Air Fryer Donuts Recipe:

Donuts are a beloved treat, whether enjoyed for breakfast, dessert, or as a sweet snack. While deep-fried donuts are traditional, air fryer donuts provide a healthier alternative without sacrificing taste or texture. The air fryer cooks donuts with much less oil, resulting in a lighter and fluffier donut with a crispy exterior. In this article, we’ll guide you through a step-by-step recipe for making perfect air fryer donuts that are soft, delicious, and easy to prepare.

Why Air Fryer Donuts?

Air fryers have taken the cooking world by storm, offering a faster and healthier way to cook food that would traditionally require deep-frying. When it comes to donuts, the air fryer allows them to become golden brown and crisp without the heavy oil that deep frying requires. This makes air fryer donuts a healthier option, with fewer calories and less fat, but they still come out deliciously light and fluffy. The best part? Air frying donuts is quick, easy, and results in homemade treats that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Donuts

To make air fryer donuts, you will need the following ingredients:

For the Donut Dough:

1. All-Purpose Flour – 2 cups. This is the base of the donut dough and provides structure.
2. Granulated Sugar – ½ cup. For sweetness.
3. Baking Powder – 2 teaspoons. This helps the donuts rise and become light and fluffy.
4. Salt – ¼ teaspoon. To balance the sweetness.
5. Milk – ¾ cup. Whole milk or any plant-based milk will work.
6. Egg – 1 large. The egg helps bind the ingredients together and adds richness to the dough.
7. Butter – 2 tablespoons, melted. This adds moisture and flavor to the donuts.
8. Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon. For a lovely flavor.
9. Nutmeg (optional) – ½ teaspoon. This is an optional spice that adds a warm, aromatic touch to the donuts.

For the Glaze:

1. Powdered Sugar – 1 cup. For the sweet glaze.
2. Milk – 2 tablespoons. To thin out the glaze.
3. Vanilla Extract – ½ teaspoon. For added flavor.
4. Cinnamon (optional) – 1 teaspoon. To create a cinnamon glaze (optional, if you like cinnamon sugar donuts).

For Coating (Optional):

Cinnamon Sugar – ½ cup granulated sugar mixed with 2 teaspoons cinnamon. For coating if you prefer a cinnamon-sugar donut.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Air Fryer Donuts

Step 1: Prepare the Donut Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk them together until they are well mixed.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. If you’re adding nutmeg, include it in the wet ingredients. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms. It may be a little sticky at first, but that’s okay.

Knead the dough for about 1-2 minutes on a lightly floured surface until it becomes smooth. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour to make it easier to handle.

Step 2: Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough is smooth, roll it out with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface to about ½-inch thickness. This thickness ensures the donuts are fluffy on the inside but still cook through in the air fryer.

Using a donut cutter or two round cookie cutters (one large and one small), cut out donut shapes. If you don’t have a donut cutter, you can also use a round glass for the outer circle and a bottle cap for the inner circle to create the donut hole.

You can re-roll the dough scraps to make more donuts, but be careful not to overwork the dough as it can become tough.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. Preheating helps the air fryer reach the optimal temperature, ensuring even cooking for your donuts.

Step 4: Air Fry the Donuts

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the donuts from sticking. Place the donut shapes in the basket in a single layer. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the donuts in batches.

Air fry the donuts at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-6 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Depending on the size of your donuts and your air fryer model, the cooking time may vary slightly. Keep an eye on them, and check for a golden, slightly crisp exterior.

Once they are done, remove the donuts from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before glazing.

Step 5: Glaze the Donuts

While the donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk to reach the desired consistency.

Once the donuts have cooled slightly, dip each donut into the glaze, ensuring that the top is fully coated. If you prefer, you can also dip the donuts in cinnamon sugar for a different flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once glazed, let the donuts sit for a few minutes to allow the glaze to set. Serve your homemade air fryer donuts immediately, and enjoy the soft, fluffy texture and sweet, flavorful coating.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts

Don’t Overwork the Dough: When rolling and cutting the donuts, be gentle with the dough. Overworking it can result in dense, tough donuts.

Ensure Even Cooking: Make sure the donuts are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket. If needed, cook them in batches to ensure even crisping.

Check for Doneness: The air fryer can cook quickly, so keep an eye on the donuts. They should be golden brown, light, and airy.

Customize the Glaze: You can flavor your glaze with different extracts like almond or maple, or you can add a little food coloring to make the donuts more festive.

Serve Fresh: Air fryer donuts are best served fresh and warm. They can be stored for a day or two, but the texture may change.

Healthier Options

If you’re looking to make your donuts a little healthier, here are some simple modifications you can try:

Use Whole Wheat Flour: For a more wholesome donut, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.

Reduce Sugar: If you want a lower-sugar version, you can cut down on the amount of sugar in the dough or glaze.

Glaze Alternatives: For a lighter glaze, you can use yogurt or a reduced sugar icing.

Conclusion:

Making air fryer donuts is a fun, easy, and healthier way to enjoy this classic treat without the mess and excess oil of traditional frying. With this simple recipe, you can create donuts that are soft, fluffy, and perfectly crispy on the outside, all with the help of your air fryer. Whether you glaze them with a sweet vanilla icing or roll them in cinnamon sugar, air fryer donuts are a delicious way to satisfy your sweet cravings in no time.

So, next time you’re in the mood for donuts, skip the fryer and grab your air fryer. With this recipe, you’ll have fresh, homemade donuts ready in minutes!

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