Air-Fried Doughnuts: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and with them, a whole host of recipes have emerged, including air-fried doughnuts. But do they measure up to the real thing?

Air-fried doughnuts are made with a simple yeasted dough and glazed with a sweet, buttery topping. They are soft and fluffy inside and crispy on the outside. The main benefit of cooking doughnuts in an air fryer is that they are lighter and healthier than deep-fried doughnuts as they don't absorb as much oil. However, some people argue that air-fried doughnuts are not as good as their deep-fried counterparts as they are slightly smaller, lighter in colour, and lack the deep-fried flavour and aroma.

So, can you make doughnuts in an air fryer? The answer is yes, but the result will be different from the classic, fried doughnut. If you want a tasty treat that doesn't require a deep fryer, then air-fried doughnuts could be for you.

Yeast doughnuts vs. canned biscuit dough

Ingredients

Canned biscuit dough is a convenient shortcut for making air fryer doughnuts. However, traditional doughnuts are typically made with yeast dough. Yeast doughnuts are made from scratch, using ingredients like yeast, milk, sugar, butter, eggs, flour, and salt. On the other hand, canned biscuit dough contains a long list of ingredients, including preservatives and additives.

Taste and Texture

Yeast doughnuts made in an air fryer have a surprisingly good texture: they are light, spongy, and slightly chewy, comparable to deep-fried doughnuts. However, they may be slightly smaller and less attractive in colour than their deep-fried counterparts. In contrast, canned biscuit doughnuts are described as tasting like biscuits with sugar on top, rather than like authentic doughnuts.

Preparation

Yeast doughnuts require more preparation time as the dough needs to be made from scratch, kneaded, and allowed to rise. Canned biscuit dough, on the other hand, is a convenient option as it is ready to use and can be cooked in the air fryer in just a few minutes.

Glaze

Both yeast doughnuts and canned biscuit doughnuts can be glazed. A simple glaze can be made by whisking together ingredients like butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Yeast doughnuts are also often dipped in a sugar glaze, while canned biscuit doughnuts can be tossed in cinnamon-sugar.

Storage

Both types of doughnuts are best consumed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day or two days. They can also be frozen and reheated in the air fryer.

How to shape doughnuts without a cutter

So, you want to make doughnuts but don't have a doughnut cutter? Don't worry, you can still achieve that classic doughnut shape with a few items from your kitchen. Here's how to shape doughnuts without a cutter:

First, you'll need to decide on the thickness of your doughnuts. The standard thickness is about 1/2 an inch. Next, gather two circular objects with sharp edges, one larger than the other. A good option for the larger circle is a wide drinking glass or a wide-mouth canning ring. For the smaller circle, you can use a shot glass. If you don't have anything with a sharp edge, you can also use a knife to cut out the dough.

When cutting, be sure to maintain the correct proportions. The centre hole should not be too big, as this will result in a thin doughnut that resembles an onion ring. If the hole is too small, the dough will not cook evenly.

If you don't have any circular objects to work with, you can get creative. Consider using clean, empty cans with thin, sharp edges from canned vegetables or fruits. You can also use the cap from a water bottle or the top of a wine bottle, depending on the size of the doughnut you want.

In a pinch, you can even print out a paper template of a doughnut and cut around it with a knife, but be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can affect how the dough cooks.

Now that you have your tools, it's time to cut the dough. For the larger circle, gently press your chosen tool into the dough to create the outer shape of the doughnut. Then, use your smaller tool or a knife to cut out the centre hole. That's it! You've now shaped your doughnuts without a cutter.

Remember, it's important to work with the right dough consistency and thickness to ensure your doughnuts cook evenly. Happy frying!

How to make a donut glaze

Making a glaze for your donuts is easy and takes your homemade treats to the next level of deliciousness. Here is a simple glaze recipe that dries and gets crackly, along with some variations you can try.

For a basic donut glaze, you will need:

• 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 cups of powdered sugar (also called confectioner's or icing sugar)
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons of hot water, or as needed

Start by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, take the pan off the heat and stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until you have a smooth mixture. Then, stir in the hot water, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze is thin but not watery. Set the glaze aside until you are ready to dip your donuts.

This basic glaze can be adapted in many ways. For a maple glaze, simply stir together 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 5 tablespoons of maple syrup. Or, for a chocolate glaze, add 2-3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the glaze ingredients. You can also experiment with different extracts and citrus zests or use fruit juice instead of milk. If you want to add a salty touch to your glaze, a pinch of salt will cut the sweetness ever so slightly.

How to store air fryer doughnuts

Air fryer doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They will get tougher as time goes on, so it's recommended to eat them on the same day they're made.

If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them. Place the doughnuts in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy them, thaw them overnight in the fridge, then reheat them in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through.

Don't put glazed doughnuts in the fridge, as this will cause the glaze to melt and absorb into the doughnut, resulting in a sticky mess.

How to prevent doughnuts from sticking to the air fryer

There are several ways to prevent doughnuts from sticking to the air fryer:

Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. This allows the heating element to reach the desired temperature, which can help to cook the food more efficiently and prevent it from sticking to the basket.

Secondly, adding a small amount of oil to your doughnuts before placing them in the air fryer will help to prevent sticking. The oil forms a barrier between the food and the surface of the basket, making it easier to remove the doughnuts after cooking.

Thirdly, do not overfill your air fryer. Overcrowding the basket can cause the doughnuts to stick together and cook more slowly, as there is less space for hot air to circulate.

Additionally, it is important to check on your doughnuts while they are cooking. Air fryers can cook food quickly, so regular monitoring can help to prevent overcooking and sticking.

Using the correct temperature and cooking time for your doughnuts is also crucial. If the temperature is too low or the cooking time is too short, the doughnuts may not cook properly and stick to the basket. On the other hand, if the temperature is too high or the cooking time is too long, the doughnuts may overcook and stick.

Finally, cleaning your air fryer basket regularly and ensuring it is dry will help to prevent food from sticking. Built-up food residue on the basket can increase the likelihood of sticking.

Frequently asked questions