Apple Cinnamon Protein Donut Holes
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These apple cinnamon protein donut holes pack 6 grams of protein per piece while tasting like the cinnamon sugar treat you’d get from a bakery. The air fryer gets them done in under 30 minutes from start to finish, which makes it easy to have a high-protein snack ready whenever cravings hit. Just mix two bowls, roll the batter into bite-sized balls, and let the air fryer handle the rest.
What Makes This Actually Good
- The air fryer cooks these donut holes in just 8 to 10 minutes at 350F, giving you a crispy exterior without the heaviness of deep frying.
- Oat flour and coconut flour work together to create a donut-like crumb that holds its shape while staying tender inside. Try these Banana Walnut Oat Protein Muffins next time you want a baked snack.
- Vanilla Greek yogurt adds creaminess and contributes about 7 grams of protein per container while keeping the batter moist.
- Unsweetened applesauce replaces butter entirely, cutting the fat and keeping each hole around 140 calories with 6 grams of protein.
- The cinnamon and maple syrup combo delivers that classic apple cider donut flavor without needing a trip to the bakery.
Ingredients
- Vanilla Protein Powder. The main protein source for these donut holes. A vanilla flavor pairs perfectly with the cinnamon and applesauce without overpowering the donut taste.
- Oat Flour. The base of the recipe. Gives these donut holes a dense, satisfying crumb that actually feels like real baked donuts.
- Coconut Flour. Absorbs excess moisture from the batter. A little goes a long way since it’s highly absorbent.
- Eggs. The secret to a fluffy texture without the heaviness. They bind everything together and add extra protein.
- Vanilla Greek Yogurt. Adds creaminess and contributes about 7 grams of protein per container while keeping the batter tender.
- Unsweetened Applesauce. This is what keeps the donut holes moist without adding oil or butter. The apple flavor also reinforces the cinnamon profile naturally.
- Maple Syrup. The main sweetener. A darker grade gives a richer flavor that pairs well with the cinnamon.
- Vanilla Extract. Ties all the sweet flavors together. Skip the imitation stuff. It changes the whole taste.
- Baking Powder. The leavening agent that keeps these from turning into little protein rocks.
- Ground Cinnamon. The star spice. Generous amounts are what make these taste like actual apple cider donuts.
- Xanthan Gum. Helps the batter hold together since there’s no gluten in oat or coconut flour. Just a pinch makes a noticeable difference.
- Salt. A little salt balances the sweetness and brings out every other flavor in the donut hole.
- Powdered Natural Sweetener. For the rolling coating instead of regular powdered sugar. Keeps the outside sweet without refined sugars.
Reasons This Will Become a Regular
- Each donut hole delivers 6 grams of protein, which is impressive for a snack that tastes like a cinnamon sugar treat.
- The air fryer means you get them done in under 15 minutes from mixing to plating, way faster than preheating a full oven.
- The apple cinnamon flavor profile hits exactly like an apple cider donut from the state fair, just with better macros.
- You can roll the batter, cook a batch, and freeze the rest for a high-protein grab-and-go snack all week long.
- The ingredient list uses simple items you probably already have in your pantry, with protein powder being the only specialty item.
- Coating them in powdered sweetener and cinnamon at the end gives that classic donut shop finish without any guilt.
Pairing Ideas
- Black coffee or an espresso (the bitterness cuts right through the cinnamon sweetness)
- A small side of Greek yogurt (adds even more protein and a cool contrast to the warm donut holes)
- Sliced fresh apples on the side (reinforces the apple cider donut vibe without adding much extra calories)
- A thin drizzle of almond butter (adds healthy fats and turns a snack into a more filling breakfast). If you want to turn this into a full meal prep situation, pair these with Cottage Cheese Chocolate Overnight Oats from the night before.
How to Switch It Up
- Chocolate apple version. Swap the vanilla protein powder for chocolate and fold in 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder. The apple and chocolate combo works better than you’d expect.
- Lower carb swap. Replace the oat flour with almond flour and cut the coconut flour to 2 tablespoons for a keto-friendly version that still tastes like cinnamon donuts.
- Pumpkin spice donut holes. Swap the applesauce for an equal amount of pumpkin puree and add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice along with the cinnamon for a fall-flavored twist.
