.5g saturated)
• 20g carbs

Remember, actual counts may vary depending on your specific brands and measurements. But hey – they’re still way lighter than traditional fried donuts!

Final Thoughts

Now you’ve got all my secrets for these irresistible pumpkin spice bites – go make a batch and let me know how they turn out! I’ll be here, probably making my third round of the day…

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