Healthy Air-Fried Donuts: A Guilt-Free Treat!

Making donuts in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying them in oil, and they can be just as delicious! Air fryer donuts are less time-consuming and messy to make, and they can be just as fluffy and tender as traditional donuts. You can make them with a variety of different ingredients, including cinnamon-sugar, vanilla glaze, and chocolate glaze.

Choosing a healthier alternative to deep-frying

Deep-frying is often considered the go-to method for achieving that irresistible golden crust on donuts. However, it's comforting to know that you don't have to rely solely on this technique to satisfy your cravings for these sweet treats. Here are some healthier alternatives to deep-frying that will still give you delicious results:

Air Frying:

Air frying has gained popularity as a healthier option that doesn't compromise on taste. This method uses hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in a crispy exterior and a tender interior, similar to deep-frying. To make donuts in an air fryer, preheat your appliance to 350°F (176°C). Prepare your donut dough as usual and shape it into rings or any desired form. Place the donuts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway for even cooking. Once done, let them cool slightly before glazing or adding toppings.

Baking in the Oven:

Baking is another excellent way to enjoy healthier donuts without sacrificing taste. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet. Prepare your favourite donut dough and shape it into the traditional donut form. Place the donuts on the greased sheet and bake for around 12-15 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Once out of the oven, let them cool slightly before adding any toppings or glaze.

Stovetop Frying:

If you don't have access to an air fryer or oven, you can still opt for a stovetop method that uses healthier oils and controlled temperatures. Choose a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet and fill it with vegetable oil to a depth of about 2-3 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (176°C). Carefully slide the donuts into the pot using a slotted spoon or tongs, being careful not to overcrowd them. Fry each side for approximately 2-3 minutes or until they achieve the desired golden brown colour. After frying, place the donuts on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.

Benefits of Choosing Healthier Alternatives:

These alternative methods offer several advantages over traditional deep-frying:

• Reduced Fat Content: Deep-frying completely submerges food in hot oil, resulting in higher fat absorption. Air frying and baking, on the other hand, use little to no added oil, resulting in lower-fat treats.
• Ease of Preparation: Deep-frying can be a messy and time-consuming process. Air frying and baking are generally less complicated and require less cleanup afterward.
• Customisability: With air frying and baking, you have more control over the ingredients used, allowing you to make dietary adjustments to suit your preferences or restrictions.
• Taste and Texture: While deep-frying may produce a denser texture, air frying and baking yield lighter and fluffier donuts that are still delicious and satisfying.

So, the next time you're craving donuts, consider giving these healthier alternatives a try! You might be surprised at how tasty and convenient they can be.

Using a glaze to add sweetness

Adding a glaze to your donuts is a great way to increase the sweetness of your treats. There are many different glaze options to choose from, so you can get creative and experiment with different flavours.

A classic glaze can be made by mixing powdered sugar and water together. You can also add milk to the mixture if you prefer a thicker consistency. If you want to reduce the calories and sugar content, you can substitute the powdered sugar with a powdered sugar substitute.

For a chocolate glaze, simply melt some chocolate chips and fold them into the glaze mixture, along with a tablespoon or two of melted unsalted butter.

If you're a fan of maple syrup, you can create a maple glaze by stirring together some powdered sugar and maple syrup. For an extra indulgent treat, top the maple glaze with crispy bacon bits.

Another option is to brush the donuts with melted butter and then toss them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. This will give your donuts a delicious, sweet coating without the glaze.

When glazing your donuts, it's important to let them cool completely before adding the glaze. If the donuts are still warm, the glaze will slide off. It's also recommended to let the glaze set for about 10 minutes after dipping, so it dries and gets a crackly texture.

Making the dough from scratch

Ingredients:

• Flour (all-purpose or self-rising)
• Nutmeg
• Sugar (white granulated or powdered)
• Salt
• Milk (lukewarm)
• Egg
• Butter (unsalted)
• Yeast (active or instant)

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by sprinkling the yeast into a bowl of lukewarm milk. The milk should be between 105-115°F to activate the yeast without killing it. Add a small amount of sugar and gently stir. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes. You will know the yeast is active when it becomes frothy and you can see small bubbles forming.

Step 2: Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the flour, nutmeg, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter, and yeast mixture. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a thick, shaggy dough forms.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and begin kneading. Knead the dough until it becomes elastic and smooth. This process helps to build the gluten structure in the dough, ensuring the donuts have a good texture. If the dough is too sticky, you can add small amounts of flour, a teaspoon at a time.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Once the dough is kneaded, transfer it to a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a clean dish towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it has doubled in size. This process can take around 2 hours. To test if the dough has risen enough, poke it with your fingertip. If the indentation remains, the dough is ready.

Step 5: Roll Out and Cut the Dough

After the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1 inch. It is important not to roll the dough too thin. Use a doughnut cutter or biscuit cutters to cut out the doughnut shapes. Place the cut doughnuts on a piece of parchment paper and let them rise again for about 45 minutes.

Tips:

• If you don't have a stand mixer, kneading the dough by hand for about 10 minutes will give you a good arm workout!
• Don't be tempted to add too much flour to the dough. It should be a little sticky.
• Make sure your milk is not too hot, or it will kill the yeast.
• The dough-making process can be time-consuming, but it is worth the effort for delicious, homemade donuts.

Now that your dough is ready, it's time to fry those donuts!

Using an air fryer to cook the donuts

To cook donuts in an air fryer, first ensure that the donuts are prepared and cut into the correct shape. You can use a biscuit cutter or the bottom of a small bottle to cut out the centers of the donuts. Place the donuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Set the air fryer to the correct temperature—most recipes suggest around 350°F. It is important to note that air fryer cooking times can vary, so keep an eye on your donuts to ensure they do not burn. Cook the donuts for around 5-6 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown.

Once the donuts are cooked, you can add glaze or toppings of your choice.

Storing and reheating the donuts

Storing your donuts properly is key to keeping them fresh and delicious. If you plan on eating your donuts within one to two days, you can store them at room temperature in storage bags or airtight containers. For longer storage, refrigeration or freezing is recommended.

Storing Donuts at Room Temperature

Place your donuts in storage bags or airtight containers. Make sure to seal the bags or containers tightly to prevent staleness. If using a storage bag, try to squeeze out as much air as possible without damaging any toppings. Keep the donuts out of direct sunlight, as this can cause them to become stale and melt any icing or glaze.

Refrigerating Donuts

If you want to keep your donuts for up to a week, place them in a storage bag or airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. This is especially important for cream-filled donuts, as they can spoil if left at room temperature. Be aware that icing or glaze may become runny over time.

Freezing Donuts

To freeze unfrosted donuts, first, place them in an airtight container and layer them with wax paper to prevent sticking. Then, put the container in a sealed, heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent ice crystals from forming. Donuts can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

Reheating Donuts

There are several methods you can use to reheat your healthy air-fried donuts:

• Microwave: Place the donut on a microwave-safe plate and heat in short intervals until warm. If the donut is stale, cover it with a damp paper towel before microwaving.
• Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Wrap each donut in foil and bake for 5-6 minutes.
• Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Line the fryer basket with parchment paper and heat the donuts for 1-3 minutes.
• Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place the donuts in the pan with an ice cube or a sprinkle of water. Cover the pan for 30-60 seconds.
• Frying: Grease a pan with butter and heat over medium-high heat. Fry each side of the donut for one minute.

Frequently asked questions