Craving warm, fluffy donuts without the mess or guilt of deep-frying? The air fryer revolutionizes homemade donuts, making them an everyday possibility! Forget complicated steps; with an air fryer, perfect air fryer donuts are incredibly accessible, whether from ready-made biscuit dough or whipped up from scratch. This ultimate guide covers multiple easy methods, delicious topping ideas, and pro tips for the best air fryer donuts every time. Get ready for quick homemade donuts that impress!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Donut Recipe
Making donuts in your air fryer isn’t just a trend; it’s a game-changer for anyone who loves fresh, warm pastries. Here’s why you’ll adore these easy air fryer donuts:
Healthier Than Deep-Fried
Significantly reduce oil and fat compared to traditional donuts. Enjoy healthy air fryer donuts cooked with circulating hot air, often with just a light brush of butter. This means guilt-free indulgence, making them ideal for air fryer breakfast recipes or air fryer dessert recipes.
Incredibly Fast and Easy
Speed is key! From prep to plate, delicious treats are ready in minutes. This is especially true for air fryer donuts with biscuit dough, which can be ready in under 10 minutes. Even from-scratch options are remarkably quick, making them a simple donut recipe for busy mornings.
Less Mess, More Fun
Say goodbye to greasy countertops and lingering fried food smells. Air fryer baking is a clean, contained process, minimizing cleanup and maximizing enjoyment. No hot oil splatters, just perfectly cooked fluffy donuts.
Perfectly Fluffy & Delicious
Don’t mistake « no oil donuts » for less flavor or texture! These are genuinely delicious, boasting a delightfully soft interior and a slightly crisp exterior. You’ll get all the satisfying texture you crave in a homemade glazed donut, with less fuss.
Essential Equipment & Ingredients
Gathering your tools and pantry staples is the first step to creating irresistible air fryer donuts. Most items you likely already have on hand, making this a truly accessible project.
Kitchen Tools
- Air Fryer: Any basket or oven-style model will work perfectly.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Liners: Crucial for preventing sticking and easy cleanup. Ensure parchment is perforated or cut slits for optimal airflow.
- Donut Cutter or Biscuit Cutters: For shaping. No specialty cutter? Use a wide glass rim for the donut shape and a small bottle cap for the center hole.
- Mixing Bowls, Whisk, Rolling Pin, Pastry Brush: Standard baking and prep tools.
Key Ingredients for Your Donuts
- The Dough: Choose your adventure! Canned biscuit dough (like Pillsbury biscuit donuts in air fryer style) offers ultimate convenience, while basic flour, sugar, baking powder, milk, and egg are for air fryer donuts from scratch. For 2 ingredient air fryer donuts, use self-rising flour and Greek yogurt or milk.
- The ‘Fat’: Melted butter (unsalted is fine) or a neutral oil for brushing. This helps achieve a golden-brown exterior and provides a surface for toppings to adhere to.
- The Toppings: Granulated sugar, cinnamon, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and sprinkles are all you need for amazing air fryer donut glaze recipes.
How to Make Air Fryer Donuts: 3 Easy Methods
Whether you’re after lightning-fast treats or a more traditional bake, there’s an air fryer donut method for you. Here’s how to make donuts in air fryer, step by step.
Method 1: The 10-Minute Biscuit Dough Donuts (Easiest)
This is the ultimate hack for unbelievably fast and easy air fryer donuts with biscuit dough. Perfect for unexpected cravings!
- Step 1: Prep Your Dough. Open a can of refrigerated biscuit dough. Separate the biscuits and cut a hole in the center of each. Save the holes for air fryer donut holes recipe!
- Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer. Line your air fryer basket with perforated parchment paper. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection. Brush both sides of your biscuit donuts lightly with melted butter. Place them in a single layer in the preheated basket, ensuring they don’t touch. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then flip gently and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with remaining donuts and donut holes.
- Step 4: Coat Immediately. As soon as the donuts are out, brush them again with melted butter and immediately toss in cinnamon sugar or dip in glaze. The warmth helps the toppings stick!
Method 2: From-Scratch No-Yeast Donuts (Quick & Cakey)
For a slightly more involved but still speedy option, these air fryer donuts no yeast are delightfully cakey.
- Step 1: Make the Dough. In a large bowl, whisk together 1½ cups all-purpose flour (or use air fryer donuts recipe self rising flour and omit baking powder), ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. In another bowl, whisk together ½ cup milk, 1 large egg, and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Add wet to dry, mixing until just combined. If aiming for air fryer donuts greek yogurt, substitute half the milk.
- Step 2: Roll and Cut. Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough to about ½-inch thickness. Cut out donut shapes using a cutter.
- Step 3: Cook in the Air Fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Brush both sides of the donuts with melted butter and cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
- Step 4: Glaze and Enjoy. Dip these warm homemade glazed donuts into your favorite topping!
