Air-Fried Doughnuts: A Healthy Twist On A Classic Treat

Yes, you can make doughnuts in an air fryer! They're a tasty treat, but they won't taste like the traditional deep-fried variety. Air-fried doughnuts are a healthier alternative, as they're cooked with less oil and are lighter and fluffier. However, they may not be as attractive in colour and will likely be smaller in size.

You can make doughnuts from scratch or use a can of biscuit dough as a shortcut. If you want to make them from scratch, you'll need to activate the yeast, mix and knead the dough, cut out the doughnuts, and then cook them in the air fryer. You can also add a glaze or coat them in cinnamon sugar.

The cooking time will depend on the type of doughnut you're making. Yeast-raised doughnuts will take around 4 minutes, while cake-style doughnuts will take around 7 minutes.

Yeast doughnuts vs cake doughnuts

Yes, you can make doughnuts in an air fryer. In fact, they taste like the "real deal", better than baked, and have less fat than deep-fried doughnuts.

Now, onto the main topic: yeast doughnuts vs cake doughnuts.

Yeast Doughnuts

Yeast doughnuts are made with yeasted dough, usually something similar to brioche. They are puffy, light, and airy, with a subtle flavour, and a delicate, chewy texture. The dough is made with flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and melted butter, and is kneaded to develop gluten. The gluten, along with the yeast, gives yeast doughnuts their characteristic light and airy texture. They are fried in oil after proofing, resulting in a smooth, pillowy treat. They are then topped with a glaze or icing and dressed with sprinkles, or stuffed with cream or jelly fillings.

Cake Doughnuts

Cake doughnuts are made from cake batter, with baking powder and/or baking soda as leavening agents. They have a crisp, golden outside, with a soft, moist, and crumbly interior. The batter is thicker than that of yeast doughnuts, and the doughnuts are either glazed, iced, or rolled in sugar after frying. Cake doughnuts are denser than yeast doughnuts, and are better for dunking in coffee. They also offer more versatility in terms of flavour, as you can add ingredients like cider, cocoa, or blueberries to the batter.

History

The yeast doughnut came first, as yeast has been around for many centuries, whereas chemical leaveners like baking powder are more recent. The American doughnut, for instance, likely started with the Dutch and their yeasted, pork fat-fried olykoeks (oily cakes). Cake doughnuts, on the other hand, are more thoroughly American, with baking powder becoming commercially available in the US in the 1830s, around the same time that cake doughnuts first appeared in US cookbooks. They gained popularity when the Salvation Army served them to soldiers during World War I, and they have been a staple ever since.

Both types of doughnuts have their pros and cons, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Whether you prefer the light and airy texture of yeast doughnuts or the denser, more dunkable cake doughnuts, one thing is clear: a warm, fresh doughnut is the best doughnut.

Air fryer temperature

The air fryer temperature for making doughnuts varies depending on the recipe used. Some recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 350°F (177°C) and cooking the doughnuts for about 4 minutes, while others suggest preheating to 375°F (191°C) and cooking for about 5-8 minutes. It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the model and brand of the air fryer, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on the doughnuts while they're cooking to ensure they don't overcook.

When making doughnuts in an air fryer, it's important to use a cooking spray that is suitable for the appliance. Coconut or olive oil cooking spray is recommended, while non-stick sprays such as PAM should be avoided as they can damage the lining of the air fryer basket.

Additionally, when preparing the dough, it's crucial to activate the yeast by sprinkling it over lukewarm milk with a temperature between 100°F to 110°F (38°C to 46°C). If the milk is too hot, it will kill the yeast, and the dough won't rise properly.

Biscuit dough vs scratch dough

Biscuit dough is a popular shortcut for creating doughnuts, especially when you don't want to make the dough from scratch. The process involves using a small round cookie cutter to make holes in the centre of frozen biscuit dough, before frying the dough in hot oil. The end result is a doughnut that tastes buttery and salty, but can be made to taste more like a traditional doughnut by rolling it in sugar.

However, if you want your doughnuts to taste like the "real deal", it is recommended to make them from scratch using yeast dough. This method is a bit more time-consuming but is still relatively easy and yields better results. The dough is made by activating yeast, adding in the remaining ingredients, kneading the mixture, and letting it rise. Once the dough has risen, it is rolled out, cut into doughnut shapes, and cooked in the air fryer. The end result is a doughnut that is soft on the outside and has a fluffy, tender interior—just like the ones from your favourite doughnut place!

In conclusion, while biscuit dough can be a convenient shortcut for making doughnuts, scratch dough will yield more authentic-tasting results.

Glaze vs cinnamon sugar coating

When it comes to coating your air fryer doughnuts, you have a few options, including glaze and cinnamon sugar. Both are delicious and relatively simple to make, but they each have a distinct taste and texture.

Glaze

A glaze is a sweet, shiny coating that dries into a crackly texture. It adds a lot of sweetness to the doughnut and helps keep the doughnut soft. A basic glaze can be made with powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and hot water. You can also experiment with different flavours, such as maple or chocolate.

Cinnamon Sugar

Cinnamon sugar is another popular option for coating doughnuts. It gives the doughnuts a hint of sweetness and a crunchy texture. Cinnamon sugar is typically made by mixing together granulated sugar and cinnamon, and then sprinkling or dipping the doughnuts in the mixture.

The choice between glaze and cinnamon sugar coating ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a sweeter, softer doughnut, go for the glaze. If you like your doughnuts with a bit of crunch and a more subtle sweetness, cinnamon sugar is the way to go. You could even offer a variety of coatings and let your guests choose their favourite!

Storing and reheating

Storing:

The best way to store your air-fried doughnuts is to place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature. They will stay fresh for 1-2 days. Avoid putting them in the fridge, especially if they are glazed, as this can cause the glaze to melt and be absorbed into the doughnut, resulting in a sticky mess. If you want to freeze your doughnuts, it is best to do so before glazing them.

Reheating:

There are a few different ways to reheat your air-fried doughnuts, depending on whether they are fried or baked, and whether they have been frozen.

Air fryer or oven for fried doughnuts:

• Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius and reheat your doughnuts for 4-6 minutes.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake your doughnuts for 6-8 minutes.

For both the air fryer and oven methods, remove the doughnuts after the allotted time and immediately roll them in sugar. Allow them to rest for a few minutes before eating.

Microwave for fried or baked doughnuts:

• For an 800-watt microwave, give your doughnuts a 20-second burst, followed by a 10-second rest. Repeat this process until they are warmed through.
• Remove the doughnuts from the microwave and immediately roll them in sugar. Allow them to rest for a few minutes before enjoying.

If you are reheating frozen doughnuts, it is best to defrost them thoroughly first, either by leaving them overnight or for several hours, before following one of the above reheating methods.

Now you know how to store and reheat your air-fried doughnuts, you can enjoy them at their best, with a soft, pliable texture and delicious flavour!

Frequently asked questions