Description
Delicious air fryer donuts that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy a light and fluffy treat with a sweet glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup milk, lukewarm (about 100 degrees F)
- 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 1 tsp
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- Oil Spray, coconut oil works best
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter for glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar for glaze
- 2 tsp vanilla extract for glaze
- 4 Tbsp hot water, or as needed for glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Start by cranking up your air fryer to the right temperature. You want it nice and hot so the donuts have that golden crisp when they cook. Just a few minutes will get it ready, but do not let it go too long, or it might overheat.
- Arrange Donuts in Air Fryer: Carefully place the donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is space between them for even cooking; you will want that nice airflow. If they are too close, some might not get that beautiful crispiness you expect.
- Cook Until Golden Brown: Cook the donuts for around four minutes, keeping an eye on them. They should look golden and smell amazing. Every air fryer is a little different, so check them early to avoid overcooking – nobody wants dry donuts!
- Let Cool for a Moment: Once cooked, let the donuts cool for a few minutes. This helps them firm up just a bit. Rushing to glaze them while they are too hot may cause the glaze to melt right off, which can be pretty disappointing.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the donuts are cooling, mix up your glaze ingredients. It should be smooth and shiny, hitting that sweet spot between too runny and too thick. If it is not right, just tweak it a bit. A glaze that is too thin will slide right off!
- Dunk & Enjoy: Now comes the fun part! Dunk each donut into the glaze. You want them well-coated, but not drowning. Let any excess glaze drip off before you bite into one—trust me, you do not want a messy situation on your hands.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Donuts can be frozen unglazed and reheated in the Air Fryer.
- Expert Tips: If the dough does not rise, make sure your yeast is fresh and the warm spot is around 100 degrees F.
- When checking the milk temperature, aim for about 100 degrees F to activate the yeast effectively.
- For best results, let the donuts cool completely before glazing. It helps the glaze set better.
- If your glaze is too thick, adding just a1/2 teaspoon of hot water can help reach the desired consistency.
- When storing, keep donuts in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out too quickly.
- Reheating Instructions: To reheat, place frozen unglazed donuts in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 3-5 minutes until warmed through.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve warm with coffee or tea. Pair with fresh fruit for a balanced breakfast. Top with sprinkles for a festive treat.
- Recipe Variations: Add chocolate chips to dough for a sweet twist. Incorporate pumpkin puree for a fall flavor. Use a maple syrup glaze instead of vanilla.
- Ingredient Notes: For best texture, whole milk or 2% is recommended. You can try using a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free option, but results may vary. Quality yeast is crucial; check freshness before use for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 251
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 113mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 33mg