Reheating Cinnamon Donuts: Air Fryer Magic

Cinnamon donuts are a delicious treat, but what happens when you have leftovers? You could try eating them cold, but this is less than ideal. Reheating cinnamon donuts in an air fryer is a great way to restore their crispiness and enjoy them as if they were freshly made. Air fryers are able to re-crisp foods that have become soft, ensuring the outside is crisp and the inside remains soft and fluffy. This method is also much faster than other reheating methods and can have your cinnamon donuts ready to eat in just a few minutes.

How to reheat cinnamon donuts in an air fryer

Reheating cinnamon donuts in an air fryer is a great way to restore their crispiness and enjoy them as if they were freshly baked. Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, ensuring even heating without the sogginess that can come from microwaving. The air fryer method is also faster than other reheating methods and doesn't require any additional oil.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Cinnamon Donuts in an Air Fryer:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes. This ensures even heating of your cinnamon donuts.

Step 2: Prepare the Donuts

Take your cinnamon donuts out of the fridge and place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other and that there is enough space for proper air circulation.

Step 3: Air Fry the Donuts

Set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes. Check on your donuts halfway through the cooking time to ensure they are not burning. If you desire a crispier texture, you can cook them for an additional minute.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Warm Cinnamon Donuts

Your cinnamon donuts are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them warm with a cup of coffee, milk, or tea.

Pro Tips for Reheating Cinnamon Donuts in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer for more consistent results.
• Space out the donuts in a single layer to ensure even heating.
• Check on the donuts frequently to prevent overcooking.
• Adjust the temperature slightly if your cinnamon donuts have delicate toppings like glaze or chocolate.
• Use parchment paper liners for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking.
• Let the donuts rest for a couple of minutes after reheating to allow even heat distribution, especially if they have a filling.
• Experiment with different temperatures and timings based on your air fryer's performance.

Benefits of using an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat cinnamon donuts in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 2-5 minutes. Place your donuts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other and there is enough space for them to crisp up properly. Set your air fryer to 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Check your donuts halfway through the cooking time to ensure they are not burning. If your donuts are not as crisp as you would like, you can cook them for another minute.

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years, and for good reason. Here are some of the benefits of using an air fryer:

Fast and Healthy Cooking

Air fryers can prepare delicious and healthy dishes quickly and easily. They use hot air to create a crisp texture without deep-frying, allowing you to make meals with little to no oil. This makes it a great way to cook healthy food without sacrificing taste.

Quick and Safe Cooking

Air fryers can drastically reduce the time it takes to cook meals compared to traditional methods, making them perfect for busy households. They are also much safer than deep-frying, as there is no risk of hot oil splattering or burning.

Crunchy Meals Without Deep Frying

Air fryers use hot air circulated at high speed to create a crisp texture without submerging food in oil. This makes it a healthier and more efficient way of cooking meals, as you can achieve the same delicious flavor with significantly less fat.

Simple and Straightforward Cleaning

Most air fryer models have removable parts that are dishwasher-safe, making cleaning a breeze. All you need to do is empty the basket, wipe it down with a damp cloth, and rinse any residue from the cooking chamber.

Even Heating

Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, ensuring it is heated uniformly. This means no cold centers or overly hot edges, which can sometimes occur when using a microwave.

Energy Efficiency

Air fryers are energy-efficient, using less energy than traditional ovens and stovetops. This is not only good for the environment but also for your wallet, as it can help lower your electricity bill.

Tips for making cinnamon donuts

Ingredients

To make cinnamon donuts, you will need the following ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Leavening agent (baking powder)
• Sugar (granulated white sugar or brown sugar)
• Milk (whole milk or low-fat)
• Eggs
• Ground cinnamon
• Butter (unsalted)

Equipment

You will also need the following equipment:

• Air fryer (with a capacity of at least 5 quarts)
• Mixing bowls (in different sizes)
• Donut pan or moulds (non-stick with 6-12 donut cavities)
• Silicone spatulas and spoons
• Cooling racks

Preparing the Donuts

First, mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. This forms your dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, milk, butter, and sugar until well blended to form your wet mixture.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough. The batter should be thick but still able to be drizzled.

Next, prepare your donut pan or moulds by spraying them lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Using a spoon or a piping bag, scoop the batter into the donut cavities, filling each about 3/4 full.

Place the filled donut pan into your preheated air fryer and set the temperature to 370°F. The cooking time will depend on the size of your donuts, but it should be between 5-8 minutes. Air fry until the donuts are puffed and golden brown.

