Air Fryer Chocolate Bomboloni
Soft, fluffy Italian doughnuts filled with rich chocolate and made healthier in the air fryer.
If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into a warm, pillowy doughnut with a gooey chocolate center, these Air Fryer Chocolate Bomboloni are exactly what you need. Bomboloni are traditional Italian filled doughnuts that are famous for their light, airy texture and delicious fillings. Instead of deep frying, this recipe uses the air fryer to create beautifully golden bomboloni with significantly less oil while still delivering a soft, fluffy interior.
Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a special holiday treat, these homemade chocolate bomboloni are guaranteed to impress. They’re filled with silky chocolate spread, coated in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar, and taste just like bakery-style doughnuts.
The dough is simple to prepare, and the air fryer makes the cooking process cleaner, easier, and healthier than traditional frying.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 10 Bomboloni
Course: Dessert, Breakfast
Cuisine: Italian
Difficulty: Intermediate
Calories: Approximately 280 kcal per bombolone
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Soft and fluffy texture
Filled with rich chocolate
No deep frying required
Made with simple pantry ingredients
Perfect for holidays and parties
Less oil than traditional doughnuts
Bakery-style results at home
Kid-friendly dessert
Easy to customize with different fillings
Perfect served warm
Ingredients
For the Dough
2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
¾ cup warm whole milk (110°F/43°C)
¼ cup granulated sugar
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 large egg, room temperature
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling
¾ cup chocolate hazelnut spread or chocolate pastry cream
For the Coating
2 tablespoons melted butter
½ cup granulated sugar
Optional:
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Powdered sugar for dusting
Kitchen Equipment
Air fryer
Large mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Stand mixer (optional)
Rolling pin
3-inch round cookie cutter
Pastry brush
Piping bag with filling tip
Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar.
Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Add the remaining sugar, egg, vanilla extract, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture.
Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Add the softened butter a little at a time and knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, soft, and elastic.
If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook on medium speed.
The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
Step 3: First Rise
Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl.
Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
Let it rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Bomboloni
Punch down the risen dough.
Transfer it to a lightly floured surface.
Roll the dough to about ½ inch thick.
Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut out circles.
Gather and reroll the scraps as needed.
Place the dough rounds on parchment paper, leaving space between each one.
Cover loosely and let them rise again for 30 minutes.
Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Step 6: Air Fry the Bomboloni
Carefully place the dough rounds into the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
Do not overcrowd the basket.
Lightly brush or spray the tops with melted butter or cooking spray.
Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through if needed, until the bomboloni are golden brown and cooked through.
Transfer them to a cooling rack and let them cool for about 5 minutes.
Step 7: Coat with Sugar
While still warm, brush each bombolone lightly with melted butter.
Roll them in granulated sugar or a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
If preferred, dust with powdered sugar instead.
Step 8: Fill with Chocolate
Transfer the chocolate spread to a piping bag fitted with a filling tip.
Using a small knife or the piping tip, make a hole in the side of each bombolone.
Pipe approximately 1–2 tablespoons of chocolate filling into each one until you feel slight resistance.
Be careful not to overfill.
Step 9: Serve
Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Enjoy with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk.
Tips for Perfect Bomboloni
Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
Knead the dough until smooth and elastic for the fluffiest texture.
Allow enough time for both rises—this is essential for light, airy doughnuts.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed.
Fill the bomboloni only after they have cooled slightly to prevent the chocolate from becoming too runny.
Use a kitchen thermometer if possible to ensure accurate cooking.
Recipe Variations
Nutella Bomboloni
Use Nutella as the filling for an extra-rich hazelnut flavor.
Vanilla Cream Bomboloni
Replace the chocolate with homemade vanilla pastry cream.
Jam-Filled Bomboloni
Fill with strawberry, raspberry, or apricot jam for a fruity twist.
White Chocolate Bomboloni
Use melted white chocolate ganache as the filling.
Cookies and Cream Bomboloni
Fill with cookies-and-cream frosting and sprinkle crushed chocolate sandwich cookies on top.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover bomboloni in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheating
Air Fryer
Reheat at 320°F (160°C) for 2–3 minutes until warm.
Microwave
Heat for 10–15 seconds for a soft texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. After the first rise, refrigerate the dough overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.
Can I freeze bomboloni?
Yes. Freeze the cooked, unfilled bomboloni for up to 2 months. Thaw completely, warm them, then fill with chocolate before serving.
Why didn’t my dough rise?
The yeast may have expired, or the milk may have been too hot or too cold. Always use fresh yeast and warm milk around 110°F (43°C).
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes. Refrigerated brioche or sweet dough can be used as a shortcut, though homemade dough provides the best texture and flavor.
Can I use other fillings?
Absolutely! Try pastry cream, fruit jam, dulce de leche, peanut butter, pistachio cream, or lemon curd.
Nutrition Information (Per Bombolone)
Calories: 280 kcal
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 16g
Sodium: 150mg
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.
Final Thoughts
These Air Fryer Chocolate Bomboloni bring the irresistible charm of an Italian bakery straight to your kitchen. They’re wonderfully soft, light, and filled with a rich chocolate center, all without the mess of deep frying. The air fryer creates beautifully golden doughnuts with a tender crumb while using far less oil than traditional methods. Whether you’re making them for a weekend breakfast, a festive celebration, or simply to satisfy a chocolate craving, these homemade bomboloni are sure to impress. Serve them warm with coffee or hot chocolate, and enjoy every fluffy, chocolate-filled bite!