Air-Fried Donuts: The Perfect Raised Treat?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason. They can be used to make everything from chicken wings to onion rings, and even desserts like churros and doughnuts. But do air-fried doughnuts live up to the real thing?

The consensus is that air-fried doughnuts are a tasty treat, but they don't replicate the classic, deep-fried variety. They are, however, a healthier alternative, as they are lighter and less greasy. Air-fried doughnuts are also a great option for those who don't want to deal with the mess and hassle of deep-frying.

So, if you're looking for a delicious, yeast-raised doughnut that's a little less indulgent, then air-frying is a great option. But if you're craving that classic, deep-fried doughnut experience, you might want to stick to the traditional method.

Yeast-raised donuts

To make yeast-raised donuts in an air fryer, start by activating the yeast. Sprinkle the yeast over lukewarm milk (around 100°F), add a little sugar, and gently stir. Let the mixture sit for about ten minutes until it becomes frothy.

Next, add the remaining dough ingredients and knead the dough in a stand mixer until it is elastic and smooth. This should take about 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and gently roll it out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a 3-inch and a 1-inch biscuit cutter to cut out the donuts. You can also use a wide drinking glass or a wide-mouth canning ring and a shot glass if you don't have biscuit cutters.

Place the cut-out donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rise again for about 20-30 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and carefully transfer the donuts into the basket in a single layer. Spray the donuts with cooking spray and cook at 350°F for about 4 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

While the donuts are cooking, you can make the glaze by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in hot water, a little at a time, until the glaze is thin but not watery.

Dip the hot donuts into the glaze and place them on a wire rack to allow any excess glaze to drip off. Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before serving.

Air fryer yeast-raised donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the unglazed donuts and reheat them in the air fryer before glazing.

Air fryer temperature

When preparing the yeast dough, it is important to activate the yeast by mixing it with lukewarm milk and a small amount of sugar. The mixture should be left to sit for about ten minutes until it becomes frothy and emits a yeasty aroma. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.

After forming the donuts, they should be placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of the air fryer, cooking the donuts in batches may be necessary. Lightly spraying the donuts with oil before air frying helps achieve a crispy exterior.

The cooking time for donuts in an air fryer varies depending on the model and brand. For yeast-raised donuts, the cooking time is typically around 4 to 8 minutes, while cake-style donuts may take up to 7 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the donuts to ensure they do not overcook.

Once the donuts are cooked, they can be glazed or tossed in cinnamon sugar. A simple glaze can be made by mixing powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. The warm donuts are then dipped into the glaze and allowed to set for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Air fryer donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Alternatively, they can be frozen and reheated in the air fryer for a later treat.

Glaze ingredients

Glaze is an essential component of any donut recipe, and you can make a variety of glazes with simple ingredients. Here are some ingredients you can use to make the perfect glaze for your air-fried donuts:

Powdered Sugar or Confectioner's Sugar

This is the base ingredient for your glaze and provides the desired sweetness. It can be called powdered sugar, confectioner's sugar, or icing sugar, and they can all be used interchangeably. Be sure to sift the sugar before mixing to avoid lumps in your glaze.

Milk or Cream

You can use any type of milk, from skimmed to full-fat, or even non-dairy alternatives. Alternatively, you can use cream for a richer glaze. The amount of milk or cream added will depend on how thin or thick you want your glaze to be. Start with a smaller amount and gradually add more until you achieve the desired consistency.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the glaze. You can use clear vanilla extract if you want a pure white glaze, as some vanilla extracts can add a brown hue. Alternatively, you can use vanilla bean paste or other extracts or citrus zest for different flavor profiles.

Salt

Adding a pinch of salt to your glaze is optional but can help balance the sweetness and enhance the other flavors.

Butter

Melted butter is another essential ingredient in donut glaze. It provides flavor and helps the glaze adhere to the donuts.

Other Flavor Variations

You can experiment with different flavors by replacing the milk with your favorite fruit juice or swapping the vanilla extract with other extracts or citrus zest. For a chocolate glaze, simply add unsweetened cocoa powder to the glaze mixture.

Donut shape

The shape of your donuts is important to get right, and you can use a variety of tools to achieve the perfect ring shape. If you have a donut cutter or biscuit cutters, you can use these to cut out the donut shapes and holes. You can also use a 3-inch and 1-inch round cookie cutter to cut out the donuts. If you don't have any of these, look around your kitchen for alternatives. A wide drinking glass or wide-mouth canning ring and a shot glass can work well.

Roll out your dough to the desired thickness, usually around 1/2 inch, on a lightly floured surface. Then use your chosen tools to cut out the donut shapes. Place the donuts onto some parchment paper, brush them with melted butter, and let them rise.

If you want to make donut holes, simply use the dough that you cut out from the middle of the donuts.

Donut size

When it comes to donut size, the thickness at which you roll out the dough will determine the final size of your donuts. For yeast-raised donuts, you'll want to roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Then, use a 3-inch and a 1-inch biscuit cutter to cut out the donuts and donut holes. If you don't have biscuit cutters, you can use a wide drinking glass or wide-mouth canning ring and a shot glass. For air fryer donuts made with Greek yogurt dough, roll each portion of dough into a long, sausage shape and connect both sides to form a donut.

The size of your air fryer basket will also determine how many donuts you can cook at once. Most recipes recommend cooking the donuts in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Place the donuts in a single layer in the basket, leaving about 1 inch of space between each donut.

Additionally, the size of the donut holes is important. For yeast-raised donuts, use a 1-inch round cookie cutter or the base of a large pastry tip to cut out the holes. For canned biscuit dough, use a 1-inch round biscuit cutter or a similarly-sized bottle cap.

Frequently asked questions