Air Fryer Donuts: How to Make Crisp, Fluffy Donuts in Your Air Fryer
Learn to make light, fluffy air fryer donuts with yeast or biscuit dough. This comprehensive guide covers dough options, shaping, air frying timing, glazes, troubleshooting, and storage for tasty results with minimal oil.
Make air fryer donuts by shaping dough, air frying until golden, then glazing. This quick method minimizes oil and clean-up while delivering soft centers and crisp edges. See our detailed step-by-step guide for dough options, temps, and glaze ideas.
Why air fryer donuts offer a healthier twist
According to Air Fryer 101, air fryer donuts leverage hot circulating air to achieve a light, crisp exterior with far less oil than traditional deep-frying. This means you can enjoy a sweet treat with 70-90% less added fat, depending on the recipe and glaze. The Air Fryer 101 team notes that donuts made this way can still deliver a tender crumb and a glossy finish when glazed properly. In addition to health benefits, many home cooks appreciate the convenience: fewer utensils and no hot oil to manage, plus faster cook times compared with oven-baking.
Dough options: yeast-raised vs biscuit-based donuts
Yeast-raised donuts deliver a soft, airy interior and better lift, but require proofing time and slightly more hands-on work. Biscuit-based donuts (using canned biscuits) are the quicker option and still produce a fluffy texture when air fried correctly. You can experiment with flavors by adding vanilla, citrus zest, or spice to the dough. The flexibility makes air fryer donuts accessible to beginners while offering room for bakers to refine textures.
Equipment and ingredients you need
Essential gear includes your air fryer, parchment or silicone liners, rolling pin, donut cutter or a simple round cutter plus a smaller hole cutter, and a cooling rack. For ingredients, you’ll need flour (or biscuit mix), sugar, eggs, dairy or dairy-free milk, and a leavening agent (yeast or baking powder, depending on dough choice). A glaze or coating—such as brown sugar glaze, chocolate, or cinnamon-sugar—helps lock in moisture and adds shine. Keep a clean workspace and set out bowls and measuring spoons ahead of time.
Shaping and proofing considerations
Shaping donuts evenly ensures uniform cooking. For yeast donuts, gentle kneading and proper proofing create that signature rise. If you’re using biscuit dough, simply roll and cut into rings with a larger cutter and a smaller hole cutter. The hole can be baked along with the ring to yield donut holes. Resting the dough briefly helps flavor develop and achieves a consistent texture once air fried.
Cooking times and temperature tuning by model
Most air fryers cook donuts at roughly 320-340°F (160-170°C). Start at 325°F (165°C) and keep an eye on the first batch. Donuts are finished when lightly golden and set, usually around 6-9 minutes depending on thickness and your appliance. If you notice uneven browning, rotate the donuts at halfway point and consider using a small baking sheet or silicone ring to stabilize shape. Personalize by adjusting time in small increments.
Glazes, toppings, and flavor ideas
A simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk (or plant-based milk) offers a glossy finish. For richer flavor, try chocolate ganache, maple glaze, or citrus zest glazes. Add crushed nuts, coconut shavings, or cinnamon sugar for texture. You can also dust donuts with a light coating of powdered sugar for an elegant, quick finish. Allow glaze to set briefly before stacking or serving.
Troubleshooting common issues
If donuts come out dense, it may be underproofed (yeast dough) or overmixed (biscuit dough). If they’re pale, increase time by 1-2 minutes, but monitor them closely to avoid burning. Sticky dough usually means too much liquid; compensate by adding a little flour. For uneven browning, shake the basket or rotate the pieces halfway through cooking. Crisp edges often come from a light spray of oil on the surface before baking and using parchment liners to prevent sticking.
Storing, refreshing, and re-crisping leftovers
Air fryer donuts store best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in the air fryer to restore crispiness, or warm in a low oven. Glazes can be refreshed with a quick re-dip or a larger batch glaze for a new glaze layer. To keep them fresh longer, freeze baked donuts in a single layer, then bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat as needed.
