Keto Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts
Warm cinnamon donuts don’t have to disappear just because you’re eating keto.
These keto air fryer cinnamon donuts are soft inside, lightly golden outside, and finished with a buttery cinnamon “sugar” coating that gives you that classic bakery-style flavor without loading each donut with sugar.
Even better, there’s no deep fryer involved.
The air fryer gives the outside just enough texture while keeping the center tender, and the entire recipe uses simple keto baking ingredients you may already have in your pantry.
They’re great for breakfast with coffee, as an afternoon treat, or when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to make an entire cake or batch of cookies.
Get 25 Easy Keto Air Fryer Recipes
Quick, crispy, low-carb recipes for busy days, all together in one easy guide. Enter your details below and I’ll send the recipes straight to your inbox.
No spam. Just helpful keto recipes and occasional updates. Unsubscribe anytime.
Why You’ll Love These Keto Cinnamon Donuts
Traditional cinnamon sugar donuts are usually made with wheat flour, sugar, and plenty of oil. This version takes a different approach.
Almond flour creates the base, a keto-friendly sweetener replaces regular sugar, and the air fryer handles the cooking without submerging the donuts in oil.
You’ll love these because they’re:
- Low in net carbs
- Made without traditional flour
- Air fried instead of deep fried
- Soft and tender inside
- Covered in buttery cinnamon sweetness
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Easy to make ahead
- Perfect with hot or iced coffee
They’re also much easier than yeast-raised donuts because there’s no kneading, proofing, or waiting for dough to rise.
What Do Keto Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts Taste Like?
Think somewhere between a cinnamon cake donut and a soft cinnamon muffin, but in donut form.
Almond flour naturally produces a more tender, cake-like texture than wheat flour. Adding eggs, melted butter, and a little unsweetened almond milk keeps the donuts from becoming dry or crumbly.
The cinnamon coating is what really brings everything together.
Brushing the warm donuts with melted butter gives the cinnamon sweetener something to cling to and adds the rich finish you’d expect from a bakery donut.
If you regularly make low carb desserts, having a granulated monk fruit and erythritol sweetener in your pantry is especially useful because it can replace sugar in recipes like donuts, muffins, pancakes, and cinnamon coatings without adding the same amount of carbohydrates.
Ingredients for Keto Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts
For the Donuts
- 1 1/2 cups fine blanched almond flour
- 1/4 cup granulated keto-friendly sweetener
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Coating
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated keto-friendly sweetener
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the smoothest donut texture, use fine blanched almond flour rather than almond meal. Almond meal contains more of the almond skin and tends to make baked goods heavier and grainier.
A good-quality pure vanilla extract also makes a noticeable difference in a simple recipe like this because there aren’t many ingredients competing with its flavor.
What Equipment Do You Need?
You don’t need a traditional donut fryer to make these.
A few basic tools make the process much easier:
- Air fryer
- Silicone air fryer donut molds
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Silicone spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pastry bag or zip-top bag
- Small pastry brush
A silicone donut mold designed to fit inside an air fryer basket is especially helpful. The batter for cake-style keto donuts is too soft to shape by hand, so the mold keeps the donuts round while they cook.
Before ordering one, measure the inside of your air fryer basket. Air fryers vary quite a bit in size.
If you bake frequently, a digital kitchen scale is another useful tool. Almond flour can become packed into a measuring cup, which means two people measuring “one cup” may actually use different amounts. Weighing ingredients tends to produce more consistent keto baked goods.
How to Make Keto Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 320°F for about 3 minutes.
Air fryer temperatures can vary by model, so a slightly lower temperature works well for almond flour donuts. Cooking them too hot can brown the outside before the center finishes cooking.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Almond flour
- Keto sweetener
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Salt
Break apart any almond flour clumps with your whisk before adding the wet ingredients.
This helps create a more uniform batter and prevents little pockets of dry flour from remaining in the donuts.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
Make sure the melted butter has cooled slightly before combining it with the eggs. Butter that’s extremely hot can begin cooking the eggs.
4. Make the Donut Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Stir gently with a silicone spatula until a thick, smooth batter forms.
Avoid aggressively mixing the batter. Once everything is evenly incorporated, stop stirring.
Let the batter rest for about 2 to 3 minutes.
Almond flour will absorb some of the liquid during this time, slightly thickening the batter.
5. Fill the Donut Molds
Lightly grease your silicone donut molds if needed.
Transfer the batter into a piping bag or large zip-top bag. If you’re using a zip-top bag, snip a small corner from the bottom.
Pipe the batter evenly into the donut cavities, filling each approximately 3/4 full.
Piping is much cleaner than trying to spoon thick batter around the center of a donut mold.