Let the donuts cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the pan. Then, it's time to coat them in cinnamon sugar!

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Mix together 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl or plate. You can adjust these measurements to your taste.

Gently roll the hot, freshly cooked donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely coated. The heat from the donuts will help the coating stick. Set the coated donuts aside on a cooling rack or plate to allow any excess cinnamon sugar to fall off before serving.

Storage

To keep your cinnamon donuts fresh and tasty, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Plastic containers or resealable bags work well. Stored properly, air fryer cinnamon donuts will stay fresh for 2-4 days.

Reheating

To reheat your cinnamon donuts, you can use either a microwave or the air fryer. For the microwave, place the donut on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 10-15 seconds. For the air fryer, preheat it to 300°F and cook the donut for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway through.

How to store cinnamon donuts

Cinnamon donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, storing them properly will help retain their freshness and flavour. Here's how to store cinnamon donuts based on the duration and your needs:

Short-Term Storage (1-2 Days)

Place the donuts in a paper bag and then put that bag in a plastic storage bag or airtight container. This helps to absorb any excess oil or moisture, preventing the donuts from becoming soggy. Keep the bag in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Avoid sealing the donuts completely in a plastic bag without the paper bag, as this can trap humidity and make them soggy.

Avoid Refrigerating

Storing donuts in the refrigerator can cause them to become stale and dry out more quickly due to the cool, circulating air. If you must refrigerate them, consume them quickly or consider reheating them before eating.

Longer Storage (Beyond 2 Days)

If you want to keep donuts for more than a couple of days, freezing is the best option. Individually wrap each donut in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. Place the wrapped donuts in a zip-top freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the bag with the date and type of donut for reference. Store in the freezer for up to three months. To consume, allow them to thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.

Pro Tips for Storing Donuts

• Cream-filled or dairy-topped donuts: Any donuts with dairy toppings or fillings should be consumed quickly or stored in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. Remember that refrigeration can affect the texture.
• Check for mould: If you're storing donuts beyond a day or two, always inspect them for signs of mould or spoilage before consumption.
• Reheating: Donuts can benefit from reheating, especially when stored in the freezer or refrigerator. Methods like microwaving for a few seconds or using an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer can refresh the texture and warmth of the donut.

How to make vegan or gluten-free cinnamon donuts

How to Make Vegan Cinnamon Donuts

These vegan cinnamon donuts are easy to make and can be ready in just 20 minutes. They are baked, not fried, so they are lighter than regular donuts. The recipe yields about 12 donuts.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons soy milk (or any non-dairy milk)
• 1 tablespoon applesauce
• 1 tablespoon melted vegan butter
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup melted vegan butter

Method

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a donut pan with non-stick spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy milk, applesauce, melted vegan butter, and vanilla.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
• Spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 of the way full. Be careful not to overfill, as the donuts will rise.
• Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
• Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack with a sheet of parchment paper underneath to catch any mess.
• Dip the donuts into the melted butter, then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat.
• Serve immediately or within one day. Leftovers can be stored at room temperature for up to two days.

Tips

• For oil-free donuts, omit the melted vegan butter in the batter and coating.
• Any non-dairy milk can be used in place of soy milk.
• Whole wheat pastry flour, spelt flour, or gluten-free flour can be used instead of all-purpose flour.
• If you don't have applesauce, you can substitute an extra tablespoon of melted vegan butter, oil, vegan yogurt, or coconut milk.

How to Make Gluten-Free Cinnamon Donuts

These gluten-free cinnamon donuts are ready in less than 20 minutes and can be made with a gluten-free flour blend of your choice. They are also dairy-free and nut-free.

Ingredients

• 1 cup gluten-free flour blend
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
• 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or oil of choice)
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons dairy-free milk (or regular milk)
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Method

• Preheat the oven to 425°F and grease a six-serving donut pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
• Add the egg, vanilla, oil, dairy-free milk, and vinegar. Stir until combined.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full. Make sure the batter does not cover the center of the donut where the hole will go.
• Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the donuts rise and set.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Carefully remove the donuts from the pan. You may need to use a spoon or spatula to loosen them if they stick.
• Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Dip the tops of the donuts into the coating, then flip to coat the bottoms.
• Place the coated donuts on a wire rack or tray.
• Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

Tips

• When measuring gluten-free flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off. Do not scoop the measuring cup into the flour.
• Any dairy-free milk can be used, except for buttermilk or full-fat coconut milk, as these will make the batter too thick.
• For an egg-free version, you can use a flax egg. To make one flax egg, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water and let it thicken in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Frequently asked questions