Crispy Air Fryer Donuts: Fluffy Homemade Donuts in 15 Minutes
Craving warm, fluffy donuts but don't want to deal with deep frying? These air fryer donuts are incredibly easy, ready in 15 minutes, and come out perfectly golden and crispy on the outside while staying soft and airy inside. The best part? They require minimal oil, making them a lighter treat you can enjoy any time.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donuts
I’ll be honest—I was skeptical about air fryer donuts at first. Could they really replicate that fluffy, yeasty texture of deep-fried donuts? The answer is a resounding yes! These donuts come out perfectly golden and crisp on the outside, while staying incredibly soft and airy on the inside. Plus, they use a fraction of the oil, so you can indulge without the guilt.
What I love most about this recipe is how quick and easy it is. The dough comes together in minutes with basic pantry ingredients, and the air fryer does all the work in just 6-8 minutes. Whether you’re craving a weekend breakfast treat or a quick dessert, these donuts are ready in under 15 minutes from start to finish. No deep frying, no complicated techniques—just pure, homemade donut bliss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
🛒 Ingredients Checklist
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)(optional)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
How to Make Air Fryer Donuts
Making these donuts is a breeze. Start by whisking together the dry ingredients—flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg if using—in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it comes together. Pat it into a 1/2-inch thick circle. Use a 2.5-inch round cutter to cut out donuts, then use a 1-inch cutter (or the wide end of a piping tip) to cut out the centers. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and repeat until you have about 8 donuts and 8 donut holes.
Crispy Air Fryer Donuts
🥕Ingredients
Adjust servings above — amounts scale automatically. Tap an ingredient to check it off.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
📋Instructions
- 1
Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the basket with nonstick spray.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
- 3
In a small bowl, whisk together milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
- 4
Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- 5
Turn dough onto a floured surface, gently knead a few times, then pat into a 1/2-inch thick round.
- 6
Cut out donuts using a 2.5-inch cutter and a 1-inch cutter for the holes. Reroll scraps.
- 7
Place donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed).
- 8
Air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- 9
Immediately brush hot donuts with melted butter, then toss in powdered sugar.
- 10
Serve warm. Donut holes can be air fried for 2-3 minutes total.
💡 Pro Tips
- •Don't overwork the dough—it makes donuts tough. Mix just until combined.
- •Make sure the air fryer is preheated for the best rise and golden color.
- •For extra flavor, add cinnamon to the powdered sugar or use cinnamon-sugar coating.
Nutrition per serving(based on original recipe — does not scale)
Pro Tip for Fluffy Donuts
For the lightest, fluffiest donuts, be gentle when mixing and shaping the dough. Overmixing develops the gluten, which can make the donuts dense. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh—it's the key to that perfect rise in the air fryer.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
These air fryer donuts are delicious on their own, but you can easily dress them up. Try dipping them in a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla—or go all out with a chocolate glaze. For a cinnamon sugar version, skip the powdered sugar and toss the warm donuts in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon. You can also fill them with jam or pastry cream using a piping bag.
These donuts are best enjoyed warm, right out of the air fryer. But you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. To reheat, pop them in the air fryer at 300°F for about 2 minutes to bring back that fresh-from-the-fryer texture.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
These air fryer donuts are proof that you don't need a deep fryer to enjoy warm, fluffy homemade donuts. They come together in minutes with minimal mess and cleanup, and they're endlessly customizable. Whether you keep it classic with powdered sugar or get creative with glazes and fillings, I think you'll find yourself making these on repeat. Give them a try, and let me know how they turn out in the comments below!
Written by
Elena RossiI'm Elena, a home cook turned recipe developer. At cooking word, I share simple, seasonal dishes inspired by my Italian roots and busy life.
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