Frying Donut Dough: Air Fryer Magic?

Yes, you can fry doughnuts in an air fryer! It's a great alternative to deep-frying if you're looking for something quicker, easier, and less messy. Air-fried doughnuts are also healthier, as they use less oil and are lower in fat.

There are a few different ways to make air-fried doughnuts. Some recipes use canned biscuit dough, which is already shaped into rounds and produces taller, flakier doughnuts. Other recipes use a simple dough made from flour, butter, milk, and yeast, which is then cut into doughnut shapes and cooked in the air fryer.

The cooking time for air-fried doughnuts can vary depending on the recipe and the type of dough used. Some recipes suggest cooking the doughnuts for around 4 minutes, while others suggest up to 7 or 8 minutes. It's important to keep an eye on the doughnuts while they're cooking to ensure they don't burn.

Overall, air-fried doughnuts are a convenient and tasty treat that can be made with minimal fuss and mess.

Yeast doughnuts vs cake doughnuts

Yes, you can fry doughnuts in an air fryer! You can use canned biscuit dough or make your dough from scratch. If you want to make them from scratch, you can use a yeast dough or a cake dough.

The main difference between yeast doughnuts and cake doughnuts is that yeast doughnuts are made with yeast, while cake doughnuts are made with baking powder. Cake doughnuts are typically made with a mixture of butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and baking powder. Yeast doughnuts, on the other hand, usually contain flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and melted butter.

Yeast doughnuts are lighter and fluffier due to the yeast-risen dough. The gluten in the dough, formed when flour is mixed with liquid, gives yeast doughnuts their airy texture and delicate chew. Cake doughnuts, on the other hand, are denser and have a crumbly texture because they are mixed like quick breads, limiting the development of gluten.

Yeast doughnuts are usually puffy, light, and a little chewy, with little to no sweetness without a glaze or sugar coating. Cake doughnuts, on the other hand, are moist and crumbly, and can be dense like a muffin or fluffy like a birthday cake. Cake doughnuts are better for dunking in coffee, while yeast doughnuts have more chew.

Cake doughnuts are more versatile in terms of flavour as you can add other ingredients to the batter, such as cider for apple cider doughnuts or cocoa for chocolate cake doughnuts. Yeast doughnuts, on the other hand, usually get their flavour from the glaze, although you can fill them with cream or jelly.

So, which team are you on? Team Cake or Team Yeast?

Biscuit dough vs scratch dough

Biscuit Dough

Using canned biscuit dough is a quick and easy way to make donuts in an air fryer. The process is simple: cut holes in the centre of the biscuits, place them in the air fryer, and cook until golden brown. You can then brush the donuts with butter and toss them in cinnamon sugar, or dip them in a glaze.

The main advantage of using biscuit dough is convenience. Canned biscuit dough is readily available, and the preparation and cooking time is minimal. This method is ideal if you want to make donuts quickly and easily without having to make a mess by mixing dough.

However, the downside of using biscuit dough is that the end result may not taste like a "real" donut. As one source states, "they will taste like biscuits with sugar on top".

Scratch Dough

Making donuts from scratch with yeast dough will give you a more authentic donut experience. The process is more involved: you have to activate the yeast, mix and knead the dough, let it rise, cut out the donut shapes, and finally cook the donuts in the air fryer.

The main advantage of making donuts from scratch is taste. The yeast dough produces donuts that taste like the "real deal", just like deep-fried donuts from a donut shop.

The downside of this method is that it takes more time and effort. Making donuts from scratch involves multiple steps and a longer preparation and cooking time. However, as one source points out, the process is "a lot easier than you might think and so worth the end result".

Both methods can produce delicious donuts, but they have different advantages and disadvantages. If you are short on time and don't mind a donut that tastes more like a biscuit, then using biscuit dough is a convenient option. On the other hand, if you want a more authentic donut experience and don't mind putting in the extra time and effort, then making donuts from scratch with yeast dough is the way to go.

Glazed vs sugared

There are two main ways to finish off your homemade air-fried donuts: glazing them or sugaring them. Both are delicious, but each has its pros and cons.

Glazed donuts are what you'll find in most bakeries and shops. They have a shiny, sweet coating that dries into a crackly glaze. This type of donut is usually very sweet and can be topped with sprinkles. Glazed donuts are also easier to dip and coat evenly. However, they can be messier to eat, especially if the glaze is still wet.

Sugared donuts, on the other hand, are coated in cinnamon sugar. This gives them a crunchy, crystalline texture that is less messy to eat. They are usually less sweet than glazed donuts and have a more subtle flavour. However, it can be tricky to get an even coating of sugar on the donut, and the sugar may not stick well.

To make a glazed donut, mix together melted butter, warm milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Dip the hot donuts into this mixture and let them dry. For sugared donuts, brush the donuts with melted butter while they are still hot, then toss them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Both types of donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for 1-2 days but are best eaten within a few hours of making them.

