Air Fryer Doughnuts are fluffy and tender, and completely homemade. This simple recipe uses a yeasted dough that tastes exactly like your favorite traditional doughnut. Top them with a creamy chocolate frosting or dip them in cinnamon and sugar for extra decadence.
AIR FRYER DOUGHNUT RECIPE
Create wonderful memories with the whole family by making doughnuts at home. They are much simpler than you may expect and taste just as good, if not better, than store-bought doughnuts.
These doughnuts are cooked in the air fryer, which creates a tender crumb and crisp outer layer, without the use of a big pot of hot oil. I never imagined I could get this kind of result without deep frying, but I’ve found that the air fryer delivers incredible textures with baked goods plus so much more.
Check out a few of our other favorite air fryer baked goods recipes, like Air Fryer Monkey Bread and Air Fryer Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies.
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE AIR FRYER DOUGHNUTS
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 doughnuts.
Yeast – Yeast helps the doughnuts rise and gives us the classic yeasted doughnut flavor.
Butter – Butter adds richness to the doughnuts. If you use salted butter, you won’t need to add kosher salt.
Egg – The egg enriches the dough and gives it structure. It also adds a bit more moisture to hold the dough together.
Vanilla – Vanilla adds a subtle sweetness to the doughnuts.
Flour – Flour gives the doughnut structure. I recommend measuring using the spoon and level method as adding too much flour can result in dry doughnuts.
Salt – Salt balances out the sweetness in the doughnuts. Make sure to use kosher salt, not table salt.
If you have any questions about Air Fryer Doughnuts, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER DOUGHNUTS
- 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 a few 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. 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 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.
- 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 and then use a smaller 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 until they have increased in size by about 50%. In the meantime, preheat your air fryer as directed in recipe.
- 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) as directed, 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!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER DOUGHNUTS
These Air Fryer Doughnuts are perfect for breakfast. Serve with a side of Air Fryer Bacon and a homemade Oat Milk Latte and you’re ready to take on the day.
TOPPING IDEAS FOR AIR FRYER DOUGHNUTS
To make a chocolate frosting topping, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze and garnish with sprinkles.
Or try rolling them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture fresh out the air fryer.
HOW DO YOU STORE AIR FRYER DOUGHNUTS?
You can store these Air Fryer Doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, but they are best enjoyed right out of the air fryer.
CAN YOU MAKE AIR FRYER DOUGHNUTS WITHOUT A STAND MIXER?
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.
MORE DELICIOUS AIR FRYER RECIPES
- Air Fried Oreos
- Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
- Sweet Potatoes In Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
I found this recipe for Maple-Glazed Doughnuts that I have to try!
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers!
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Air Fryer Doughnuts
Equipment
- 1 Biscuit Cutter
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole milk warmed to 100-110 F
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1½ tsp active dry yeast
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp 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 doughnuts. This dough is best if not re-rolled so try to cut as many doughnuts as possible the first time.
- Place the doughnuts and doughnut 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 doughnuts (or doughnut holes) to the basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer! Spray the tops of the doughnuts with nonstick baking spray. Cook the doughnuts (or doughnut holes) for 5 minutes, or until they are light brown and a toothpick inserted into the doughnut comes out clean. Continue cooking the doughnuts in batches. Garnish the doughnuts with your favorite glaze and enjoy!
Notes
powder, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze and
garnish with sprinkles. Directions for Without a Stand Mixer 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.
I don’t mind admitting that I was rather skeptical about this, but I was pleasantly surprised! The doughnuts turned out perfectly and I just had to give myself a little pat on the back.
I’m not a confident cook, but you gave me the confidence to try something new and it worked!
Thank you SO much! You have a new dedicated follower.
Geraldine xox
Oh Geraldine that’s lovely of you to say!
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment & rating – I’m so happy you enjoyed the air fryer doughnuts! 🙂