Air-Fryer Donuts: The Quick And Easy Way

Making donuts in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy a delicious treat without the mess and oil of deep frying. Air fryer donuts are lighter, healthier, and easier to make than their deep-fried counterparts, and they still have a crispy exterior and moist interior. You can make them from scratch or use canned biscuit dough, and there are a variety of glazes and toppings you can use to finish them off.

How to make the dough

Ingredients

You will need:

• 1 cup of milk (lukewarm, about 100°F)
• 2 1/2 tsp of active dry yeast or instant yeast
• 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, plus 1 tsp
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• Oil spray (coconut oil works best)
• 6 tbsp of unsalted butter
• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 2 tsp of vanilla extract
• 4 tbsp of hot water, or as needed

Method

• Start by activating the yeast. Sprinkle the yeast over the lukewarm milk and add a little bit of sugar. Stir gently with a fork.
• Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes. You should see the little yeast particles popping and the mixture should be frothy and smell like yeast. If nothing happens after 15 minutes, your yeast is probably too old or your milk was too hot.
• Add the remaining dough ingredients: the sugar, melted butter, flour, and salt.
• Knead the dough in a stand mixer until it is elastic, smooth, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, which should take about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a bowl that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. It's okay if the dough is a little sticky. Gently move the dough around in the bowl so it gets coated with oil.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap that has also been sprayed with oil spray. Put it in a warm, draft-free spot and let it rise until doubled in size. To test if it's ready, make an indentation with your finger; if the indentation remains, it's proofed enough.
• Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thickness on a lightly floured work surface.
• Use a 3-inch and a 1-inch biscuit cutter to cut out the donuts. If you don't have biscuit cutters, you can use a wide drinking glass or wide-mouth canning ring and a shot glass.

How to shape the donuts

Shaping donuts is easy and can be done in a few different ways. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to shape your donuts for air frying:

Step 1: Prepare Your Work Surface

Before you begin shaping your donuts, make sure you have a clean, floured surface to work on. This will help to prevent the dough from sticking and make it easier to roll out.

Step 2: Roll Out the Dough

Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to the desired thickness. Most recipes recommend a thickness of around 1/2 inch. If you don't have a rolling pin, you can use a clean, empty bottle or jar instead.

Step 3: Choose Your Cutter

You can use a variety of cutters to shape your donuts. If you have a donut cutter, that's perfect! If not, you can use two different-sized biscuit cutters, a wide drinking glass or a wide-mouth canning ring, and a shot glass. You can also use a 3-inch and a 1-inch round cookie cutter to cut out the donuts.

Step 4: Cut Out the Donuts

Dip your cutter of choice into some flour to prevent sticking, then start cutting out your donuts. Cut out as many donuts as you can, then reshape the scraps and cut out some more. Continue this process until you have used up all the dough.

Step 5: Let the Donuts Rise

Once you have cut out all your donuts, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them lightly and let them rise again for about 20-30 minutes. This second rise will give your donuts a lighter, airier texture.

Step 6: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 350°F (180°C). Most air fryers will have an alarm or indicator to let you know when it's ready.

Step 7: Place the Donuts in the Air Fryer

Gently place the donuts into the greased basket of your air fryer, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

And that's it! You're now ready to air fry your freshly shaped donuts. Don't forget to follow the rest of the recipe instructions for cooking time, glazing, and serving. Enjoy your homemade treats!

How to cook the donuts

Ingredients

• 1 cup of milk
• 2 1/4 teaspoons of dry active yeast
• 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 cup of unsalted melted butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour (add more as needed)
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• Coconut or olive oil cooking spray

