Fast Dessert RecipesFastDessertRecipes
Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts
CakeHard

Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Recipe by lounarecipes

From the Blog Author

This Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts is one of my favorites because the moment the first bite hits, I’m transported back to late‑afternoon kitchen experiments and the comforting scent of autumn. I love how simple the batter is—just pumpkin puree, a spoonful of maple syrup, a dash of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and a touch of vanilla—yet it delivers that warm, citrusy kick from the orange zest that feels like a hug in dough form. The donuts turn out light and airy on the inside, but with a slightly crisp rim from the air fryer. I swear the secret is the tiny burst of lemon zest that keeps the mixture from drying out and adds that bright brightness that makes each bite feel fresh. Pairing the donuts with a drizzle of honey‑infused glaze turns them into a quick, comforting treat that’s great for a weekend breakfast or a kid’s snack. One tip that always saves me a sweet (and sometimes sloppy) day: fold a small handful of coarse sea salt into the batter before air‑frying. It cuts the sweetness just enough to let the pumpkin flavors pop without making the donuts feel like a donut shop classic. And if you want an extra indulgence, let them cool on a rack with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar—just enough to keep the crumble light and our taste buds happy. If you give these a whirl, I’d love to read about your creations. Drop me a line letting me know what happened, what you tweaked, and how you’re enjoying them!
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Servings
6
Difficulty
Hard

Ingredients

  • 180 g (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 100 g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 120 g (1/2 cup) pumpkin puree
  • 1 large egg
  • 60 ml (1/4 cup) milk
  • 30 g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 50 g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 15 g (1 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted

Directions

1

Preheat air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 5 minutes.

2

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.

3

In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree, egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.

4

Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just blended. Do not overmix.

5

Grease donut molds or silicone donut cups and fill with batter about 3/4 full.

6

Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool slightly.

7

Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. Brush donuts with melted butter and dip into cinnamon sugar mixture.

Recommended Kitchen Tools

1
DEIME Air Fryer 3 Qt, Small Airfryer Digital Space Saving Compact, Bake, Reheat, Roasts for Quick Easy Meals, Mini Compact & Quiet, Nonstick & Dishwasher Safe Basket (Black)
• Digital Controls: precise temperature and timer keep pastries golden and flaky every time. • Non‑stick Basket: releases cookies and brownies without a second cleaning, so you can focus on flavor. • Compact Size: fits under the counter, leaving room for trays of cake batter or a cookie sheet. • Quiet Operation: bake overnight without waking anyone, keeping the kitchen calm for your next batch. Why We Love It: The non‑stick basket saves cleanup time, letting you focus on creative dessert ideas—perfect for busy bakers who love sweet successes.
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2
Air Fryer Oven Large 20 QT, 10-in-1 Toaster Oven Air Fryer Combo with Window for Family, Airfryer Oven with Rotisserie, 3 Dehydrating Racks
• 20‑QT Capacity: Bake large batches for families—or desserts that last—saving prep time. • 10‑In‑1 All‑in‑One: Cook toast, bake, air‑fry, roast, dehydrate—one appliance, no clutter. • Clear Window: Watch golden crusts finish perfectly without opening the door. • Rotisserie Feature: Evenly roast fruit or treats for a moist, caramelized result. • Dehydrating Racks: Turn fresh fruit into sweet, snack‑size treats faster. Why We Love It: Its big capacity and rotisserie make family‑sized desserts effortless, and the dehydrating racks turn fruit into tasty, homemade snacks in minutes.
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3
Ninja | Air Fryer | 6.5 QT Pro XL Capacity fits 9lbs of Wings | 6-in-1 Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat & Dehydrate | Nonstick Basket, Crisper Plate & Recipe Guide | Grey | AF181
• 6.5 QT Pro XL Capacity lets you bake cookies or cake layers for the whole party in one go. • 6-in-1 Max Crisp mixes air fry, bake, and dehydrate, so fewer appliances and more baking freedom. • Nonstick Basket & Crisper Plate releases desserts cleanly, cutting cleanup time. • Recipe Guide gives fool‑proof dessert tips for first‑time bakers. Why We Love It: We love the big capacity for crowd‑sized treats. And Max Crisp gives every cookie a perfect edge.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store leftover Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts to keep them fresh?

For best results, store your Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Since they are cake-style and made without heavy frosting, they don't typically require refrigeration, which can sometimes dry them out faster.

Can I substitute the all-purpose flour in this pumpkin donut recipe for a gluten-free alternative?

Yes, you can substitute the 180g of all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum, and note that the texture might be slightly denser since these are already a more involved 'Hard' difficulty recipe.

My donuts didn't cook through; what temperature adjustment should I make for the air fryer next time?

Since the recipe calls for preheating the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes of cook time, if they are undercooked, try cooking them in smaller batches to ensure better air circulation. You can also slightly lower the temperature to 175°C (347°F) and increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes if your air fryer runs hot.