Picture this: You’re craving a donut, but the thought of deep-frying makes you hesitate. The mess, the excess oil, and the effort—ugh! Well, I’ve got great news. These Easy Air Fryer Donuts are the perfect no-fuss treat, delivering that light, fluffy goodness without any deep-frying. Whether you’re in the mood for classic cinnamon sugar or a rich chocolate glaze, this recipe will have you enjoying homemade donuts in minutes.
The best part? They’re super easy to make and can be customized to your liking—plus, there’s a vegan option included! No more missing out on homemade donuts just because you don’t want to deal with hot oil.
Now, let’s get started with what you’ll need.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we dive into the process, gather up these simple pantry staples:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or a gluten-free flour mix)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – helps the donuts rise and get fluffy.
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda – a little extra lift for that perfect texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – enhances all the flavors.
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or almond milk for a dairy-free/vegan option) – keeps them soft and tender.
- 1 egg (or 1 flax egg for a vegan version: mix 1 tbsp flaxseed meal with 2.5 tbsp water) – binds everything together.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract – adds a warm, cozy flavor.
Step 1: Preparing the Batter
First things first—mix the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures all your dry ingredients are evenly combined, so you don’t get pockets of baking soda or sugar in your donuts.
Step 2: Mixing the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk (or almond milk), egg (or flax egg), and vanilla extract. If you’re going the vegan route, let your flax egg sit for about 5 minutes so it thickens and mimics the consistency of a regular egg.
Now, it’s time to bring it all together!
Step 3: Combining Everything
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until everything is well incorporated. Be careful not to overmix—you want a smooth batter, but if you mix too much, your donuts might turn out dense instead of light and fluffy.
Shaping, Air Frying, and Toppings
Now that we have our donut batter ready, it’s time to shape these beauties and get them cooking. The air fryer works like magic, giving them a light, fluffy texture with a perfectly golden exterior—no deep frying needed!
Step 4: Filling the Donut Molds
To get that classic donut shape, you’ll need a donut mold or a simple trick with a piping bag.
- If you have silicone donut molds that fit in your air fryer, lightly grease them with non-stick spray before filling.
- If you don’t have a mold, transfer your batter into a piping bag (or a ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off). Pipe the batter onto small pieces of parchment paper in circles, making sure to leave a hole in the center.
Make sure the batter is evenly distributed for consistent cooking. The donuts won’t spread too much, but keeping them uniform in size ensures they cook at the same rate.
Step 5: Air Frying the Donuts
Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and preheat it for a couple of minutes. Carefully place your filled donut molds or parchment paper circles into the basket.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to adjust the time slightly. If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at the 5-minute mark.
- If cooking in batches, let the air fryer cool slightly between rounds to avoid over-browning.
The donuts should come out with a golden, slightly firm exterior and a soft, fluffy inside. Let them cool for a few minutes before handling.
Step 6: Cooling & Adding Toppings
Once the donuts have cooled slightly, it’s time to make them extra delicious with some toppings. You can keep it simple or go all out—the choice is yours!
Classic Cinnamon Sugar Coating
For a classic sugar-coated donut, mix:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Lightly brush the warm donuts with melted butter (or vegan butter), then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
Rich Chocolate Glaze
For a decadent chocolate glaze, melt together:
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons milk (or almond milk for a vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon butter (or coconut oil for a shinier glaze)
Dip each donut into the glaze, letting the excess drip off. Place them on a wire rack and let the chocolate set before serving.
Powdered Sugar Dusting
If you’re short on time, a simple dusting of powdered sugar is a quick way to add a touch of sweetness.
Sprinkles & Fun Toppings
Want to make them extra fun? Add colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, or even shredded coconut on top of the glaze before it sets.
And just like that, your air fryer donuts are ready to enjoy! Whether you go for a simple cinnamon sugar coating or a rich chocolate glaze, these donuts are sure to be a hit.
Now that you have your air fryer donuts ready, you might have a few questions about storage, variations, and troubleshooting. Let’s go over some of the most common ones so you can make perfect donuts every time!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make these donuts ahead of time?
Yes! These air fryer donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop them in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes.
2. Can I make the batter in advance?
It’s best to make the batter fresh, but if you need to prepare ahead, mix the wet and dry ingredients separately and combine them just before cooking. This prevents the baking powder and baking soda from activating too early.
3. Can I make these donuts without a donut mold?
Yes! If you don’t have a donut mold, simply pipe the batter into ring shapes on parchment paper circles and air fry as usual. The shape might not be perfect, but they will still taste amazing.
4. Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour mix that contains xanthan gum for structure. The texture may be slightly different, but they will still be soft and delicious.
5. What air fryer works best for this recipe?
Any air fryer will work, but models with a flat basket provide more even cooking. If your air fryer has a wire basket, you may need to place the donuts on parchment paper to prevent batter from dripping through.
6. Why did my donuts turn out dry?
Overmixing the batter or overcooking the donuts can lead to a dry texture. Make sure to mix gently and check for doneness at the 5-minute mark to avoid drying them out.
7. Can I make mini donuts with this recipe?
Yes! If using a mini donut mold, reduce the cooking time to 4-5 minutes and check frequently to ensure they don’t overcook.
Final Thoughts
Making donuts at home has never been easier thanks to the air fryer! These light, fluffy treats are quick to make, require no deep frying, and can be customized with endless topping options. Whether you go for cinnamon sugar, chocolate glaze, or a simple powdered sugar dusting, you’re in for a delicious homemade treat.
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Easy Air Fryer Donuts
- Total Time: 12 minutes
Description
These Easy Air Fryer Donuts are light, fluffy, and made without deep-frying! Perfect for a quick treat, they can be customized with different toppings like cinnamon sugar or chocolate glaze. Plus, there’s a vegan option included!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour mix)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or almond milk for vegan option)
- 1 egg (or 1 flax egg for vegan option: 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2️⃣ Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the buttermilk, egg (or flax egg), and vanilla extract together until well combined.
3️⃣ Combine: Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until smooth and fully incorporated.
4️⃣ Fill the donut molds: Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off. Pipe the batter evenly into the donut molds in your air fryer.
5️⃣ Air fry: Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to do this in batches.
6️⃣ Cool & serve: Let the donuts cool slightly before adding your favorite toppings.
Notes
✔️ No donut mold? Use parchment paper and shape small rounds with a hole in the center.
✔️ For a sweeter donut, increase the sugar to 1/3 cup.
✔️ Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 donuts
