Can You Use an Air Fryer for Donuts? Here’s How

Introduction

Few things in life are as universally loved as a warm, freshly made donut. Soft, fluffy, slightly sweet, and often glazed or dusted with sugar, donuts have earned a permanent place in bakeries, coffee shops, and home kitchens around the world. But traditional deep-fried donuts come with a few drawbacks: they require a large pot of hot oil, they can be messy, they take time, and they aren’t exactly the healthiest treat on the menu.

That’s where the air fryer comes in. Over the past few years, air fryers have taken home kitchens by storm, promising the crispy, golden results of frying with little to no oil. People use them for everything from chicken wings to vegetables to cinnamon rolls. So it should come as no surprise that home bakers have started asking: can you use an air fryer for donuts?

The short answer is a resounding yes. You absolutely can make donuts in an air fryer, and the results can be surprisingly delicious. Air fryer donuts turn out golden brown on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside, and they require only a fraction of the oil that traditional frying demands. They are also faster, easier, and considerably less messy.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about making donuts in an air fryer. We’ll cover the types of donuts that work best, walk you through step-by-step recipes, share tips for getting the perfect texture, compare air-fried donuts to traditional and baked versions, and answer the most common questions home cooks have. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a total beginner, this guide will help you master air fryer donuts from scratch.

Table of Contents

• Can You Use an Air Fryer for Donuts?
• How Air Frying Donuts Works
• Air Fryer vs. Traditional vs. Baked Donuts
• Best Types of Donuts for Air Frying
• Equipment You Need
• Classic Air Fryer Donut Recipe (Step-by-Step)
• Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donuts
• Glazed Air Fryer Donuts
• The Quick Biscuit Donut Hack
• Using Canned Doughnut Dough
• Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Are Air Fryer Donuts Healthier?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Can You Use an Air Fryer for Donuts?

Yes, you can absolutely use an air fryer for donuts. Air fryers cook by circulating hot air around the food, producing a crispy exterior that mimics the texture of deep-frying. When applied to donut dough, this method creates a beautifully browned outer crust while keeping the inside soft and tender.

Unlike traditional frying, which submerges donuts in oil, air frying only requires a light spray or brush of oil on the surface of the dough. This makes the process faster, healthier, and significantly less messy. You won’t have to deal with disposing of used cooking oil or cleaning a greasy stovetop.

Air fryers are especially convenient because they:

• Heat up in just a few minutes
• Cook donuts evenly on all sides
• Allow you to set precise temperatures and timers
• Fit comfortably on a countertop
• Are easier to clean than deep fryers

Whether you’re making yeast donuts, cake donuts, or biscuit donuts, the air fryer can handle them all with a few minor adjustments. The result is a lighter, less greasy donut that still delivers on flavor and texture.

How Air Frying Donuts Works

An air fryer is essentially a small convection oven. It uses a heating element and a high-speed fan to circulate hot air around the food. This rapid air movement creates a Maillard reaction on the surface of the donut, which is the same chemical process that gives fried and baked goods their golden-brown color and rich flavor.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what happens when you air fry a donut:

1. Heat transfer: Hot air surrounds the donut, transferring heat to the surface quickly.
2. Moisture evaporation: The circulating air pulls moisture away from the surface, which helps create a slightly crispy exterior.
3. Browning: Sugars and proteins in the dough react to the heat, producing that signature golden color and toasted flavor.
4. Even cooking: The fan ensures heat reaches every side of the donut, eliminating the need to flip in most cases.

Because air frying doesn’t submerge the donut in oil, you won’t get the exact same ultra-rich flavor as a deep-fried donut. However, with the right dough and a light coating of oil, you can come remarkably close. And the reduced fat content is a major bonus.

Air Fryer vs. Traditional vs. Baked Donuts

One of the most common questions home bakers ask is how air-fried donuts compare to their deep-fried and oven-baked counterparts. Let’s break it down.

As you can see, air fryer donuts strike a remarkable balance. They offer more of the classic donut experience than baked donuts, while being far easier and healthier than deep-fried ones.

Best Types of Donuts for Air Frying

While the air fryer is versatile, some donut styles work better than others. Here are the main categories and how they perform.

Yeast Donuts

Yeast donuts are the classic pillowy variety you find at most donut shops. They require the dough to rise before cooking, which gives them their airy, light texture. In an air fryer, yeast donuts turn out beautifully golden with a soft interior. The main challenge is that the dough is sticky, so you’ll want to use parchment liners or a light dusting of flour.

