Air Fryer Doughnuts

Sink your teeth into these warm, fluffy, and tender homemade Air Fryer Doughnuts that are dipped in a sweet vanilla glaze, just ready to be enjoyed with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee. They’re a delectable sweet treat that’s perfect for breakfast or an indulgent afternoon snack.

Made from scratch, the yeasty dough provides the taste and texture of fried doughnuts but the air fryer eliminates the need for deep frying. The doughnuts ‘fry” in just minutes, thanks to the magic of this small kitchen appliance!

Along with an air fryer, you’ll need a stand mixer with a dough hook. The yeast in the dough will need time to proof, so while there’s some wait time on the front end to let the dough rise, you’ll be rewarded with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s light and airy once it’s air fried. It’s totally worth the proofing wait time!

If you have kids, they’ll love these air fryer doughnuts. In fact, they’ll probably love the doughnut holes even more! I air fry the holes once I’m finished with all the doughnuts. Dip the holes in the glaze and you have a bite-sized sweet treat that’s irresistible to little fingers. Don’t be surprised if these disappear quickly!

Ingredients Needed

For the doughnuts

Milk – I use whole milk.

Active Dry Yeast – Make sure it’s fresh and that you’re not using the instant type.

Eggs – To help make the dough.

Butter – I use unsalted. The melted and cooled butter will be added to the dough.

Sugar – Use white granulated to help sweeten the dough.

Salt – For flavoring. It also reacts with the yeast in the dough for optimal rising and proofing.

Flour – Use regular all-purpose flour.

Vanilla Extract -To flavor the dough.

For the glaze

Butter – Use unsalted. The melted butter helps make the glaze.

Powdered Sugar – To sweeten the glaze.

Vanilla Extract – To flavor the glaze.

Evaporated Milk – To help with the consistency and texture of the glaze.

How To Make Air Fryer Doughnuts

Note: This is a summary of the recipe steps. For complete instructions, see the recipe card down below.

STEP 1:  Activate the yeast by adding it to warmed milk in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes.

STEP 2: With the paddle attachment, beat in the eggs, butter, sugar, and salt.

STEP 3:  Add the dough hook attachment and knead, as you add the flour in increments. Knead until the dough is sticky and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

STEP 4: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl. Cover and let the dough rise for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.

STEP 5: Punch the dough down and place it on a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to ½ inch thickness and, using pastry cutouts, cut it into doughnut shapes. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, at least 1 inch apart.

STEP 6: Cover the doughnuts and let them rise for at least 1 hour or until the doughnuts have doubled in size.

STEP 7: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. Spray the basket with oil.

STEP 8: Air fry the doughnuts in batches. Place doughnuts in the basket in a single layer. Do not overlap. Spritz them with oil spray before air frying for 3 to 6 minutes or until golden.

How To Make The Glaze

STEP 1: Mix all the glaze ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth. Add additional evaporated milk if a thinner consistency is desired.

STEP 2: Invert the air-fried doughnut and dip it in the glaze. Place on a wire rack. Allow the glaze to run over the doughnut. Add sprinkles if desired.

Pro Tips

• Don’t rush the rise time(s) for the dough. Each rise time (there are two: one for the dough itself and one for the cut-out doughnuts) will help the doughnuts air fry to fluffy perfection. You want light and airy, so factor the wait times in.
• Use a neutral oil such as coconut oil to spray the air fryer basket and the doughnuts themselves before air frying. Avoid using aerosol commercial non-stick cooking sprays. They can damage your air fryer basket, plus they’re not great to add to actual food (such as your perfectly proofed doughnuts!)
• Work in batches when air frying. These doughnuts need their space when cooking, so don’t overcrowd them. The hot air from the appliance needs to be able to circulate all around each doughnut.

How Do I Cut Out The Doughnuts?

I love to use this handy set of pastry cutters that come in lots of sizes, which is perfect for cutting out the doughnut as well as the hole. No cutters? No problem. Just turn a wide glass upside down to cut out the doughnut. For the hole, a shot glass is perfect, or you can just use a knife.

What Do I Do With The Doughnut Holes?

Air fry them! When you’re finished air frying the doughnuts, pop the holes in, spacing them out, give them a spritz of oil on top, and fry until golden. They won’t need as long as the actual doughnuts, so check on them earlier. And don’t forget to dip them in the vanilla glaze, too!

Glaze And Topping Variations

The basic doughnut recipe is perfect for customizing these treats with different flavors of glaze or types of toppings. Here are a few suggestions.

• Change the flavor of the glaze by using a different extract, such as maple, lemon, coconut, or almond.
• Try a chocolate glaze or chocolate frosting for the topping.
• Instead of a glaze, top with any flavor of prepared frosting.
• Add sprinkles to the top of the glaze or frosting.
• Garnish with shredded coconut after the doughnuts have been glazed.
• Instead of a glaze, roll the warm doughnuts in a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Instead of a glaze, generously sprinkle with powdered sugar

Storage

Keep air fryer doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. If you want them slightly warm, microwave them for just a few seconds.

More Doughnut Recipes

Yeast Doughnuts with Vanilla Glaze

Powdered Sugar Biscuit Donuts

King Cake Donuts

Red Velvet Donuts

Chinese Donuts

Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find a wide variety of easy yet scrumptious recipes on her viral website Moore or Less Cooking

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #mooreorlesscooking so I can see all the wonderful recipes that YOU make from this site!

Check out my YOUTUBE with a free email subscription HERE and please share on FACEBOOK and on PINTEREST