Air fryer vs deep fryer

The Pros and Cons

Air fryers and deep fryers are both popular appliances for cooking fried treats, from doughnuts to chicken wings. But which one is better? Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide which one is right for your kitchen.

Air Fryer

Air fryers have gained popularity for being a healthier alternative to deep fryers. They cook food by circulating hot air through and around the food using a fan, resulting in crispy and browned food with little to no additional oil.

Pros:

• Healthier option: Air fryers use a fraction of the oil used in deep frying, promoting a healthier cooking method.
• Less mess: Air fryers are less messy than deep fryers, with no hot oil splatters or greasy residue.
• Easy to use: Simply place your food in the air fryer, select the temperature and setting, and let it do the work.
• Versatile: Air fryers can cook a wide variety of foods, from chicken to homemade french fries, and can even substitute a stove or oven.
• Easy cleanup: Most air fryer parts can go straight into the dishwasher.

Cons:

• Cost: Air fryers are typically more expensive than deep fryers, with entry-level prices starting at $100.
• Longer cook times: Air fryers usually take longer to cook food compared to deep fryers, with preheat times ranging from 10-20 minutes.
• Limited with wet batter: Air fryers cannot handle wet batters or moist foods as effectively as deep fryers, and these may seep through the air fryer basket.

Deep Fryer

Deep fryers have been a staple for frying foods for many years. They cook food by submerging it in hot oil or fat at high temperatures, resulting in crispy, browned treats.

Pros:

• Faster cooking: Deep fryers cook food faster than air fryers, taking as little as 3-5 minutes once the oil reaches the desired temperature.
• Classic taste and texture: Deep fryers produce a traditional fried taste and texture, especially with thick or wet batters.
• Affordable: Deep fryers are generally cheaper than air fryers, with prices starting at $25.

Cons:

• More oil: Deep fryers require large quantities of oil, which can be costly and unhealthy.
• Messy: Deep frying can be messy, with oil splatters and greasy residue.
• More preparation and attention: Deep frying requires more preparation and monitoring during the cooking process to avoid hot oil splashes and burnt food.
• Limited versatility: Deep fryers have one primary function, while air fryers can be used for a wider variety of cooking methods.
• Difficult cleanup: Deep fryers require more cleanup, including disposing of oily tissues and residue.

The Bottom Line

Both air fryers and deep fryers have their pros and cons, and the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a healthier, more versatile, and easier-to-use option with minimal mess, an air fryer might be the right choice. On the other hand, if speed, classic taste, and affordability are your priorities, a deep fryer could be the better choice. Ultimately, both appliances can deliver delicious fried foods, so it's a matter of which benefits matter most to you.

Air fryer vs oven

Air fryers and ovens have a lot in common, but there are some key differences to consider when deciding which one to use. Here is a detailed comparison between the two:

Size and Capacity:

Air fryers are typically smaller and more compact than ovens, making them ideal for small kitchens or when cooking for one or two people. On the other hand, ovens have a larger capacity and can cook bigger portions, making them more suitable for cooking for a crowd or multiple items at once.

Cooking Time and Efficiency:

Air fryers cook food faster than traditional ovens due to their smaller size and superconvection technology. They also require little to no preheating time, which further reduces the overall cooking time. Additionally, air fryers use less energy and are more cost-efficient than ovens. They can trim money from your energy bill and are safer than natural gas ovens, which can contaminate the air.

Cooking Results:

Both air fryers and ovens can produce delicious results, but the cooking mechanism differs slightly. Air fryers circulate hot air around the food at high speeds, resulting in crispier food. Ovens, including convection ovens, also circulate hot air, but the air inside an air fryer moves faster due to the smaller space. This makes air fryers ideal for foods like fries and wings, as they come out crispier. Ovens, on the other hand, are better suited for baking cakes, cookies, and casseroles, or when you need to cook multiple trays of food at once.

Usage and Maintenance:

Air fryers are simple to operate, easy to clean, and safe for children to use. They are perfect for small batches of food and don't take up too much space in your kitchen. Ovens, on the other hand, are more versatile and can handle a wider range of cooking tasks, from roasting vegetables to baking sweets. However, they may require more cleaning and take up more space.

Cooking Techniques and Restrictions:

When it comes to cooking techniques, air fryers have some restrictions. For example, battered foods don't typically work well in air fryers, and you should avoid using too much olive oil or dry spices as they may burn or blow around. Ovens, including convection ovens, offer more flexibility in this regard and can accommodate a wider range of cooking techniques and recipes.

In conclusion, both air fryers and ovens have their advantages and disadvantages. Air fryers are excellent for small portions, quick cooking, and achieving crispiness. They are energy-efficient, cost-effective, and simple to use. Ovens, on the other hand, are more versatile, better suited for larger portions, and ideal for baking and roasting. The best choice depends on your specific needs, the number of people you're cooking for, and the type of food you plan to prepare.

Frequently asked questions