Air Fryer Doughnuts: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making doughnuts in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy a lighter, healthier version of this treat without absorbing the oil that comes with deep-frying. You can make doughnuts from scratch or use a can of biscuit dough, and you'll only need a teeny bit of oil spray to make sure they don't stick. The air fryer's hot air will still leave you with a crispy exterior and a moist interior.

Choosing the right oil spray

When making air fryer doughnuts, choosing the right oil spray is crucial to ensure your doughnuts turn out perfectly and your air fryer remains undamaged. Here are some important factors to consider when selecting an oil spray:

Type of Oil Spray

It is recommended to use either coconut oil or olive oil cooking spray. These types of oil sprays are effective for cooking the doughnuts and are safe to use on the air fryer surface. Coconut oil is also mentioned as a good option in one of the recipes. Avoid using non-stick cooking sprays, such as PAM, as they can damage the lining of the air fryer basket.

Purpose of the Oil Spray

The oil spray serves multiple purposes in the doughnut-making process. Firstly, it is used to grease the air fryer basket to prevent the dough from sticking. Additionally, a light spray of oil on the doughnuts themselves can help achieve a crispy exterior. The oil spray also helps to ensure that the doughnuts do not dry out too quickly.

Amount of Oil Spray

When it comes to the amount of oil spray to use, less is more. A light coating of oil is all that is needed to prevent sticking and promote even cooking. Overusing the oil spray can make your doughnuts greasy and heavy. A spritz or two of oil spray should be sufficient for each batch of doughnuts.

Other Considerations

When selecting an oil spray, it is important to consider any allergies or dietary restrictions of those who will be consuming the doughnuts. For example, if someone is allergic to coconut, it would be best to opt for olive oil spray instead. Additionally, some oil sprays may have additional ingredients or additives, so be sure to check the label to ensure you are using a pure and food-safe product.

In summary, when making air fryer doughnuts, it is important to choose an oil spray that is suitable for cooking and safe for your air fryer. Coconut oil or olive oil cooking sprays are ideal choices, and a light coating is all that is needed to achieve perfect results. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your doughnuts turn out delicious and your air fryer remains in good condition.

Preparing the dough

Firstly, activate the yeast by combining it with lukewarm milk and a small amount of sugar. Lukewarm milk should be around 100°F to 115°F. It is important to ensure that the milk is not too hot, as this will kill the yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes. You will know the yeast is activated when you see froth and little yeast particles popping.

Next, in a separate bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients. This includes flour, sugar, and salt. You can also add cinnamon for extra flavour. Mix these ingredients well.

Now, it's time to add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture. Whisk together melted butter, eggs, and the remaining sugar until smooth. Then, stir in the yeast mixture until well combined.

Start kneading the dough. You can do this by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. If using a stand mixer, mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms, then increase to medium-low speed and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. This should take about 5 minutes. The dough will be slightly sticky, and that is okay!

Once the dough is kneaded, transfer it to a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean tea towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it has doubled in size. This process can take about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. To test if the dough is ready, make a small indentation with your finger; if the indentation remains, the dough is ready.

After the dough has risen, it's time to roll it out. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. You can use a rolling pin to achieve the desired thickness.

Finally, use a doughnut cutter or two circular cutters (one larger than the other) to cut out the doughnuts. Place the doughnuts and the doughnut holes on a lined baking sheet. Cover them again and let them rise for another 30 minutes to 1 hour.

And there you have it! Your dough is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Follow the remaining steps in the recipe to fry and glaze your delicious homemade doughnuts.

Cutting the dough

Once your dough is ready, it's time to cut out your doughnuts. You can use a doughnut cutter or two circular cutters to cut out the doughnuts and the holes. If you don't have a doughnut cutter, you can use a drinking glass or a wide-mouth canning ring for the outside, and a shot glass for the inside. You can also use round cookie cutters, one that is 3 inches for the doughnut and one that is 1 inch for the centre.

If you are using a 3-inch and a 1-inch biscuit cutter, cut out 10-12 doughnuts and 12 doughnut holes, re-rolling the scraps as necessary. You can also use a 7.5cm cutter and a 2.5cm cutter for the middle. Place the doughnuts and the doughnut holes on a lined baking sheet. If you want to, you can also place the dough that you cut out from the middle of the doughnut on the baking sheet. Cover the doughnuts with a clean tea towel and leave to rise for 40 minutes, or overnight in the fridge. The doughnuts will hold their shape better if they are proved in the fridge.

If you are using a canned biscuit dough, simply cut the centre out of each biscuit using a 1-inch round cutter.

Air frying the doughnuts

Air-frying the doughnuts is a quick and easy process, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure perfect results. Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, which is usually around 350°F to 375°F. This can be done by turning on the air fryer at a lower temperature and letting it run for a few minutes.

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to prepare the doughnuts for cooking. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with a suitable cooking spray, such as olive oil or coconut oil spray. Avoid using non-stick sprays as these can damage the coating on the basket. Place two doughnuts and two doughnut holes in the basket at a time, making sure they don't touch each other. It is important to work in batches to ensure even cooking.

Depending on the size of your doughnuts and the power of your air fryer, the cooking time may vary. For larger doughnuts, cook for 6 to 8 minutes, and for doughnut holes, cook for 3 to 6 minutes. Flip the doughnuts halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning. The doughnuts are ready when they are a deep golden brown colour.

While the doughnuts are cooking, you can prepare the glaze or toppings. A simple glaze can be made by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Alternatively, you can make a cinnamon-sugar mixture by combining cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. If you prefer chocolate, you can melt semisweet chocolate chips with butter, corn syrup, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over low heat.

Once the doughnuts are cooked, it's time to add the finishing touches. For a glazed doughnut, dip the warm doughnuts into the glaze and place them on a wire rack to allow the excess glaze to drip off. If you prefer the cinnamon-sugar coating, brush the doughnuts with melted butter and toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. For chocolate lovers, dip the doughnuts in the chocolate glaze or spread the glaze on top with a knife.

Let the glaze or coating set for a few minutes before serving. Air-fried doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to a day or two.

Making the glaze

For a classic vanilla glaze, whisk together 2 cups of powdered sugar, 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. You can adjust the consistency by adding hot water, a little at a time, until the glaze is thin but not watery. This will give you a generous amount of glaze, making it easier to dip the doughnuts.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different glaze flavours. For a chocolate glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Alternatively, create a maple glaze by stirring together powdered sugar and maple syrup. For a fun twist, top your maple-glazed doughnuts with crispy bacon bits. You can also make a cinnamon-sugar coating by combining granulated sugar and cinnamon, then spraying the doughnuts with oil before dipping them in the mixture.

Remember, the key to a successful glaze is timing. You want to dip the doughnuts while they are still warm so that the glaze sets with that desirable crackly finish. However, be careful not to glaze them too early, or the glaze will slide off.

Frequently asked questions