These Air Fryer Donuts are truly the easiest way to make donuts (and bonus, there’s no deep-frying involved)! They’re light and fluffy and we’ve included FOUR decadent glazes to try out.
The whole family is sure to love these made-from-scratch donuts.
“I actually can't believe how easy these donuts are to make! I've promised my kids that they can make the next batch - (they "helped" by "cleaning" the utensils last time LOL) your instructions are so easy to follow! These delicious donuts are absolutely going to become a weekend tradition! Thanks :)”
Recipe Overview
Air Fryer Donuts is the BEST way to cook donuts!
There’s no need to heat up a big pot of hot oil when using the air fryer. Simply make this delicious enriched dough and punch out your donut shape and you are ready to go! Plus, it’s so much better for you without all the added oil.
And donuts aren’t the only fried dessert you can make in the air fryer. Have you ever tried Air Fried Oreos? They’re super simple to make and bring the carnival feels right into the home.
And if you’re looking for more brunch ideas, we think you will love this Dairy-Free Banana Bread and Coffee Cake recipe.
Ingredients
- Whole Milk: Milk adds moisture and richness to the donuts. I’m using whole milk but 2% dairy or unsweetened almond or soy milk would also work. Make sure to warm the milk so the yeast activates– I recommend 30-45 seconds in the microwave.
- Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar acts as food for the yeast so we end up with really light and fluffy donuts.
- Yeast: Yeast helps the donuts rise and gives us the classic yeasted donut flavor.
- Butter: Butter adds richness to the donuts. If you use salted butter, you won’t need to add the kosher salt.
- Egg: Egg enriches the dough and gives it structure. It also adds a bit more moisture to hold the dough together.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds a subtle sweetness to the donuts.
- All Purpose Flour: Flour gives the donuts structure. I recommend measuring using the spoon and level method as adding too much flour can result in dry donuts.
- Salt: Salt balances out the sweetness in the donuts. Make sure to use kosher salt, not table salt.
Steps to Make
- Add the warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk to combine. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes.
- Next add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Whisk again to combine.
- Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer and set the speed to low. Add the flour and salt.
- Continue mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and begins to form a ball.
- Knead the dough (on low speed for 5 minutes if using a stand mixer) until the dough is smooth. Transfer the dough to a bowl and then place it in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size.
- Punch the dough down slightly and then transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough. Cut out large round circles and then use a smaller round cookie cutter to cut out the center of the donuts.
- Place the donuts and donut holes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow them to rise until they have increased in size by about 50%. In the meantime, preheat your air fryer at 350ºF/176ºC for 5 minutes.
- Lightly grease your air fryer with an oil spray and add a few donuts (or donut holes) to the basket. Cook the donuts (or donut holes) for 5 minutes or until they are light brown and a toothpick inserted into the donut comes out clean. Continue cooking the donuts in batches. Garnish the donuts with your favorite glaze and enjoy!
Frequent Pairings
Is there anything better than freshly glazed, warm donuts? Yeah, we don’t think so either.
Donuts are the ultimate indulgent breakfast food. For a Sunday brunch, these Air Fryer Donuts would pair perfectly with Air Fryer Bacon and Air Fryer Sausage Links for a nice salty-and-sweet combination.
Or enjoy it with a Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte on those crisp winter mornings.
Glaze and Topping ideas
Cinnamon and Sugar: Melt 3 tablespoons of butter and set it aside to cool slightly. In another bowl, stir together ½ cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Dip the donuts in melted butter and then in the cinnamon sugar.
Vanilla Frosting: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze and garnish with sprinkles.
Chocolate Frosting: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons heavy cream. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze and garnish with sprinkles.
Classic Glaze: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 tablespoon light corn syrup, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Microwave the mixture for 15-20 seconds or until it is thin and pourable. Dip the warm donuts into the glaze and then place them on a wire rack to set. Be careful– the donuts and glaze will be hot!
