These delicious air fryer doughnuts have all of the characteristic of the deep-fried ones, but without the need of cooking them in hot oil. They’re texture is slightly different to a classic doughnut, but they’re still soft and fluffy inside, with crisp and chewy exterior.
You can cover them in cinnamon sugar for an extra crunch, or top with vanilla or chocolate glaze for a softer finish. Either way, an air fried doughnuts are a fantastic sweet treat which will have you hooked from the moment you try them!
Equipment
▢ air fryer
▢ Freestanding mixer with hook attachment
▢ large baking sheet
▢ large mixing bowl
▢ doughnut cutter or pastry cutting rings
▢ pastry brush
Ingredients
For the dough:
▢ 300 g plain flour
▢ 50 g caster sugar
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
▢ 140 ml whole milk
▢ 1 large egg
▢ 14 g (one packet) fast-action dry yeast
▢ 100 g butter, melted
For the cinnamon sugar coating:
▢ 200 g caster sugar
▢ 10 g ground cinnamon
Instructions
In a large bowl of a freestanding mixer fitted with the hook attachment, mix together the flour, sugar, salt and the nutmeg. Add milk and an egg, yeast and half of the melted butter (50g) and mix on low speed until the dough comes together.
Increase the speed to medium and mix for 3-5 minutes, until the dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl. If kneading by hand, transfer the dough onto clean work surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until you have smooth and elastic dough.
Transfer the dough into lightly greased bowl, cover and let it rest until it has doubled in size, about 2 hours. Meanwhile, line the large baking sheet with some baking parchment.
Remove the dough from the bowl into a clean work surface dusted with flour. Use the rolling pin and roll the dough to about 1 inch thickness (do not roll the dough too thin as it will make flat doughnuts). Cut the doughnuts shapes using the doughnut cutter or pastry cutting rings. Transfer the doughnuts (including the doughnuts holes/ middles if you would like) into the baking sheet lined with the baking parchment and brush them with melted butter. Cover with clean tea towel or loose clingfilm and let them rest for 45 minutes.
Heat an air fryer to 180°C and lightly grease the frying basket/ plate with some oil or melted butter. Carefully transfer the doughnuts into the basket (2-4 doughnuts at a time, depending on the size of your frying basket) and fry for 3- 5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the basket and repeat with the remaining doughnuts.
In a large bowl, combine the caster sugar and ground cinnamon and mix well to combine. Brush still warm doughnuts with the remaining melted butter, and toss each doughnut in cinnamon sugar. Enjoy!
Notes
Do not roll the dough too thin, otherwise your doughnuts will be flat. You want it to be about 1 inch (2.5cm) thick.
Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer instructions.
Fry 2-4 doughnuts at a time, depending on the size of your frying basket. Check the doughnuts after 2-3 minutes to make sure they are not browning too quickly.
Brush the cooked doughnuts with melted butter while they are still warm, then toss into cinnamon sugar or add your choice of glaze/ topping.
