Fall isn’t complete without warm apple cider donuts and these air fryer munchkins (donut holes) are the perfect bite-sized twist! They’re soft, tender, and flavored with reduced apple cider and cozy spices. Best of all, they’re made with a simple cake-like batter, so there’s no yeast, no rolling, and no deep frying. Just scoop, air fry, and coat in cinnamon sugar!
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip the cider reduction: It concentrates the apple flavor and gives the batter the perfect texture.
- Use parchment paper: The batter is sticky and cake-like, so parchment is essential for easy release.
- Cook in small batches: About 3 at a time ensures the air circulates evenly so the donut holes bake through.
- Best enjoyed fresh: These are at their peak right after cooking. If reheating, pop them back in the air fryer for a minute to revive that fresh taste.
Serving Ideas
These donut holes are perfect on their own, but you can also:
- Drizzle with a simple apple cider glaze (powdered sugar + a splash of cider).
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a fun fall dessert.
- Pair with a mug of hot apple cider or coffee for the ultimate cozy treat.
Apple Cider Air Fryer Munchkins
Yield:
12
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
25 minutes
Total Time:
40 minutes
Ingredients
Donut Holes
- 1 cup apple cider (reduced to ½ cup)
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce (or substitute with 1 egg)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, simmer 1 cup apple cider over medium heat until it reduces to about ½ cup (10–15 minutes). If it reduces too much, stir in a splash of fresh cider until you have ½ cup total. Let cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together reduced cider, melted butter, brown sugar, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the dry mixture into the wet, stirring just until combined. The batter will be thick, like cake batter.
- Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Using a small cookie scoop, drop 1-inch mounds of batter onto the parchment. Work in small batches (about 3 at a time) so there’s room for airflow.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Cook for 8–10 minutes, until golden brown. Test with a toothpick, it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
- While warm, brush donut holes with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve immediately. Enjoy!