More yummy air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Monkey Bread
- Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
- Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Bites
FAQs
You don’t need any special donut cutter to cut these donuts. We use biscuit cutters. You just need to use the largest size you have and the smallest size you have, and that will work great! If you don’t have biscuit cutters, you can use a wide-mouth glass and a shot glass.
Donut holes are the center scrap dough that you will have an abundance of after you cut out your donut shape. They are great little bites and can be cooked in the air fryer the same way as the larger donuts. We also have a recipe for cinnamon sugar air fryer donut holes!
These Air Fryer Donuts are best eaten fresh, just like any other donut. But if you would like to save them for later, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
If you would like to freeze them, it’s best to freeze them before you coat them in the glaze. When you are ready to eat them, reheat them in the air fryer and coat them generously in glaze.
If you don’t have a stand mixer, don’t worry– this recipe can be easily made by hand. Follow the instructions as written in Steps 1 and 2 and then use a wooden spoon or dough whisk to incorporate the dry ingredients. Knead by hand for 5-7 minutes and continue with the recipe as written.
Air Fryer Donuts
Equipment
- 1 7-Quart Power XL Vortex Air Fryer
- 1 Largest and smallest sized cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk warmed to 100-110F
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Add the warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk to combine. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy and fragrant.
- Next add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Whisk again to combine.
- Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer and set the speed to low (Kitchenaid #2). Slowly add the flour and salt. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Continue mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and begins to form a ball. If the dough is too wet (sticking to the sides of the bowl) add more flour one tablespoon at a time until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the dough (on low speed for 5 minutes if using a stand mixer) until the dough is smooth and just barely sticks to your hands. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl and then place it in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size– about 1 hour.
- Punch the dough down slightly and then transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough until it is ½” thick. Cut out large round circles (3”) and then use a smaller (1”) round cookie cutter to cut out the center of the donuts. This dough is best if not re-rolled so try to cut as many donuts as possible the first time.
- Place the donuts and donut holes on a parchment lined baking sheet and allow them to rise for an additional 30 minutes, or until they have increased in size by about 50%. In the meantime, preheat your air fryer to 350ºF/176ºC for 5 minutes.
- Lightly grease your air fryer with nonstick baking spray and add a few donuts (or donut holes) to the basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer! Spray the tops of the donuts with nonstick baking spray. Cook the donuts (or donut holes) for 5 minutes, or until they are light brown and a toothpick inserted into the donut comes out clean. Continue cooking the donuts in batches. Garnish the donuts with your favorite glaze and enjoy!
Notes
- For a cinnamon sugar coating, melt 3 tablespoons of butter and set it aside to cool slightly. In another bowl, stir together ½ cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Dip the donuts in melted butter and then in the cinnamon-sugar.
- For a vanilla frosting, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze and garnish with sprinkles.
- For a chocolate frosting, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons heavy cream. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze and garnish with sprinkles.
- For classic “glazed” donuts, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 tablespoon light corn syrup, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Microwave the mixture for 15-20 seconds or until it is thin and pourable. Dip the warm donuts into the glaze and then place them on a wire rack to set. Be careful– the donuts and glaze will be hot!
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, don’t worry– this recipe can be easily made by hand. Follow the instructions as written in Steps 1 and 2 and then use a wooden spoon or dough whisk to incorporate the dry ingredients. Knead by hand for 5-7 minutes and continue with the recipe as written.
- Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the “Air Fry” function.
- Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes air frying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better! When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.
Nutrition
I actually can’t believe how easy these donuts are to make! I’ve promised my kids that they can make the next batch – (they “helped” by “cleaning” the utensils last time LOL) your instructions are so easy to follow!
These delicious donuts are absolutely going to become a weekend tradition!
Thanks 🙂
Sally you are so welcome! Yes, this is a really simple recipe that you can have so much fun with!
Thanks for rating and commenting 🙂