Soft, golden, and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar, these Cinnamon Donut Bites are the ultimate treat with zero deep-frying required! Made with just three ingredients and cooked in the air fryer, they’re fluffy on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside. Once they’re hot out of the fryer, a quick dunk in melted butter and a roll through cinnamon sugar takes them to the next level.
They’re ridiculously easy, ready in under 10 minutes, and totally addictive. Perfect for an afternoon snack, weekend brunch, or when you’re just craving something sweet and satisfying—no mixer needed!
Ingredients needed
These Cinnamon Donut Bites are soft, fluffy, and coated in a delicious cinnamon-sugar shell—basically everything you love about donuts, but bite-sized and way easier to make! Perfect for sharing (or not), they come together quickly with pantry staples.
- Plain Flour – The base of the dough, giving it structure and a soft bite.
- Greek Yoghurt – Adds moisture, binds the dough, and gives it that tender, fluffy interior.
- Baking Powder – Gives the donut bites a light, airy lift.
- Butter – Helps the cinnamon sugar stick while adding richness.
- Sugar & Cinnamon – Classic coating that makes these bites taste just like old-school cinnamon donuts.
Recipe tips & notes
These donut bites are super simple, but a few tips will help make sure they’re perfectly golden, fluffy, and addictive every time!
- Use full-fat Greek yoghurt – It gives the dough better texture and helps everything hold together nicely.
- Don’t over-knead – You want a soft, tender dough, not something overly chewy. Just knead enough to combine.
- Oil spray is essential – It stops the bites from sticking to the air fryer and helps them brown evenly.
- Work quickly after air frying – Coat the bites in butter and cinnamon sugar while they are still warm so the coating sticks properly.
- Shake the basket halfway – This ensures even cooking and a golden finish on all sides.
Substitutions & additions
These bites are easy to make your own! Try these fun swaps and additions:
- Greek yoghurt – This can be swapped for plain yoghurt or thick natural yoghurt—just avoid watery varieties.
- Flour – Use self-raising flour instead of plain + baking powder if you prefer.
- Add a filling – Place a chocolate chip or Nutella inside each dough ball before air frying for a gooey centre.
- Extra flavour – Add a pinch of nutmeg or vanilla extract to the dough for added depth.
- No air fryer? – You can bake in the oven at 180°C (fan-forced) for about 12–15 minutes or until lightly golden.
How to make this recipe
Making these Cinnamon Donut Bites is super fun and seriously easy. Just mix, shape, fry, and coat—they’re ready in no time!
Step 1
In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of plain flour and ½ tsp of baking powder. Add ½ cup Greek yoghurt and knead gently until a soft dough forms.
Step 2
Divide into 10 pieces and roll each into a ball. Spray both the air fryer basket and the dough balls with oil. Air fry at 180°C for 7–8 minutes, shaking halfway.
Step 3
While warm, coat each bite in melted butter. Ensure the whole ball is covered completely.
Step 4
Then, roll in a cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. Serve immediately while warm.
Cinnamon Donut Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup Plain flour
- 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 3 Tbsp Butter melted
Cinnamon Sugar
- 3 Tbsp Cinnamon ground
- 3 Tbsp Sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the Greek yoghurt and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead gently for 1–2 minutes until smooth.
- Divide the dough into 10 even pieces and roll each one into a ball using your hands.
- Lightly spray the base of your air fryer basket and the dough balls with oil spray to prevent sticking. Air fry at 180°C for 7–8 minutes, shaking halfway through until golden and puffed.
- While warm, dip each donut bite in melted butter, ensuring all sides are coated. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon, then roll each buttered donut bite in the cinnamon sugar until well coated. Serve immediately!
Nutrition
Storage & reheating
These are best eaten fresh, but leftovers can still be saved for a sneaky sweet treat later on!
Fridge
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to bring back the fluff.
- Keep in mind that they will not be as light and fluffy as when they are freshly made.
Freezer
- Not ideal—these are best made and served fresh.
Reheating
Avoid microwaving—they can become chewy.
- Air fryer: 2–3 minutes at 160°C.*
- Oven: 5 minutes at 160°C.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the dough and refrigerate it (wrapped well) for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before shaping and air frying.
What’s the best way to ensure even cooking in the air fryer?
Don’t overcrowd the basket and shake halfway through. This allows each bite to puff and brown evenly.
Can I bake these in the oven instead?
Absolutely. Bake at 180°C fan-forced for 12–15 minutes until golden, then coat as usual.
Can I use a different sugar for coating?
Yes—caster sugar gives a finer finish, while brown sugar adds caramel notes. Both work well with cinnamon.
Why are my donut bites dry?
They may have overcooked. Try reducing the cooking time slightly and checking your air fryer temperature is accurate.