Air Fryer Donuts are my little solution for that moment when you want something sweet and cozy, but you do not want to deep fry anything or deal with a big mess. I started making them on a random weekend when I was craving a bakery style treat but did not want to leave the house. Now they are my go to for quick dessert nights, especially when friends drop by and I want something fun. They come out fluffy, golden, and honestly kind of magical for how simple they are. If you have an air fryer and a handful of pantry basics, you are already halfway there.
How to Make the Best, Easiest Donuts in Your Air Fryer
Let us keep this easy, because that is the whole point. I am sharing my favorite simple method that gives you that soft inside with a light crisp on the outside. You can use a quick yeast dough if you have time, but for everyday life I usually do a fast dough that still tastes like a real donut.
What you will need
- All purpose flour (about 2 cups, plus a little for dusting)
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons)
- Sugar (1/3 cup)
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
- Milk (3/4 cup, any kind)
- Egg (1)
- Melted butter (3 tablespoons)
- Vanilla (1 teaspoon)
- Cooking spray (or a little oil brushed on)
Mix the dry stuff in one bowl and the wet stuff in another. Pour wet into dry and stir until you get a soft dough. It should not be runny, and it should not be super stiff. If it feels sticky, add a spoonful of flour and keep going.
Roll it out on a lightly floured counter, about half an inch thick. Cut your donut shapes, place them on a tray, and get the air fryer ready.
Cooking directions that actually work
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 F for about 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the basket or line it with perforated parchment.
- Place donuts in a single layer with space around them.
- Spray or brush the tops lightly with oil or melted butter.
- Air fry 4 to 6 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden.
Every air fryer is a little different, so peek early the first time. When they are done, they should look puffed and lightly browned, and they should bounce back when you tap them.
While your first batch cooks, this is also a great time to plan your next air fryer snack. If you are more of a salty person, my friends always beg for air fryer mozzarella sticks when we do casual game nights, and it is honestly a fun combo with a sweet donut finish.
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How to Prevent the Donuts from Sticking
If you have ever tried making Air Fryer Donuts and ended up peeling them off the basket, you are not alone. Sticking usually happens because the basket is too dry, the dough is too soft, or you moved them too soon.
Here is what I do now, and it basically fixed the problem:
1) Use perforated parchment
I love the pre cut kind, but you can also cut your own. Just make sure air can flow through. Do not put parchment in during preheat unless it is weighed down by food, or it can fly around.
2) Grease the basket lightly
A quick spray is enough. If you are avoiding spray, brush on a thin layer of neutral oil or melted butter.
3) Chill the cut donuts for 10 minutes
This is my little secret when the dough feels extra soft. Pop the shaped donuts on a plate in the fridge. They hold their shape better and lift easier.
4) Do not overcrowd
Give them space. When donuts touch, they steam each other and get tacky, and then you are prying them apart.
And a quick note, if you are cooking something saucy in your air fryer often, you might have some sticky buildup. A good wash helps. I learned this after making air fryer honey BBQ chicken bites on the same day as donuts. Delicious day, slightly sticky basket.
How to Make Donut Glaze
Glaze is where the personality comes in. You can keep it classic, go chocolate, or do a simple cinnamon sugar coating. I am going to share my everyday vanilla glaze first, because it is fast and tastes like the donut shop smell in your kitchen.
My simple vanilla glaze
Whisk together:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk (start with 2)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Dip the warm donuts right into the glaze, then set them on a rack or plate. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny splash of milk. If it is too thin, add a spoonful of powdered sugar.
Chocolate glaze option
Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the powdered sugar, then whisk in milk and a tiny bit of melted butter. It tastes rich without being heavy.
Cinnamon sugar option
Brush the donuts with melted butter, then toss in a mix of sugar and cinnamon. This one is dangerously snackable.
One more thing, glaze sets pretty fast, so if you want sprinkles, add them right away. I like to do half vanilla glaze and half cinnamon sugar so everyone gets their favorite.
