Nothing beats the warm, yeasty smell of fresh donuts hitting hot oil. But these glazed air fryer donuts skip all that mess and still deliver that perfect golden bite with a sweet, crackling glaze. They’ve become my go-to treat because you get bakery-quality donuts without leaving your kitchen.
Think fluffy cake donuts with a tender crumb that’s never greasy. The air fryer creates this gorgeous golden exterior while keeping the inside pillowy soft. You’ll need basic pantry ingredientsflour, sugar, a touch of nutmegand the simple vanilla glaze comes together in minutes. No deep frying, no oil splatter, no guilt.
Started experimenting with air fryer desserts back in 2019 when my daughter begged for “real donuts” on a Tuesday morning. The first batch disappeared before I could even photograph them. The secret I discovered? Brush them with melted butter right after cooking, then dip in glaze while they’re still warm. That’s when the magic happens.
PrintGlazed Air Fryer Donuts for a Delicious Easy Recipe
These Easy Glazed Air Fryer Donuts are moist, fluffy, and light, perfect for your sweet tooth. Made from scratch, they melt in your mouth with a shiny glaze that sets beautifully when warm. Enjoy this quick and delicious American dessert recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 12 Donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup warm milk
- 2¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (add more as needed)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Cooking spray
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Froth up the yeast by combining 1/2 cup warm water, 1/4 cup warm milk, 2 1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and letting it rise for about 5 minutes.
- In a stand mixer, combine 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 egg, 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the yeast mixture. Mix on low until ingredients combine, then beat on high for 5 minutes, adding flour if dough is too sticky.
- Let the dough rise in a greased bowl covered with a towel or plastic wrap until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Punch down dough and roll out to 1/2 inch thickness on a floured surface. Use donut cutters to cut out donuts and reshape scraps to cut more.
- Let cut donuts rise on a parchment-lined baking sheet covered lightly for 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer to 345°F and spray basket with cooking spray.
- Place donuts in basket without touching, spray lightly with cooking spray, and air fry for about 4 minutes. Repeat with remaining donuts.
- Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tablespoon light corn syrup, and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a bowl to make glaze.
- While donuts are warm, dip them in glaze and let them set on a cooling rack.
Notes
- Best way to store air fryer donuts To store any leftovers of these donuts, place them in an airtight container at room temperature (out of direct sunlight) or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- They can also be frozen for up to 3 months in a ziplock freezer bag
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Donut
- Calories: 281kcal
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 114mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 42mg
Why These Glazed Air Fryer Donuts Will Become Your Weekend Tradition
Discover the magic of homemade donuts made effortlessly in your air fryer. These glazed beauties offer a perfect golden exterior and a tender, fluffy interior that rivals any bakery treat, all without the usual mess. Our yeast dough creates an incredibly light texture, perfectly complemented by a balanced vanilla glaze.
This recipe is incredibly forgiving, making it perfect for beginners. The air fryer simplifies the process by eliminating the guesswork of oil temperature, allowing you to achieve consistent results with ease. Pro Tip: The slight stickiness in the dough is actually what creates those pillowy soft donuts we’re after.
Essential Ingredients and What They Bring to Your Donuts
Every ingredient in this recipe is carefully chosen to build the perfect texture and flavor. The precise blend of warm water and milk activates the yeast beautifully, while an extra egg yolk enriches the dough, contributing to its tender crumb and beautiful golden hue.
- Active dry yeast: Creates the light, airy texture that makes these donuts so special
- Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness to the dough
- Melted butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender crumb
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that holds everything together
- Corn syrup in glaze: Creates that glossy, bakery-style finish
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Air Fryer Donuts
Start by activating your yeast; it should become beautifully foamy within five minutes, confirming its vitality. After combining your dough ingredients, ensure it’s beaten for a full five minutes in the mixer to develop the ideal elastic texture.
Rolling the dough to exactly half an inch thickness is key for even cooking. Too thick and the centers won’t cook through; too thin and they’ll lose that fluffy texture. Note: Save those donut holes – they make perfect little treats and cook in about the same time.
The second rise is crucial but often overlooked. Those 20-30 minutes allow the shaped donuts to become light and airy before hitting the air fryer heat.
| Step | Time | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| Yeast activation | 5 minutes | Should foam and bubble |
| First rise | 1 hour | Dough doubles in size |
| Second rise | 20-30 minutes | Shapes puff slightly |
| Air frying | 4 minutes | Golden brown exterior |
Troubleshooting Common Donut Dilemmas
If your yeast doesn’t foam, check the water temperature – it should feel barely warm, not hot. Hot water kills yeast, while cool water won’t activate it properly. Always test with a thermometer if you’re unsure.
