Who knew carrots could turn into the most delicious, fluffy donuts? 😍
If you love carrot cake but want something easier to make, these homemade Blender Carrot Cake Donuts are about to become your new favorite treat!
They’re soft, moist, naturally sweet, filled with warm cinnamon flavor, and finished with a creamy cream cheese glaze and crunchy walnuts.
The best part? You don’t need a stand mixer, deep fryer, or traditional oven. Just throw the ingredients into a blender, pour the batter into a donut mold, and let your air fryer do the work!
Perfect for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or a homemade dessert. 💛
🥕 Ingredients
For the carrot cake donuts (makes approximately 6 small donuts):
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped (about ½ cup)
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup milk (dairy or unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- A small pinch of salt
- A little oil for greasing the donut mold
For the cream cheese glaze:
- 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional toppings:
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
- Chopped pecans
- A sprinkle of cinnamon
- Shredded coconut
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Carrots 🥕
Wash, peel, and chop one medium carrot into small pieces.
Cutting the carrot into smaller chunks makes it easier for the blender to process.
For the smoothest batter, use finely chopped or grated carrot, especially if your blender isn’t very powerful.
Step 2: Add Everything to the Blender 🍌
Place the ingredients into your blender in this order:
- Milk
- Ripe banana
- Egg
- Chopped carrot
- Rolled oats
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Baking powder
- Vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Secure the lid tightly.
Blend for approximately 30–60 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides if necessary.
The mixture should become a smooth, thick, orange-colored batter.
Pro tip: The batter should be thick enough to coat a spoon but still pour easily. If it’s too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time.
Step 3: Prepare Your Donut Mold 🍩
Lightly grease a silicone donut mold with a small amount of oil.
Make sure the mold fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket without touching the heating element.
Pour the carrot cake batter into each donut cavity, filling approximately three-quarters full.
Avoid overfilling because the donuts need room to rise.
Gently tap the mold on the countertop to release large air bubbles.
Step 4: Cook in the Air Fryer 🔥
Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) if your model requires preheating.
Carefully place the filled silicone donut mold inside the air fryer basket.
Air fry for approximately 12–15 minutes.
Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, mold size, and batter thickness.
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the thickest part of a donut.
If the toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the donuts are ready.
If wet batter sticks to the toothpick, continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes and check again.
The finished donuts should be:
- Lightly golden on the outside
- Soft and springy to the touch
- Moist inside
- Fully cooked in the center
- Beautifully shaped with a hole in the middle
Step 5: Let the Donuts Cool
Remove the mold carefully from the air fryer.
Allow the donuts to cool in the mold for approximately 5 minutes.
Then gently remove them and transfer them to a cooling rack.
Let them cool further before adding the glaze.
Important: Adding cream cheese glaze while the donuts are very hot can cause it to melt and slide off.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze 🤍
In a small bowl, combine:
- 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Stir until smooth and creamy.
For a thinner glaze, add a few extra drops of milk.
For a thicker glaze, use less milk.
The consistency should be smooth enough to drizzle over the donuts.
Step 7: Decorate Your Carrot Cake Donuts ✨
Place the cooled donuts on a plate or cooling rack.
Use a spoon to drizzle the cream cheese glaze over each donut.
Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top.
For an extra touch, add a tiny pinch of cinnamon.
Your homemade carrot cake donuts are ready to enjoy!
💛 Why You’ll Love These Donuts
1. Made with simple ingredients
You only need a carrot, banana, oats, egg, milk, and a few pantry staples.
2. No deep frying required
The air fryer cooks the donuts without submerging them in oil.
3. Naturally sweet and flavorful
Ripe banana and maple syrup provide sweetness, while cinnamon adds that classic carrot cake flavor.
4. Easy blender preparation
There’s no need for complicated mixing techniques.
5. Soft and moist texture
The banana and carrot help keep the donuts tender.
6. Perfect for customizing
Add chopped nuts, raisins, coconut, or your favorite toppings.
🌟 Tips for Perfectly Soft Carrot Cake Donuts
Use a very ripe banana. The sweeter and softer the banana, the better the flavor and texture.
Chop the carrots finely. Smaller pieces blend more easily and help create a smoother batter.
Don’t add too much milk. A thin batter may produce flat or overly wet donuts.
Use fresh baking powder. This helps the donuts rise.
Avoid overfilling the mold. Leave enough room for the batter to expand.
Don’t overcook. Check the donuts near the end of the cooking time to prevent dryness.
Let them cool before glazing. This creates a prettier, creamier finish.
🍫 Delicious Variations to Try
Chocolate Chip Carrot Donuts
Fold 2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips into the blended batter before cooking.
Carrot Walnut Donuts
Add 2 tablespoons of coarsely chopped walnuts for extra crunch.
Cinnamon Carrot Donuts
Skip the cream cheese glaze and lightly dust the cooled donuts with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Carrot Coconut Donuts
Add 1 tablespoon of unsweetened shredded coconut to the batter.
Apple Carrot Donuts
Replace half the banana with finely grated apple. The texture may be slightly different, so check that the donuts are fully cooked.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these donuts without a blender?
Yes! Finely grate the carrot, mash the banana with a fork, and mix everything in a bowl. For a smoother texture, use oat flour instead of whole rolled oats.
Can I use almond milk?
Absolutely! Unsweetened almond milk works well in this recipe.
Can I make them without eggs?
You can experiment with an egg substitute, such as a flax egg, but the texture may be denser and cooking time may change.
Can I use a regular oven instead?
Yes. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 15–20 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
How should I store the donuts?
Store unglazed donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
For glazed donuts, refrigerate promptly because the cream cheese topping is perishable.
Can I freeze them?
Yes! Freeze the unglazed, fully cooled donuts in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months for best quality.
Thaw in the refrigerator and add fresh glaze before serving.
⏱️ Recipe Summary
DetailInformationRecipeBlender Carrot Cake DonutsPreparation time5–10 minutesAir fryer time12–15 minutesTemperature320°F / 160°CYieldApproximately 6 small donutsCooking methodAir fryerMain ingredientsCarrot, banana, oats, eggToppingCream cheese glaze and walnuts
🥕🍩 Final Thoughts
These Air Fryer Carrot Cake Donuts are proof that a few simple ingredients can turn into something incredibly delicious!
With their soft carrot cake texture, warm cinnamon flavor, creamy glaze, and crunchy walnut topping, they’re a fun homemade treat for the whole family.
And because the batter comes together in a blender, cleanup is easy too!
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