Air Fryer Doughnuts

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ByBeth NeelsOctober 7, 2020

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Air Fryer Doughnuts are a fun, easy, healthier way to enjoy everyone’s favorite breakfast treat. They only take about 5 minutes to cook in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Doughnuts - Low Fat Recipe (1)

Want to make your Valentine something special for Valentine’s Day that will not ruin all the work in January, trying to lose that extra holiday baggage? Here we are at the rescue. These Air Fryer Doughnuts are so good.

Air Fryer Doughnuts - Low Fat Recipe (2)

The Doughnuts turn out a bit less sweet and a lot less greasy than Dunkin’ Donuts’ versions of doughnuts, but super tasty, nonetheless!

Why does this recipe work?

This recipe is made with traditional doughnut dough, so the texture and flavor are so similar to traditional doughnuts that you will be amazed. You can use canned biscuit dough, but it doesn’t compare to the homemade version.
You can make the family a special treat without all the fat and calories of a fried doughnut and with that same fried texture rather than baked.
They have slightly less sugar, so they are better for you.
They are not fried in oil, so they are healthier.
The glaze or frosting adds just the right amount of sweetness.
They are fast and easy. They only take about 1.5 from start to finish, including rising time. Only about 20 minutes of active time!
They are soft on the outside, fluffy, and tender on the inside, just like a fried donut!

Air Fryer Doughnuts - Low Fat Recipe (3)

We’ve done several batches of these delicious Air Fryer Donuts, which turn out delicious every time.

Believe it or not, the general consensus was that everyone who has tried them prefers the plain to the chocolate flavor, even the chocoholics.

Optional toppings for these donuts

Powdered sugar glaze, plain or topped with
1. Toasted coconut
2. Chopped peanuts
Buttercream frosting, with any sprinkles or decorating sugars you like
Chocolate frosting
Cinnamon sugar
Orange or lemon zest added to glaze or frosting
Powdered sugar

Air Fryer Doughnuts - Low Fat Recipe (4)

The recipe for the chocolate doughnuts is identical, just add cocoa powder, if you would like chocolate doughnuts!

Optional flavorings for donuts

Chocolate powder
Chocolate chips
Teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon sugar mixture
Chopped and drained fresh or frozen blueberries, well-drained.
Chopped apples and cinnamon
Lemon or orange zest
Maple syrup or extract

Are Air-fried Foods Healthier?

Doughnuts are not exactly health food, but this version is healthier than its’ fried cousins. These doughnuts only contain 4 grams of fat. They still have the carbs, but it’s fun to splurge a bit for the holidays, right?

Air Fryer Doughnuts - Low Fat Recipe (5)

Ingredients You Need

Warm water
Yeast
Sugar
Flour
Cocoa powder (for chocolate doughnuts)
Salt
Warm milk
Melted butter – always use unsalted butter in baked goods
Large egg

For glaze

Powdered sugar
Warm water

How to Make Donuts in the Air Fryer

Step One:

Measure the water. Heat to between 105-115°F. Add yeast and sugar.

Air Fryer Doughnuts - Low Fat Recipe (6)

Step Two:

Add the butter to the milk in a small microwave-safe bowl.

Air Fryer Doughnuts - Low Fat Recipe (7)

Step Three:

Microwave for 30 seconds or so to melt butter.

Air Fryer Doughnuts - Low Fat Recipe (8)

Step Four:

Whisk the eggs in a small bowl.

Air Fryer Doughnuts - Low Fat Recipe (9)

Step Five:

Measure the dry ingredients.

How to store doughnuts

Store leftover doughnuts at room temperature in an airtight container for several days. Or in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Store them in the freezer for up to three months, and take one out whenever you’d like a sweet treat.

So whether your Valentine is a chocolate lover or not (honestly, who is not a chocolate lover? 🙂 ), make them these delicious doughnuts. For other delicious edibles for your Valentine, see here!

More air-fried recipes

French Toast
Grilled Cheese
Taquitos
Hot Pockets
Hot Dogs
Shrimp
Biscuits

Tools I Use to Make Air Fried Donuts

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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today.

Enjoy. And have fun cooking!

Air Fryer Doughnuts are a fun, easy, healthier to enjoy everyone’s favorite treat! These Air fryer Doughnuts only take about 5 minutes to cook in the air fryer.

