Air Fryer Donuts

These air fryer donuts are everything you want—light, fluffy, and perfectly golden—without deep frying. They come together with simple pantry ingredients and cook in minutes, making them perfect for breakfast, tea-time, or even a quick dessert. You can coat them in sugar, glaze them, or add chocolate for a bakery-style finish at home.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Rest Time (rising): 1 hour

Cooking Time: 6–8 minutes per batch

Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tbsp sugar

1 tsp instant yeast

½ tsp salt

¾ cup warm milk

2 tbsp melted butter

1 egg

For Coating / Glaze:

½ cup sugar (for coating)

OR 1 cup powdered sugar

2–3 tbsp milk

½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the Dough

In a bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

Add egg, melted butter, flour, and salt.

Knead into a soft dough (8–10 minutes).

Let It Rise

Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Shape the Donuts

Roll out the dough (about ½ inch thick).

Use a cutter (or glass) to shape donuts and holes.

Second Rest

Place shaped donuts on parchment paper.

Let them rest for 15–20 minutes until slightly puffy.

Air Fry

Preheat air fryer to 180°C (350°F).

Lightly grease basket.

Cook donuts for 6–8 minutes until golden.

Coat or Glaze

Toss warm donuts in sugar

Dip in glaze and let set for a few minutes

Optional Toppings

Cinnamon sugar

Chocolate glaze

Sprinkles

Honey drizzle

Tips for Perfect Donuts

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer—cook in batches

Keep dough soft (slightly sticky is ideal)

Brush with butter before coating for better flavor

Serve fresh for best texture

Final Thoughts

These air fryer donuts are a healthier, mess-free alternative to traditional fried donuts but still deliver that classic soft and sweet bite. Perfect for beginners and super customizable, they’re guaranteed to become a favorite in your kitchen.