Olivia Carter
Who doesn’t love donuts? These sweet and fluffy treats are a staple of any bakery or coffee shop, but did you know that you can easily make them at home with an air fryer? That’s right – no need for a deep fryer or tons of oil. Using an air fryer to fry donuts is a healthier and more convenient way to indulge in this delightful dessert.
So, how does it work? The air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook your food, giving it that crispy texture without the need for excessive oil. This makes it the perfect appliance to create light and tender donuts. Plus, it’s quick and easy to use, so you can have a batch of freshly fried donuts in no time.
Ready to get started? First, you’ll need to gather your ingredients and equipment. The basic donut recipe requires flour, sugar, yeast, milk, butter, eggs, and a pinch of salt. You’ll also need an air fryer and a donut mold. Don’t worry if you don’t have a specific donut mold – you can simply use a cookie cutter or even a glass to shape the dough.
Preparing the Donut Batter
Before you start frying your donuts, you will need to prepare the donut batter. Here’s a simple recipe to follow:
| Ingredients: | Measurements: |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Baking powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Milk | 3/4 cup |
| Vegetable oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Egg | 1 |
To make the batter, start by whisking together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and egg. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Once the batter is ready, you can proceed to the next step of frying the donuts in an air fryer.
Gathering the ingredients
Before you begin frying donuts in an air fryer, it’s important to gather all of the ingredients you’ll need for the recipe. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
1. Donut dough:
You can either make the dough from scratch using ingredients like flour, sugar, yeast, milk, and butter, or you can use a pre-made dough from the store. If you choose to make the dough from scratch, make sure to follow a reliable donut recipe.
2. Cooking spray or oil:
You’ll need some cooking spray or oil to prevent the donuts from sticking to the air fryer basket. Choose a spray or oil that can withstand high temperatures and is suitable for frying.
3. Toppings and glazes:
Prepare your desired toppings and glazes to add flavor and decoration to the fried donuts. This can include powdered sugar, melted chocolate, sprinkles, or any other toppings you prefer.
It’s important to have all of these ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start the frying process. This will help ensure a smooth workflow and prevent any delays or interruptions. Happy frying!
Mixing the ingredients
Before you can start frying donuts in an air fryer, you need to mix all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you will need:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1/4 cup of melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together until well blended.
In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and eggs. Once the wet ingredients are well combined, pour them into the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently mix the ingredients together until a soft dough forms.
It’s important not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough donuts. Just mix until all the ingredients are incorporated into a smooth dough.
Once the dough is ready, cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This resting period will allow the gluten to relax and make the dough easier to handle.
Now that your donut dough is mixed and rested, you’re ready to move on to the next step: shaping the donuts for frying.
Cooking the Donuts in an Air Fryer
Preparing donuts in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried method. With the right technique, you can achieve the same crispy texture and delicious taste while reducing the amount of oil used. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook donuts in an air fryer:
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
Start by preparing your favorite donut dough recipe. Whether you prefer a classic yeast-based dough or a quick and easy cake-based dough, make sure to follow the instructions precisely. Once the dough is ready, roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
Step 2: Shaping the Donuts
Next, use a donut cutter or a round cookie cutter to shape the donuts. Make sure to also create holes in the center of the donuts using a smaller round cutter or a bottle cap. Gently remove the excess dough and set aside the donuts and donut holes.
Step 3: Preheating the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature for frying dough. This is usually around 350°F (175°C). Preheating ensures that the air fryer is at the optimal temperature to cook the donuts evenly.
Step 4: Frying the Donuts
Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray to prevent the donuts from sticking. Place the donuts and donut holes in the preheated air fryer, making sure to leave enough space between them for proper air circulation. Cook the donuts for approximately 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Step 5: Coating the Donuts
While the donuts are still warm, brush them with melted butter or dip them in a glaze of your choice for a sweet and glossy finish. You can also coat them with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a classic touch.
Step 6: Serving and Enjoying
Allow the donuts to cool slightly before serving. They are best enjoyed fresh and warm, with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, but keep in mind that the texture may change slightly over time.
By using an air fryer to cook donuts, you can enjoy this beloved treat without the guilt of excessive oil and grease. Follow these steps to create delicious, homemade donuts that are sure to impress.
Preheating the air fryer
Before frying your donuts, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Preheating ensures that the air fryer reaches the desired temperature and helps to achieve crispy and evenly cooked donuts.
Here are the steps to preheat your air fryer:
- Place your air fryer on a stable and heat-resistant surface.
- Plug in the air fryer and turn it on.
- Set the temperature to the recommended temperature for frying donuts. This is typically around 350°F (175°C).
- Allow the air fryer to preheat for a few minutes, usually around 5 minutes. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended preheating time.
During the preheating process, it is a good time to prepare your donut dough or glaze, if you haven’t done so already. Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can proceed to frying your donuts.
Frying the donuts
To fry the donuts in an air fryer, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes. This will ensure that the donuts cook evenly and become golden brown.
Step 2: Prepare the donuts
In the meantime, prepare your donuts. You can use pre-made dough or make your own dough from scratch. Shape the dough into small balls or use a donut cutter to create the classic donut shape.
Step 3: Place the donuts in the air fryer
Once the air fryer is preheated, place the donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each donut. You may need to fry them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Step 4: Fry the donuts
Close the air fryer and set the timer for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully open the air fryer and flip the donuts using tongs. This will ensure that both sides of the donuts are evenly cooked and crispy.
Close the air fryer again and fry the donuts for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Step 5: Remove and cool
Once the donuts are cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Place them on a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels to cool and drain excess oil.
Your air-fried donuts are now ready to be served! You can dust them with powdered sugar, glaze them, or add any other toppings of your choice.
Pro tip: For a healthier twist, use a light cooking spray or brush the donuts with a small amount of oil before air frying them. This will help them achieve a crispy texture without excessive oil.
FAQ
Can you fry donuts in an air fryer?
Yes, you can fry donuts in an air fryer. It is a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying as it uses less oil.
What temperature should I set the air fryer to fry donuts?
The recommended temperature for frying donuts in an air fryer is around 350°F (175°C). This may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions.
How long does it take to fry donuts in an air fryer?
The cooking time may vary, but on average, it takes about 6-8 minutes to fry donuts in an air fryer. It is important to flip the donuts halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.
Can I use any type of dough to fry donuts in an air fryer?
Yes, you can use various types of dough to fry donuts in an air fryer. Whether it’s a homemade dough or store-bought biscuit dough, you can achieve delicious results. Just make sure the dough is sturdy enough to hold its shape during the frying process.
