Air-Fryer Donuts: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Yes, you can make donuts in an air fryer! They are light, fluffy, and crispy, and taste just like store-bought donuts, if not better. The outside is soft and the inside is tender and fluffy. They are also healthier than deep-fried donuts as they absorb less oil. The best part? Minimal cleanup!

Air Fryer Settings for Donuts

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years, and for good reason. They can cook food quickly and with less oil than traditional frying methods, making them a healthier alternative.

The short answer is yes, you can make donuts in an air fryer. However, the results may vary depending on the type of donut dough you use and the settings you choose.

Air Fryer Settings

• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 375°F.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Avoid using non-stick cooking sprays as these can damage the coating of the basket. Instead, opt for olive oil or coconut oil spray.
• Place the donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking.
• Cook the donuts for 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the size and type of donut. Smaller donut holes will take less time, while larger donuts may need the full 8 minutes or even longer.
• Flip the donuts halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
• Keep an eye on the donuts as air fryers can vary in intensity, and you don't want them to burn.

Donut Dough Options

There are a few different options for the type of donut dough you can use:

• Canned biscuit dough: This is a quick and easy option, but it may not give you the traditional donut taste and texture.
• Yeast-raised dough: This option will give you a more classic donut flavour and texture, but it requires more time and preparation.
• Cake-style dough: This type of dough is denser and takes longer to cook in the air fryer. The results may not be as good as with other cooking methods.

Glazing and Toppings

Once your donuts are cooked, you can finish them with a variety of glazes and toppings:

• Cinnamon-sugar: Toss the warm donuts in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a classic flavour.
• Powdered-sugar glaze: Dip the donuts in a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla extract.
• Chocolate glaze: For a chocolatey treat, dip the donuts in a chocolate glaze.
• Maple glaze: Combine powdered sugar and maple syrup for a sweet and sticky glaze.

Storing and Reheating

Air fryer donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the donuts and reheat them in the air fryer when you're ready to enjoy them again.

Preparing the Donut Dough

The first step in making donuts in an air fryer is preparing the donut dough. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Ingredients

Make sure you have the following ingredients:

• Milk (preferably whole milk) – It is important to use milk that is warm, between 105 to 110°F (40 to 43°C). This temperature range helps to activate the yeast.
• Yeast – Use active dry yeast and always check the expiration date before using.
• Butter – Unsalted butter is recommended since the dough already contains salt.
• Eggs – Use large eggs at room temperature.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar will be used in two parts: one teaspoon to activate the yeast and the remaining amount later.
• Flour – You will need all-purpose flour for this recipe.
• Salt – This is added for flavour and to balance the sweetness.

Mixing the Dough

• In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and one teaspoon of sugar. Stir it gently and let the mixture stand until it becomes very bubbly. This will take around 5 to 10 minutes.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the melted butter, eggs, and the remaining sugar. Whisk these ingredients until smooth.
• Now, add the yeast mixture to the stand mixer and stir until combined.
• It's time to add the dry ingredients! Put the flour and salt into the mixer bowl.
• Mix everything on low speed until a shaggy dough starts to form. Then, increase the speed to medium-low and continue kneading until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. This process should take about 5 minutes.

First Rise

• Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl. It is okay if the dough is a little sticky.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean tea towel.
• Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in size. This usually takes about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• To test if the dough has risen enough, make a small indentation with your finger. If the indentation remains, the dough is ready for the next step.

Shaping the Donuts

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch (1.5 cm).
• Use a donut cutter or biscuit cutters to cut out the donuts. You can also use round cookie cutters in two sizes: 3 inches (7.5 cm) for the donuts and 1 inch (2.5 cm) for the donut holes.
• Place the cut-out donuts and donut holes on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly dusted with flour.
• Loosely cover the donuts and let them rise again in a warm, draft-free place until they double in size. This second rise should take around 15 to 20 minutes.

Now that your donut dough is ready, you can preheat your air fryer and prepare the glaze or coating. The next step is cooking the donuts in the air fryer, which will be followed by glazing or coating them.

Frying Time and Temperature

The frying time and temperature for air-fried donuts vary depending on the type of donut you are making. Yeast-raised donuts typically require a shorter frying time than cake-style donuts due to differences in dough hydration levels. For yeast-raised donuts, fry at 350°F for about 4 minutes, while cake-style donuts may need up to 7 minutes at the same temperature.

When frying donut holes, adjust the frying time accordingly. Donut holes are typically smaller and will take less time to cook, around 3 to 6 minutes depending on the recipe.

It is important to note that every model and brand of air fryer is different, so frying times can vary. It is recommended to fry a test donut to determine if any adjustments are needed for your specific air fryer.

Additionally, the temperature and frying time will also depend on the desired doneness of your donuts. For a lighter colour and less deep-fried flavour, a shorter frying time is recommended. For a darker, more intense colour and a stronger deep-fried flavour, increase the frying time.

When frying, it is crucial to not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Place the donuts in a single layer, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking. You may need to fry the donuts in multiple batches.

Some recipes also suggest flipping the donuts halfway through the frying process to ensure even cooking and browning on both sides.

Glazing and Toppings

There are many ways to glaze and top your air-fried donuts. Here are some ideas:

Glazes

• Basic donut glaze: Mix together 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 4 tablespoons of hot water.
• Maple glaze: Stir together 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 5 tablespoons of maple syrup.
• Chocolate glaze: Melt chocolate chips and fold them into the basic glaze mixture, along with 1-2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.

Toppings

• Sprinkles: Top your donuts with sprinkles right after dipping them in the glaze.
• Cinnamon sugar: Combine 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Spray donuts with oil spray before dipping them in the mixture.
• Maple bacon: Use the maple glaze on top and sprinkle with crispy bacon bits.

Storage and Reheating

Air-fried donuts are best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

To reheat, place the donuts in the air fryer and heat them at 165 degrees Celsius for about 4 minutes. This will give them a freshly made taste and texture.

You can also freeze the donuts if you want to enjoy them at a later date. It is best to freeze them unglazed. When you are ready to eat them, reheat the frozen donuts in the air fryer and glaze them immediately once they are out.

Do not store glazed donuts in the fridge, as this will cause the glaze to melt and be absorbed into the donut, resulting in a sticky mess.

Additionally, if you are reheating store-bought donuts, avoid reheating iced or filled donuts in the air fryer, as the icing or filling will melt and create a mess. Plain cake donuts or donut holes are better options for reheating in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions