Air-Fryer Donuts: A Tasty Treat Without The Oil?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and with good reason. They can be used to cook a variety of foods, from vegetables to meat, and even desserts. One question that people often ask is whether you can make donuts in an air fryer. The answer is yes, you can!

Air fryer donuts are usually made with a simple yeasted dough and then glazed or tossed in cinnamon sugar. They are soft and fluffy inside and crisp on the outside. While they may not taste exactly like deep-fried donuts, they are still delicious and a great option if you want to avoid frying.

Yeast vs. canned biscuit dough

There are two main ways to make donuts in an air fryer: using a canned biscuit dough or making the dough from scratch with yeast. While the canned biscuit dough method is much quicker and easier, the yeast method produces donuts that taste more authentic.

Canned Biscuit Dough

Canned biscuit dough is a quick and convenient option for making air fryer donuts. The dough is already shaped into rounds, which makes the process faster and less messy. It also produces taller, flakier donuts. However, the downside of using canned biscuit dough is that the resulting donuts will taste more like biscuits with sugar on top than like real donuts.

Yeast Dough

Making yeast dough from scratch is more time-consuming and requires more ingredients, but it is worth the effort if you want your air fryer donuts to taste like the real deal. The yeast dough method produces donuts that are soft on the outside and have a fluffy, tender interior. They taste like they have been deep-fried, but with less fat.

To make yeast dough, you will need to activate the yeast by sprinkling it over lukewarm milk and adding a little bit of sugar. Then, you will need to add the remaining dough ingredients and knead the dough until it is elastic and smooth. This process takes about 5 minutes.

Both methods can be used to make delicious donuts in an air fryer, but the yeast dough method is superior if you want your donuts to taste like they came from a donut shop. However, if you are short on time or simply want to satisfy a donut craving quickly, the canned biscuit dough method is a good option.

Glaze vs. cinnamon-sugar coating

There are a few different ways to coat your air-fried doughnuts, and two of the most popular options are glaze and cinnamon-sugar coating. Both are delicious, but they do have some differences in terms of taste, texture, and preparation.

Glaze

Glaze is a popular choice for doughnuts and can be made in a variety of flavours, such as vanilla, chocolate, or maple. To make a simple glaze, you will need ingredients like butter, powdered sugar, and a liquid such as milk or water. You can also add flavour extracts or spices to create different flavours. The glaze is made by mixing these ingredients together to form a smooth, thin icing. The hot doughnuts are then dipped into the glaze, creating a sweet and sticky coating.

One advantage of glaze is that it can help keep the doughnuts soft and moist. As air-fried doughnuts can dry out faster than deep-fried ones, a glaze can help to seal in some moisture and keep them fresh for longer.

Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

Cinnamon-sugar coating is a classic choice for doughnuts and is very easy to make. Simply combine cinnamon and granulated sugar in a bowl, then toss the warm doughnuts in the mixture until they are evenly coated. This method creates a crunchy, sugary exterior that complements the soft interior of the doughnut.

Both glaze and cinnamon-sugar coating have their unique advantages. If you prefer a doughnut with a shiny, sweet exterior and a softer texture, then glaze is the way to go. On the other hand, if you like a doughnut with a crunchy, sugary coating that contrasts with the softness of the dough, then cinnamon-sugar is the better option. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, and you may want to try both methods to see which one you like best!

Air fryer vs. oven baking

Air-fried donuts are a tempting prospect for those who want to avoid deep-frying in oil. While it is possible to make donuts in an air fryer, the results vary depending on the type of donut you want to make.

Air-fried yeast-raised donuts are a tasty treat, with a light, spongy, and slightly chewy texture. They are a good alternative to deep-fried donuts, as they are less oily and healthier. However, they may not be as attractive in colour and may lack the deep-fried flavour and aroma associated with traditional donuts.

On the other hand, cake-style donuts do not fare well in the air fryer. They do not rise or colour as much, and their texture can be dry and hard. For cake-style donuts, it is recommended to use a regular oven or simply deep-fry them to achieve the desired results.

When making donuts in an air fryer, it is important to note that the results may vary depending on the model and brand of the air fryer. It is also crucial to use the correct type of oil spray to prevent damage to the air fryer's coating. Additionally, the temperature and timing should be carefully monitored to avoid overcooking or burning the donuts.

In conclusion, while air fryers can be a convenient and healthier alternative to deep-frying, the results may vary depending on the type of donut and the specific air fryer being used. For those seeking a classic, nostalgic fried donut experience, sticking to traditional deep-frying methods may be the best option.

How to make donut holes

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups of self-rising flour
• 1 cup of vanilla plant-based yogurt
• 3 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/4 cup of dairy-free butter (unsalted)
• 1-2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil
• 1/3 cup of strawberry jam

Method:

First, make the donut hole dough by adding the self-rising flour and vanilla yogurt to a large bowl. Use a rubber spatula to stir these ingredients together until they form lumps and pieces. Then, oil your hands and knead the dough to form a ball. It will be sticky, which is normal. Form a ball, but don't add too much extra flour—add a maximum of 3-4 tablespoons if you need to rub your hand with flour to unstick the dough.

Next, when you have a sticky rough dough ball, wash your hands, dry them, and grease them generously with light olive oil or melted coconut oil. Spray oil on the dough ball and fold it a few times. As your hands and the dough are now oily, the dough will become shiny, elastic, and less sticky.

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 donut holes, each the size of a golf ball.

Spray cooking oil into the air fryer basket. Place the donut holes in a single layer in the basket, leaving a thumb-sized space between each. You don't want the donut holes to touch each other, and they will expand in the air fryer, so make sure they are far apart. Spray oil on the donut holes.

Air fry the donut holes at 350°F (180°C) for 8 to 9 minutes. After this time, shake the basket. If the donut holes are still light in color, return them to the air fryer for 4-5 minutes at the same temperature. The donut holes are ready when they are a nice golden brown color and have puffed up.

Let the air fryer donuts cool down on a cooling rack while preparing the cinnamon sugar coating. In a small bowl, whisk sugar and cinnamon. You can add any spices you like, such as pumpkin spice, nutmeg, or ginger.

Using a pastry brush, brush the donut holes with vegan melted butter or avocado oil. Then, roll each donut hole into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat. You can also simply sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

If you want to fill the donuts with jam, fill a piping bag with a small nozzle or use a syringe. Dip the nozzle on the side of the donut hole and slowly push in the jam. Stop filling when the jam starts to come out. To evenly fill the doughnut hole, repeat the filling on a few sides of the donut hole.

How to prevent sticking

To prevent your donuts from sticking to the air fryer, you'll want to spray the air fryer basket with just a bit of oil. Avoid using non-stick cooking sprays, such as Pam, as these can damage the non-stick coating of the basket. Instead, opt for an olive oil or coconut oil spray.

You can also place a sheet of baking parchment at the bottom of your basket if you're worried about the donuts sticking and to prevent indents from the basket forming on the donuts.

Frequently asked questions