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- 1 cup pumpkin puree - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup sugar - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/4 cup milk - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 tablespoon melted butter - Cooking spray - Extra sugar and cinnamon for coating To make these tasty donut holes, you need simple ingredients that pack flavor. Pumpkin puree is the star of the show. It gives a rich taste and makes the donut holes moist. The sugars add sweetness, while spices like cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth. Baking powder and baking soda help them rise, making them fluffy. The egg binds the mixture, and milk adds creaminess. Melted butter gives a nice richness. Cooking spray helps the donut holes crisp up without sticking. Lastly, the extra sugar and cinnamon mix is for rolling after cooking, creating that sweet finish. - Gluten-free flour options: You can use a gluten-free flour blend. Look for brands that weigh the same as all-purpose flour. - Dairy substitutes: Almond milk or oat milk works well instead of regular milk. - Sugar alternatives: Use coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener for a healthier option. These swaps keep the flavor while catering to different dietary needs. Enjoy the process and make the recipe your own! Mixing wet and dry ingredients Start by grabbing a mixing bowl. Combine the pumpkin puree, egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients until smooth. In another bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Stir until well blended. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Stir gently until just combined, but don’t overmix. The dough should feel soft enough to handle. Forming the donut holes Dust your hands with a little flour. Use a tablespoon to scoop out portions of dough. Roll each scoop into a ball to form donut holes. Aim for even sizes for uniform cooking. Preheating the air fryer Before you cook, preheat your air fryer. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and let it warm for about 5 minutes. A preheated air fryer helps the donut holes cook evenly and become crispy. Temperature settings and timing Place the donut holes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure not to overcrowd them. You might need to cook in batches. Air fry the donut holes for about 8 to 10 minutes. They should turn golden brown and be cooked through when done. Tips for ensuring even cooking To get the best results, shake the basket halfway through cooking. This helps the donut holes brown evenly on all sides. Keep an eye on them as they cook to prevent burning. How to roll in cinnamon-sugar While the donut holes cook, mix extra sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. When they finish cooking, take them out of the air fryer. While warm, roll each donut hole in the cinnamon-sugar mix. Achieving the perfect coating Make sure each donut hole gets an even coat. This step adds a sweet touch and enhances the flavor. Enjoy the warm, crispy goodness right away for the best taste! To make sure your donut holes turn out crispy, follow these key tips. First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This step helps the donut holes cook evenly. Next, avoid overmixing the dough. When you combine wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. A few lumps are okay. Overmixing can make the dough tough, leading to chewy, not crispy, bites. Watch out for a few common mistakes. One major issue is the consistency of your dough. It should be soft but not runny. If it feels too wet, add a bit more flour. Another mistake is overcrowding the air fryer. If you place too many donut holes at once, they won’t cook properly. Cook in batches to ensure each donut hole gets enough hot air around it. To boost the flavor of your donut holes, consider adding extra spices. A pinch of clove or allspice can enhance the pumpkin taste. You can also use vanilla extract for a richer flavor. For serving, try drizzling a bit of maple syrup on top or pairing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These ideas make your donut holes even more delicious. {{image_2}} You can easily change up the flavor of your pumpkin donut holes. Adding chocolate chips is a great choice. It adds a sweet touch. Just fold in about half a cup of mini chocolate chips into the dough. This gives you a delightful mix of pumpkin and chocolate in each bite. Maple glaze is another fun option. After cooking the donut holes, whisk together powdered sugar and maple syrup. Drizzle this glaze over the warm donut holes. The sweet and rich flavor of maple pairs wonderfully with pumpkin. You can make these donut holes even more festive. For Halloween, try adding orange food coloring to the dough. This fun twist makes them perfect for your spooky celebrations. You can also use sprinkles to decorate the glaze. For Thanksgiving, consider adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to your dough. This adds some crunch and pairs great with pumpkin. You could also use a sprinkle of nutmeg on top for a holiday touch. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still enjoy these donut holes. Baking is an easy option. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the donut holes on a lined baking sheet. Bake for around 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them until they are golden brown. Deep-frying is another tasty method. Heat oil in a deep pot. Carefully drop in the donut holes and fry until they are golden brown. This method gives them a classic, fluffy texture. Just be sure to drain them on paper towels after frying to remove excess oil. To keep your crispy air fryer pumpkin donut holes fresh, follow these steps: - Let them cool completely. - Place them in airtight containers. - Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. This method helps keep them moist and tasty. When you want to enjoy them again, reheat carefully. Here’s how: - Air Fryer: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place donut holes in the basket. Heat for 3-5 minutes. This will make them crispy again. - Microwave: Place on a plate. Heat for 10-15 seconds. They may not be crispy. - Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Bake for about 5-7 minutes. This keeps them warm and helps with crispiness. If you want to save some for later, freezing works well. Here’s how to do it: - Place cooled donut holes in a single layer on a baking sheet. - Freeze for 1-2 hours until solid. - Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. - They can last up to 2 months in the freezer. To thaw, leave them in the fridge overnight. Reheat in an air fryer or oven for the best texture. Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes can last about 2 to 3 days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They taste best when fresh, so enjoy them quickly for the best flavor! Yes, you can! Make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge. You can also shape the donut holes and keep them in the fridge for a few hours before frying. This makes it easy to enjoy them fresh when you want! To keep donut holes fresh, store them in an airtight container. Make sure they cool completely before sealing to avoid moisture. You can also add a paper towel inside to absorb any extra moisture and keep them crispy. Yes, you can use canned pumpkin! Just ensure it's pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which has added spices and sugar. Canned pumpkin is a great time-saver and works well in this recipe. Absolutely! You can use coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Just keep in mind that different sweeteners may change the texture and flavor a bit. Adjust the amount to match your taste. If your donut holes are not cooking evenly, try shaking the basket halfway through. This helps them brown evenly. Also, make sure not to overcrowd the basket. Give them enough space for hot air to circulate. Yes, it is a good idea to grease the air fryer basket lightly. Use cooking spray to prevent sticking. This will help your donut holes come out easily and keep them crispy on all sides. In this blog post, we explored a simple recipe for Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes. We discussed the ingredients you need and even suggested some handy substitutions. You learned step-by-step instructions for mixing, shaping, and cooking. We also covered tips for getting that perfect texture and avoiding common mistakes. Finally, we shared storage solutions and variations to keep things exciting. Enjoying these treats can be fun, and you can easily make them your own!

Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes

Indulge in the fall flavors with crispy air fryer pumpkin donut holes that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion! These delightful bites combine pumpkin puree and warm spices for a treat that’s both soft and perfectly crispy. Follow our simple steps to create these mouthwatering donuts that will have everyone asking for more. Click to explore the full recipe and bring the taste of autumn into your kitchen!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup milk

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon melted butter

Cooking spray

Extra sugar and cinnamon for coating

Instructions
 

In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.

    In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until well blended.

      Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be soft but manageable.

        Preheat your air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.

          Lightly dust your hands with flour and scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the dough. Roll them into balls to form donut holes.

            Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the donut holes in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket (you may need to do this in batches).

              Air fry the donut holes for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Shake the basket halfway through cooking for even browning.

                While the donut holes are cooking, mix together extra sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

                  Once the donut holes are done, remove them from the basket and roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they are still warm. Ensure they are evenly coated.

                    Serve warm and enjoy your delicious crispy air fryer pumpkin donut holes!

                      Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 minutes | 25 minutes | 12 servings