Making Donuts In A Brio Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can make donuts in your Brio air fryer. Air fryer donuts are a popular alternative to deep-fried donuts, as they are less fatty and still tasty. You can make yeast-raised donuts or cake-style donuts in an air fryer. However, yeast-raised donuts are generally more successful, as cake-style donuts don't rise as well in the air fryer. You can also use canned biscuit dough or make your donuts from scratch.

How to make the dough

Making the dough for your donuts is a simple process, but it does require some time and patience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the dough for your air fryer donuts:

Ingredients:

• Flour (all-purpose or self-rising)
• Leavening agent (baking powder, baking soda, or yeast)
• Liquid (milk, water, or yogurt)
• Fat (butter or oil)
• Sugar (optional)
• Salt

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, leavening agent, and sugar (if using). Whisk or stir the ingredients until they are well mixed. This will ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 2: Add Liquid and Fat

Create a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add your liquid of choice (milk, water, or yogurt). Melted butter or oil can also be added at this stage for extra flavour and moisture. Start with a smaller amount of liquid and gradually add more as needed to form the dough.

Step 3: Mix and Knead the Dough

Using a spatula or wooden spoon, start mixing the ingredients until they come together to form a rough dough. Once it becomes difficult to mix with a spoon, use your hands to bring the dough together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, but not too wet. If the dough is too sticky, add a small amount of flour and knead it in.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rest

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp cloth. Let the dough rest and rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour or until it has doubled in size. This resting period allows the gluten to relax and the leavening agent to work, giving your donuts a softer texture.

Step 5: Roll and Cut the Dough

After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface again and roll it out to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Use a donut cutter or a round biscuit cutter to cut out the donut shapes. You can also use a drinking glass or a wide-mouth canning ring if you don't have a donut cutter. Place the cut donuts on a piece of parchment paper and let them rest for another 30 minutes to an hour to rise again.

Tips:

• If you are using yeast as your leavening agent, activate it by sprinkling it over lukewarm milk (about 100°F to 115°F) and adding a small amount of sugar. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
• If you want to add a glaze to your donuts, combine powdered sugar with water, milk, or butter to create a thin glaze. Dip the hot donuts in the glaze and place them on a wire rack to allow the excess glaze to drip off.
• For cinnamon-sugar donuts, brush the warm donuts with melted butter and toss them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

How to shape the doughnuts

Shaping doughnuts is an important step in the doughnut-making process. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to shape the dough to make perfect doughnuts in your Brio Air Fryer:

Firstly, after preparing your dough and letting it rise, you will need to roll it out to the desired thickness. The ideal thickness for doughnuts is usually around 1/2 inch. Use a rolling pin to achieve an even thickness throughout the dough.

Next, you will need to cut out the doughnut shapes. The standard way to do this is by using a doughnut cutter, which includes a large circle to cut the outer shape and a smaller circle to cut out the middle (or the doughnut hole). If you don't have a doughnut cutter, you can use two circular cookie cutters or even a wide drinking glass and a smaller shot glass. Simply press the cutter or glass firmly into the dough to cut out the shapes.

If you are making filled doughnuts, you will need to use a cutter without a centre, or simply cut out the centres by hand after cutting the doughnut shapes.

Once you have cut out your doughnuts, gather the scraps of dough and roll them out again to cut more doughnuts. You can re-roll the dough a few times to use up all the dough. Place the cut doughnuts and doughnut holes on a lightly floured surface or baking sheet, and cover them loosely with greased plastic wrap. Let them rest and rise for about 30 minutes while you prepare your air fryer.

Now your doughnuts are shaped and ready to be cooked in your Brio Air Fryer!

Air-frying temperature and time

The temperature and time for air frying donuts vary depending on the type of dough used.

For yeast-raised donuts, the air fryer should be set to 350°F for about 4 minutes. For cake-style donuts, the air fryer should be set to the same temperature but for about 7 minutes. Cake-style donuts take longer to cook in the air fryer because the dough is denser.

For donuts made with canned biscuit dough, the air fryer should be set to 350°F to 375°F for about 5 minutes. It is important to note that air-frying times can vary, even among the best air fryer brands, so it is recommended to keep an eye on the donuts while they are cooking.

For donuts made with Greek yogurt dough, the air fryer should be set to 400°F for 7 to 8 minutes.

Making the glaze

For a simple glaze, you'll need three ingredients: milk or cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract. You can also add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and enhance the other flavours. If you want to make a larger batch of glaze, use the following measurements: 4 cups of confectioner's sugar, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 10 to 12 tablespoons of milk or cream.

Start by adding the confectioner's sugar to a bowl. If your sugar is lumpy, sift it into the bowl first to ensure a smooth glaze. Next, add the milk or cream, followed by the vanilla extract. Then, simply mix until the glaze is smooth and fluid. You can also add a tiny splash of milk or cream to get the right consistency if your glaze is too thick.

If you want to get creative, you can switch up the flavours by replacing the milk with your favourite fruit juice or swapping the vanilla with other extracts or citrus zest. For a pure white glaze, use clear vanilla extract instead of regular vanilla.

Once your glaze is ready, dunk each side of the warm donuts into it, and place them on a wire rack to allow any excess glaze to drip off. The glaze will set in about 20 minutes.

If you're not planning to use the glaze right away, you can make it ahead and store it. Simply cover the bowl with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. Take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you need it and give it a stir to loosen it up.

Now you know how to make the perfect glaze, you're ready to take your homemade donuts to the next level!

Storing and reheating the doughnuts

Storing and reheating your doughnuts properly is essential to ensure you get the best taste and texture when you eat them. Here's a detailed guide:

Storing Doughnuts:

• Room Temperature Storage: The best way to store doughnuts is in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for 1-2 days.
• Refrigeration: If you want to keep your doughnuts for longer, you can refrigerate them for up to five days. However, avoid putting glazed doughnuts in the fridge, as it can cause the glaze to melt and absorb into the doughnut, resulting in a sticky mess.
• Freezing: You can also freeze doughnuts, especially if they are unglazed. Place them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to six months. Defrost them thoroughly before serving.

Reheating Doughnuts:

• Air Fryer: Reheat your doughnuts in an air fryer at 180°C for 4-6 minutes. Immediately after reheating, roll them in sugar and let them rest for a few minutes before enjoying.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C and bake the doughnuts for 6-8 minutes. Remove them from the oven, roll them in sugar, and let them rest before consuming.
• Microwave: For an 800-watt microwave, use a 20-second burst followed by a 10-second rest until the doughnuts are warmed through. You can also try 10-15 seconds for a standard microwave. Remove them from the microwave and immediately roll them in sugar. Let them rest before eating.

Remember, the key to successful reheating is to not overdo it. Every appliance is different, so adjust the timings as needed. Additionally, always allow your doughnuts to rest for a few minutes after reheating and before serving to ensure the best texture and taste.

Frequently asked questions