6. Air Fry the Donuts
Carefully place the filled silicone mold inside your air fryer basket.
Air fry at 320°F for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll probably need to work in batches.
The donuts are finished when:
- The tops look set
- The edges are lightly golden
- The donuts spring back slightly when touched
- A toothpick inserted into the thickest portion comes out mostly clean
Avoid overcooking them. Almond flour baked goods can go from tender to dry quickly.
7. Let Them Cool Slightly
Remove the mold from the air fryer and allow the donuts to cool for approximately 5 minutes.
Gently remove them from the silicone mold and place them on a wire cooling rack.
They’ll continue firming as they cool.
8. Make the Cinnamon Coating
In a shallow bowl, combine the granulated keto sweetener and ground cinnamon.
Brush each warm donut lightly with melted butter using a silicone pastry brush.
Then dip or gently roll the donut in the cinnamon mixture until the outside is coated.
For an extra cinnamon-sugar effect, sprinkle a little additional mixture over the top after dipping.
How Do You Keep Keto Donuts From Becoming Dry?
The biggest mistake with almond flour donuts is usually overcooking them.
Air fryers circulate very hot air around food, which means baked goods can cook surprisingly fast.
Start checking your donuts around the 8-minute mark.
Another important factor is measuring your almond flour correctly. Too much almond flour can create a dense or dry donut.
If you don’t have a kitchen scale, spoon the almond flour lightly into your measuring cup instead of scooping it directly from the bag.
Don’t pack it down.
What Is the Best Sweetener for Keto Cinnamon Donuts?
A granulated keto sweetener works best for both the batter and cinnamon coating.
Popular options include:
- Monk fruit and erythritol blends
- Allulose blends
- Erythritol-based granulated sweeteners
For the cinnamon coating, choose a sweetener with a texture similar to granulated sugar.
Powdered sweetener can work inside the donut batter, but it won’t create quite the same cinnamon-sugar texture on the outside.
Allulose may brown more quickly than erythritol, so keep a closer eye on the donuts if you’re using an allulose-based baking sweetener.
Can You Make Keto Donuts Without a Donut Pan?
Yes, although they won’t necessarily look like traditional donuts.
You can divide the batter between silicone muffin cups and make cinnamon donut muffins instead.
Start checking them after approximately 9 to 10 minutes since cooking time may change based on the depth of your molds.
For the classic donut appearance, however, silicone donut molds are worth having if you enjoy making air fryer desserts.
They’re reusable, inexpensive, and can also be used for chocolate donuts, glazed donuts, mini cakes, and other low carb recipes.
Can You Bake These Keto Donuts Instead?
Yes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the filled silicone donut mold on a baking sheet.
Bake for approximately 12 to 15 minutes, or until the donuts are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
Let them cool for several minutes before removing them from the mold.
Then add the butter and cinnamon coating exactly as you would with the air fryer version.
How to Make the Best Cinnamon Coating
Coat the donuts while they’re still slightly warm, but not piping hot.
Brush each donut lightly with melted butter before dipping it into the cinnamon mixture.
You don’t need to saturate the donut.
A thin layer of melted butter helps the coating stick while adding richness without making the donut greasy.
If you want cinnamon flavor in every bite, coat both sides rather than sprinkling cinnamon sweetener only on top.
What Can You Serve With Keto Cinnamon Donuts?
These donuts are especially good with:
- Hot coffee
- Cold brew
- Iced coffee
- Unsweetened almond milk
- Keto hot chocolate
- Chai tea
- Scrambled eggs for a sweet-and-savory breakfast
- Greek yogurt
- Fresh berries
For a weekend breakfast, you could serve one cinnamon donut alongside eggs and bacon rather than eating several donuts as the entire meal.
How to Store Keto Air Fryer Donuts
Let the donuts cool completely before storing them.
Place them in an airtight food storage container and keep them at room temperature for approximately 1 to 2 days or refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
If you’re meal prepping, glass food storage containers with locking lids are useful because they help prevent baked goods from drying out in the refrigerator.
For the best texture, warm a refrigerated donut for a few seconds before eating it.
Keep in mind that the cinnamon coating may absorb some moisture during storage, so freshly coated donuts will always have the best texture.
Can You Freeze Keto Cinnamon Donuts?
Yes.
For best results, freeze the donuts before adding the butter and cinnamon coating.
Allow the donuts to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or reusable freezer bag.
Freeze for up to approximately 2 months.
When you’re ready to eat one, let it thaw and briefly warm it in the air fryer. Then brush it with melted butter and add a fresh cinnamon coating.
Tips for the Best Keto Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts
Use finely ground almond flour.