See Step by Step Photos Above!Most of our recipes have step by step photos and videos! Also helpful tips so that you can make it perfectly the first time and every time! Scroll up to see them!

4.67 from 12 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes

Rising time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 14 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 doughnuts

Calories: 238kcal

Author: Beth Neels

Cost: $2

Ingredients

▢ 1/4 cup warm water (between 100-115°F)
▢ 1 tsp active dry yeast
▢ 1/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 tsp for yeast blooming
▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
▢ 2 Tbsp cocoa powder (optional for chocolate doughnuts)
▢ 1/4 tsp Salt
▢ 1/4 cup warm milk
▢ 2 Tbsp Butter
▢ 1 large egg, beaten

For glaze

▢ 1 cup powdered sugar
▢ 3-4 tsp water

For buttercream frosting

▢ 1/3 cup Butter
▢ 4.5 cups powdered sugar
▢ 1/4 cup Milk
▢ 1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Bloom yeast. Heat water to 100-115°F. Add 1/2 teaspoon sugar and yeast. Let rest 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, measure dry ingredients into mixer bowl.
Melt butter in milk, in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and continue 10 second bursts in microwave, until melted. ***Be sure to let it cool to between 100-115°F, before using.
Whisk egg.
When yeast is frothy, add all of the rest of the ingredients to the mixer bowl and mix, using dough hook. Mix until dough is smooth. (you can mix by hand and knead on lightly floured surface for a couple minutes, as well.)
Cover and let rise for about an hour until doubled.
Lightly flour board. Gently roll out dough to 1/4″ thickness. Cut out doughnuts with 3″ cookie cutter. Cut out doughnut hole with 1″ cookie cutter.
Cover doughnuts with plastic wrap and then kitchen towel. Let rest on board 30 minutes, until about doubled.
Place 4 doughnuts and 4 doughnut holes in the basket of air fryer. (Or however many fit in your air fryer, without touching.)
Air fry at 300°F for about 5 minutes. Internal temperature should read 200°F. Let cool on cooling rack. SEE NOTES***

For glaze

Mix sugar and water well, until no lumps of sugar remain. Dunk cooled doughnuts in glaze.

For buttercream frosting

Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar, beating well between additions.
Add milk and vanilla. Slowly incorporate the rest of the powdered sugar. Thin with a few drops of milk, if needed. Frost doughnuts. Freeze any unused portions for another use.

Air Fryer – Cuisinart TOA60

parchment paper, unbleached

mixer- KitchenAid

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Video

Notes

General yeast bread tips

If your dough is sticky, make sure to measure your liquid very carefully. Also, make sure your butter is measured carefully.

Next, use large eggs. Not extra large, or jumbo eggs.

Third, measure flour carefully. Also know that different brands and types of flour can affect the stickiness of the dough.

Fourth, humidity plays a large factor in the texture of yeast doughs. If it is very humid, more flour will be needed.

Fifth, the hydration of your starter can play a big factor as well. These buns were made with a 100% hydration starter. If you use a different hydration starter, more, or less flour may be needed to form a ball. So, don’t add flour all at once. Add it by heaping tablespoons full at a time, after the first 2 cups.

If your dough is still sticky,do not be afraid to add more flour. In my experience, youcan not add too much flourto a yeast dough. They are very forgiving. Just continue to add flour to make a nice ball, even if it is over a cup of flour.

These are not ultra sweet, like “Dunkin Donuts” doughnuts. They are light and low in sugar and a healthier alternative to deep fried doughnuts!

General Air Fryer Tips
Air Fryers vary in wattage, and therefore in cooking times. This recipe is based using my Cuisinart TOA60. If your air fryer is different, carefully watch food the first time you make it, so that it doesn’t burn.
Preheating your air fryer will give you the best, crispiest result. Check your brand of air fryer user manual to see if preheating is recommended.
Air fryers preheat in about 3-4 minutes.
Use cooking spray or a fine mist sprayer to spray food prior to cooking, with the exception of baked goods.
Don’t overcrowd foods so air can circulate all around.
Flip foods over half way through cooking.

Nutrition

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Originally published January 3, 2022. Updated March 3, 2024.