1. Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
2. Roll and Cut the Dough
- Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness using a rolling pin.
- Use a donut cutter or round cookie cutters (one large and one small for the donut hole) to cut out donut shapes from the dough.
- Gather the scraps, re-roll, and cut out more donuts until all the dough is used.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
4. Air Fry the Donuts
- Cut parchment paper into small squares to fit under each donut, preventing them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
- Place the donuts on the parchment paper squares and arrange them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook them in batches.
- Air fry the donuts at 350°F (175°C) for 6-8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Flip the donuts halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
5. Prepare the Glaze
- While the donuts are cooking, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar or milk as needed.
- If desired, divide the glaze into separate bowls and add food coloring for different colors.
6. Glaze the Donuts
- Once the donuts are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Dip each donut into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off, and place them on a wire rack or parchment paper to set.
- Add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or any other toppings while the glaze is still wet.
Tips for Perfect Donuts
- Even Thickness: Roll the dough to an even thickness to ensure all donuts cook at the same rate.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Cook the donuts in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can affect cooking time and texture.
- Monitor Glaze Consistency: Adjust the glaze consistency to your preference by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
Variations to Try
- Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: Instead of glazing, brush the warm donuts with melted butter and toss them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
- Chocolate Glaze: Make a chocolate glaze by adding 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the powdered sugar and milk mixture.
- Filled Donuts: After air frying, inject the donuts with jam, custard, or Nutella for a filled donut experience.
Conclusion
Air fryer homemade donuts are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional fried donuts. With their light and fluffy texture, customizable glazes, and toppings, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone.
Key Takeaway
The secret to perfect air fryer donuts lies in the preparation and cooking technique. By following this guide, you’ll achieve delicious, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside donuts that are sure to delight.
We hope you found this guide helpful and inspiring. Enjoy your air fryer homemade donuts!