Air Fryer Donuts: The Irresistible Treat You Can Make at Home

Introduction: A New Era for Donuts

There’s something magical about donuts—whether glazed, sugar-dusted, or filled with gooey goodness, they’ve long held a cherished place in the world of comfort food. Traditionally deep-fried and drenched in oil, donuts have also carried a reputation for being indulgent and not-so-healthy. But what if you could recreate the same deliciously fluffy and golden pastries at home—without the mess of deep frying, and with significantly less fat?

Enter the air fryer—a kitchen innovation that has redefined home cooking. With rapid air circulation and a heating mechanism that mimics the crispiness of frying, the air fryer allows you to enjoy many of your favorite foods with minimal oil. Air fryer donuts are one of the best examples of how this small appliance can transform your culinary game. They’re golden on the outside, pillowy on the inside, and customizable to your cravings—all without needing a vat of hot oil.

Whether you’re a donut purist who loves a classic sugar-coated ring or an adventurous eater eager to try creative toppings like chocolate glaze with sprinkles or maple bacon, the air fryer opens up a world of possibilities. Plus, they’re quicker, cleaner, and easier than traditional donuts.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about making air fryer donuts, from ingredients and preparation to tips for perfecting the texture and achieving irresistible flavor. Let’s dive into this guilt-reduced indulgence that proves you can, indeed, have your donut and eat it too.

Air Fryer Donuts Recipe: From Dough to Delight

Part 1: Ingredients & Equipment

Before getting started, gather your ingredients and tools. You can make air fryer donuts using either homemade dough or store-bought biscuit dough for convenience. This recipe focuses on from-scratch yeast donuts for the best flavor and texture, but a quicker variation is also provided later.

Ingredients (For Homemade Yeast Donuts)

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm milk (110°F or 43°C)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling)
Cooking spray or oil (for air fryer basket and donuts)

Optional Toppings

Cinnamon sugar (1/2 cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon)
Classic glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp milk + 1/2 tsp vanilla)
Chocolate glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp cocoa + 2 tbsp milk)
Maple glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp maple syrup + 1 tbsp milk)
Sprinkles, nuts, crushed cookies

Equipment

Air fryer
Mixing bowls
Rolling pin
Donut cutter or two round cookie cutters
Parchment paper
Silicone brush (for applying oil or butter)

Part 2: Dough Preparation

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, combine warm milk (not hot, to avoid killing the yeast) and sugar. Stir in the active dry yeast and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until frothy. This step is essential to ensure your donuts rise properly.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture with melted butter, egg, and salt. Mix in the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead by hand for about 5–7 minutes or with a stand mixer using a dough hook for 4–5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 3: First Rise

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Part 3: Shaping the Donuts

Step 4: Roll and Cut

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently. Turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it to about 1/2 inch thickness. Using a donut cutter or a round cutter and a smaller one for the center, cut out donut shapes. Re-roll and cut until all the dough is used.

Don’t forget to keep the donut holes! They make perfect bite-sized treats.

Step 5: Second Rise

Place the donuts on parchment paper squares on a tray. Cover lightly with a clean cloth and let them rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

Part 4: Air Frying the Donuts

Step 6: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3–5 minutes. This ensures even cooking from the start.

Step 7: Air Fry the Donuts

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Carefully place a few donuts (with parchment paper if preferred) into the basket, leaving room between them. Spray the tops of the donuts with oil to help with browning.

Air fry for 4 to 6 minutes, flipping halfway if desired, until golden brown. Keep an eye on them—timing may vary depending on the air fryer model.

Tip: Don’t overcrowd the basket. Work in batches to ensure proper air circulation.

Part 5: Coating and Topping

Once air fried, place the donuts on a wire rack to cool slightly before adding your favorite toppings.

Option 1: Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the donuts are still warm, brush them with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.

Option 2: Classic Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Dip the donuts halfway and let them drip on a wire rack.

Option 3: Chocolate or Maple Glaze

Prepare glaze by mixing powdered sugar with either cocoa or maple syrup and a splash of milk. Dip and decorate with sprinkles, nuts, or cookie crumbs.

Option 4: Filled Donuts

Skip the donut hole and instead make filled donuts. Once cooled, pipe in jam, custard, or Nutella using a piping bag fitted with a small nozzle.

Optional: Quick Air Fryer Donuts Using Biscuit Dough

For a shortcut version, use refrigerated biscuit dough (the flaky kind). Cut out the centers, air fry as above at 350°F for 4–5 minutes, then coat or glaze as desired.

This version is perfect for last-minute cravings.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts

Don’t skip the second rise: This makes the donuts light and fluffy.
Use oil spray: A light mist on both the basket and donuts helps with browning.
Avoid stacking: Air flow is crucial for even cooking.
Parchment paper helps: It prevents sticking and makes transferring donuts easier.
Timing varies: Each air fryer is a little different—do a test batch!
Add flavor to dough: A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom can enhance the aroma.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 300°F.

Conclusion: Air Fryer Donuts—Deliciously Redefined

Air fryer donuts are more than just a clever twist on a classic dessert—they’re a revelation. With just a bit of dough and a few pantry ingredients, you can create bakery-worthy treats at home, minus the deep-fried guilt. They’re quicker, less messy, and significantly healthier than traditional fried donuts, yet still full of flavor and soft, tender texture.

Whether you’re making them for a family brunch, a sweet snack, or a weekend baking adventure, these donuts are sure to become a new favorite. The ability to customize them—from cinnamon sugar classics to creatively filled or glazed options—makes this recipe endlessly adaptable.

Beyond that, the air fryer continues to prove itself as a must-have kitchen companion. It allows you to make traditional comfort foods with modern sensibility, embracing convenience without sacrificing quality.

So next time your sweet tooth calls, don’t reach for a store-bought pastry—fire up the air fryer and make your own. Once you taste the warm, fluffy, golden goodness of a homemade air fryer donut, you might never go back.

Bon appétit—and happy frying!