Irresistible Air Fryer Donuts: Light, Fluffy & Easy
Let me guess—you love donuts but hate the mess, the calories, and that lingering deep-fryer smell that takes over your entire kitchen? Yeah, me too. That’s exactly why I jumped on the air fryer donut train, and honestly, I’m never looking back. These little rings of joy come out fluffy, perfectly golden, and so much easier to make than you’d think. No vat of boiling oil required. 🙂
Why Air Fryer Donuts Are Absolutely Worth Your Time
Look, I get it. You’re probably thinking, “Can an air fryer really make proper donuts?” Short answer: absolutely. Long answer: they’re not exactly like your neighborhood bakery’s deep-fried version, but they’re damn close—and in some ways, better.
Here’s what makes them awesome:
- Less oil, less guilt – You’re using maybe a tablespoon of oil versus cups of the stuff
- Way faster – No waiting for oil to heat up or dealing with multiple batches drowning in grease
- Easier cleanup – Your kitchen won’t smell like a carnival for three days
- Customizable as heck – Sweet, savory, glazed, filled—you name it
The texture is slightly different, sure. Air fryer donuts are a bit more cake-like than their fried cousins, but trust me, once you bite into a warm, cinnamon-sugar-coated one fresh from the basket, you won’t care about the technicalities.
What You’ll Need (Ingredients & Equipment)
Ingredients
For the donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk (whole milk works best, IMO)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping (classic cinnamon-sugar):
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
Equipment You’ll Need
- Air fryer (obviously)
- Donut pan or silicone donut mold
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Pastry brush
FYI, if you don’t have a donut pan, you can totally use a muffin tin and poke holes in the center with a small glass. It’s not pretty, but it works.
Step-by-Step Instructions (The Fun Part)
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Grab a large bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Nothing fancy here—just make sure there aren’t any clumps lurking around. You want everything evenly distributed so your donuts don’t end up with surprise pockets of baking powder. :/
Step 2: Combine the Wet Stuff
In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Beat them until they’re fully combined and slightly frothy. This is where the magic starts happening.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Pour your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently. Don’t overmix—this is crucial. You want to mix just until everything is combined, and you don’t see any dry flour. Overmixing makes tough, dense donuts, and nobody wants that.
Step 4: Fill Your Donut Pan
Lightly grease your donut pan or silicone mold with cooking spray. Fill each cavity about two-thirds full. Seriously, don’t overfill them or you’ll end up with donut blobs instead of those cute rings.
Step 5: Air Fry Time
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place your donut pan in the basket and cook for about 8-10 minutes. Every air fryer is slightly different, so keep an eye on them. You’re looking for a light golden-brown color and a toothpick that comes out clean.
Step 6: The Coating
Once your donuts are done and still warm, brush them generously with melted butter. Then roll them in your cinnamon-sugar mixture. This part is messy but SO satisfying. The warm butter helps the sugar stick, creating that addictive crusty coating.
Step 7: Devour
Let them cool for maybe 2 minutes if you have the willpower. Otherwise, burn your tongue like I always do because patience isn’t my strong suit.
Pro Tips From Someone Who’s Made These Way Too Many Times
Want to level up your air fryer donut game? Here’s what I’ve learned through trial and error (mostly error, let’s be honest).
Temperature matters more than you think. If your donuts are browning too fast on the outside but staying raw inside, lower your temperature to 325°F and add a couple of extra minutes. Patience pays off here.
Don’t skip the preheat. I used to think preheating was optional. It’s not. Your donuts need that initial blast of heat to rise properly and develop that nice exterior.
Experiment with flavors. The basic recipe is your playground. I’ve added everything from lemon zest to cocoa powder to the batter. My personal favorite? A teaspoon of cardamom. Game-changer.
Make them mini. If you have a mini donut pan, use it. Smaller donuts cook more evenly in the air fryer, and let’s be real—you can justify eating three when they’re tiny.
Glaze Options (Because Plain is Boring)
Classic Vanilla Glaze
Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Dip your cooled donuts and let the glaze set. Simple, classic, perfect.
Chocolate Glaze
Melt ½ cup chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons butter and a splash of milk. Dip and sprinkle with whatever toppings your heart desires.
Maple Glaze
Combine 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup and enough milk to reach dipping consistency. Top with crumbled bacon if you’re feeling adventurous.
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Making them too big. I see you trying to maximize that batter. Don’t. They’ll puff up and lose their donut shape entirely.
Using cold ingredients. Room temperature eggs and milk mix better and create a smoother batter. Take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start.
Forgetting to grease the pan. Even if you’re using silicone, give it a light spray. Stuck donuts are sad donuts, and they break apart when you try to remove them.
Crowding the air fryer. Air needs to circulate. If your donut pan is too big or you’re trying to cram in multiple pans, your donuts won’t cook evenly.
Why I Choose Air Fryer Donuts Over Store-Bought
Ever wonder what’s actually in those grocery store donuts? Yeah, I stopped reading the ingredient list after “partially hydrogenated” whatever. With air fryer donuts, you know exactly what’s going in—real butter, actual eggs, ingredients you can pronounce.
Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about making donuts at home. They’re warm, they’re fresh, and you can eat them in your pajamas at 7 AM without judgment. That’s living your best life right there.
The cost factor is real, too. A dozen bakery donuts can easily run you $15-20. This recipe costs maybe $3 in ingredients and makes 12 donuts. Your wallet will thank you.
Storing and Reheating (If They Last That Long)
Let’s be honest—these rarely stick around long enough to worry about storage. But if you have willpower I don’t possess, here’s what works:
Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They’ll lose some of their fresh-baked magic, but they’re still good.
Freezer: Freeze unfrosted donuts in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and refresh in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes.
Reheating: Pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes. They’ll crisp up nicely and taste almost fresh-made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use this recipe without an air fryer?
A: Absolutely! Bake them in a regular oven at 350°F for 12-15 minutes. You’ll miss out on that slightly crispy exterior the air fryer provides, but they’ll still be delicious.
Q2: My donuts turned out dense. What happened?
A: You probably overmixed the batter. Mix just until combined—lumps are totally fine. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh. Old baking powder = flat, sad donuts.
Q3: Can I make these dairy-free?
A: Yes! Swap the milk for almond or oat milk, and use vegan butter or coconut oil. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still work.
Q4: How do I get that deep-fried taste?
A: Brush your donuts with butter immediately after air frying and coat them generously in your topping of choice. The butter mimics that rich, fried flavor without the grease.
Q5: Can I fill these donuts?
A: You can! Make them slightly thicker, let them cool completely, then use a piping bag with a long tip to inject jam, custard, or chocolate filling. Poke a small hole in the side and pipe away.
Q6: What’s the best air fryer temperature for donuts?
A: I’ve found 350°F works perfectly for most air fryers. If yours runs hot, drop it to 325°F. If it runs cool, bump it up to 375°F. Every machine is different, so adjust accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Air fryer donuts changed my breakfast game completely. They’re quick enough for a weekday treat, impressive enough for weekend brunch, and customizable enough that you’ll never get bored. Whether you’re a cinnamon-sugar purist or a glaze-everything maximalist, this recipe gives you the foundation to create whatever your donut-loving heart desires.
So grab your air fryer, mix up a batch, and prepare for your kitchen to smell absolutely incredible. Your family, your roommates, or just future-you will be seriously grateful. And hey, if they don’t turn out perfect the first time? Make another batch. Practice makes perfect, and honestly, eating your mistakes has never been more enjoyable. 🙂
Now go forth and fry (without actually frying). You’ve got this.
