Air Fryer Donuts: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years, and for good reason. They can cook food quickly and with less fat than traditional frying methods. But can you put donuts in an air fryer? The short answer is yes, you can. Air fryer donuts are a lighter and healthier alternative to deep-fried donuts as they absorb less oil. They still have a crispy exterior and a moist, fluffy interior, just like traditional donuts. You can make them from scratch or use canned biscuit dough, and there are various glazes and toppings you can use.

How to make donuts in an air fryer

Ingredients and Equipment

To make air fryer donuts, you will need the following ingredients:

• Milk (preferably whole milk)
• Active dry yeast
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter (some recipes also use this for the glaze)
• Eggs
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Olive or coconut oil cooking spray
• Powdered sugar (for the glaze)
• Vanilla extract (optional, for the glaze)

You will also need a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, a donut cutter or biscuit cutters, and an air fryer, of course! Some recipes also recommend a donut pan to help the donuts keep their shape.

Making the Dough

Start by whisking together the warm milk, yeast, and a small amount of sugar in a small bowl. Let the mixture stand until it becomes very bubbly. This should take around 5-10 minutes.

Next, in the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, and the remaining sugar until smooth. Then, stir in the yeast mixture until combined.

Now, add the flour and salt to the mixer bowl. Mix on low speed until a shaggy dough starts to form. Then, increase the speed to medium-low and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This should take around 5 minutes.

First Rise

Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size. This should take around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Shaping the Donuts

Once the dough has risen, punch it down. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a rectangle that is about 1/2-inch thick.

Use a donut cutter or biscuit cutters to cut out your donuts. You will need a larger circle for the outside of the donut and a smaller circle for the donut hole. You can also use round cookie cutters for this. Re-roll the scraps as needed to cut out more donuts.

Place the shaped donuts on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly dusted with flour. Loosely cover the donuts and let them rise again in a warm, draft-free place until they have doubled in size. This should take around 15-20 minutes.

Cooking the Donuts

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

Carefully place the donuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving about 1 inch of space between each donut. Lightly spray the tops of the donuts with oil before air frying.

Cook the donuts for around 6-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Making the Glaze

While the donuts are cooking, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract (if using) until smooth.

Glazing the Donuts

Dip the warm, golden brown donuts into the glaze. Place them on a wire rack and let the glaze set for about 5-10 minutes before serving.

Storing Leftovers

These donuts are best consumed on the same day they are made. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the donuts and reheat them in the air fryer or microwave when you are ready to enjoy them.

Air fryer donut recipes

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying donuts as they are healthier, require less oil, and are quicker to cook. You can make delicious, fluffy, and crispy donuts from scratch in an air fryer. Here are some recipes and tips to help you get started:

Yeast Doughnuts:

For yeast doughnuts, you will need the following ingredients:

• Warm milk (105-110°F)
• Active dry yeast
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter, melted
• All-purpose flour
• Egg (for some recipes)
• Salt

Start by activating the yeast by mixing it with warm milk and a little sugar. Let the mixture sit until it becomes frothy. Then, add the remaining ingredients and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.

Next, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness and cut out the donuts using a donut cutter or biscuit cutters. You can also use a drinking glass or wide-mouth canning ring if you don't have a donut cutter. Place the donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise again.

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, such as coconut or olive oil spray, and place the donuts inside in a single layer. Cook the donuts for about 4-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

For a simple glaze, mix together powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Dip the warm donuts into the glaze and let them set for about 5-10 minutes.

Canned Biscuit Dough Donuts:

If you're short on time, you can also make donuts using canned biscuit dough. You will need:

• Canned biscuit dough
• Olive oil or coconut oil spray
• Unsalted butter, melted
• Cinnamon
• Sugar

Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper and combining cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. Separate the biscuits and use a 1-inch round cutter to cut holes out of the center of each biscuit.

Lightly coat your air fryer basket with olive or coconut oil spray. Place 3-4 donuts in the basket, making sure they don't touch, and set the temperature to 350°F. Cook the donuts for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown. You can also cook the donut holes, which will take about 3 minutes.

Brush the warm donuts with melted butter and toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. You can also use a simple powdered sugar glaze or sprinkles if you prefer.

Tips:

• Avoid non-stick cooking sprays like PAM, as they can damage the coating of your air fryer basket.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook the donuts in batches if needed.
• The time it takes for your donuts to rise will depend on the temperature of your kitchen. For optimal results, aim for a temperature between 75-78°F.
• If you don't have a donut cutter, you can use a wide drinking glass or a large pastry tip for the center hole.

Air fryer donut glaze

Ingredients

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Corn syrup

Method

To make the glaze, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and, if necessary, add hot water a tablespoon at a time until the glaze is thin but not watery. Set aside.

Alternatively, combine the powdered sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl and whisk until smooth.

Tips

• For a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar.
• For a thinner glaze, add more milk or hot water.
• If you want to add some extra sweetness to your glaze, try using sweetened condensed milk instead of regular milk.
• For a shiny glaze, dip the donuts while they are still warm.
• If you prefer a less sweet donut, simply reduce the amount of glaze you use or opt for a cinnamon-sugar coating instead.

Air fryer donut cooking time

The cooking time for air fryer donuts will vary depending on the type of donut you are making. Yeast-raised donuts typically take around 3 to 4 minutes to cook in an air fryer, while cake-style donuts made with a higher-hydration dough may take up to 7 minutes. It's important to note that every model and brand of air fryer is different, so baking times can vary, and you may need to adjust the timing accordingly.

For yeast-raised donuts, the air fryer temperature should be set to 350°F (180 °C). The dough should be rolled out to about 1/2 inch thickness and cut into donut shapes. After brushing them with melted butter and letting them rise for 45 minutes, they can be placed in the air fryer basket and cooked for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.

For cake-style donuts, the air fryer temperature should also be set to 350°F. The dough for these donuts is typically denser and more hydrated, so it will take longer to cook. The cooking time for cake-style donuts in an air fryer is around 7 minutes.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your donuts while they're cooking to ensure they don't overcook. Additionally, the ideal temperature for the dough to rise is between 75 to 78°F, and it may take longer to rise if your kitchen is on the colder side.

When making air fryer donuts, it's crucial to follow the recipe instructions carefully, including the recommended cooking times and temperatures. This will ensure that your donuts turn out light, fluffy, and delicious.

Air fryer donut storage

Air fryer donuts are best consumed on the same day they are made. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to three days.

To store, let the donuts cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap and transfer them to a freezer bag if you want to freeze them. Donuts can be frozen for up to three months.

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen donuts, thaw them overnight in the fridge and reheat them in the air fryer or microwave.

It is not recommended to store glazed donuts in the fridge, as this can cause the glaze to melt and be absorbed into the donut, resulting in a sticky mess.

Frequently asked questions