“I made these for my kids after school and they thought I brought home bakery donuts. The glaze was so easy, and the cleanup was basically nothing.”
Donuts are also a cute weekend brunch add on, especially with something savory like air fryer egg and cheese toast. Sweet and salty breakfast plates are my favorite kind of chaos.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
I have made Air Fryer Donuts enough times now to know where things can go sideways. Here are the tips I wish I had on day one.
Tip 1: Do not overmix the dough
Stir until it comes together. Overmixing can make the donuts a little tough.
Tip 2: Roll evenly
If some donuts are thick and some are thin, you will pull one batch out perfect and another batch will be pale or dry. I aim for about half an inch.
Tip 3: Flip gently
Use tongs or a small spatula. If you stab them with a fork, they can deflate a bit.
Tip 4: Glaze while warm, not piping hot
If they are too hot, glaze slides off. If they are totally cool, glaze gets a little thick and dull. Warm is the sweet spot.
Tip 5: Make a double batch and freeze some
Unglazed donuts freeze well. Reheat for a couple minutes in the air fryer, then glaze fresh. It feels like cheating in the best way.
If you love using the air fryer for quick fun food, you would probably also like crispy air fryer churro bites. They hit that same sweet snack mood, especially when you want cinnamon sugar everything.
How to Shape Donuts Without a Donut Cutter
No donut cutter, no problem. I almost never use one, because I am not trying to store another gadget in my kitchen drawer.
Method 1: The cup and bottle cap trick
Use a drinking glass to cut the big circle, then use a bottle cap or small shot glass to cut the hole. Press straight down, then twist a little and lift.
Method 2: Make donut holes only
Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch. Air fry them the same way, but start checking at 3 minutes. They are adorable and super snackable.
Method 3: Hand shaped rings
Roll a little rope of dough, then pinch the ends together to form a ring. This looks rustic and cute, and it works great.
Whatever method you pick, try to keep sizes consistent so they cook evenly. And do not toss the centers if you cut holes. Air fry those too. Donut holes disappear fast at my house.
Common Questions
Can I make Air Fryer Donuts ahead of time?
Yes. Make them the day before and store unglazed in a container. Reheat 1 to 2 minutes in the air fryer, then glaze right before serving.
Why are my donuts dry?
Usually it is too much flour or too long in the air fryer. Add flour slowly, and start checking early. They cook faster than you think.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
I recommend it. Preheating helps them puff up quickly, which keeps the inside soft.
Can I use canned biscuit dough?
Absolutely. It is a great shortcut. Cut holes, air fry at 350 F, and glaze. They will be a bit more bready, but still super tasty.
How do I store leftovers?
Room temp for one day is fine. For longer, freeze unglazed donuts and reheat when you want them.
A sweet, easy treat you will actually make again
If you have been wanting a homemade dessert that does not take over your kitchen, Air Fryer Donuts are it. You get that warm, fresh donut vibe without deep frying, and you can keep the glaze classic or go wild with toppings. If you want to compare methods, I found both Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe (With Video) | The Kitchn and Air Fryer Donuts {From-Scratch Recipe!} – Plated Cravings really helpful for extra ideas. Try a batch this week, and do not stress about perfect shapes, they will still taste amazing. And if you do make them, I hope you give yourself that first warm bite straight off the rack, because you earned it.
Print
Air Fryer Donuts
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and fluffy donuts made in an air fryer, perfect for a sweet treat without the mess of frying.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour (plus a little for dusting)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk (any kind)
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Cooking spray (or a little oil brushed on)
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet in another.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until you get a soft dough.
- Roll it out on a lightly floured surface, to about half an inch thick.
- Cut your donut shapes and place them on a tray.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the basket or line it with perforated parchment.
- Place donuts in a single layer with space around them.
- Air fry for 4 to 6 minutes, flipping halfway.
Notes
For best results, chill the cut donuts for 10 minutes before air frying to help them hold their shape better.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
