Easy Air Fryer Donuts

🥯 Introduction: The Magic of Air Fryer Donuts

Who doesn’t love a warm, pillowy-soft donut straight from the fryer—or in this case, the air fryer? While traditional donuts are deep-fried in oil, yielding a rich but often greasy result, air fryer donuts offer a healthier alternative with all the same fluffiness and flavor. With just a fraction of the oil, you can still achieve golden brown, slightly crisp outsides and soft, melt-in-your-mouth interiors.

Homemade donuts might seem like a daunting task best left to professional bakers or specialty shops, but the air fryer revolution has brought this once-complicated process right into the home kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or a weekend experimenter, air fryer donuts are a fun, easy, and satisfying treat to make.

This guide walks you through a foolproof recipe for making classic yeast-raised air fryer donuts, with step-by-step instructions, tips, and customizable toppings. Prepare to impress your family, your friends—or just yourself—with this indulgent homemade dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

🍩 Air Fryer Homemade Donuts Recipe

🛒 Ingredients

For the dough:

• 3 1/4 cups (400g) all-purpose flour

• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (about 110°F or 43°C)

• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast

• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Light cooking spray or a little oil (for greasing)

For the topping:

• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

• 1/4 cup (60g) melted butter (for brushing)

Optional glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2–3 tbsp milk

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

🧑‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir lightly and allow the mixture to sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. This step ensures the yeast is active and ready to leaven the dough.

🔎 Tip: If the mixture doesn’t foam, your yeast may be expired or the milk may have been too hot.

2. Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer with dough hook attachment), combine:

• The yeast mixture

• Melted butter

• Egg

• Vanilla extract

• Salt

Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for about 7–8 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a stand mixer until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

💡 The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky. Add more flour a tablespoon at a time if necessary.

3. First Rise (Proofing)

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

🌡️ Ideal proofing temperature: 75°F to 85°F (24°C to 29°C).

4. Shape the Donuts

Once the dough has doubled in size:

1. Lightly flour your work surface.

2. Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) thickness.

3. Use a donut cutter or two round cookie cutters (3 inches and 1 inch) to cut out donuts and holes.

4. Transfer donuts and holes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

5. Cover lightly and let them rise again for 20–30 minutes.

🌀 Don’t throw away the holes—air fryer donut holes are amazing too!

5. Air Fry the Donuts

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.

Working in batches:

1. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil or use parchment rounds.

2. Place donuts in the basket, leaving space between them.

3. Air fry for 4–5 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking, until golden brown.

⚠️ Avoid overcrowding to ensure even air circulation.

6. Coat or Glaze the Donuts

For cinnamon sugar coating:

1. Brush the hot donuts with melted butter.

2. Roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

For classic glaze:

1. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

2. Dip warm donuts into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off.

3. Place on a wire rack to set for 10–15 minutes.

🖌️ Get creative with toppings—sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, or crushed nuts add flair!

🍩 Variations and Flavor Ideas

🧁 1. Jelly-Filled Air Fryer Donuts

• Use a piping bag to inject jam or fruit preserves into cooled donuts.

• Roll in powdered sugar or glaze.

🍫 2. Chocolate-Glazed Donuts

• Mix cocoa powder into the glaze or melt chocolate chips with a splash of cream.

🥥 3. Toasted Coconut Donuts

• Dip glazed donuts in toasted shredded coconut for a tropical twist.

🎉 4. Birthday Donuts

• Use vanilla glaze and rainbow sprinkles for a funfetti-style treat.

🍩 5. Maple Bacon Donuts

• Add a bit of maple extract to your glaze.

• Top with crispy crumbled bacon for a sweet-salty combo.

🧽 Cleaning Tips After Frying

After making a batch of homemade donuts, your air fryer may have some residue. Here’s how to clean it:

• Unplug and cool down the air fryer before cleaning.

• Remove the basket and tray, and soak them in warm soapy water.

• Use a soft brush or sponge to scrub off sticky glaze or sugar.

• Dry completely before reassembling.

🧼 Do not use abrasive sponges or submerge the whole air fryer.

📝 Storage and Reheating

Storage:

• Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

• For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating:

• Reheat donuts in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 2–3 minutes to restore fluffiness.

🧠 Troubleshooting and Tips

📏 Nutritional Info (Per Glazed Donut, Approximate)

• Calories: 220

• Carbs: 32g

• Fat: 7g

• Protein: 4g

• Sugar: 12g

⚠️ Nutrition may vary based on toppings and size.

✅ Benefits of Air Fryer Donuts

• Less Oil – Significantly reduced fat content compared to deep frying.

• Cleaner Cooking – No oil splatters, no greasy stovetop.

• Faster Cook Time – Donuts cook in under 5 minutes per batch.

• Healthier Option – Easily adapted to use whole wheat flour or sugar substitutes.

🥳 Conclusion: A Sweet Reward for Home Cooks

Homemade air fryer donuts are the perfect combination of old-fashioned comfort and modern kitchen convenience. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of golden, fluffy donuts that taste like they came from your favorite bakery—minus the guilt and the mess.

Whether you’re making them for a cozy weekend breakfast, a party snack, or simply to satisfy a late-night sweet tooth, air fryer donuts are endlessly customizable and totally satisfying. The recipe is fun, family-friendly, and absolutely worth the effort.

Don’t be surprised if these donuts become a regular part of your weekend routine. With how simple and delicious they are, the hardest part is waiting for the dough to rise.