Pumpkin Donut Holes (Air Fryer Or Oven)

Sweet and simply scrumptious pumpkin donut holes full of pumpkin spice and cinnamon sugar. You won’t be able to stop at just one of these incredibly poppable sweet treats that are perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Why We Love Pumpkin Donut Holes

• Perfect Fall Treat– In the fall when you’re craving cozy pumpkin spice, these donuts deliver. This pumpkin donut recipe tastes just like it came from the donut shop and makes a lovely fall breakfast.
• Great For Sharing– These homemade donuts are delicious to share for breakfast or for a party and so fun for pumpkin season. The cream cheese frosting dip is extra sweet.
• Bite-Sized Treats– I love making small bite-sized treats, especially with kids that are fun, poppable and are easy to share.

Ingredients For Pumpkin Donut Holes And Frosting

Ingredients For The Pumpkin Donuts

• 3/4 cup butter divided, melt butter before starting – 12 tablespoons
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup buttermilk – see notes at the bottom of the page in the recipe card for homemade substitute with regular milk
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice – or a mixture of cinnamon, allspice, ginger and nutmeg, see notes in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Ingredients For The Cream Cheese Frosting Dip (Optional)

• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4-6 tablespoons milk

How To Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes

For The Pumpkin Donuts

• In a large bowl add 4 tablespoons melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix well until fully blended. Blot the pumpkin well with paper towels to remove moisture. Add the pumpkin puree and buttermilk, mixing until smooth.

• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice into a medium bowl. Mix until blended.

• Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix well until a batter forms.

• Fill a silicone donut hole pan, small mini muffin tin or egg bite pan with batter (this is the pan I used), about a tablespoon of batter per donut. Using a small cookie scoop can make it easier to scoop batter. Wipe any dribbles on the pan.

• Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees on the air fry setting. Bake donuts in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the air fryer and allow to cool, then place donut holes onto a wire rack. Continue baking in batches until all of the donuts have finished cooking. See notes for baking in an oven.

• Pour 1/2 cup melted butter into a small bowl. In a second shallow dish combine cinnamon and sugar, then mix well.
• When the donut holes have cooled to the touch, roll each donut first in the melted butter, then in the cinnamon sugar coating.

For The Cream Cheese Frosting Dip (optional)

• In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and 4 tablespoons of milk and continue beating until smooth. If the dip is too thick, add an additional tablespoon or two of milk. Dip donuts and enjoy!

How To Make Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes In The Oven

Most of the instructions are the same for making donut holes in the oven instead of an air fryer. Here are a few differences to know when baking pumpkin spice donut holes in the oven.

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Donut holes will take 8-10 minutes to bake in the oven, or when a toothpick comes out clean with no batter clinging when inserted in the center.
• Make sure to spray the mini muffin pan generously with cooking oil if using a metal pan. Silicone pans do not need to be sprayed with oil.
• Place the dough in a mini muffin pan, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Carefully use a spoon to help release donut holes if they get stuck without scratching the pan if using a metal pan and not silicone.

How Long Do These Pumpkin Donut Holes Last?

The donuts will taste their best within 24 hours when they are fresh. Store them in an airtight container on the counter and expect they can last for about three days but eating them fresh is the best part.

The cream cheese frosting dip must be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container due to the cream cheese.

More Pumpkin Recipes The Whole Family Will Love

Easy Pumpkin Crescent Cinnamon Rolls– Cinnamon rolls filled with a delicious pumpkin filling but made easier with starting with crescent rolls, it’s an extra special treat full of pumpkin flavor.

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles– Sweet pumpkin cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar for a fun twist on snickerdoodles and is a great recipe.

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts– Made with biscuit dough, these fluffy cinnamon sugar donuts are fast in the air fryer!