Cake Donuts

Cake donuts are made with baking powder instead of yeast, giving them a denser, crumblier texture. These are arguably the easiest to make in an air fryer because the dough is firmer and easier to handle. They also hold their shape well during cooking.

Biscuit Donuts

If you want donuts in a flash, biscuit donuts are the way to go. Using store-bought biscuit dough, you can cut out donuts and air fry them in under 10 minutes. They’re not quite as refined as homemade, but they are shockingly good and incredibly convenient.

Glazed, Filled, and Topped Donuts

All of these work in the air fryer, but timing matters. For filled donuts like jelly or cream-filled, you’ll want to add the filling after cooking. For glazed donuts, dip them in glaze while still warm so it adheres properly. For toppings like sprinkles or nuts, apply them right after glazing.

Equipment You Need

You don’t need much to get started, but a few items will make the process smoother.

• Air fryer: Any basket or oven-style air fryer will work. Basket models are the most common.
• Mixing bowls: For preparing the dough.
• Donut cutter or two round cutters: One large (about 3 inches) and one small (about 1 inch) to form the donut hole.
• Rolling pin: To roll out the dough evenly.
• Cooking spray or oil mister: A light mist of oil is essential for that golden finish.
• Parchment paper or silicone liners: Optional but helpful for preventing sticking.
• Tongs: For safely removing hot donuts from the basket.
• Cooling rack: Lets air circulate so donuts don’t get soggy on the bottom.

Classic Air Fryer Donut Recipe (Step-by-Step)

This is a simple, reliable yeast donut recipe adapted for the air fryer. It makes about 8 donuts.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Cooking spray, for greasing

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix the dough. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and remaining sugar. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead the dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes.
4. Let it rise. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the donuts. Roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or two round cutters to cut out donut shapes. Re-roll scraps as needed.
6. Preheat the air fryer. Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.
7. Prepare the donuts. Lightly spray both sides of each donut with cooking spray. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each one.
8. Air fry. Cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The donuts should be golden brown on both sides.
9. Cool slightly. Remove the donuts and place them on a cooling rack for 2-3 minutes before glazing or topping.

Notes

Cooking times can vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer. Start checking at the 5-minute mark and adjust accordingly. If the donuts are browning too quickly on top, lightly tent them with a small piece of foil.

Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donuts

Cinnamon sugar is one of the most popular donut coatings, and it’s incredibly easy to do after air frying.

Coating Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions

1. Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl.
2. Brush each warm donut with melted butter on both sides.
3. Dip or roll the donuts in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
4. Serve immediately for the best texture.

The butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick, and the warmth of the donut slightly melts everything together. It’s simple, classic, and absolutely delicious.

Glazed Air Fryer Donuts

A sweet glaze is the quintessential donut topping. Here’s how to make a simple sugar glaze that sets beautifully.

Glaze Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp milk (or water)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable. Add more liquid a few drops at a time if needed.
2. Dip the top of each warm donut into the glaze, letting the excess drip off.
3. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack with parchment paper underneath to catch drips.
4. Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before serving.

For flavored glazes, try adding 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder for chocolate, lemon juice for citrus, or espresso powder for coffee. Maple glaze is also a favorite, made by substituting 1 tablespoon of maple syrup for some of the milk.

The Quick Biscuit Donut Hack

If you want donuts in under 15 minutes, this is the ultimate shortcut. It uses store-bought biscuit dough and produces surprisingly tasty results.

What You Need

• 1 can of refrigerated biscuit dough (8-count)
• Cooking spray
• Cinnamon sugar or glaze for topping

Instructions

1. Open the can and separate the biscuits.
2. Use a small round cutter or the cap of a water bottle to punch a hole in the center of each biscuit.
3. Lightly spray both sides with cooking spray.
4. Place 3-4 donuts in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch.
5. Air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
6. Remove and immediately coat with cinnamon sugar or dip in glaze.

These are fun to make with kids and require almost no skill. The texture is slightly different from traditional donuts, more like a fluffy biscuit, but the flavor is fantastic when topped properly.

Using Canned Doughnut Dough

In addition to biscuit dough, several brands now sell canned doughnut dough. These come pre-shaped, so you simply open the can, place the dough in the air fryer, and cook. Most canned doughnut doughs cook in about 4-5 minutes at 350°F.

Always check the label for specific instructions, as times may vary. Lightly spray the dough with oil before cooking to encourage browning. Once done, glaze or top as desired.

Canned doughnut dough is a great middle ground between the biscuit hack and making donuts from scratch. It produces a more authentic donut texture than biscuits and saves you the time of mixing, kneading, and rising.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Don