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Air fryer pumpkin donuts with a soft fluffy pumpkin spice interior, golden exterior, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and warm fall flavors, served as a cozy homemade autumn dessert.
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Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts - Cozy Fall Flavor With Less Oil

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – the base for structure
  • Granulated sugar – sweetness and light texture
  • Light brown sugar – adds moisture and a caramel note
  • Baking powder – lift and fluff
  • Baking soda – reacts with buttermilk for extra rise
  • Kosher salt – balances flavor
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Ground ginger
  • Ground cloves (or allspice as a swap)
  • Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • Egg
  • Buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar as a substitute)
  • Neutral oil (like canola or avocado) or melted butter
  • Vanilla extract
  • For coating or glaze: Cinnamon sugar (1/2 cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon)
  • Or vanilla glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 2–3 tbsp milk + 1/2 tsp vanilla)
  • Cooking spray (for the air fryer basket)

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  • Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ginger, and a pinch of cloves.
  • Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 egg, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup neutral oil (or melted butter), and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth.
  • Make the batter. Pour wet ingredients into the dry. Stir gently until just combined. The batter should be thick, like muffin batter. Do not overmix.
  • Shape the donuts. Transfer batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped. Pipe rings onto small parchment squares, or use silicone donut molds if you have them. Aim for 1/2–3/4 inch thick rings.
  • Air fry. Place donuts (on parchment or in molds) in a single layer. Air fry at 350°F for 6–8 minutes, until puffed and lightly browned. A toothpick should come out clean.
  • Cool slightly. Let donuts rest 2–3 minutes before handling. This helps them set and prevents breaking.
  • Coat or glaze. For cinnamon sugar: Brush warm donuts with a little melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
  • For glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip warm donuts, let excess drip, and set on a rack.
  • Repeat. Continue with remaining batter, working in batches to avoid crowding the basket.