Holy moly! These air fryer chocolate glazed pumpkin donuts are so very good that even pumpkin haters will want one. Or rather, three. Seriously, they are that good. They’re soft, they have that coveted pumpkin spice flavor, combined with pumpkin puree, and just enough chocolate to keep it interesting.
They’re so good, you’ll be yearning for fall just so you have an excuse to make them. But, of course, with easy to find ingredients, you can make them all year.
And if you’re a big time pumpkin fan, don’t miss these pumpkin spice waffle whoopie pies.
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Ingredients
What makes chocolate pumpkin donuts truly irresistible? Let’s unravel the magic by diving into the ingredients that transform this fall treat into an unforgettable blend of seasonal sweetness and chocolatey goodness. Some recipes use only two ingredients (cake mix and pumpkin puree) but we found them to be a bit lackluster.
For the Donuts
- Spice Cake Mix – Using spice cake mix is key for making pumpkin spice donuts because it gives them that special fall flavor everyone loves.
- Pumpkin Puree – Pumpkin puree is essential for our donuts because it gives them a real pumpkin taste and a soft, moist texture.
- Egg – Eggs are key in our donut recipe because they help bind everything together and make the donuts fluffy and light.
- Oil – Oil is crucial in our donut recipe because it keeps them moist and helps give them a soft texture inside. We tried butter, but preferred the texture oil gave the donuts.
- Water – Water is important in our donut recipe because it helps mix everything together and gives the dough the right consistency.
For the Chocolate Glaze (From Sally’s Baking Addiction)
- Chocolate Chips – Semi sweet work best. It’s sweet
- Butter – The butter makes it rich, velvety, and most importantly it helps it set.
- Corn Syrup – The corn syrup makes the glaze smooth and shiny.
- Water
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Pumpkin Donuts
Follow these steps to whip up delicious chocolate-covered pumpkin donuts using an air fryer. So, gather your ingredients and let’s get started!
In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin spice cake mix, pumpkin puree, egg, water, and oil. Stir well with a spatula to combine. Optionally, add your batter to a piping bag or a freezer bag (with a corner cut).
Next, spray your donut liners with cooking spray. And finally, using a piping bag or a freezer bag method, add the batter to the donut molds. Then, preheat your air fryer to 330 degrees.
Bake your donuts in the air fryer for six minutes or until they are done, i.e. when you can insert a toothpick and it comes out clean.
Allow the donuts to cool for about 30 minutes before dipping them in the chocolate glaze.
Hint: Place only four or five donuts in the air fryer per batch, this will ensure even baking.
Variations
Want to try something new with your pumpkin spice donuts? Here are some fun and tasty ideas to change things up in the kitchen. Whether it’s different toppings, add-ins, spice ideas, these tips can make your donuts even more delicious. Let’s see what we can do!
- Cream Cheese Frosting – A creamy topping that pairs well with pumpkin flavors.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating – After air frying, brush with melted butter and roll in a mix of sugar and cinnamon.
- Maple Glaze – A sweet glaze made from powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a touch of milk or water.
- Nuts – Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch.
- Chocolate Chips – Mix in some chocolate chips for a chocolatey surprise in each bite.
- Chai Spiced – Incorporate spices like cardamom, cloves, and black pepper for a chai-flavored donut.
- Apple Spice – Add a touch of apple cider or apple pie spice for a different fall flavor profile.
Equipment
For this recipe you will need an air fryer and donut molds. However, a piping bag and cooling rack are also helpful for optimal results.
Storage
After you’ve enjoyed your donuts and have some left, let them cool down fully. Then, put them in a container with a tight lid. This keeps them soft. If you have lots of donuts, use wax or parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick. You can keep them on your counter for 2 days. If you want to save them for later, you can even freeze them. Just let them thaw before you eat!
Top tip
The best tip for this recipe is to allow the donuts to cool completely before glazing. This will ensure that the glaze doesn’t melt off.
FAQ
When making donuts, measure ingredients right. Set your air fryer to the correct temperature. Don’t put too many donuts in at once; they need space to cook evenly. Follow these tips for perfect donuts!
Spice cake mix is like a warm hug in cake form! It has spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and ginger. These spices make the cake taste cozy, just like fall. But, different brands might use different spices, so always check the box to see what’s inside.
Yes, you can! That’s what we recommend. Canned pumpkin puree is perfect for recipes because it’s smooth and has a consistent flavor. Just make sure you’re using pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which has added spices and sugar. Check the label to be sure!
More Pumpkin Spice Goodness!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Air Fryer Pumpkin Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Spice Cake Mix
- 15 Oz Canned Pumpkin
- 1 Large Egg
- 1/4 Cup Water
- 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 330 degrees.
- Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and blend until thoroughly combined.
- Scoop the batter into a plastic ziplock bag, and cut a corner off. Then set it aside. (See note)
- Spray the silicone donut molds with cooking spray. Fill them about halfway.
- Cook the donuts for 6-7 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when you poke them.
- Let the donuts cool completely before icing, which takes about 30 minutes.
Notes
- You can mix using a whisk or wooden spoon.
- To scoop the batter into the ziplock bag, you can put the bag into a large cup. Then, fold the sides over. This will stabilize the bag while you fill it.
- Depending on how much you fill each mold, you may get a few more donuts.
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