Craving doughnuts but dreading the deep-fryer mess? Say hello to Air Fryer Doughnuts golden, fluffy, and completely irresistible, without all that oil. These treats give you the same pillowy soft interior and slightly crisp exterior you’d expect from a bakery doughnut, but with a much lighter, healthier twist. Whether you’re coating them in cinnamon sugar or glazing them like a pro, they’re pure magic made easy.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Doughnuts

• Healthier Alternative: No deep frying = less oil, less guilt.
• No-Fuss Dough: Simple ingredients, no fancy equipment.
• Quick Cooking: Done in minutes compared to oven baking or frying.
• Customizable: Glazed, filled, sugared however you like ‘em!
• Kid-Approved: Soft, sweet, and fun to decorate. A hit with the whole family.

Ingredients in Air Fryer Doughnuts

These doughnuts use pantry staples nothing tricky, just simple, cozy baking at its best.

All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of soft, chewy doughnuts.

Yeast: Makes the dough rise and creates those airy pockets.

Milk: Warm milk activates the yeast and adds richness.

Sugar: Sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast.

Butter: Adds that irresistible tender texture.

Egg: Binds the dough and makes it light and fluffy.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors.

Cinnamon Sugar or Glaze: For that final sweet finish.

Optional Glaze Ingredients

• Powdered Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• Milk

Instructions

Make the Dough:

1. Activate the Yeast: Warm the milk (not too hot!) and stir in the yeast with a bit of sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2. Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the frothy yeast mixture, melted butter, and beaten egg.
3. Knead It Out: Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled (about 1 hour).

Shape the Doughnuts:

4. Roll and Cut: Roll the dough to ½-inch thick. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters (like a glass and a bottle cap) to shape your doughnuts.
5. Second Rise: Place shaped doughnuts on parchment squares and let rise again for 20–30 minutes.

Air Fry:

6. Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and preheat for 2–3 minutes.
7. Spray and Cook: Lightly spray the doughnuts with oil and place them (with parchment) into the air fryer basket. Cook for 4–6 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway if needed.

Add Toppings:

8. Glaze or Sugar: While warm, dip in melted butter and coat with cinnamon sugar OR let cool slightly and dip in glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

Notes

Servings: Makes about 8–10 doughnuts
Calories per doughnut: Approximately 180–220 depending on toppings

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes per batch
• Total Time: ~2 hours

How to Serve Air Fryer Doughnuts

• Pair with coffee or hot cocoa for the ultimate cozy treat.
• Add colorful sprinkles for a party-friendly version.
• Fill with jam or custard using a piping bag for an extra indulgent twist.
• Serve fresh and warm they’re best that way!

Additional Tips

• Don’t skip the rise times it’s key to that fluffy texture.
• Use parchment squares to prevent sticking in the air fryer.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days.
• Reheat in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes to refresh their texture.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Make the dough and let it rise overnight in the fridge. Bring to room temp before shaping.

2. Do I need to flip the doughnuts while air frying?
Only if your air fryer doesn’t circulate heat evenly. Flipping halfway helps brown both sides.

3. Can I use biscuit dough instead of yeast dough?
You can, for a shortcut version! Just note they’ll taste more like sweet biscuits than traditional doughnuts.

4. Can I bake them in the oven?
Yes bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, then glaze.

5. Can I freeze air fryer doughnuts?
You can freeze the unglazed, cooked doughnuts. Reheat and glaze fresh.

6. What if I don’t have parchment paper?
Make sure to spray the basket well with oil to avoid sticking.

7. Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes, just use plant-based milk and vegan butter.

8. What’s the best glaze?
Classic vanilla glaze, chocolate ganache, or maple icing are always crowd favorites.

9. Can I make mini doughnuts?
Yes! Reduce cooking time slightly and use smaller cutters.

10. Why did my doughnuts come out dense?
Check your yeast — it may not have activated properly. Also, don’t skip the rise time or overwork the dough.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Doughnuts are a game-changer for your sweet tooth and your schedule. Soft, golden, and endlessly customizable, they deliver all the comfort of classic doughnuts with way less effort (and oil). Whether you’re a cinnamon sugar fan or a frosting lover, this recipe has you covered. Make a batch, share with someone you love, and watch them disappear in minutes!

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