Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donuts: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making gluten-free donuts in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy a sweet treat without the mess and calories of deep-frying. The air fryer's convection technology cooks flawless donuts with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, minus the extra oil.

While you can use a gluten-free flour blend for your donuts, it's crucial to choose one that isn't too gritty or heavy, as this will affect the texture of your final product. You'll also want to avoid overworking the dough and ensure your oil is heated to the proper temperature for frying.

Additionally, you can get creative with toppings and fillings, such as sprinkles, cinnamon sugar, chocolate glaze, or even jelly or cream fillings.

So, if you're craving a soft, fluffy donut but want to avoid the hassle and health concerns of traditional frying, give the air fryer method a go! It's a convenient, healthier option that delivers delicious results.

Choosing the right gluten-free flour

• Avoid gritty rice-based flour: Using a gritty rice-based flour will result in gritty gluten-free donuts. Instead, opt for a finer gluten-free flour blend.
• Stay away from heavy flours: Heavy flours will make your donuts dense and brick-like. Look for gluten-free flour blends that are known for producing light and airy baked goods.
• Opt for a well-balanced blend: In gluten-free baking, the flour blend you choose is of utmost importance. Look for blends that are specifically designed for gluten-free baking and contain a combination of flours and starches, such as Better Batter or King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour.
• Consider adding tapioca starch: Adding tapioca starch to your gluten-free flour blend can improve the elasticity of the dough, making it easier to handle, and resulting in fluffier and more tender donuts.
• Xanthan gum is key: Xanthan gum acts as a gluten replacement and is essential for giving your gluten-free donuts a soft and delicate crumb. Look for gluten-free flour blends that include xanthan gum, or add it separately if needed.
• Don't skip the psyllium husk: Psyllium husk is another crucial ingredient in gluten-free baking. It helps bind the dough and gives structure to your donuts. If a recipe calls for psyllium husk, don't substitute it with another ingredient.
• Millet flour and sorghum flour: These flours can be used in gluten-free donut recipes and provide a nice texture. However, if you can't find them, you can substitute them with finely ground brown rice flour or white teff flour.
• Experiment with different blends: Don't be afraid to experiment with different gluten-free flour blends to find the one that works best for you. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid or other ingredients in the recipe to get the right consistency.
• Measure accurately: When measuring gluten-free flour, use a scale for accuracy. If using measuring cups, spoon the flour into the cup instead of scooping, and level it off with a knife to avoid packing too much flour into the cup.
• Follow the recipe precisely: Gluten-free baking can be sensitive, so follow the recipe closely, including the recommended ingredients and their quantities. Making substitutions may affect the final texture and taste of your donuts.

How to make the dough

To make the dough for gluten-free donuts in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Gluten-free flour blend (or a specific blend like Kim's gluten-free bread flour blend, Better Batter, gfJules Flour, or King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour)
• Sugar (granulated or powdered)
• Salt
• Leavening agents (co: 2,4> baking powder, baking soda, or yeast)
• Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• Butter (unsalted or plant-based)
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Apple cider vinegar (optional)
• Cream of tartar (optional)
• Nutmeg (optional)

You can make the dough by hand, using a stand mixer, or a food processor. Here are the general steps to make the dough:

• Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the gluten-free flour, sugar, salt, and leavening agents (except yeast) until well combined. If using yeast, add it separately later.
• Add wet ingredients: Create a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. If using yeast, activate it by mixing with warm milk and a pinch of sugar before adding to the dry ingredients.
• Mix the dough: Mix the dry and wet ingredients until a soft and sticky dough forms. In a stand mixer, start at low speed and gradually increase to high speed, mixing for about 2-7 minutes. If making by hand, use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir the ingredients until well combined. You may need to add a little extra milk or flour to adjust the consistency of the dough.
• Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently until it becomes smooth and pliable. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
• Shape the dough: Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Cut out donut shapes using a donut cutter or round cookie cutters. Place the cut donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them, and let them rise in a warm, draft-free area until they have doubled in size.
• Air-fry the donuts: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Carefully place the risen donuts in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not crowded. Brush the donuts with melted butter, if desired. Air fry for approximately 4-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Remember, the key to successful gluten-free donuts is to use a good-quality gluten-free flour blend and not to overwork the dough. Enjoy your homemade gluten-free donuts!

Air fryer temperature and timing

Air Fryer Temperature:

When using an air fryer to make gluten-free donuts, it is important to preheat the air fryer to the right temperature for the best results. The ideal temperature for cooking gluten-free donuts is around 350°F (around 180°C). This temperature ensures that the donuts cook evenly and get a nice golden colour without burning.

Air Frying Time:

The cooking time for gluten-free donuts in an air fryer will depend on the size of your donuts and the model of your air fryer. As a general guideline, cook the donuts for around 4 to 6 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and cook the donuts in batches if necessary.

Tips for Consistent Results:

• Always preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature before adding the donuts.
• Use a donut cutter or biscuit cutters to ensure uniform-sized donuts, which will help with even cooking.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a built-in preheat function, you can run it empty at the desired temperature for a few minutes before adding the donuts.
• Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to flip the donuts halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on both sides.
• For best results, brush the donuts with melted butter before placing them in the air fryer. This adds flavour and helps with browning.
• If you are making filled donuts, such as jelly donuts, fry or air fry them without the filling first, and then fill them after cooking.
• Always follow the specific instructions for your air fryer model regarding cooking times and temperatures as they may vary.

By following these guidelines, you should be able to achieve consistent and delicious results when making gluten-free donuts in your air fryer.

Glaze, toppings and fillings

Glaze, toppings, and fillings can make or break a donut. Here are some ideas to elevate your homemade gluten-free donuts:

Glaze

• Vanilla glaze: Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
• Maple glaze: Add maple extract or maple syrup to the vanilla glaze.
• Chocolate glaze: Melt chocolate chips and fold them into the vanilla glaze along with melted butter.

Toppings

• Sprinkles: Add sprinkles on top of the glaze before it sets.
• Cinnamon and sugar: Mix cinnamon and sugar, then dip or roll the donuts.
• Chai sugar: Combine sugar, cinnamon, and ground cardamom.
• Nuts: Finely chop toasted peanuts, almonds, walnuts, or pecans, then dip or roll the donuts.

Fillings

• Jelly: Use a pastry bag to fill the donuts with your favorite jelly or jam.
• Cream: Fill the donuts with frosting or buttercream.
• Bavarian cream: Fill the donuts with pastry cream.

Storing your donuts

These donuts are best served about 10 minutes after the glaze is added. But they can be stored and saved for later, too.

Leftover donuts will stay good for a day or two at room temperature and are even better if you give them a few seconds in the microwave. Just make sure they’re stored in an airtight container.

You can also store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.

If you want to freeze them, place the donuts in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to six months.

The donuts will be at their most delicious while they’re still slightly warm or within about an hour of frying. However, you can keep them for up to five hours either lightly covered with paper towels or a clean tea towel, or in a closed container.

Frequently asked questions