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!