Air Fryer Strawberry Donut Holes (Like Mini Beignets)
These air fryer strawberry donut holes are basically little pillows of joy. They’re like mini beignets stuffed with strawberry jelly – flaky crescent roll dough, air fried until golden, and buried in powdered sugar.
Warm, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-and-jammy-on-the-inside donut holes that take about fifteen minutes from start to finish. They have that New Orleans beignet vibe – you know, the kind where powdered sugar goes everywhere and you don’t even care – but stuffed with sweet strawberry jelly.
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What makes these so brilliant is the shortcut. No yeast, no rising time, no deep frying in a pot of oil. Just unroll crescent roll dough, stuff with jelly, roll into balls, and let the air fryer work its magic. Ten minutes later, you’ve got hot beignet-style donut holes that taste like you spent all morning in the kitchen.
The powdered sugar coating is non-negotiable. Like authentic beignets, these need to be absolutely buried in powdered sugar. It clings to the slightly crispy exterior and creates that classic French Quarter experience. Pop one in your mouth while it’s still warm and the jelly center is molten – pure bliss.
Perfect for Easter brunch, Mother’s Day breakfast, Valentine’s Day treats, or any random Saturday when you want something sweet without the effort.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes
- Beignet Vibes, Zero Effort – All the powdered sugar magic, none of the work
- 4 Ingredients – Crescent rolls, jelly, powdered sugar, cooking spray. That’s it.
- 15 Minutes Total – Faster than driving to the donut shop (or Café Du Monde!)
- No Deep Frying – Air fryer keeps it lighter and less messy
- Kid-Friendly – Fun to make together, kids love the process
- Customizable Fillings – Any jam or jelly works
- Perfect Portion – Makes just enough for a family treat
- Crowd-Pleaser – Everyone loves warm donut holes
Shop This Recipe
To make these Strawberry Beignet-Style Donut Holes, you’ll need:
Essential Equipment:
- Air Fryer – Any size works
- Non-Stick Surface – For rolling the dough
- Small Bowl – For rolling in powdered sugar
Key Ingredients:
- Crescent Rolls – One can (8 count)
- Strawberry Jelly – Or any flavor you love
- Powdered Sugar – Lots of it, just like real beignets!
- Cooking Spray – Any neutral oil spray
Air Fryer Strawberry Donut Holes (Like Mini Beignets)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Unroll crescent rolls on a clean, non-stick surface. Separate into 8 triangles.
- Place 1 teaspoon strawberry jelly in the center of each crescent roll triangle.
- Fold corners up and around the jelly, pinching seams to seal. Roll between your palms to form a ball. Make sure jelly is completely sealed inside to prevent leaking.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket or rack with cooking spray. Place donut holes in basket, leaving space between each one (don’t overcrowd).
- Lightly spray tops of donut holes with cooking spray.
- Air fry at 350°F for 10 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Remove from air fryer. While still warm, roll each donut hole generously in powdered sugar until completely coated. Like beignets, they should be absolutely covered!
- Serve immediately while warm and the jelly center is still gooey. Warning: powdered sugar will go everywhere. Embrace it.
Tips & Variations
Supper & Sage Tip: Seal those seams TIGHT! If the jelly leaks out during cooking, you’ll have a sticky mess. Pinch all edges together and roll into a smooth ball, making sure there are no gaps in the dough.
For Perfect Beignet-Style Donut Holes:
- Don’t overfill – 1 teaspoon jelly is plenty, more will leak
- Work quickly so the dough stays cold and pliable
- Space them out in the air fryer – overcrowding = uneven cooking
- Spray generously – helps them get golden and crispy
- Roll in sugar while warm – it sticks better
- Go heavy on the powdered sugar – like real beignets, these should be completely covered. Don’t be shy!
