Air Fryer Cake Donuts: Baking Perfection

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason. They can cook food quickly and easily, and with less oil than traditional frying methods. But can you bake cake donuts in an air fryer? The short answer is yes, you can. However, the results may vary depending on the recipe and method used. Some recipes call for canned biscuit dough, which can be shaped into donuts and cooked in the air fryer. This method is easy and convenient, but the results may taste more like biscuits with sugar on top than real donuts. For a more authentic donut taste and texture, it's better to make your donut dough from scratch using ingredients like flour, sugar, milk, butter, and yeast. This dough can then be shaped into donuts and cooked in the air fryer for a few minutes until golden brown. The key to getting a delicious, crispy exterior and moist interior is to use a light spray of oil in the air fryer and not to overcrowd the basket so that the donuts can cook evenly.

Yeast doughnuts vs cake doughnuts

Yeast doughnuts and cake doughnuts are two distinct types of doughnuts, each with its own unique characteristics and appeal.

Yeast doughnuts are typically made with a yeasted dough, similar to brioche, resulting in a puffy, light, and slightly chewy texture. The dough is enriched with ingredients such as eggs, milk, and butter, which give the doughnuts structure, moisture, and flavour. The yeast-risen dough is cut and proofed again before being fried in oil, resulting in a smooth and pillowy treat. The flavour of yeast doughnuts is usually subtle, but various toppings and fillings, such as glaze, icing, sprinkles, cream, or jelly, elevate them to the next level.

On the other hand, cake doughnuts are made with a cake batter that gets its lift from chemical leaveners such as baking powder and/or baking soda. The interior of a cake doughnut can be moist and crumbly, dense like a muffin, or fluffy like a birthday cake. Cake doughnuts are typically smaller than yeast doughnuts and often have a puckered hole in the middle. They have a crisp, golden outside and a soft, chewy interior. One of the advantages of cake doughnuts is their versatility in terms of flavour; you can add ingredients such as cider, cocoa, or blueberries to the batter to create different varieties.

In terms of texture, yeast doughnuts are lighter and fluffier due to the yeast-risen dough, while cake doughnuts are denser and have a crumbly texture. Cake doughnuts are considered better for dunking in coffee, while yeast doughnuts provide more chewiness.

When it comes to preparation, yeast doughnuts require more time and effort due to the need for proofing and working with yeast. Cake doughnuts, on the other hand, can be made by simply combining the ingredients to form a thick batter-like dough, which is then fried or baked.

Both types of doughnuts have their pros and cons, and the preference between yeast and cake doughnuts often comes down to personal taste and what one grew up with.

Baked vs fried doughnuts

Baked doughnuts are cooked in the oven, while fried doughnuts are deep-fried in oil. Baked doughnuts are lower in fat and calories because they don't absorb oil during cooking. They are also easier and less messy to make. Baked doughnuts are lighter, while fried doughnuts are denser. Fried doughnuts are yeast recipes that rise to great heights, are light in texture and medium brown. Baked doughnuts are smaller, baking powder-driven and more compact.

Baked doughnuts are brushed with butter and dipped in a sugar/nutmeg topping. They are soft inside and out. The texture is more compact and there isn't the distinctive taste of deep frying. The colour is also much paler.

Fried doughnuts are crispier and have a distinctive taste of almost anything fried. They are also lighter in texture.

Air fryer doughnuts are another option. They are light, spongy, and slightly chewy, and compare quite favourably with deep-fried doughnuts. However, they are slightly smaller than their deep-fried counterparts and are lacking the deep-fried flavour and aroma.

If you want a doughnut that is less sweet, then a baked doughnut is a good option. If you want a doughnut that is more traditional and sweeter, then a fried doughnut is a better choice.

Air fryer vs oven

Air fryers and ovens are both used for cooking, but they have some key differences. Here is a detailed comparison between the two:

Size: Air fryers are typically smaller, countertop appliances that can cook one dish at a time. On the other hand, ovens are full-sized appliances that can handle multiple dishes or larger portions. This makes ovens more suitable for cooking for a larger group or when you need to prepare multiple dishes at once.

Functionality: Air fryers rapidly circulate heated air to cook and crisp up food. They are ideal for frying, baking, roasting, and even dehydrating. Ovens, on the other hand, use still air to cook food and are better suited for baking delicate items and recipes that require liquid batters. Modern ovens often have additional functions like broiling, roasting, and air frying.

Cooking Method: Air fryers have heating elements located at the top of the unit, paired with a large fan, to cook food from the top down. This top-down method cooks food faster and creates a crispy exterior. Ovens, on the other hand, have heating elements on the top and bottom, leaving the air fairly static.

Fan Placement and Speed: Air fryers have a large fan located on top, directly below the heating element. In contrast, ovens have their fan at the back or side. Air fryer fans operate at a higher speed than oven fans, resulting in quicker and crispier cooking.

Accessories: Air fryers come with various perforated accessories like baskets, trays, and racks that allow for even cooking. Ovens usually don't require special accessories but can be used with standard baking pans or trays.

Cleaning: Air fryers need to be cleaned every time they are used, and while most parts are dishwasher-safe, they can be bulky. Ovens, on the other hand, don't need to be cleaned after each use, but the accessories used do require cleaning.

In summary, air fryers are excellent for small-batch cooking, provide faster cooking times, and deliver crispier results. Ovens are more versatile, suitable for a wider range of cooking methods, and can handle larger quantities of food.

Glaze options

Classic Donut Glaze

For an authentic donut shop-style glaze, you'll need:

• 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Melt the butter and then stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Add a small amount of hot water, a tablespoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency—somewhere between thick and thin. This glaze dries into a crackly finish and keeps the doughnuts soft.

Maple Glaze

For a maple-flavoured glaze, simply stir together:

• 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
• 5 tablespoons of maple syrup

You can even sprinkle on some crispy bacon bits for a maple bacon topping!

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

If you prefer a crunchy coating over a smooth glaze, cinnamon sugar is a great option. Combine:

• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Lightly spray the doughnuts with oil before dipping them into the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Chocolate Glaze

For chocolate lovers, a simple chocolate glaze can be made by mixing:

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Melted unsalted butter
• Unsweetened cocoa powder

Feel free to add some sprinkles on top for a pop of colour!

Vanilla Glaze

For a simple, classic glaze, whisk together:

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Storage Tips

Freshly made doughnuts are always best, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should keep for 1-2 days. You can also freeze unglazed doughnuts and then reheat and glaze them when you're ready to serve.

Storage

Air fryer cake donuts are best consumed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. They will stay soft and chewy this way. You can also wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you want to freeze your donuts, it's best to do so as soon as they are baked and without any icing or fillings. Frozen donuts can last up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat them, defrost them at room temperature, then reheat in the air fryer or microwave.

• Don't store them on a section of your counter that gets a lot of sunlight, as this can cause the icing or frosting to melt and make the donuts stale faster.
• If you're storing your donuts at room temperature, it's best to eat them within a day or two.
• If you're storing your donuts in the fridge, they will last 3-4 days but are best eaten within 2-3 days.
• To reheat your donuts, you can use the microwave, oven, or toaster. The microwave is your best option, as it creates a moist heat that will make your donuts soft and tender.
• If you're reheating frozen donuts, unwrap them and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Heat them for 20-25 seconds, then check and heat for another 10 seconds if needed.
• If you want to refresh your donuts, you can dip them into new icing after reheating.

Frequently asked questions