Air Fryer Donuts: The Perfect Recipe For Crispy Treats

Making donuts in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy a delicious treat without the mess and oil of deep-frying. Air-fried donuts are lighter and healthier than deep-fried ones, as they don't absorb as much oil, but they still have a crispy exterior and a moist, fluffy interior. You can make them from scratch with a simple yeasted dough or use premade biscuit dough for a quicker option. The key to getting that classic donut taste and texture is in the glaze, which dries to create a crackly coating.

Choosing the right ingredients

Flour

The type of flour you use will impact the texture and rise of your donuts. Most recipes call for all-purpose flour, which is readily available and yields a soft and fluffy donut. If you want to experiment with other varieties, almond flour is an option, but it may result in a denser and less fluffy outcome.

Leavening Agent

To give your donuts that airy and fluffy texture, you'll need a leavening agent. Most recipes use yeast, such as active dry yeast, which helps the dough rise and gives the donuts a classic donut flavour. However, if you're short on time or yeast, you can create a self-rising flour by combining all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Liquid

The choice of liquid in your donut batter is crucial. Milk is a popular option, as it contains natural sugars that help activate the yeast and contribute to a rich, creamy flavour. Ensure your milk is between 100°F and 110°F (37°C and 43°C) when mixing with yeast, as hotter temperatures will kill the yeast.

Sugar

Sugar is a key ingredient in donut-making, providing sweetness and aiding in browning during frying. Granulated sugar is commonly used, and it's important to have some extra on hand for coating the donuts after frying. You can also create a delicious cinnamon-sugar coating by mixing granulated sugar with ground cinnamon.

Fat

Fat is essential for creating rich, tender, and flavourful donuts. Butter is a popular choice, and unsalted butter is preferred since the dough already contains salt. If you're making a glaze, melted butter is a key ingredient, providing a smooth and glossy finish.

Oil

When it comes to frying your donuts, an oil spray is a must. Coconut oil or olive oil cooking spray are recommended, as they won't damage the lining of your air fryer like non-stick sprays can.

Extras

While the above ingredients form the basis of your donuts, you can also include some additional components to elevate your treats. Vanilla extract adds a subtle, sweet flavour to your donuts and pairs well with the other ingredients. Eggs are also commonly used, adding structure to the dough and aiding in the leavening process.

Remember, the key to choosing the right ingredients is understanding how they interact with each other and how they contribute to the final texture and flavour of your air fryer donuts.

Preparing the dough

• Flour (all-purpose or self-rising)
• Milk (lukewarm or whole)
• Sugar (granulated or powdered)
• Butter (unsalted, melted)
• Yeast (active dry or instant)
• Egg
• Salt
• Yogurt (vanilla or coconut)
• Water or milk

The exact quantities of these ingredients will vary depending on the recipe you are following, and some recipes may require additional ingredients for the glaze or toppings.

To prepare the dough, start by mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl. This includes the flour, sugar, and salt. You can also add nutmeg if you like. Then, add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and combine until a thick dough forms. The wet ingredients include milk, egg, melted butter, and yeast. If you are using active dry yeast, make sure to activate it first by sprinkling it over lukewarm milk and adding a little sugar. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

If you are using a stand mixer, you can add the wet and dry ingredients to the mixer bowl and mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms. Then, increase the speed to medium-low and knead the dough until it becomes elastic and smooth. This should take about 5 minutes.

If you are mixing the dough by hand, stir the wet and dry ingredients together in a large bowl until combined. Then, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it by hand until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Once the dough is mixed and kneaded, transfer it to a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size. This usually takes about 1-2 hours. 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, you can start shaping the donuts. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Then, use a donut cutter or biscuit cutters to cut out the donut shapes. You can also use a drinking glass or a wide-mouth canning ring if you don't have a donut cutter. Place the cut-out donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet or directly into the air fryer basket, depending on the recipe.

If you have any leftover dough, you can use it to make donut holes or additional donuts. Just be sure to give them enough space to rise and spread.

Now that your dough is prepared and shaped, you are one step closer to enjoying delicious air fryer donuts!

Shaping the donuts

Firstly, roll out your dough to the desired thickness. Most recipes recommend a thickness of around 1/2 to 1 inch. You can use a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface to achieve this.

Next, you'll need to cut out the donut shapes. The most common way to do this is by using a donut cutter or biscuit cutters. You'll need two circular cutters, one larger (around 3 inches) and one smaller (around 1 inch) to cut out the center hole. If you don't have these, you can get creative and use alternative tools from your kitchen, such as a wide drinking glass or a wide-mouth canning ring for the larger circle, and a shot glass or the base of a large pastry tip for the smaller circle. Simply press these tools into your rolled-out dough to cut out the donut shapes.

If you're using a premade biscuit dough, you can simply use a small round cookie cutter to cut out the center hole, creating a donut shape.

Once you've cut out your donuts, place them on a large rimmed baking sheet or a piece of parchment paper, making sure they are not touching. Cover them loosely with greased plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let them rise in a warm, draft-free place until they've doubled in size. This usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour.

Now your donuts are shaped and ready to be cooked in your air fryer!

Air-frying the donuts

Once the air fryer has preheated, gently place the donuts into the greased basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the donuts in batches. Spray the tops of the donuts with oil and cook for 4 to 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown. For donut holes, cook for 6 minutes.

While the donuts are cooking, you can make the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Alternatively, you can simply brush the donuts with melted butter and toss them in cinnamon sugar.

Once the donuts are done, dip them into the glaze or brush with butter and toss in cinnamon sugar while they are still warm. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack and let the glaze set for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Adding the glaze

To make the glaze, start by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Then, slowly add the milk or water, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches the desired consistency. It should be somewhat thin but not watery. If you prefer a chocolate glaze, you can melt some chocolate chips and fold them into the glaze mixture, along with a tablespoon or two of melted butter.

Once the glaze is ready, dip each donut into it while they are still warm. Use two forks to submerge them completely, ensuring they are well coated. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to allow any excess glaze to drip off. Let the glaze harden for about 10 minutes before serving.

If you prefer a simpler option, you can skip the glaze altogether and instead brush the donuts with melted butter, then toss them in cinnamon sugar. This will give your donuts a delicious cinnamon-sugar finish.

Frequently asked questions