Method 3: Classic Yeast-Risen Donuts (Extra Fluffy)
For those seeking that classic, airy, fluffy donuts recipe, the air fryer can still deliver without deep-frying. This method requires a bit more time for proofing.
- Step 1: Activate the Yeast & Make the Dough. Combine warm milk, a pinch of sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it bloom. Then, mix with flour, sugar, egg, melted butter, and salt to form a soft dough.
- Step 2: The First Rise (Proofing). Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Step 3: Shape and the Second Rise. Punch down, roll out, and cut your donut shapes. Arrange on a parchment-lined tray and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.
- Step 4: Air Frying the Yeast Donuts. Preheat your air fryer to 325°F (160°C). Carefully transfer risen donuts to the air fryer basket (lightly brush with butter if desired). Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. These truly are some of the best air fryer donuts you can make!
Pro Tips for the BEST Air Fryer Donuts
Achieving bakery-quality air fryer donuts is easy with these expert pointers:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cook donuts in a single layer with space between them. This ensures proper hot air circulation, essential for even cooking and a golden finish.
- Always Preheat Your Air Fryer: A preheated air fryer helps donuts cook quickly and evenly, contributing to a better rise and a perfectly crisp-soft texture. It prevents them from drying out.
- Use Parchment Paper Correctly: Always use perforated parchment liners or cut small slits in regular parchment. This allows air to circulate freely around the bottom of the donuts, ensuring they cook thoroughly.
- Brush with Butter: This simple step is vital! A light brush of melted butter before and after air frying helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown color and ensures your cinnamon sugar or glaze adheres perfectly.
- Don’t Forget the Donut Holes!: The little cut-out centers are just as delicious! Air fry them alongside your donuts, typically for a minute or two less, for a delightful bonus treat. This is a great air fryer donut holes recipe hack!
Delicious Donut Toppings & Glaze Variations
The fun doesn’t stop after cooking! These versatile air fryer donuts are a blank canvas for endless flavor combinations. Here are some simple ideas for air fryer donut glaze recipes and classic toppings:
Classic Cinnamon Sugar
Brush warm donuts with melted butter, then toss in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon. A perfect choice for cinnamon sugar air fryer donuts.
Simple Vanilla Glaze
Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk (or cream), and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Dip warm glazed air fryer donuts, letting excess drip off.
Rich Chocolate Ganache
Heat ½ cup heavy cream until simmering. Pour over 1 cup chocolate chips; let sit 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Dip donuts for an indulgent treat.
Maple Glaze
Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Add a splash of milk if needed for desired consistency. This makes for fantastic air fryer breakfast recipes.
Funfetti Birthday Cake
Prepare the Simple Vanilla Glaze. Dip donuts, then immediately top with colorful sprinkles before the glaze sets. Celebrate any day with these festive treats!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
While fresh air fryer donuts are best, you can certainly enjoy them later!
How to Store Leftover Donuts
Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For optimal freshness, consider storing unglazed donuts and glazing just before serving. Glazed donuts may become slightly sticky over time.
How to Reheat Donuts in the Air Fryer
To revive day-old donuts, place them in a preheated air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for just 1-2 minutes. This brings back their warmth and soft texture, making reheating donuts in air fryer an absolute breeze!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Got more questions about making the perfect air fryer donuts? We’ve got answers!
Can you put raw dough in an air fryer?
Yes, absolutely! The circulating hot air is perfect for cooking various raw doughs, from biscuits and cookies to pastries and, of course, delicious donuts. Just ensure they’re brushed with a little fat to prevent drying.
What temperature do you cook donuts in an air fryer?
A moderate temperature, typically between 350-360°F (175-180°C), works best for most air fryer donut recipes. If using yeast dough, a slightly lower temperature like 325°F (160°C) is recommended to prevent over-browning before the inside is fully cooked. This is key for understanding what temperature to air fry donuts.
Why are my air fryer donuts hard or dry?
This is usually due to overcooking. Air fryers cook fast, so check them a minute or two early. Brushing with melted butter or oil also helps keep them moist and promotes a golden exterior. Not overcrowding the basket also helps with even cooking.
Do I need to flip donuts in the air fryer?
Yes, for the most even browning and cooking, it’s best to flip them about halfway through the cooking time. This ensures both sides are beautifully golden and cooked through, giving you fluffy donuts recipe results.
Can I use cooking spray on my donut dough?
While you can, it’s generally better to brush with melted butter or oil. Aerosol cooking sprays can contain propellants and additives that may damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket over time. For best results and longevity of your appliance, stick to a pastry brush and liquid fat.
Conclusion
From speedy biscuit dough marvels to delicious from-scratch creations, making air fryer donuts is a culinary delight that promises less mess, less guilt, and maximum flavor. It’s a truly fast, easy, and healthier way to satisfy that sweet craving any day of the week. So, pull out your air fryer, pick your favorite method, and get ready to enjoy warm, homemade perfection. Happy air frying!
For more daily recipes and tips, follow us on Facebook!
Click here to join our community!