How to make doughnuts in air fryer
Are you a fan of delicious, fluffy doughnuts but don’t want to deal with the mess and calories of deep-frying? Look no further! Making doughnuts in an air fryer is a game-changer. With this innovative cooking method, you can enjoy homemade doughnuts that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, all with a fraction of the oil!
The secret to making perfect air-fried doughnuts lies in the dough. It needs to have the right consistency and a bit of time to rise. The dough should be pliable, slightly sticky, and not overly dry. A good doughnut dough should be soft and tender.
Once you have your perfect dough, the next crucial step is shaping the doughnuts. You can form them using a doughnut cutter, or simply cut them into round shapes with a cookie cutter. Be sure to punch out the centres with a smaller cutter or any circular object like a bottle cap or an apple corer. Don’t fret if your doughnut shapes aren’t perfectly round – they will still taste and look amazing!
Now comes the fun part – cooking the doughnuts in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to around 375°F (190°C). Place the doughnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch each other. If desired, lightly brush the doughnuts with oil or melted butter to help them achieve a golden, crispy exterior.
Doughnut Ingredients
Before you start making your delicious air fryer doughnuts, gather these ingredients:
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Optional Toppings:
- Granulated sugar for dusting
- Vanilla glaze
- Chocolate glaze
- Sprinkles
Make sure to have these ingredients ready before you start preparing the dough. If you don’t have any of these ingredients, you can substitute or omit them according to your preferences. Let’s get ready to make some tasty air fryer doughnuts!
Preparing the Dough
To make doughnuts in an air fryer, you will need to prepare the dough first. Follow these steps:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
- In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of melted butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough seems too sticky, add a little bit more flour.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it back in the mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest for about 10 minutes.
Now that you have prepared the dough, you are ready to move on to the next step in making delicious air fryer doughnuts.
Shaping and Proofing the Doughnuts
Shaping the doughnuts is an important step in creating the perfect texture and appearance. Once you have made the dough according to the recipe, follow these steps to shape and proof your doughnuts:
1. Shape the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Use a doughnut cutter or a round biscuit cutter to cut out doughnut shapes. Be sure to save the doughnut holes for frying separately.
2. Proof the Doughnuts
Proofing is the process of allowing the doughnuts to rise and double in size before frying them. It is an essential step that ensures a light and airy texture. Here’s how to proof your doughnuts:
| Step | Instruction |
| 1 | Place the shaped doughnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between each doughnut to allow for expansion. |
| 2 | Cover the doughnuts loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. |
| 3 | Let the doughnuts proof in a warm, draft-free area for about 1-2 hours, or until they have doubled in size. |
After proofing, the doughnuts are ready to be fried in the air fryer. Make sure to follow the specific instructions for your air fryer model in terms of time and temperature settings, and enjoy your homemade doughnuts!
Air Frying the Doughnuts
Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying and it produces deliciously crispy doughnuts. Follow these simple steps to air fry your doughnuts to perfection:
1. Preheat your air fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
2. Prepare the doughnuts: While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the doughnuts. You can use store-bought refrigerated biscuit dough or make your own dough from scratch. Roll out the dough and use a doughnut cutter to shape the doughnuts. Remember to make a hole in the center of each doughnut. Arrange the doughnuts on a greased baking sheet.
3. Brush with melted butter: Melt some butter and brush it onto both sides of the doughnuts. This will help the doughnuts brown and become crispy as they cook.
4. Air fry the doughnuts: Place the doughnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the doughnuts in batches. Cook the doughnuts in the preheated air fryer for about 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The doughnuts should be golden brown and crispy.
5. Coat with sugar: While the doughnuts are still warm, toss them in a bowl with granulated sugar or powdered sugar to coat them evenly. Alternatively, you can make a glaze or icing to drizzle over the doughnuts.
6. Serve and enjoy: Serve the freshly air-fried doughnuts as is or with a cup of coffee or tea. They are best enjoyed immediately while still warm and crisp.
Air frying allows you to enjoy the indulgence of doughnuts without the excess oil and calories. Give this air fryer doughnut recipe a try and savor the delightful goodness of homemade doughnuts.
Glazing the Doughnuts
Glazing doughnuts is a delicious way to add sweetness and flavor to your homemade treats. Here are a few glaze options that you can try:
- Classic Vanilla Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk until smooth and pourable. Dip each cooled doughnut into the glaze, letting excess drip off, and place on a cooling rack until the glaze sets.
- Chocolate Glaze: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 cup of chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth. Dip each cooled doughnut into the chocolate glaze, letting excess drip off, and place on a cooling rack until the glaze sets.
- Maple Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Dip each cooled doughnut into the maple glaze, letting excess drip off, and place on a cooling rack until the glaze sets.
- Strawberry Glaze: In a blender or food processor, puree 1 cup of fresh strawberries until smooth. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry puree until smooth and pourable. Dip each cooled doughnut into the strawberry glaze, letting excess drip off, and place on a cooling rack until the glaze sets.
Feel free to experiment with different flavors and toppings to create your own signature glaze. Whether you prefer the classic vanilla or want to try something more unique, glazing your doughnuts is sure to take them to the next level.
Serving and Enjoying
Once your air fryer doughnuts are cooked to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy them. Here are a few suggestions for serving and enjoying your homemade doughnuts:
Toppings and Glazes
Add a touch of sweetness and texture to your doughnuts by choosing from a variety of toppings and glazes. Some popular options include chocolate glaze, vanilla glaze, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, sprinkles, or even crushed nuts. Be creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavors.
Accompaniments
Air fryer doughnuts are often delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with a few accompaniments to make them even more enjoyable. Serve your doughnuts with a side of fresh fruits, whipped cream, or even a scoop of ice cream for a delightful dessert experience.
- Fresh berries – strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
- Whipped cream
- Ice cream – vanilla, chocolate, or your favorite flavor
Presentation
Another important aspect of serving doughnuts is presentation. Consider arranging your doughnuts on a platter or serving them individually on dessert plates lined with cute paper doilies. This adds a touch of elegance and makes your homemade treats even more visually appealing.
Lastly, don’t forget to brew a fresh cup of coffee or tea to enjoy alongside your tasty air fryer doughnuts. The combination of hot beverages and freshly baked doughnuts is a classic pairing for a satisfying snack or dessert.
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