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–+ servings
Photo of a stack of 3 glazed Air Fryer Donuts, on a cooling rack and ready to eat.
5 from 2 votes
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Air Fryer Donuts

These air fryer donuts are light and fluffy with a crisp exterior and soft crumb. We’ve given four different topping ideas so you can recreate your favorite bakery style donuts at home!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
12 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.
    Top view photo of warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a stand mixer bowl, and whisked together.
  • Next add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Whisk again to combine.
    Top view photo of melted butter, egg, and vanilla in a stand mixer bowl with the yeast mixture, and mixed until combined.
  • 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.
    Top view photo of the dough to make Air Fryer Donuts, mixed together in a stand mixer bowl, and ready to rest.
  • 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.
    Top view photo of Air Fryer Donuts dough, kneaded until smooth, and left to rest in a bowl for 1 hour.
  • 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.
    Top view photo of Air Fryer Donuts dough, after it's rested for 1 hour and 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 (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.
    Top view photo of dough for Air Fryer Donuts, cut out into donut shapes and placed on a lightly floured baking sheet and left to rise until doubled in size.
  • 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.
    Top view photo of 4 Air Fryer Donuts, in the air fryer basked and fully baked.
  • 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!
    Top view photo of glazed and frosted Air Fryer Donuts on a cooling rack. Two are glazed, two have vanilla frosting with sprinkles, and two have chocolate frosting with chocolate sprinkles.

Notes

Glaze & Topping Ideas
  • 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!
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.
 
  • 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.
 
Have oven recipes that you’d like to convert to an air fryer recipe? Use our Air Fryer Calculator to help you estimate cooking times and temps! Calculator here:https://airfryereats.com/air-fryer-conversion-air-fryer-calculator/

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g | Calories 121kcal | Carbohydrates 19g | Protein 3g | Fat 3g | Saturated Fat 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat 1g | Trans Fat 0.1g | Cholesterol 9mg | Sodium 54mg | Potassium 53mg | Fiber 1g | Sugar 3g | Vitamin A 104IU | Vitamin C 0.004mg | Calcium 17mg | Iron 1mg
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