Tools & Materials
- Air fryer(Ensure it has a flat basket or perforated tray for even airflow)
- Parchment paper or silicone liners(Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier)
- Rolling pin(Helpful for biscuit-dough donuts)
- Donut cutter or round cutters (one large, one small)(Shapes the donuts and holes)
- Mixing bowls and measuring spoons(For accurate ingredient prep)
- Cooling rack(Cool glazes and set donuts without sogginess)
- Whisk or small mixer(To blend glaze smoothly)
- Milk or dairy-free milk(For glaze and dough as needed)
- Powdered sugar(For glaze or dusting)
- Flavorings (vanilla, citrus zest, cocoa, etc.)(Customize your dough and glaze)
Steps
Estimated time: 30-45 minutes
- 1
Choose dough option
Decide whether to use yeast-raised dough or biscuit dough based on your timeline and texture preference. Yeast doughs give a softer crumb but require proofing; biscuit doughs are faster and forgiving for beginners.
Tip: If you’re short on time, biscuit dough is the easiest route. - 2
Mix and prep dough
Gather ingredients and mix according to your chosen recipe. For yeast dough, activate yeast in warm liquid before integrating with flour. For biscuit dough, combine dry mix with liquids until just moistened.
Tip: Avoid overworking dough to keep donuts tender. - 3
Roll out and cut donuts
Roll dough to roughly 1/2 inch thickness. Use a large cutter for the ring and a smaller one for the hole. Re-roll scraps once to minimize waste.
Tip: Keep dough cool while cutting to prevent sticking. - 4
Preheat air fryer and line basket
Preheat to about 325°F (165°C) for a consistent bake. Line the basket with parchment or a silicone liner to avoid sticking.
Tip: Preheating helps donuts cook evenly. - 5
Air fry the donuts
Place donuts in a single layer with space between. Cook until lightly golden and set, typically 6-9 minutes depending on thickness.
Tip: Rotate halfway through to promote even browning. - 6
Glaze and serve
Prepare glaze and dip donuts once cooled slightly. Allow glaze to set for a glossy finish before stacking.
Tip: A quick warm glaze makes coating smoother.
Got Questions?
Can I make air fryer donuts with store-bought biscuit dough?
Yes. Biscuit dough is a quick option that yields a fluffy texture when air fried. Ensure the dough is rolled to an even thickness and watch time closely to prevent overcooking.
Yes. Biscuit dough works well and is fast; roll evenly and monitor cooking time.
How long do I air fry donuts?
Most donuts finish in about 6-9 minutes at 325°F (165°C). Times vary with thickness and the model, so start with the lower end and test for doneness.
Typically 6 to 9 minutes; adjust based on thickness and your air fryer.
Can I bake donuts instead of air frying?
Yes, you can bake donuts in a conventional oven; expect a similar texture but without the pronounced crisp edges from air frying. Adjust time as needed for your oven.
Baking is possible, but you won't get exactly the same crisp edge as air frying.
How do I prevent donuts from sticking to the basket?
Line the basket with parchment or use a silicone liner, and avoid overcrowding. A light spray of oil on the donuts can also help.
Line the basket and don’t crowd the donuts; a touch of oil helps.
What glaze lasts best on air fryer donuts?
Powdered sugar glazes, chocolate, and simple sugar-based glazes all work well. For longer-lasting gloss, apply glaze when donuts are fully cooled.
Powdered sugar or chocolate glazes are reliable; cool before glazing.
How should I store and reheat donuts?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in the air fryer to restore texture or warm in a low oven.
Keep at room temp in an airtight container; reheat briefly when ready to eat.
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Quick Summary
- Choose yeast or biscuit dough based on time and texture.
- Preheat and line the basket to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
- Watch closely during the first batch to dial in timing for your model.
- Experiment with glazes to customize flavor without adding excessive sugar.
- Store and reheat properly to maintain texture.
