Mochi Donuts: Air Fryer Magic In Minutes

Mochi donuts are a unique type of doughnut that was developed by the Japanese donut chain Mister Donut. They are made from small balls of dough that are connected to form a ring. The texture of mochi donuts is what sets them apart from traditional doughnuts – they are chewy, like traditional mochi, with a crisp exterior. While they are typically deep-fried, mochi donuts can also be baked, which is a healthier alternative that is less time-consuming and avoids the hassle of deep frying at home. Baked mochi donuts can also be made in an air fryer, which is a convenient option for those who do not want to fry but still want to achieve the signature chewy texture.

Ingredients and preparation

The ingredients for mochi donuts are simple and can be found at your local grocery store or supermarket. Here is what you will need:

• Sweet rice flour (Mochiko) - Look for this in the baking or Asian aisle. If you can't find it, you can use glutinous rice flour instead.
• Milk - Whole milk is preferred, but any type of milk will work.
• Granulated sugar - White sugar is typically used, but brown sugar can also be used. Keep in mind that brown sugar will make the donuts darker in colour.
• Baking powder - This is the leavening agent that helps the donuts rise and gives them stability.
• Egg - Use a room-temperature egg.
• Butter - Make sure to use unsalted butter and measure it in its melted state.
• Oil - This is needed for frying the donuts. Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.
• Glaze - You can make a simple glaze by combining powdered sugar, milk, and food colouring of your choice. You can also add decorative candy or buttons.

Now, let's get into the preparation and cooking process:

Start by mixing 1/4 cup of sweet rice flour with half the milk. Microwave this mixture for 20-30 seconds until you have a sticky dough. Allow this mixture to cool to room temperature.

In one bowl, combine all the dry ingredients, and in another bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients. Add the cooled sticky dough to the dry ingredients and mix until a thick dough forms. Using your hands, gently knead the dough until it becomes smooth.

Divide the dough into eight portions and roll each portion into a ball. Wet your hands to avoid the dough sticking to them. Place the dough balls so that they are slightly touching, forming a circle.

Add a couple of inches of oil to a deep pan and heat it up. Once the oil is hot, carefully add 2-3 donuts at a time and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Remove the donuts from the oil and let them cool completely before glazing.

While you can bake these donuts instead of frying them, it is important to note that they may lose their signature chewy texture. If you do decide to bake them, try baking at 180C/350F for around 20 minutes.

To make the glaze, simply combine powdered sugar, milk, and food colouring (if desired). You can also add flavour extracts or matcha powder, or make a strawberry glaze for variety. Dip both sides of the cooled donuts into the glaze and let it set.

And that's it! You now have delicious, chewy mochi donuts to enjoy. These donuts are best consumed on the day they are made, as they will firm up over time. If they do get a little hard, simply place them in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften.

Making the dough

To make the dough for mochi donuts, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Sweet rice flour (Mochiko)
• Milk (whole milk is preferred, but any milk will do)
• Granulated sugar (white or brown)
• Baking powder
• Egg (room temperature)
• Butter (unsalted and melted)

First, mix 1/4 cup of the sweet rice flour with half the milk and microwave for 20-30 seconds until a sticky dough remains. Allow this mixture to cool to room temperature.

Next, add the remaining dry ingredients to one bowl and the wet ingredients to another. Add the cooled sticky dough mix to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until a thick dough remains. Using your hands, gently knead the mixture until smooth.

Once you've achieved the ideal consistency, divide the dough into eight portions and roll them into balls. It's recommended to wet your hands to avoid the dough sticking to them.

Now you're ready to prepare your donut rings! Place the dough balls so that they are just touching, forming a circle.

If you want to bake your donuts instead of frying them, preheat your oven to 170°C and pipe the batter onto baking paper or a silicone mat according to a stencil. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Shaping the donuts

To begin shaping your mochi donuts, you'll need to divide the dough into equal portions. The number of portions will depend on the size of your donuts and the number of rings you want to create. For a standard-sized donut, divide the dough into eight portions. This will give you enough dough to create the ring shape while ensuring each donut is a manageable size.

Lightly flour your hands to prevent the dough from sticking. Take one portion of dough and roll it into a ball between your palms. Repeat this process for all portions of dough. It's important to try and keep the dough balls as evenly sized as possible, as this will ensure your donuts cook evenly and have a uniform appearance.

Now it's time to assemble the dough balls into the iconic ring shape. Place the dough balls on a flat surface, such as a baking tray or sheet of parchment paper. Arrange them in a circle, ensuring they are touching. This is important, as you want the balls to join together during the cooking process to create a single donut. Leave a slight gap between the first and last dough ball, as this will allow for expansion during cooking and prevent the ring from becoming too tight.

If you want to ensure your donuts are perfectly shaped, you can create a template to guide your placement. Draw or print a circle the size of your desired donut and place it under a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone mat. Pipe or place your dough balls along the circle, using the template as a guide.

Once you've formed your donut rings, it's time to cook them. You can either fry or bake your mochi donuts. If you choose to fry them, heat a couple of inches of oil in a deep pan to the ideal temperature of 170-180°C. Carefully add 2-3 donuts to the hot oil and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until they turn a golden brown colour. If baking is more your style, preheat your oven to 170-180°C and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

Remember, the key to shaping mochi donuts is precision and consistency. By dividing your dough into equal portions and carefully assembling the dough balls into rings, you'll achieve the signature look of these delicious treats. Happy cooking!

Air-frying the donuts

Step 1: Prepare the Donut Rings

Firstly, make a ring-shaped structure using eight dough balls. Place the dough balls so that they are slightly touching, forming a circle. Ensure that the batter is at the right consistency—not too runny—and that the circles are piped close enough to join during baking but not so close that they lose their distinct shape.

Step 2: Air-Fry the Donuts

Preheat your air fryer to 170-180°C (338-356°F). Add a couple of inches of oil to the air fryer basket. Once hot, carefully place 2-3 donuts into the basket, ensuring they have enough room to cook evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the donuts are golden brown.

Step 3: Cool and Glaze

Remove the cooked donuts from the air fryer and let them cool completely before glazing. This step is crucial, as it ensures the donuts don't deflate or become soggy. You can place them on a wire rack to cool.

Step 4: Glaze the Donuts

Prepare your chosen glaze by combining ingredients such as powdered sugar, milk, matcha powder, or strawberry puree. Dip both sides of the cooled donuts into the glaze and let it set. You can also sprinkle toppings on the glaze, such as crushed digestive biscuits or decorative candy.

Step 5: Serve and Store

Mochi donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Alternatively, you can freeze the glazed donuts in a ziplock bag for up to six months. Simply microwave them for a few seconds to soften before consuming.

Glazing the donuts

Now that your donuts are ready, it's time to glaze them! For the glaze, you will need powdered sugar, milk, and food colouring or decorative candy/buttons of your choice. You can also add flavour extracts or matcha powder to the glaze. If you want to make a strawberry glaze, blend some fresh strawberries and add them to the glaze.

To make the glaze, simply combine the powdered sugar with milk and your desired flavourings or food colouring. Dip both sides of the donuts into the glaze and let it set. If you want to add toppings, sprinkle them on the donuts before the glaze sets.

If you have any leftover glaze, you can let it set in the fridge and then shape it into balls. Roll these balls in matcha powder for some delicious truffles!

Your mochi donuts are now ready to be served and enjoyed! They are best consumed on the day they are made, as they will become firmer over time. If they do get a little hard, you can place them in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften them up.

Frequently asked questions