Air Fryer Donuts 2 Ways
This Air Fryer Donuts recipe offers two options: a from-scratch yeast dough version and a shortcut using canned biscuits. Both yield light, golden donuts with a soft interior and slightly crisp exterior thanks to the air fryer’s rapid hot air circulation. The process includes letting the dough rise for the yeast method and frying in batches to ensure even cooking. A simple glaze with powdered sugar and water finishes them off, with optional sprinkles or edible dried flowers for decoration. This approach delivers fresh donuts without deep frying.
Ingredients
From Scratch Way:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1.5 tsp Fast action yeast
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- salt
- 1/2 cup milk at room temperature, whole
- 2 tbsp butter melted, unsalted
- 1 egg beaten, large
Easy Biscuit Way:
- 1 canned biscuits 8 biscuits, flaky kind, in can
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar about 4 oz
- 4 tsp water tap
- edible dried flowers various
- Sprinkles various
Instructions
To Make The From Scratch Way:
- Combine flour, sugar, yeast, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
- Add in the milk, butter, and egg and stir into a soft dough.
- Place donut dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a couple of mins until smooth.
- Transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl, cover it and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out 7-8 doughnuts using a 3-inch round cutter. Then use a 1-inch round cutter to remove center.
- Place the both the donuts and donuts holes on a lightly floured surface, cover loosely with a cloth and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size (approximately 30 mins).
- Pre-heat air fryer to 350F / 180C and spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Place half of the donuts in single layer inside the air fryer basket and cook for 4-5 mins until golden. Repeat with remaining doughnuts and holes.
To Make the Super Easy Biscuit Way:
- Lay the biscuits on a flat surface. Use a small (1-inch) round cookie cutter to remove center.
- Pre-heat air fryer to 350F / 180C and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place the donuts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket (do not stack) and lightly spray the donuts with oil.
- Cook for 4-5 mins until golden. Repeat with remaining donuts and holes.
To Make The Glaze:
- Whisk together powdered sugar and water in a bowl until smooth.
- Dip the donuts and donut holes in the sugar glaze, then place them on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to allow excess glaze to drip off.
- Top donuts with sprinkles and edible flowers.
- Let donuts stand until glaze hardens (about 10 mins) before serving.
Notes
- Do not stack donuts in the air fryer; ensure space around each so the hot air cooks evenly.
- Try to make all donuts the same size to achieve uniform cooking.
- Clean the air fryer basket between batches to prevent burning any leftover dough bits.
- Each serving contains 10 Freestyle Points on Weight Watchers.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 241
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 241kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 29mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 16mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 68mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 145IU | 3% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.5mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.