Who doesn’t love a warm, fluffy donut with a perfectly golden exterior and a soft, pillowy center? With this Air Fryer Donuts recipe, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of traditional deep-fried donuts—without the excess oil and mess.
Making donuts in an air fryer is a game changer. They’re lighter, healthier, and easier to make, requiring minimal effort and no deep frying. Whether you’re craving a quick breakfast treat or a fun dessert to share with family and friends, this recipe will become a go-to favorite.
Grab your air fryer and get started with this simple, foolproof recipe for air fryer donuts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Air fryer donuts offer the perfect balance of flavor and texture, making them an excellent alternative to traditional fried donuts. Here’s why you’ll love them:
1. Healthier Than Traditional Donuts
Since air fryer donuts require only a fraction of the oil used in deep-frying, they have significantly less fat and fewer calories—without sacrificing taste or texture.
2. Quick and Easy
Unlike classic yeast donuts that require hours of rising time, this recipe uses baking powder for a faster, hassle-free method. You’ll have fresh donuts in under 30 minutes.
3. No Mess, No Deep Frying
Making donuts the traditional way means dealing with hot oil, splatters, and a greasy kitchen. The air fryer eliminates all that, making the process much cleaner and safer.
4. Soft on the Inside, Crispy on the Outside
Air fryers create the perfect golden crust while keeping the inside of the donuts light, fluffy, and moist—just like the best bakery-style treats.
5. Endless Topping Possibilities
From classic cinnamon sugar to rich chocolate glaze or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar, you can customize these donuts to your heart’s content.
Ingredients & Substitutes
Making air fryer donuts is surprisingly simple, and you probably already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen.
For the dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (or regular yogurt)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional toppings:
- Sprinkles
- Cinnamon sugar
- Melted chocolate
Substitute ideas:
- Flour: Use almond flour for a low-carb option, though the texture will be slightly different.
- Sugar: Swap with coconut sugar or a sugar substitute for a lower-glycemic version.
- Yogurt: Dairy-free yogurt works just as well for a vegan-friendly option.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making air fryer donuts is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for the best results.
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
2. Shape the Donuts
Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about ½ inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (or a glass) to cut out donut shapes. For the holes in the center, use a smaller cutter or the cap of a bottle.
Gather any leftover dough, re-roll, and cut out more donuts until all the dough is used.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat for about 3 minutes. Preheating helps the donuts cook evenly and achieve a golden brown color.
4. Air Fry the Donuts
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Place the donuts in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
Air fry for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the donuts are golden brown and puffed up.
5. Coat the Donuts
While the donuts are still warm, brush them with melted butter, then toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. If using a glaze, let the donuts cool slightly before dipping them.
6. Serve and Enjoy
These air fryer donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts
Achieve bakery-quality air fryer donuts with these expert tips! Learn the secrets to perfect dough, even cooking, and irresistible toppings for a delicious homemade treat.
Use the Right Dough Consistency
The dough should be soft but not overly sticky. If it’s too wet, the donuts may not hold their shape well.
Don’t Overwork the Dough
Kneading too much can make the donuts dense and tough. Mix just until everything is combined.
Space the Donuts Apart
Overcrowding the air fryer basket prevents even cooking. Leave enough space for the hot air to circulate properly.
Flip for Even Browning
Flipping the donuts halfway through ensures that both sides cook evenly and develop a nice golden color.
Experiment with Toppings
While cinnamon sugar is a classic, you can also dip your donuts in melted chocolate, vanilla glaze, or even drizzle with honey.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though air fryer donuts are simple to make, a few common mistakes could prevent you from getting that perfect, golden, fluffy texture. Let’s go through them so your donuts turn out amazing every time!
1. Skipping the Preheat
It may seem like a small step, but preheating your air fryer is essential. Without it, the donuts may cook unevenly, with a crispy outside and an undercooked center. A quick three-minute preheat makes all the difference.
2. Rolling the Dough Too Thin or Too Thick
If your dough is too thin, the donuts won’t puff up properly and could turn out dry and hard. On the other hand, if the dough is too thick, they may not cook all the way through. Aim for about ½ inch of thickness for the perfect rise.
3. Overcrowding the Air Fryer Basket
To achieve an even golden color and crispy texture, the hot air needs to circulate freely. Placing the donuts too close together prevents this, leading to uneven cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
4. Using Too Much Flour When Rolling
It’s tempting to sprinkle lots of flour to avoid sticking, but too much can make the donuts dense and dry. Use just enough to prevent sticking without drying out the dough.
5. Not Flipping the Donuts
Air fryers typically cook better on the top than the bottom. Flipping the donuts halfway through cooking ensures that both sides turn golden brown and crisp evenly.
6. Overcooking the Donuts
Donuts can go from perfectly cooked to dry in just a minute. Keep a close eye on them, especially if your air fryer runs hotter than others. They should be golden on the outside and soft on the inside.
7. Forgetting to Coat While Warm
The cinnamon sugar (or any topping) sticks best when the donuts are warm. If you wait too long, the coating won’t adhere properly, and you’ll lose that sweet, flavorful finish.
8. Ignoring Thickness Adjustments
If your donuts are thicker or thinner than recommended, adjust the cooking time accordingly. Don’t rely solely on the timer—check for a soft interior and golden exterior.
9. Not Checking for Doneness
Different air fryer models vary in cooking intensity. It’s always a good idea to check one donut before removing the entire batch. If the center is still doughy, give them another minute or two.
10. Skipping the Clean-Up
A build-up of oil or sugar from multiple batches can create smoke and unwanted flavors in your air fryer. Give the basket a quick wipe-down between batches to keep things clean and efficient.
By avoiding these common mistakes, your air fryer donuts will come out perfectly fluffy, golden, and absolutely delicious every time. Up next, let’s wrap things up with a quick conclusion and a sweet invitation to try this recipe for yourself!
Conclusion
Air fryer donuts are proof that you don’t need a deep fryer to create an amazing sweet treat. They’re light, fluffy, and easy to make, with endless possibilities for customization.
Why wait for a trip to the bakery when you can make fresh, homemade donuts in under 30 minutes? Whether you enjoy them glazed, dusted with cinnamon sugar, or drizzled with chocolate, this healthier take on donuts is sure to become a favorite.
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FAQs
1. Can I make these donuts without an air fryer?
Yes! You can bake them in a conventional oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10–12 minutes.
2. How do I store leftover donuts?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can also reheat them in the air fryer for 2 minutes at 300°F (150°C).
3. Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
4. Can I use yeast instead of baking powder?
Absolutely! Yeast-based dough will give you a more traditional donut texture, but it will require additional rising time.
5. What’s the best way to glaze these donuts?
For a simple glaze, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Dip the donuts and let them set for a few minutes.
Enjoy your homemade Air Fryer Donuts—they’re light, fluffy, and irresistibly delicious!
