Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
Craving a cozy fall breakfast treat that’s both quick and irresistible? These air fryer pumpkin donuts are here to save your morning! Busy moms will love how effortlessly these sweet bites come together—with simple pantry staples and that iconic pumpkin spice flavor we all adore.
Whether you’re whipping them up on a chilly weekend or need a fun breakfast idea the kids will cheer for, these donuts are the perfect combo of crunchy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside. Plus, they’re made in the air fryer, which means less mess and more donut joy, fast. I have a lot of other Easy Pumpkin Recipes as well!
These donuts offer all the warm spices of fall wrapped in a simple, no-fry-required recipe. They’re light, craveable, and perfect for dunking in coffee or serving at brunch. Ready to see why they’re a family favorite?
Whether you’re hosting a brunch, prepping a holiday breakfast board, or simply treating yourself, these donuts deliver big flavor without the fuss. Let’s dig into what makes these fluffy pumpkin gems so irresistible!
Be certain to check out my other easy donut recipes, too! Perfect for Sunday brunch recipes!
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
These epic donuts aren’t just easy—they’re a total crowd-pleaser. Here’s why they’ll earn a permanent spot in your breakfast rotation:
- Quick & Easy Breakfast — They come together in minutes and cook fast in the air fryer.
- Kid-Friendly Fall Recipe — Even picky eaters will love these sweet, soft donuts!
- Mess-Free Morning Treat — No deep fryer, no oil splatters—just simple, clean cooking.
- Perfect for Fall Gatherings — Serve them at school events, brunches, or Thanksgiving morning.
- Versatile & Customizable — Add chocolate chips, cinnamon glaze, or even a maple drizzle!
You can also dust them with powdered sugar, dip them in melted chocolate, or roll them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm—yum!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
Everything on this list is a pantry or fridge staple. The pumpkin flavor comes from pumpkin pie spice in the sugar coating.
- All-purpose flour and baking powder: the base of a soft, cake-style donut dough.
- Sour cream: keeps the donuts tender and moist on the inside.
- Butter, egg yolks, white sugar and brown sugar: make a rich dough with a hint of caramel flavor.
- Pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon: stirred into sugar for the coating.
- Melted butter: brushed on before and after air frying so the coating sticks.
Want exact measurements and a printable version of the recipe? Scroll to the recipe card below for all the details you need to get started!
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Instructions to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
Whipping up these delicious donuts is easier than you think. Here’s how it’s done:
- Make the dough: mix the sugar and butter until crumbly, stir in the egg yolks, then mix in the flour mixture, brown sugar and sour cream. Chill the dough.
- Mix the coating: stir together the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl.
- Roll and cut: roll the dough about 3/4 inch thick on a floured counter and cut out six donuts with a donut cutter.
- Air fry and coat: brush the donuts with melted butter and air fry at 350°F for about 8 minutes, in batches. Brush the hot donuts with more butter and dip them in the pumpkin spice sugar right away.
These donuts are best served warm with a cup of coffee or milk. Try topping them with a maple glaze for a bakery-style touch!
Breakfast Tips and Tricks
- Chill the dough before rolling so it is easier to cut clean circles.
- Don’t overmix the dough. Stir just until the flour disappears to keep the donuts light.
- Coat them hot. The pumpkin spice sugar sticks best the moment the donuts come out of the air fryer.
Troubleshooting Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
- Donuts sticking to the basket? Brush both sides with melted butter before air frying, and don’t crowd the basket.
- Undercooked centers? Add an extra minute or two of cooking time.
- Too soft? Let them cool slightly before handling—they’ll firm up as they rest.
Recommended Resources
Make sure you have the right tools at hand to create this recipe with ease! Here are my top picks for preparing and serving air fryer pumpkin donuts:
- Mixing Bowl Set: one bowl for the dough, one for the flour mixture and one for the coating.
- Donut Cutter: cuts the circle and the hole in one press, so every donut is the same size.
- Pastry Brush Set – Ideal for evenly brushing butter before the cinnamon sugar dip.
Customizing this Breakfast Recipe for Every Diet
Whether you have dietary restrictions or just want to mix things up, this recipe is easy to adapt:
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- Gluten-Free: use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour.
- Dairy-Free: use a dairy-free butter and a dairy-free sour cream.
- Low Sugar: skip the sugar coating and dust them lightly with cinnamon instead.
Making a Meal Out of Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
When it comes to meal planning, you’re going to find out that it’s an easy way to get prepared for the week. It’s saved my time and sanity so much over the years!
Main Dish: Italian Hamburger Soup
Vegetable Side: Cooked Asparagus
Starch Side: Pan Fried Potatoes
Refreshing Drink: Strawberry Thyme Lemonade
Best Breakfast Recipes:
Once you make this homemade donut recipe, you’re going to have breakfast on your mind! Luckily you can eat and enjoy breakfast food any time of the day! Below are some of my favorite breakfast recipes that I think you’re going to love and enjoy.
You’re not going to want to miss this 3 Minute Breakfast Sandwich!
Whip up these Double Peanut Breakfast Bars for everyone in the house to enjoy!
Check out this Kid Friendly Breakfast Sushi Recipe that makes eating breakfast so much fun!
This list of Breakfast Recipes Using Apple Butter is wonderful and tastes great!
These Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Cups have such an awesome flavor!
The kids are going to love these Creamy and Beautiful Blueberry Breakfast Bars!
This Easy Skillet Breakfast is one of my favorite things to make!
FAQs about Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate or freeze.
To reheat:
- In the air fryer: Reheat for 2-3 minutes at 300°F.
- In the microwave: 15 seconds should do the trick.
Leftovers are perfect for a donut sundae! Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of maple syrup, and chopped nuts for a fun twist.
Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
Ingredients
- ½ Cup(s) granulated white sugar for the dough
- 2 ½ T room temp butter
- 2 Egg yolks
- 2 ¼ Cup(s) of All-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp of Baking powder
- ¼ Cup(s) of Brown sugar
- ¾ Cup(s) of Sour cream
Coating
- ¼ Cup(s) granulated white sugar for the coating
- 1 tsp of Pumpkin pie spice
- 1 ½ tsp Cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter divided
Instructions
- Mix the 1/2 cup of white sugar and the room temperature butter in a bowl until crumbly. Add the egg yolks and stir.
- In a different bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture, the brown sugar and half of the sour cream to the egg mixture and stir. Mix in the rest of the flour and sour cream, then put the dough in the fridge.
- For the coating, mix the 1/4 cup of white sugar, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 3/4″ thick. Cut out six large circles with a 3-inch cutter, then cut holes in the middle with a 1-inch cutter (or use a donut cutter to do both at once).
- Brush half of the melted butter on both sides of the donuts.
- Put half of them in the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes. Take them out, brush with the rest of the melted butter and dip in the pumpkin spice sugar right away. Repeat with the remaining donuts and the donut holes.
Notes
Nutrition
More Pumpkin Recipes:
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake Mix Muffins
- Pumpkin Cobbler
- Mock Pumpkin Pie Recipe
- Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread
- Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Bread Machine Pumpkin Seed Bread
- Pumpkin Mini Muffins
These air fryer pumpkin donuts are proof that breakfast doesn’t have to be boring—or complicated. Save this recipe for cozy fall mornings, and don’t forget to share it with friends or pin it for later.
With their light texture, warm spice, and sweet finish, these donuts are sure to become a seasonal favorite for your family!
We love making donuts in the Air Fryer! Haven’t tried Pumpkin yet but going to give these a try for sure. Thanks!