Easy Air Fryer Donuts From Scratch – Fluffy & Delicious

Air fryer donuts from scratch are about to become your new obsession. Imagine this: waking up on a lazy weekend morning, the aroma of warm, freshly baked goodness filling your kitchen, and knowing you can have perfectly golden, tender donuts in mere minutes. That’s the magic of making air fryer donuts from scratch. Gone are the days of complicated frying techniques or the guilt of indulging in store-bought treats. These beauties offer all the delightful chew and sweet satisfaction of traditional donuts, but with an air fryer twist that makes them incredibly convenient and surprisingly lighter. We’re talking about a recipe that’s simple enough for a beginner baker but yields results so spectacular, you’ll feel like a pastry chef. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone you share these delectable air fryer donuts from scratch with!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

The Joy of Homemade Simplicity

There’s an undeniable charm to creating something delicious with your own hands. This recipe strips away the intimidation, offering a straightforward path to donut heaven.

The Air Fryer Advantage

Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – the air fryer creates a texture that’s simply unbeatable, and it does it faster and with less mess than traditional frying.

Endless Customization

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, the possibilities for glazes, toppings, and flavorings are truly endless. Your dream donut awaits!

Air Fryer Donuts (from Scratch)

There’s something incredibly satisfying about making donuts from scratch. The aroma filling your kitchen, the joy of shaping them, and then the incredible reward of biting into a warm, fluffy, homemade treat. And the best part? You can achieve donut shop perfection right in your air fryer! Forget deep frying and all the mess; these air fryer donuts are surprisingly easy and unbelievably delicious. They’re tender, slightly sweet, and perfect for a weekend brunch or an indulgent afternoon snack. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup warm milk
• 2¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour ((add more as needed))
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

Step 1: Activating the Yeast and Mixing the Dough

Begin by combining the warm water and warm milk in a small bowl. The temperature should be around 105-115°F (40-46°C) – warm to the touch but not hot. This is crucial for activating the dry active yeast. Sprinkle the 2¼ teaspoons of dry active yeast over the warm liquid. Add a pinch of granulated sugar (from your ⅓ cup) to feed the yeast. Let this mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes. You should see it become foamy and bubbly, which indicates your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be old or the liquid was too hot or too cold, and you’ll need to start this step again.

Once the yeast is active, pour this mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ⅓ cup of granulated sugar, the melted unsalted butter, the whole egg, and the egg yolk. Stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Now it’s time for the flour. Add 2 cups of the all-purpose flour and the ½ teaspoon of salt to the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Kneading the Dough

If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, now is the time to use it. Mix on low speed until the ingredients just come together. Gradually add the remaining ½ cup of flour, a little at a time, until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and becomes smooth and elastic. You might not need all of the remaining flour, or you might need a tablespoon or two more – the exact amount depends on the humidity and your flour. The dough should be slightly tacky but not overly sticky.

If you’re kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8-10 minutes, pushing, stretching, and folding the dough until it’s smooth, elastic, and springs back when you gently poke it. This kneading process develops the gluten, which is what gives your donuts their light and airy texture.

Step 3: The First Rise (Proofing)

Lightly grease a clean, large bowl with cooking spray or a little oil. Place the kneaded dough into the bowl, turning it once to coat the surface with the oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place the bowl in a warm, draft-free spot to rise. This typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size. A slightly warm oven (turned off) or a spot near a sunny window works well. Patience is key here; a good rise ensures fluffy donuts.

Step 4: Shaping the Donuts and the Second Rise

Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Now, you have a couple of options for shaping. You can roll the dough out to about ½ inch thickness and use a donut cutter (or two round cutters of different sizes, like a large biscuit cutter and a smaller bottle cap) to cut out your donuts. Alternatively, you can simply divide the dough into small balls (about 1.5-2 inches in diameter) for donut holes.

Arrange the shaped donuts or donut holes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between them. Cover them loosely with plastic wrap or a light kitchen towel and let them rise again for another 30-45 minutes. They should look puffy and feel light. This second rise is essential for achieving that characteristic airy donut texture.

Step 5: Air Frying the Donuts

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Carefully place the risen donuts into the preheated air fryer basket, working in batches. Do not overcrowd the basket; you want the hot air to circulate freely around each donut. You can usually fit 2-4 donuts at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Air fry the donuts for 3-5 minutes per side, flipping them halfway through. They should be lightly golden brown and cooked through. The exact time will vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of your donuts. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. Once cooked, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly.

Step 6: Preparing the Glaze and Finishing Touches

While the donuts are cooling, prepare your glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of powdered sugar, ¼ cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup, and 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and well combined. The corn syrup adds a lovely shine and helps the glaze set slightly. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

Once the donuts are slightly cooled but still warm, dip each donut into the glaze, coating both sides. You can also spoon the glaze over them. Alternatively, for a simpler finish, you can toss warm donut holes in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar (mix ¼ cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon). Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your warm, homemade air fryer donuts!

Conclusion:

And there you have it – delicious, homemade air fryer donuts made from scratch! This recipe is a game-changer for anyone craving that fresh-from-the-bakery taste without the deep-frying mess. The air fryer creates a wonderfully tender interior with a slightly crisp exterior, making them utterly irresistible. They’re surprisingly quick to whip up, perfect for a weekend treat or even a special breakfast. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your toppings! We’ve suggested a classic glaze and cinnamon sugar, but think about drizzling with melted chocolate, adding sprinkles, or even a fruit-infused glaze. These air fryer donuts are fantastic served warm, perhaps with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk. I truly encourage you to give this recipe a try; you might be surprised at how easy and rewarding it is to make your own donuts from scratch!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these donuts ahead of time?

While they are best enjoyed fresh and warm, you can make the donut dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. For the best texture, let the dough come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping and air frying. Glazed or sugared donuts are best consumed within a day for optimal crispness.

What if I don’t have a donut cutter?

No worries! You can easily shape your donuts using two round cookie cutters of different sizes, or even just by hand. Roll out the dough and use a larger round cutter for the base, then a smaller one for the center hole. Alternatively, you can gently form the dough into rings with your fingers.

Air Fryer Donuts (from scratch)

Delicious homemade donuts made easily in the air fryer from scratch.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
5 Minutes

Total Time
35 Minutes

Servings
6-8 donuts

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup warm milk
• 2¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• Cooking spray
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1
   In a large bowl, combine warm water, warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy.
2. Step 2
   Stir in the melted butter, egg, egg yolk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, and salt. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Add more flour if needed.
3. Step 3
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4
   Punch down the dough and roll it out to about ½ inch thickness. Cut out donut shapes using a donut cutter or two different sized round cutters. Place donuts on parchment paper.
5. Step 5
   Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Carefully place donuts in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd.
6. Step 6
   Air fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove from air fryer and let cool slightly.
7. Step 7
   While donuts cool, whisk together powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, light corn syrup, and 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth for the glaze. Dip each donut into the glaze and let excess drip off.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.