- Expect powdered sugar chaos – it’s part of the experience
Air Fryer Adjustments:
- Smaller air fryer: Cook in batches of 4
- Larger air fryer: Can fit all 8, just don’t let them touch
- Different models: Check at 8 minutes, some run hotter
- Extra crispy: Add 1-2 minutes to cook time for more beignet-like texture
Flavor Variations:
Different Fillings:
- Raspberry jam (classic beignet pairing)
- Blueberry preserves
- Chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella)
- Lemon curd
- Apple butter
- Cream cheese (sweetened with a little sugar)
- Cinnamon sugar cream cheese
Coating Options:
- Cinnamon sugar instead of powdered sugar
- Granulated sugar (less messy but not as beignet-like)
- Vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla)
- Chocolate glaze
- Strawberry glaze
- Café Du Monde-style: EXTRA powdered sugar
Make Them Special:
- Add lemon zest to powdered sugar
- Mix freeze-dried strawberry powder into coating
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate
- Top with sprinkles before serving
- Serve with chocolate sauce for dipping (beignets + chocolate = heaven)
Storage & Reheating
Real Talk: Like authentic beignets, these are absolute best fresh and warm. But leftovers can work.
Room Temperature:
- Store in airtight container for up to 24 hours
- They’ll lose crispiness but still taste good
- Re-dust with powdered sugar before serving
Refrigerator:
- Not recommended – refrigeration makes them tough
- If you must, store 2-3 days in airtight container
Reheating:
- Air fryer (best): 300°F for 2-3 minutes
- Oven: 300°F for 5 minutes
- Microwave: 10-15 seconds (softens them, won’t crisp)
- Re-roll in fresh powdered sugar after reheating
Make-Ahead:
- Assemble the balls and refrigerate up to 2 hours before air frying
- Don’t air fry until ready to serve
- Best made fresh, just like real beignets
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I deep fry these instead of air frying?
A: Yes! Heat oil to 350°F and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels before rolling in sugar. This makes them even more like traditional beignets!
Q: My jelly leaked out. What happened?
A: The seams weren’t sealed tight enough. Make sure to pinch all edges together and create a smooth ball with no gaps.
Q: Can I use biscuit dough instead?
A: Yes, but the texture will be different – more dense and bready. Crescent rolls give that flaky, light, beignet-like texture.
Q: What if I don’t have strawberry jelly?
A: Use any jam, jelly, or preserves you have! Raspberry, blueberry, and grape all work great. Leave them plain for traditional beignets.
Q: Can I make these without an air fryer?
A: Yes. Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Q: How do I prevent them from sticking to the air fryer?
A: Cooking spray is essential! Spray both the basket and the tops of the donut holes.
Q: Can I freeze these?
A: You can freeze unfilled crescent roll balls and air fry from frozen (add 2-3 minutes). Don’t freeze already cooked donut holes. The texture suffers.
Q: Why are mine doughy in the center?
A: They need more time. Add 1-2 minutes and check again. Make sure they’re golden brown all over.
Q: Are these really like beignets?
A: They have the same spirit – light, crispy, buried in powdered sugar, best eaten warm. The crescent roll dough gives you that flaky texture similar to beignets, and the powdered sugar coating is straight from the French Quarter playbook.
Why This Recipe Works
- Crescent Roll Shortcut: Pre-made dough eliminates mixing, rising, and waiting. It gives you beignet texture without yeast
- Air Fryer Method: Circulating hot air creates crispy exterior similar to frying but with less oil
- Small Portions: Individual balls cook quickly and evenly
- Cooking Spray: Helps dough brown and crisp instead of staying pale
- Warm Sugar Coating: Sugar sticks to warm dough, creating classic beignet/donut shop texture
- Sealed Filling: Keeping jelly inside creates a molten center surprise
More Recipes You’ll Love
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If you’re planning a full brunch spread, pair these donut holes with a savory main like this potato-crusted frittata.
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For a crispy, savory side, try air fryer Parmesan truffle potato wedges. They’re a reader favorite and easy to make ahead. (pictured)
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Love cozy brunch bakes? You’ll also enjoy this maple walnut coffee cake, perfect for weekends or entertaining.
These Air Fryer Strawberry Donut Holes prove that you don’t need a deep fryer, yeast dough, or a trip to New Orleans to enjoy beignet-style treats at home. Four ingredients, fifteen minutes, and you’ve got warm, jelly-filled donut holes covered in powdered sugar that taste like a trip to the French Quarter.