- If you like these apple cinnamon flavors, you might also want to try the Protein Cinnamon Rolls, which use a similar cinnamon-sweet profile with a soft, bread-like texture.
Things Worth Knowing
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Preheat the Air Fryer
Don’t skip preheating. A hot basket from the start gives these donut holes a proper exterior set so they don’t spread or stick. Give it 3 to 5 minutes at 350F before you start scooping. -
Keep Cooking Spray Handy
The batter gets sticky fast from the protein powder and coconut flour. Spray your hands between each roll and keep a light coat on the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. -
Batch Cooking Works Fine
Most air fryer baskets will only fit 8 to 10 donut holes at a time. Cook in batches and let the basket reheat for a minute between rounds. The raw batter can sit covered in the fridge while you work. Works the same way as it does for the Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries. Just cook in batches and let the basket reheat. -
Cooling Matters
Let the donut holes rest for a few minutes after they come out of the air fryer. They firm up as they cool and the cinnamon-sweetener coating sticks better once they’re slightly warm rather than piping hot. -
Storage
Store leftover donut holes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2 minutes or the microwave for 20 seconds to get that fresh-out-of-the-basket texture back.
FAQs
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Can I bake these donut holes in a regular oven instead of an air fryer?
Yes, you can. Preheat your oven to 350F and place the donut holes on a lined baking sheet. They’ll take about 12 to 15 minutes in a conventional oven since the heat distribution is different. The air fryer just gives them a crispier exterior because of how the hot air circulates. -
How do I store leftover protein donut holes?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’re best reheated briefly in the air fryer or microwave before eating since protein-based bakes tend to firm up as they cool. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge. -
Can I freeze the raw batter for later?
It’s better to cook them first and then freeze the finished donut holes. Raw batter with coconut flour and protein powder thickens over time, which means the texture changes if you try to scoop it from a chilled state. Cook a full batch, freeze what you won’t eat within a few days, and reheat as needed. The same approach works for the Cottage Cheese Mini Cheesecakes if you want to meal prep desserts on the same day. -
Does the type of protein powder matter for this recipe?
It does. Whey-based powders tend to make the batter denser since they absorb more moisture. If you’re using a whey blend, you might need an extra tablespoon of applesauce or yogurt. Plant-based proteins can work too but they often dry things out more, so keep an eye on the batter consistency before rolling. -
Can I skip the xanthan gum?
You can, but the donut holes might not hold together as well. Xanthan gum replaces some of the gluten that would normally bind the batter, especially important when using gluten-free flours like oat and coconut. If you skip it, roll the balls a bit more firmly and consider adding an extra egg to help with binding.
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowls
- Small Cookie Scoop
- Air Fryer
- Nonstick Cooking Spray
- Whisk
Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Protein Donut Holes
These Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Protein Donut Holes are a high-protein twist on a classic treat, made with oat flour, applesauce, and vanilla protein powder. They come together in under 30 minutes and cook up perfectly golden in the air fryer.
Ingredients
Directions
- In a medium bowl, add your dry ingredients and mix everything together.
- In another bowl, add your wet ingredients and mix everything together.
- Carefully pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until it forms a thick smooth batter.
- Preheat your air fryer on 350F
- Using a small ice cream scoop or about a tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop a portion of your batter.
- Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray. These will be sticky.
- Use your hands to roll and form it into a ball.
- Place in your air fryer basket, leaving enough space in-between each ball.
- Continue to roll your remaining mixture into balls. Continue to spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray. If it’s too sticky to roll, simply use a cookie scoop and scoop the mixture directly onto the air fryer basket.
- Bake in 350F for 8-10 minutes.
- Let the donut holes cool for several minutes. Finish cooking your remaining batches of donut holes if necessary.
- Optionally coat them in some naturally-sweetened powdered sugar and sprinkle some ground cinnamon on top.
- Serve.
Video
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 300F for a minute to restore freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 donut hole
Amount of servings per recipe: 10
Calories: 140
Fat: 3.5 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 40 mg
Sodium: 70 mg
Carbohydrates: 21 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugars: 10 g
Protein: 6 g
*The numbers above are approximations. Actual calories and macronutrient amounts will vary depending on the ingredients used along with the serving size.
