Who doesn’t love a fresh, warm donut? Now you can make them at home in under 15 minutes—without deep frying!
These Easy Air Fryer Donuts are golden brown, fluffy, and lightly crispy on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside. The best part? No messy oil or deep-frying required!
Made with simple ingredients (or even canned biscuit dough for an ultra-fast version), these donuts are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Super Quick – Ready in under 15 minutes.
✔️ Healthier Alternative – Less oil than deep-fried donuts.
✔️ No Yeast Required – Skip the long proofing times!
✔️ Versatile – Coat them in sugar, glaze, or chocolate for different flavors.
Ingredients (Measured in Grams for Accuracy)
For the Donuts:
- All-purpose flour – 250g (2 cups)
- Baking powder – 8g (2 teaspoons)
- Granulated sugar – 50g (¼ cup)
- Salt – 2g (½ teaspoon)
- Unsalted butter (melted) – 30g (2 tablespoons)
- Milk – 120ml (½ cup)
- Vanilla extract – 5ml (1 teaspoon)
For the Toppings:
- Melted butter (for brushing) – 30g (2 tablespoons)
- Granulated sugar & cinnamon mix – 100g sugar + 5g cinnamon
- Powdered sugar glaze – 100g powdered sugar + 15ml milk
- Chocolate glaze – 100g melted chocolate + 15ml heavy cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
1️⃣ In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
2️⃣ Add melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until a soft dough forms.
3️⃣ Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 2 minutes until smooth.
2. Shape the Donuts
1️⃣ Roll out the dough to about ½ inch (1.3 cm) thickness.
2️⃣ Use a donut cutter or a cup & small bottle cap to cut out donut shapes.
3. Air Fry the Donuts
1️⃣ Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
2️⃣ Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
3️⃣ Place the donuts in a single layer, leaving space between them.
4️⃣ Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
4. Coat & Enjoy!
1️⃣ Brush the warm donuts with melted butter.
2️⃣ Toss them in cinnamon sugar or drizzle with glaze or chocolate.
Nutritional Information (Per Donut, Based on 8 Donuts)
- Calories: ~180 kcal
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fats: 7g
- Sugar: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
Pro Tips for the Best Air Fryer Donuts
🔥 Don’t Overmix – Overworking the dough can make donuts dense instead of fluffy.
🥛 Adjust the Dough – If the dough feels too dry, add a little more milk. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in extra flour.
🛢️ Lightly Spray with Oil – A small amount of oil helps create a golden, crispy exterior.
🍫 Get Creative with Toppings – Try sprinkles, jam fillings, caramel drizzle, or chopped nuts for variety!
Fun Variations to Try
🍩 Classic Glazed Donuts – Dip in a vanilla glaze for a bakery-style treat.
🍫 Chocolate Lovers – Coat in a rich chocolate glaze and top with sprinkles.
🥜 Peanut Butter Donuts – Drizzle with peanut butter glaze for extra indulgence.
🍓 Berry Filled – Inject the donuts with strawberry or raspberry jam for a jelly donut twist.
How to Store & Reheat
🫙 Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
❄️ Freeze for Later – Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and warm before serving.
🔥 Reheat Like Fresh – Pop in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 2-3 minutes.
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