Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a great way to cook doughnuts without the need for much oil, and they're ready in just 10 minutes. Air-fried doughnuts are healthier than deep-fried ones, with less fat, but they're still fluffy and delicious. You can make them from scratch with yeast dough or use a can of biscuit dough. They can be coated in a simple glaze or cinnamon sugar for an incredible treat.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Donuts
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 180°C (350°F) or 200°C (400°F) |
| Time | 3-8 minutes |
| Ingredients | Flour, sugar, milk, egg, butter, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, water, vanilla extract |
| Equipment | Air fryer, baking sheet, bowls, wire rack, mixer, biscuit cutter, pastry brush |
| Texture | Fluffy, soft, tender, doughy |
| Taste | Sweet, glazed, buttery |
| Health | Less fat than deep-fried, low-calorie options |
| Storage | Best fresh, up to 24 hours in an airtight container |
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What You'll Learn
Making the dough
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
First, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients for your donut dough. The exact ingredients and their quantities may vary depending on the recipe you are following. However, the basic ingredients typically include flour, sugar, milk, butter, yeast, and an egg. You may also want to gather ingredients for a gluten-free or vegan variation.
Step 2: Activate the Yeast
In a large bowl, combine lukewarm milk, a small amount of sugar, and yeast. Stir gently with a fork and let the mixture sit for about 8 to 10 minutes. The yeast will activate during this time, and you may see tiny yeast particles popping. This step is crucial for the dough to rise properly.
Step 3: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients, such as flour, sugar, cinnamon (if desired), and a pinch of salt. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients, including the beaten egg, melted butter, and yeast mixture. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and combine until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead it with your hands for about 10 minutes. This process helps develop the gluten in the dough, making it smoother and more elastic. If you prefer, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment and knead the dough on high speed for 3 minutes.
Step 5: First Rise
Transfer the kneaded dough to a greased bowl and cover it. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 2 hours. This will allow the yeast to work and the dough to double in size. The rising time may vary, but you'll know it's ready when the dough has become puffy and soft.
Step 6: Roll and Cut the Dough
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to remove any air bubbles. Lightly flour your work surface again and roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Using a donut cutter or round cookie cutters, cut out as many donut shapes as you can from the dough. You can also use the donut holes for making smaller bite-sized treats.
Step 7: Second Rise
Place the cut-out donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet or directly onto a lightly greased surface. Brush the tops of the donuts with melted butter and let them rise again for another 45 minutes. This second rise will give the donuts a softer texture and help them expand further.
Now that your donut dough is ready, it's time to shape and fry them! Remember to follow the specific instructions of your air fryer for the best results. Enjoy the sweet rewards of your efforts!
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Shaping the donuts
Next, you will need to cut out the donut shapes. You can use a donut cutter or two round pastry/cookie cutters, one large and one small. Cut out as many donuts as you can from the dough. If you want to make mini donuts, use a small cookie cutter, about 4 cm or 1.5 inches in diameter. Remember to also cut out the holes in the center of each donut. You can use the leftover dough to make donut holes, which are cute and delicious.
Once you have cut out your donut shapes, place them on a sheet of parchment paper and brush them with melted butter. Let the donuts rise for another 45 minutes. This step is crucial, as it ensures that your donuts will be soft and fluffy. After the donuts have risen, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked.
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Frying the donuts
Once you have cut out your donut shapes, place them on some parchment paper. Brush them with melted butter and let them rise again for 45 minutes. After this time, preheat your air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F). You may want to grease your air fryer basket with some cooking spray or melted butter. When the air fryer is preheated, gently place 2-4 donuts into the basket, ensuring they are not touching and are at least half an inch apart.
Close the air fryer and set it to 350 °F. Cook the donuts for 3-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and firm on the outside. Some recipes suggest flipping the donuts halfway through the cooking time. When the donuts are cooked, remove them from the basket and leave them to cool on a wire rack while you cook the remaining batch(es).
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Making the glaze
Once the glaze is prepared, dip the donuts into the glaze while they are still hot. Use two forks to submerge them and place them on a wire rack to allow any excess glaze to drip off. You can also place the donuts back into the basket and toss them in the glaze. Leave the donuts on a wire rack for the glaze to set. This should take around 10 minutes.
If you want to make cinnamon-sugar donuts, mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl and toss the donuts in this mixture.
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Storing the donuts
Air-fried donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, storing them properly will help maintain their texture and flavour. Here are some tips for storing your air-fried donuts:
Air-fried donuts can be stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 2 days if they are unglazed. This will keep them fresh and soft. If you've already glazed the donuts, it's best to store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container or ziplock bag to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other odours. Glazed donuts can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
If you want to store your donuts for longer, they freeze exceptionally well. Allow them to cool to room temperature, wrap them in plastic wrap, and then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy them, thaw them overnight in the fridge and reheat them in the air fryer or microwave to warm them up. You can also put them in the microwave for 30 seconds to soften them.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need flour, milk, butter, yeast, sugar, and vanilla extract.
Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the milk, melted butter, yeast, and egg. Combine the dry and wet ingredients. Knead the dough on a work surface for 10 minutes.
Roll out the dough to about 1 inch in thickness. Use a doughnut cutter or round pastry/cookie cutter to cut out the donut shapes.
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Place 2-4 donuts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not crowded. Cook for 3-8 minutes, until golden brown.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Add hot water or milk one tablespoon at a time until the glaze is thin but not watery. Dip the hot donuts in the glaze and let them cool.
