Doughnuts in the Air Fryer
Doughnuts in air fryer baskets are baked rather than deep fried, so they have a lighter, softer bite and no pan of hot oil. This quick no-yeast dough, made with self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt, goes from bowl to warm cinnamon-sugar doughnuts in about 30 minutes. This recipe makes six rings.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 31min
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 6
- Per serving
- 270kcal
Why the air fryer works for doughnuts
Cooking doughnuts in air fryer baskets means no oil bath, no splashing and no thermometer for the fat. The hot air browns the surface evenly, so the rings come out golden with a tender centre. The result is a baked doughnut, which is lighter than a deep-fried one, and it is ready in the time it takes to make a cup of tea.
It is worth being honest about the texture. An air fryer cannot reproduce the puffy, slightly greasy crust of a fried yeast doughnut. What it does well is a soft, cake-like ring that is delicious warm and coated in sugar. That is why the butter and sugar coating matters so much: it adds the richness that frying would normally give.
How to make doughnuts in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Make the dough Mix the flour, 2 tbsp sugar and salt in a bowl, add the yoghurt and stir with a fork until it comes together. Tip it onto a floured worktop and knead gently for until smooth. It will be slightly sticky.
- Cut the rings Roll the dough to 1.5 cm thick. Cut out rings with an 8 cm cutter, then cut a 2.5 cm hole from each with a small cutter or bottle cap. Re-roll the trimmings, and cook the holes as well.
- Prepare the basket Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . Cut a piece of baking paper to fit the basket, punch a few holes in it for airflow and place 3 doughnuts on it, leaving a space between them.
- Cook Cook for , turning them over after , until risen and golden brown. Doughnuts that are cut thinner than 1 cm need about . Cook the second batch the same way.
- Coat Mix 50 g sugar and the cinnamon on a plate. Brush the hot doughnuts with the melted butter on all sides, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar. Eat them warm.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Doughnuts | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon sugar doughnutsTurn halfway | 180 °C | 8 min |
| Doughnut holes | 180 °C | 5 min |
| Yeast doughnuts (after proving)Prove 1 hour first | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
| Glazed doughnutsIcing sugar and milk glaze | 180 °C | 8 min |
| Using ready-made dough | 170 °C | 6–8 min |
| Reheat a doughnut | 150 °C | 2 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Roll evenly. Rings of different thickness cook at different speeds. A 1.5 cm dough is a good balance between a soft middle and a golden outside.
- Do not crowd the basket. Doughnuts rise as they cook, so leave 2 cm between them for the air to move.
- Coat straight away. Hot doughnuts take the butter and sugar in a way cold ones never do.
Serving
Serve doughnuts in air fryer batches warm on the day they are made, with a cup of tea or coffee. For a special breakfast, dip them in melted chocolate or serve with a spoonful of jam on the side. If you want other quick bakes, croissants and cookies are quick too, and you will find more ideas on the dessert page.
Storing and reheating
Doughnuts are best eaten on the day. Store leftovers in an airtight tin for up to 2 days. To refresh them, put them in the air fryer at 150 °C for 2 minutes, then toss in a little extra sugar if the coating has gone soft.
Variations
- Glazed: Mix 100 g icing sugar with 1–2 tbsp milk and dip the cooled doughnuts. Add sprinkles if you like.
- Chocolate: Melt 50 g dark chocolate with 1 tsp butter and spoon it over the cooled rings.
- Jam-filled: Skip the hole, cook round buns for 8 minutes, then fill them with jam using a piping bag and a small nozzle.
Troubleshooting
- The doughnuts are dry and bready
- The dough was rolled too thin or baked for too long. Keep it about 1.5 cm thick and take the doughnuts out as soon as they are golden. Full-fat yoghurt also helps.
- The sugar will not stick
- Coat the doughnuts while they are still hot and brush them thoroughly with melted butter first. Cold doughnuts need a glaze instead.
- The dough sticks to everything
- Different yoghurts hold different amounts of water. Add flour a spoonful at a time, and flour both the worktop and the cutter.
Frequently asked questions
How long do doughnuts take in the air fryer?
Doughnuts from a quick dough take 8 minutes at 180 °C, turned halfway. Yeast doughnuts need 8–10 minutes after proving, and doughnut holes need only 5 minutes.
Can you make air fryer doughnuts without yeast?
Yes. Self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt make a simple dough with no proving time. The texture is closer to a soft scone than a fluffy fried doughnut.
Are air fryer doughnuts the same as deep-fried donuts?
No. They are baked in hot air, so they are lighter and less greasy, but they do not have the soft, pillowy texture of a fried doughnut. Brushing with butter and coating them in sugar helps.
Can I use ready-made biscuit dough or canned dough?
Tubes of ready-made dough are less common in UK shops, but shop-bought pizza dough or croissant dough can be used. Cut rings and cook them at 170 °C for 6–8 minutes.
Do I need to grease the basket?
Lightly oil the basket or use perforated baking paper. A silicone mat can also be used, but the dough may brown less underneath.
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