Air Fryer Donuts Recipe – Easy Homemade Treats
This air fryer donuts recipe is the easiest way to make light, fluffy, golden donuts at home without the mess of deep frying. Whether you are craving a weekend breakfast treat or a fun dessert to share with the family, these donuts come together in just 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. You will be amazed at how close they taste to the classic fried version.
Air frying has completely changed the way home cooks approach comfort food favorites. By circulating hot air around the dough at high speed, the air fryer creates that signature golden crust and tender crumb that we all love in a great donut. You use barely any oil, which means you get all the flavor and texture with far less grease and mess on your countertops.
Whether you top them with a classic vanilla glaze, a rich chocolate drizzle, or a shower of cinnamon sugar, these donuts are endlessly customizable. They are perfect for birthday mornings, holiday brunches, bake sales, or simply treating yourself on a slow Sunday. Once you try this method, you will never want to go back to the drive-through again.
This air fryer donuts recipe delivers perfectly fluffy, golden donuts with a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying. They are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and ready in just 30 minutes. Your family will love them today.
Ingredients
| AMOUNT | INGREDIENT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 2 cups | all-purpose flour | plus extra for dusting the surface |
| 1 tablespoon | baking powder | fresh for best rise |
| 1 teaspoon | fine sea salt | balances the sweetness |
| 1 teaspoon | ground nutmeg | optional but adds classic donut flavor |
| 1 teaspoon | ground cinnamon | for warm spice notes |
| 1 cup | powdered sugar | sifted, for the glaze |
| 1 cup | whole milk | divided, warm for dough and for glaze |
| 1 large | egg | room temperature |
| 2 tablespoons | granulated sugar | for the dough |
| 2 tablespoons | unsalted butter | melted and cooled slightly |
| 1 teaspoon | pure vanilla extract | for both dough and glaze |
| 1 tablespoon | neutral cooking spray or oil | for spraying the air fryer basket |
Instructions
Nutrition (per serving)
About This Recipe
Donuts have a long and delicious history that stretches back centuries. Early versions of fried dough appear in the culinary traditions of ancient Rome and medieval Europe, where cooks would fry sweetened dough in animal fat as a special treat. The modern ring-shaped donut as we know it today is widely credited to American seafarer Hanson Gregory, who in 1847 reportedly punched a hole in the center of fried dough to ensure more even cooking. This simple innovation changed the world of baked goods forever and gave rise to the iconic shape we recognize today.
In the United States, donuts became deeply embedded in popular culture throughout the 20th century, fueled by the rise of donut shop chains and their association with police officers, soldiers, and everyday workers grabbing a quick breakfast. National Donut Day, celebrated on the first Friday of June, was actually started in 1938 by the Salvation Army to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. Today, donuts exist in hundreds of regional and international variations, from the jelly-filled Berliner of Germany to the churro of Spain and the youtiao of China. The air fryer donut is simply the latest chapter in this beloved global story.
Ready to Serve
A Closer Look
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Do not overwork the dough. Overmixing develops the gluten too much and results in tough, dense donuts instead of the light and fluffy texture you are going for. Mix just until the dough comes together.
- Every air fryer model is slightly different, so check your donuts at the 4-minute mark during your first batch to gauge how quickly your machine runs. Adjust the temperature down by 10 degrees if they are browning too fast.
- For the crispiest exterior, make sure to lightly brush or spray both sides of the raw dough with oil before air frying. This small step makes a big difference in achieving that classic golden donut finish.
- Glaze your donuts while they are still slightly warm. The residual heat helps the glaze spread smoothly and adhere to the surface, giving you a perfectly shiny, even coating rather than a thick, clumpy one.
- For extra flavor in the dough, substitute the plain milk with buttermilk. The slight tang of buttermilk adds depth and complexity and also helps create a more tender crumb in the finished donuts.
Essential Equipment
Air Fryer: The essential appliance that cooks the donuts to golden perfection using circulating hot air with minimal oil.
Round Donut Cutter or Two Round Cookie Cutters: Used to cut the classic ring shape from the dough, with a large cutter for the outer ring and a small one for the center hole.
Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining the dry and wet ingredients and allowing the dough to rest properly.
Rolling Pin: Used to roll the dough out to an even thickness so all donuts cook uniformly.
Parchment Paper or Air Fryer Liner: Prevents the donuts from sticking to the basket and makes cleanup much easier.
Pastry Brush: Used to lightly brush the donuts with oil or melted butter before air frying for a golden finish.
Wire Cooling Rack: Allows the donuts to cool evenly without getting soggy on the bottom after cooking.
Small Saucepan: Used to warm the glaze or melt chocolate for topping the finished donuts.
Variations
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: Skip the glaze entirely. While the donuts are still hot from the air fryer, brush them generously with melted butter and then toss them in a bowl of cinnamon sugar until fully coated. These are irresistible warm.
Chocolate Glazed Donuts: Make a chocolate glaze by melting half a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips with two tablespoons of heavy cream and one tablespoon of butter in a small saucepan over low heat until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts and top with sprinkles.
Strawberry Frosted Donuts: Blend two tablespoons of freeze-dried strawberry powder into the powdered sugar glaze for a naturally pink, fruity topping. Top with rainbow sprinkles for a fun bakery-style look that kids absolutely love.
Maple Bacon Donuts: Swap the vanilla glaze for a maple glaze made with maple syrup in place of milk, then top each donut with crumbled crispy bacon pieces. The sweet and salty combination is absolutely addictive.
Lemon Glazed Donuts: Add one tablespoon of fresh lemon zest to the dough and replace the milk in the glaze with fresh lemon juice for a bright, citrusy donut that is light and refreshing. Finish with additional lemon zest on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought biscuit dough for this air fryer donuts recipe?
Yes you can use canned biscuit dough as a shortcut. Simply separate the biscuits, cut a hole in the center of each one, and air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. They will not taste exactly like homemade but they are a fast and convenient option.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes you can prepare the dough the night before and store it covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling and cutting to make it easier to work with.
Can I freeze air fryer donuts?
Yes you can freeze the cooked and cooled donuts in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Do not glaze them before freezing. Reheat in the air fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 minutes, then glaze while warm.
Why are my donuts not golden enough?
This usually means they were not brushed with enough oil before cooking, or your air fryer runs slightly cooler than the display indicates. Try brushing more oil on the tops and increasing the temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit on your next batch.
Can I make these donuts without gluten?
Yes you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a one-to-one gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture may be slightly more crumbly than the original, but the results are still delicious. Make sure all other ingredients you use are certified gluten-free as well.
How do I store leftover donuts?
Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For best texture, reheat them in the air fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 to 2 minutes before eating. Refrigerating them tends to dry them out faster.