Dense donuts usually mean too much flour was added or the dough didn’t rise enough. Remember, the dough should be slightly sticky – resist the urge to add too much flour. Pro Tip: If your kitchen is cool, place the rising dough near a warm (not hot) oven or on top of the refrigerator.
- Glaze too thick: Add milk one teaspoon at a time
- Glaze too thin: Whisk in more powdered sugar gradually
- Donuts browning too fast: Lower air fryer temperature by 10-15 degrees
Creative Variations and Flavor Swaps
These easy glazed air fryer donuts are wonderful as-is, but they also serve as a perfect canvas for creativity. Try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for warmth, or substitute half the vanilla extract with almond extract for a bakery-inspired twist.
For the glaze, maple syrup can replace the corn syrup for a more complex flavor, or add a tablespoon of cocoa powder for chocolate glaze. Fresh citrus zest in either the dough or glaze brings brightness that pairs beautifully with morning coffee.
| Original Ingredient | Swap Option | Flavor Result |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla extract (dough) | Almond extract | Nutty, bakery-style |
| Corn syrup | Maple syrup | Rich, caramel notes |
| Plain glaze | Add cocoa powder | Chocolate indulgence |
| Regular milk | Buttermilk | Tangier, more tender |
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
These glazed air fryer donuts are absolutely divine when served warm, but they’re equally delicious at room temperature with your afternoon tea. The glaze sets to a beautiful shiny finish that crackles slightly when you bite into it.
For storage, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They can be frozen for up to three months – just thaw at room temperature and the texture comes right back. Pro Tip: Warm day-old donuts in the air fryer for 30 seconds to refresh them.
- Best served: Within 2 hours of glazing for optimal texture
- Room temperature storage: 3-4 days in airtight container
- Freezer storage: Up to 3 months in freezer bags
- Reheating: 30 seconds in air fryer or 10 seconds in microwave
Expert Says: The Science Behind Glazed Air Fryer Donuts
The air fryer truly shines when making donuts, leveraging its circulating hot air to create a wonderfully crispy exterior without the need for deep frying, resulting in a lighter yet equally indulgent treat. This even cooking process, combined with a perfectly balanced glaze, enhances both the texture and flavor, offering a guilt-free indulgence.
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The Art of Glazed Air Fryer Donuts
Perfecting these glazed air fryer donuts took me more attempts than I can count, with one batch oddly crisp and another too dense. Over time, I learned the right dough texture and timing to get that tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite. This recipe is the result of those lessons, balancing ease with that comforting homemade sweetness.
FAQs ( Glazed Air Fryer Donuts )
Can I use store-bought dough instead of making it from scratch?
Yes, you can use store-bought dough to save time, but making dough from scratch offers fresher taste and better texture. If using pre-made dough, adjust air fryer time slightly since it may cook faster. This recipe delivers soft, fluffy results best enjoyed freshly made.
How do I prevent donuts from getting soggy in the air fryer?
Ensure you preheat the air fryer and avoid overcrowding the basket for even airflow. Lightly spraying or brushing donuts with oil helps crisp the exterior without sogginess. Let them cool briefly on a rack before glazing to prevent steaming.
Can I make these donuts ahead of time and reheat them?
Yes, you can prepare the donuts ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in the air fryer for a minute or two to revive their crispness. Apply the glaze after warming for the best results.
What is the best glaze for this recipe?
A classic powdered sugar glaze with vanilla extract and a touch of milk works perfectly to complement the donuts. It adds sweetness without overpowering the soft texture. Adjust consistency by adding milk slowly until smooth and easy to drizzle.
Can I use alternative flours for easy glazed air fryer donuts?
Substituting some all-purpose flour with whole wheat or almond flour is possible but may affect the texture and rise. Whole wheat adds nuttiness while almond flour increases density. For best results, keep substitutions under 25% and monitor dough consistency closely.
Glazed air fryer donuts deliver that perfect bakery sweetness in just minutes, with golden exteriors and pillowy-soft centers that practically melt in your mouth. The vanilla glaze sets beautifully, creating that satisfying crack when you bite through. You’ll love how the warm butter brush technique makes all the difference – it’s a simple step that transforms good donuts into absolutely irresistible ones.
Feel free to customize your batch! Explore new flavor combinations by swapping vanilla extract for almond in the glaze for a more sophisticated profile, or infuse the dough with a pinch of cardamom for a hint of warmth. These homemade delights keep wonderfully at room temperature for up to three days, and I’ve found that a quick 30-second reheat in the air fryer brings back that just-made texture. The beauty lies in how forgiving this recipe is – perfect for weekend mornings when you want something special without the fuss.
I’d love to see your golden creations! Share your photos and tell me – did you add any special touches or family twists? These donuts have a way of bringing people together, whether it’s for lazy Sunday brunches or surprise weekday treats. Save this recipe for those moments when you want to fill your kitchen with warmth and sweetness.
