Air Fryer Donuts

Who’s hopped on board with the “air fryer trend”? Basically, it’s a powerful countertop convection oven – and it works wonders! I love how most of them are compact and don’t take up too much space. Not to mention you can make just about anything you would make with a fryer, but healthier! And, yes, that includes doughnuts!

If I do say so myself, these Air Fryer Donuts are absolutely impressive. These yummy little treats taste like the real deal! They come out crispier than those baked in the oven, and they eliminate the hassle of having to deep fry at home.

Okay, folks – it’s time for you to make your own Air Fryer Donuts. Follow my easy step-by-step instructions for a no-hassle, minimal mess, surefire donut recipe.

Ingredients for the Donuts:

• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 ½ to 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Ingredients for the Glaze:

• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons evaporated milk

Yields: Approx. 18 donuts

Directions for the Donuts:

Add milk to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 60 seconds, or until 90 degrees in temperature. Transfer the milk to a stand mixer mixing bowl. Add yeast and stir until dissolved. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Add the paddle attachment to the stand mixer and add eggs, butter, sugar, salt and 4 cups flour to the bowl. Mix well.

Switch the mixer to the dough hook attachment and knead mixture at medium speed. Add flour ¼ cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the flour. Continue to knead for about 3 minutes, keeping it at medium speed. The dough is ready once it is soft and a little sticky.

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl. Turn over once to get crease on both sides of dough. Cover the dough with a cloth and place in a draft-free spot. Allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down and place on a lightly floured surface.

Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough until it’s about ½ an inch thick. Use round cookie cutters in two sizes to cut the dough into circles (and with a hole in the middle). Place each one on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be sure that the donuts are about 1 inch apart from each other. Knead any scrap pieces of dough into a mound of dough and continue rolling out and cutting the doughnuts until all of the dough is used.

Cover the tray of donuts and place in a draft-free spot. Allow to rise for about 1 hour or until the donuts have doubled in size.

Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees and spray the air fryer’s basket with nonstick cooking spray.

Place doughnuts in basket in a single layer (you will not want to overlap them). Spritz with oil spray. Air fry on each side for about 3 to 6 minutes (depending on the wattage of your air fryer), or until golden.

Directions for the Glaze:

Add all ingredients into a small bowl and mix until completely smooth. You may add additional evaporated milk if you desire a thinner consistency.

Invert each of your donuts and dip them into the glaze. Place gently on a wire rack, allowing the glaze to run over each donut. Add sprinkles if desired.