Olivia Carter
Donuts are one of the most beloved treats, but they can be intimidating to make at home. However, with the help of an air fryer, you can easily recreate the deliciousness of freshly baked donuts without the hassle of deep frying. Air fryers use hot air circulation to achieve a crispy exterior and a tender, fluffy interior. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of making homemade donuts in an air fryer.
Step 1: Gather the Ingredients
To make homemade donuts in an air fryer, you will need:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup milk
– 2 large eggs
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Note: You can also experiment with different flavors by adding cocoa powder, cinnamon, or lemon zest to the dough.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a sticky dough forms. If the dough is too dry, you can add a little more milk. Avoid over-mixing, as this can result in tough donuts.
Step 3: Shape and Air Fry
Lightly flour a clean surface and turn the dough out onto it. Knead the dough a few times until it becomes smooth and pliable. Roll the dough out to a 1/2-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or a round cookie cutter to cut out the donuts. Then, use a smaller cutter to remove the centers of the donuts.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the donuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space in between. Air fry the donuts for 8-10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Flip the donuts halfway through cooking for even browning.
Step 4: Glaze and Enjoy!
While the donuts are cooling, you can prepare a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a little milk and vanilla extract. Dip each donut into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. You can also sprinkle the donuts with powdered sugar or cinnamon for added flavor. Once the glaze has set, your delicious homemade donuts are ready to be enjoyed!
Tip: These donuts are best enjoyed the same day they are made. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Ingredients for Homemade Donuts
For the donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the toppings (optional):
- Sprinkles
- Chopped nuts
- Shredded coconut
Note: Feel free to customize the toppings based on your preference!
What You’ll Need
Before you start making homemade donuts in an air fryer, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment ready. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- Sprinkles or powdered sugar for coating (optional)
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Donut pan or silicone molds
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Spatula
- Wire rack
Once you have everything ready, you can proceed with making delicious homemade donuts in your air fryer!
Preparing the Dough
Before you can start making homemade donuts in your air fryer, you’ll need to prepare the dough. Here’s a simple recipe to follow:
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 cups | All-purpose flour |
| 1/2 cup | Granulated sugar |
| 2 teaspoons | Baking powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon | Salt |
| 1/2 cup | Milk |
| 2 tablespoons | Butter |
| 1 teaspoon | Vanilla extract |
| 1 | Egg |
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Then, add the milk, vanilla extract, and egg to the melted butter and whisk together.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms. It may be slightly sticky, but that’s okay.
- Transfer the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead it for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
Once the dough has risen, you’re ready to move on to the next step of making your homemade donuts in the air fryer.
Shaping and Cooking the Donuts
Once your dough has risen, it’s time to shape and cook the donuts. Here’s how:
- Lightly flour a clean surface and turn out the dough. Gently punch down the dough to release any air bubbles.
- Roll the dough out to a 1/2-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or a drinking glass to cut out the donuts. If you don’t have a donut cutter, use a round cookie cutter for the outer shape and a smaller one for the inner hole.
- Place the donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between each one. Cover the donuts with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray to prevent sticking.
- Once preheated, carefully place a few donuts in the air fryer, making sure they don’t touch each other. Cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the donuts are golden brown.
- Remove the cooked donuts from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining donuts.
- Optional: If desired, you can glaze or sprinkle the cooled donuts with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or your favorite glaze.
Now your homemade donuts are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them fresh and warm for the best flavor and texture.
Glazing and Toppings
Once the donuts are cooked and cooled, it’s time to add the finishing touches with glazing and toppings. Here are some delicious options to try:
- Glossy Glaze: Mix powdered sugar with milk or water to create a smooth glaze. Dip each donut into the glaze and let it set on a wire rack.
- Chocolate Ganache: Heat heavy cream and pour it over chopped chocolate. Stir until smooth and glossy. Dip the donuts into the ganache or drizzle it generously on top.
- Classic Sugar Coating: Roll warm donuts in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon for a simple yet delicious coating.
- Fruit Jam: Fill a piping bag with your favorite fruit jam and pipe it into the donuts using a small round tip. Dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch.
- Powdered Sugar Dusting: Simply dust the cooled donuts with powdered sugar for a quick and easy finish.
As for toppings, the options are endless. Here are some creative ideas to consider:
- Sprinkles: Add a colorful and festive touch to your donuts with a variety of sprinkles, from rainbow to chocolate.
- Crushed Nuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts, such as almonds or peanuts, on top of the glaze to add a crunchy texture.
- Shredded Coconut: Dip the glazed donuts into a bowl of shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Press mini chocolate chips gently into the glaze for a delightful chocolatey surprise.
- Cookie Crumbs: Crush some of your favorite cookies and sprinkle the crumbs over the donuts.
Feel free to mix and match different glazes and toppings to create your own unique and mouthwatering donut creations. The possibilities are endless, so have fun experimenting!
Serving and Storing
Once your homemade donuts are cooked and cooled, it’s time to serve and enjoy them. Here are some tips on serving and storing your air fryer donuts:
- Serve the donuts warm for the best taste. You can dust them with powdered sugar, glaze them with icing, or even dip them in chocolate sauce.
- Pair the donuts with your favorite hot beverages, such as coffee or tea, for a delicious treat.
- If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The donuts may become slightly less crispy over time, but they will still be tasty.
- If you want to prolong the shelf life of the donuts, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, note that they might lose some of their original texture.
- To reheat the donuts, place them in the air fryer for a few minutes until they are warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave them for about 10 to 15 seconds.
- If you want to freeze the donuts, make sure to let them cool completely before placing them in freezer-safe bags or containers. They can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To thaw frozen donuts, leave them at room temperature for a few hours or overnight. You can then reheat them using the same methods mentioned above.
Follow these serving and storing tips to ensure that your homemade air fryer donuts stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible.
FAQ
What ingredients do I need to make homemade donuts in an air fryer?
To make homemade donuts in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 1/2 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 large egg.
Can I use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose flour?
No, it is recommended to use all-purpose flour for this recipe. Self-rising flour has leavening agents already added to it, which may affect the texture and rise of the donuts in the air fryer.
How long do I need to cook the donuts in the air fryer?
The cooking time may vary depending on your specific air fryer model, but generally, the donuts should be cooked at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes. It’s important to keep an eye on them and flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Can I add any toppings or glaze to the homemade donuts?
Yes, you can definitely add toppings or glaze to your homemade donuts. Once they are cooked and cooled, you can dip them in melted chocolate, sprinkle them with powdered sugar, or even drizzle them with a glaze made from icing sugar and milk. Get creative and experiment with different flavors!
