If you’ve ever had a really good donut, then brace yourself because these air fryer donuts are next level good. Thanks to the yeasted dough, they taste just like those classic glazed donuts you’d grab fresh from a bakery- light, fluffy, and perfectly airy… just without all the oil and frying drama.
Ingredients
For the donuts
- Cooking spray
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tsp. granulated sugar, divided
- 1 (0.25-oz.) packet or 2 1/4 tsp. active-dry yeast
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 4 Tbsp. butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
For the vanilla glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 oz. milk
- 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
For the chocolate glaze
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 Tbsp. milk
For the cinnamon sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp. melted butter
Directions
Step 1
Grease a large bowl with cooking spray- you’ll need it later for your dough. In a small, microwave safe bowl or measuring cup, warm up the milk until it’s just lukewarm. Just pop it in for about 40 seconds or so. Stir in a teaspoon of sugar to help wake up the yeast, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it hang out for about 8 minutes, until it gets nice and frothy.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk the remaining ¼ cup sugar with the butter, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Then, pour in the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add the dry ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon until you’ve got a rough dough like situation going on.
Step 3
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface or silicone baking mat and knead for about 5 minutes, until it’s smooth, elastic, and just a little tacky. Add extra flour a teaspoon at a time if it’s too sticky. But go slow! Form it into a ball, pop it into your greased bowl and cover with a clean dish towel. Let it rise in a warm, cozy spot for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
Step 4
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and give it a light mist of cooking spray. Punch down your risen dough (so satisfying!) then roll it out on a floured surface into a ½-inch-thick rectangle.
Step 5
Use a donut cutter (or a 3-inch and 1-inch biscuit cutter combo) to punch out your donuts and holes. Don’t waste those scraps though! Knead them together and cut out more. Arrange your donuts and holes on the baking sheet, cover with the dish towel, and let them rise again for another 40 minutes to 1 hour. They should look puffed and pillowy.
Step 6
Lightly grease your air fryer basket and work in batches- about 2 donuts and 2 holes at a time so they have room to breathe. Cook at 375°F for 6 minutes, until they’re golden and gorgeous. Once they’re done, transfer to a cooling rack and repeat with the rest.
Step 7
Now for the fun part: glazing! Dip the donuts in your glaze of choice (see below for options) or go the classic cinnamon sugar route. Set them on the cooling rack for about 5 minutes so the glaze can set (if you can wait that long!) and enjoy!
Vanilla Glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and glossy. That’s it!
Chocolate Glaze
Whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and milk until you get a silky, chocolatey glaze. Try not to eat it with a spoon (no promises).
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
In a shallow bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. Brush your donuts with melted butter, then toss them in the cinnamon sugar until they’re totally covered in sweet, delicious goodness.
Click here to learn more healthy, delicious recipes!
About The Author
