Air Fryer Donuts
Highlighted under: Sweet Treats
We had a craving for something sweet but didn't want to spend all day baking, so I decided to try making donuts in the air fryer. The whole thing runs about $8 to make, and honestly, it was super simple. With just a few ingredients and a short cooking time, we ended up with warm, fluffy donuts that felt like a little hug in pastry form. Donuts at home? Yes, please!
Trying out air fryer donuts turned out to be one of those delightful kitchen experiments that I didn't expect to go so well. I figured it would be a fun way to use the air fryer since I was tired of just making the usual fries and chicken. The dough came together so quickly, and the air fryer did its job beautifully, giving the donuts a nice lightness.
Honestly, my first batch was a bit uneven, but I learned to keep an eye on the cooking time so they wouldn’t dry out. After that, I played around with different toppings, but simple powdered sugar always hits the spot for me. These donuts have become a regular treat when the sweet tooth strikes!
Choosing Your Ingredients
Using all-purpose flour is a no-brainer here, but if you want to try whole wheat or a gluten-free blend, just know it might change the texture slightly. For sugar, granulated works well, but brown sugar can add a nice depth too, if you're feeling adventurous.
Don’t skimp on the vanilla extract; it really brings a lovely warmth to the donuts. The melted Kerrygold butter adds this richness that's hard to beat, but any unsalted butter will do the job if you’re in a pinch. Just make sure it’s melted to avoid little lumps of cold butter in your batter.
A Quick Note on Air Fryer Donuts
Preheating the air fryer is key. If you skip this step, your donuts might not puff up as nicely. Most air fryers heat really quickly, so don’t worry about waiting too long. Just make sure to give them a quick spritz of cooking spray so they don’t stick to the basket.
If you’re not sure if they're done, check for a light golden color and poke them gently. They should spring back rather than stay dented. Trust me, if you pull them out too early, they can be a bit doughy in the center, which is not the ideal donut experience. If that happens, just pop them back in for a minute or two.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp melted Kerrygold butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar or any other topping you like
Get everything prepped, and let's make some donuts!
Instructions
Now, let's get to making these donuts:
Make the Dough
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix them well so you don’t have any lumps. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted Kerrygold butter, and vanilla extract. Then pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until everything is just combined. Don't overmix it – a few lumps are okay!
Shape the Donuts
Now, this part can get a bit messy, but fun! Lightly flour your surface, and turn out the dough. Pat it down about 1/2 inch thick. Use a donut cutter, or if you don’t have one, two different sized round cookie cutters will do the trick. Make sure to cut out the centers too!
Air Frying Time
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the donut basket with cooking spray. Place the donuts in the basket, making sure they're not crowded - you want good air circulation. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, checking around the 6-minute mark, until they are golden and puffed up. They cook quickly, so keep an eye on them.
Cooling and Coating
Once they're done, let them cool for a few minutes. If you want to coat them in powdered sugar, roll them while they are still warm. You could also dip them in chocolate or glaze if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy them warm!
And that’s it! Enjoy your warm donuts!
Air Fryer Donuts Leftovers Plan
If you somehow have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They tend to dry out quickly, but you can always refresh them in the air fryer for a minute or so to bring back some of that fluffiness. I like to pop mine in the microwave for about 10 seconds for a quick fix too, but that can make them a bit softer.
You could also freeze them. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before putting them in a freezer bag. They'll keep for about a month. When you're ready to enjoy them again, let them thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm them up a bit as mentioned.
Dietary Swaps
For a dairy-free version, unsweetened almond milk or oat milk can replace regular milk without much fuss. Just keep an eye on the final texture when you mix your ingredients, since some plant-based milks are thinner than whole milk.
If you're trying to cut back on eggs, a flax egg can be made by mixing 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water and letting it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. I haven't tried it in this specific recipe, but it's been a decent swap in other baked goods I've made.
Questions About Recipes
→ Can I use whole wheat flour instead?
You can, but they might turn out a bit denser. I usually stick to all-purpose for that classic donut texture.
→ What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You could bake these in the oven at 350°F for about 12-15 minutes. They won’t be quite the same, but still tasty!
→ How long do these donuts stay fresh?
They’re best eaten the day you make them, but you can keep them in an airtight container for a day or two. After that, they start to lose their charm.
→ Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough before shaping the donuts. Just wrap it well and use it within a month.
→ What's the best way to reheat leftover donuts?
Microwaving them for about 10-15 seconds works well. They get a bit soft, but warm again, they’re still pretty delightful.
Air Fryer Donuts
Created by: The Simplecooktips Team
Recipe Type: Sweet Treats
Skill Level: Easy
Final Quantity: 12.0
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp melted Kerrygold butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar or any other topping you like
How-To Steps
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix them well so you don’t have any lumps. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted Kerrygold butter, and vanilla extract. Then pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until everything is just combined. Don't overmix it – a few lumps are okay!
Now, this part can get a bit messy, but fun! Lightly flour your surface, and turn out the dough. Pat it down about 1/2 inch thick. Use a donut cutter, or if you don’t have one, two different sized round cookie cutters will do the trick. Make sure to cut out the centers too!
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the donut basket with cooking spray. Place the donuts in the basket, making sure they're not crowded - you want good air circulation. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, checking around the 6-minute mark, until they are golden and puffed up. They cook quickly, so keep an eye on them.
Once they're done, let them cool for a few minutes. If you want to coat them in powdered sugar, roll them while they are still warm. You could also dip them in chocolate or glaze if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy them warm!
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories (kcal): 145
- Total Fat (g): 5.6
- Saturated Fat (g): 3.3
- Cholesterol (mg): 35
- Sodium (mg): 172
- Total Carbohydrates (g): 21.2
- Dietary Fiber (g): 0.7
- Sugars (g): 5.6
- Protein (g): 2.9