These Air Fryer Homemade Donuts are incredibly easy to make, and the air fryer ensures they come out perfectly golden brown and crispy on the outside while staying soft and fluffy on the inside. Unlike traditional fried donuts, these are lighter and less greasy, but still just as delicious.
The beauty of making donuts in the air fryer is that they cook quickly, making them a perfect treat for when you want something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Plus, they’re customizable! You can change up the glaze with chocolate, maple syrup, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar. Add a variety of toppings like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or mini chocolate chips to make these donuts your own.
These homemade air fryer donuts are great for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon snack with coffee or tea. Whether you make them for yourself or for a crowd, they’re sure to be a hit. Plus, you’ll love knowing exactly what’s in your donuts—no preservatives or unnecessary additives, just simple, wholesome ingredients.
Air Fryer Homemade Donuts
If you love donuts but want a lighter, healthier alternative to deep frying, Air Fryer Homemade Donuts are the perfect solution. These donuts are soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, with a golden brown exterior and a light, airy interior. The air fryer gives them a crisp texture on the outside while keeping the inside tender and delicious, and you can customize them with different glazes or toppings for extra flavor. Plus, they’re quick and easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and less than 20 minutes of cooking time!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk (whole, almond, or your preferred milk)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter (or vegetable oil)
- Cooking spray (for greasing the air fryer basket)
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: Sprinkles, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate chips for topping
Instructions:
- Prepare the Donut Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). In a separate bowl, combine the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.
- Shape the Donuts:
- Lightly flour your hands or work surface, then divide the dough into small portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then gently flatten the ball into a disc shape. Using your finger or a small round cutter, create a hole in the center of each disc to form the classic donut shape. If you don’t have a donut cutter, you can also shape the dough into round “mini donut holes” instead.
- Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes. Preheating ensures that the donuts cook evenly and gives them that golden, crispy exterior.
- Air Fry the Donuts:
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the shaped donuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between them. You may need to cook the donuts in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the donuts at 350°F (175°C) for 6-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Check the donuts halfway through cooking and flip them for an even golden color. The donuts should be soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- Prepare the Glaze:
- While the donuts are cooking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl to create the glaze. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk to achieve the desired consistency. For a thicker glaze, reduce the milk slightly.
- Glaze the Donuts:
- Once the donuts are finished cooking, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Dip the top of each donut into the glaze, coating them evenly. If desired, sprinkle with additional toppings like sprinkles, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate chips for extra flavor and fun.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving. These air fryer donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition (per donut, without glaze):
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Net Carbs: 14g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Potassium: 80mg
WW SmartPoints: 3 SmartPoints per donut (without glaze)