Method

• In a large measuring cup, add 1/2 cup of warm water, 1/4 cup of warm milk (108 degrees Fahrenheit), the yeast, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Let the yeast mixture froth up and rise for about 5 minutes. If it doesn't froth, discard it and start again with new yeast.
• In a stand mixer, add 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of unsalted melted butter, 1 egg, 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour (spooned and levelled off), and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Then pour in the yeast mixture and attach the hook.
• Begin mixing on low speed until the flour is incorporated into the liquids. Then increase the speed to high and beat for 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• If the dough looks too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time. Make sure to mix well and scrape down the sides of the bowl between each addition of flour. Be careful not to add too much flour, as this will dry out the dough.
• Place the dough in a large greased bowl and cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for about one hour or until it doubles in size.
• When the dough is ready, punch it down to release air bubbles. Then transfer it to a floured surface
• Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch in thickness. Use a donut cutter or 2 different-sized biscuit cutters to cut out as many donuts as you can. Then reshape the scraps and cut out more donuts. Continue doing this until you have no more scraps left.
• Place the cut-out donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then cover them lightly and let them rise again for about 20-30 minutes.
• Preheat your air fryer to 345 degrees Fahrenheit. Then spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
• Now place a few donuts into the air fryer basket and spray them with some more cooking spray. Make sure that the donuts are not touching.
• Air fry the donuts for about 4 minutes. Repeat this process with the remaining donuts and donut holes. Then transfer the donuts onto a plate lined with paper towels.
• To make the glaze, in a large bowl, combine 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
• While the donuts are warm, dip them in the glaze and let them set on a cooling rack. The glaze will set with a shinier appearance if the donuts are hot.

Tips

• To store any leftovers, place them in an airtight container at room temperature (out of direct sunlight) or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• They can also be frozen for up to 3 months in a ziplock freezer bag.
• Make sure to use fresh yeast, as old yeast may not froth up.
• Don't skip the double rise, as this will increase the air inside, resulting in lighter, airier, and more delicious donuts.
• Absorb any excess oil with a paper towel after cooking.
• Glaze the donuts while they are still warm to get that shiny appearance.

How to make the glaze

There are many ways to make a glaze for your air fryer donuts. Here is a simple glaze recipe that you can make:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 5-7 tablespoons of milk (or water)
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine the powdered sugar, milk (or water), vanilla extract, and butter (if using) in a large bowl.
• Mix the ingredients until you have a smooth and glossy glaze. If you prefer a thinner glaze, add more milk or water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
• If you want an extra shiny glaze, add a tablespoon of light corn syrup to the mixture and stir well.
• Dip your warm donuts into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. The warmth of the donuts will give the glaze a beautiful shine.
• Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack or baking sheet to set. You can also add sprinkles or other toppings at this point if desired.
• Enjoy your freshly glazed donuts!

Feel free to experiment with different glaze flavours by adding ingredients such as maple syrup, chocolate, or cinnamon. You can also create different textures by adjusting the amount of liquid in your glaze. Remember to always taste your glaze as you make it and adjust the sweetness or consistency to your preference. Happy glazing!

How to store the donuts

Now that you've made your donuts, it's important to store them properly so they stay fresh. Here are some tips on how to store your donuts to make them last longer:

• Room Temperature Storage: If you plan on eating your donuts within 1-2 days, you can store them at room temperature. Use airtight bags or containers to keep them fresh. However, this method is not suitable for cream-filled donuts, which should be refrigerated.
• Refrigeration: Place your donuts in a sealed storage bag or airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. This will keep your donuts fresh for up to a week. Icing or glaze on the donuts may become runny over time, so it's best to eat these sooner.
• Freezing: For longer-term storage, you can freeze your unfrosted donuts. First, place them in an airtight container with layers of wax paper to prevent sticking. Then, put the container in a sealed, heavy-duty freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To defrost frozen donuts, leave them uncovered on the counter for 15 minutes, and then use the microwave in 15-second intervals to finish defrosting and add moisture.

Additionally, here are some general tips for storing donuts:

• Avoid direct sunlight: Donuts should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent drying or melting of icing or glaze.
• Let donuts cool before storing: Don't store warm donuts as they will sweat and turn soggy.
• Use airtight containers: Air is the enemy of freshness, so use airtight containers or bags to keep air out and prevent staleness.

Frequently asked questions