Fine blanched almond flour produces a softer donut than coarse almond meal.
Don’t overfill the molds.
Fill each cavity about three-quarters full so the donuts have room to rise.
Check early.
Every air fryer cooks differently. Start checking your first batch around 8 minutes.
Let them rest before removing them.
Keto donuts are softer immediately after cooking. Five minutes of cooling makes them much easier to remove without breaking.
Use silicone molds.
They’re flexible, making delicate almond flour donuts much easier to release.
Coat them while slightly warm.
The butter and cinnamon mixture will adhere better.
Make a double batch.
If your household loves sweet breakfasts, these disappear quickly and freeze well.
Keto Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 320°F for approximately 3 minutes.
- Whisk the almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, almond milk, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a smooth batter forms.
- Let the batter rest for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Lightly grease silicone donut molds if necessary.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag or zip-top bag with one corner snipped off.
- Pipe the batter into the donut cavities, filling them approximately three-quarters full.
- Place the mold inside the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 320°F for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Allow the donuts to cool in the mold for approximately 5 minutes.
- Carefully remove the donuts and place them on a cooling rack.
- Combine the cinnamon and granulated sweetener in a shallow bowl.
- Brush each donut lightly with melted butter.
- Dip or roll each donut in the cinnamon mixture until evenly coated.
- Serve slightly warm.
Notes
Notes
Air fryers vary: Begin checking the donuts around the 8-minute mark. Smaller or more powerful air fryers may cook them faster. Use fine blanched almond flour: Almond meal can make the donuts heavier and more grainy. Measure carefully: Too much almond flour can make keto donuts dry. For the most consistent results, weigh the flour with a digital kitchen scale or lightly spoon it into the measuring cup without packing it down. Don’t remove them immediately: Let the donuts rest in the mold for about 5 minutes after cooking. Almond flour baked goods are delicate while hot and become firmer as they cool. Sweetener matters: A granulated monk fruit, erythritol, or allulose blend works well. Allulose may brown more quickly, so watch the donuts closely.For the best cinnamon coating: Brush the donuts with melted butter while they’re still slightly warm, then dip them into the cinnamon sweetener. Storage: Keep cooled donuts in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freezing: Freeze uncoated donuts for up to approximately 2 months. Thaw, warm briefly, then add the butter and cinnamon coating before serving. Nutrition: Macros are estimates and will vary depending on the specific brands of almond flour, sweetener, almond milk, and other ingredients used.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per donut:- Calories: 190
- Total Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Total Carbohydrates: 6g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Sugar: 1g
Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Air Fryer Donuts
Are air fryer donuts keto?
Traditional air fryer donuts generally aren’t keto because they’re usually made with wheat flour and sugar.
This recipe replaces traditional flour with almond flour and uses a keto-friendly sweetener, bringing the estimated net carbohydrate count to approximately 3 grams per donut.
Why did my keto donuts fall apart?
They may have been removed from the mold too quickly.
Almond flour baked goods are often delicate while they’re extremely hot. Give the donuts about five minutes to cool and firm before carefully removing them.
Too much liquid or inaccurate almond flour measurements can also affect their structure.
Can I use coconut flour instead of almond flour?
Not as a 1:1 replacement.
Coconut flour absorbs significantly more liquid than almond flour. Replacing the almond flour directly with the same quantity of coconut flour would likely produce very dry donuts.
For this recipe, almond flour is the better option.
Can I make mini keto donuts?
Yes.
Use a mini silicone donut mold and begin checking the donuts earlier because smaller donuts cook faster.
Depending on their size, they may need only about 5 to 7 minutes.
Can I add a keto glaze?
Absolutely.
Instead of the cinnamon coating, mix powdered keto sweetener with a small amount of unsweetened almond milk and vanilla until you reach a glaze consistency.
Let the donuts cool before dipping them so the glaze doesn’t immediately melt off.
Are these gluten-free?
The ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, but always verify the packaging of individual ingredients if you need to avoid gluten because manufacturing and cross-contact practices vary by brand.
More Easy Keto Recipes to Try
If quick keto cooking is your thing, don’t stop with donuts.
Try these 25 Easy Keto Air Fryer Recipes for more low carb recipes you can make without spending hours in the kitchen.
You can also explore more recipes and keto meal ideas throughout Glow & Nourish when you need inspiration for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts.
Want More Than One Keto Recipe?
Finding one good keto recipe is helpful.
Having an entire collection ready when you don’t know what to cook is even better.
Keto Done Right gives you access to a much larger collection of keto meal ideas, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts, and keto versions of foods you may have thought you’d have to give up.
Instead of searching for a new recipe every time you’re hungry, you can have your keto recipes organized and ready when you need them.
