Looking for the perfect pastry to bring to the next social function but you don’t want to cheat and go to the store? How about those nights when you are relaxing at home after a long week at the office and you just want something sweet, but you don’t want to blow your hard work of eating healthy completely out of the water?
Are you asking yes to these questions while reading this? If so, you definitely don’t want to miss this recipe for making air fryer donuts in five minutes! That’s right – five minutes and you are sitting down to a fresh batch of donuts made right in the comfort of your kitchen. No dealing with the public or spending your hard-earned money; just a bit of prep, a few basic ingredients, and an air fryer means you are in business for making your own donuts.
What is an Air Fryer?
You’ve heard of a deep fryer; you own a frying pan but what exactly is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a countertop appliance that is found in kitchens all around the world. It cooks, bakes, roasts, and prepares food; like an oven. However, the air fryer uses air to crisp and fry food without the use of heavy (and fattening) oils. The heating elements are also found on the top of the cooking chamber as opposed to the bottom.
The cooking chamber generally pulls out from the front of the machine and food is then placed inside. You set a timer for the food chosen, push the cooking chamber back in place, and wait for crispy, healthier, meals.
Cleanup is also super fast as the cooking chambers lift off the base and they are generally dishwasher safe.
Equipment Needed for donuts recipe:
- Air fryer
- Small circle cookie cutter or 1 large piping tip
- Pastry brush
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Cooling rack (optional)
Ingredients to prepare the donuts in an air fryer:
For Pastry:
- 1 can grand biscuits
- 1 tbsp oil (olive, vegetable, etc.)
For Vanilla Glaze:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 1 tbsp water or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
For Chocolate Glaze:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder or hot cocoa mix
- 2-3 tsp water or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
Can you make donuts in an air fryer – step by step guide
Step 1: Prep
Prepare your workstation, have the air fryer ready to load, and have all your ingredients within arms reach before starting the actual recipe.
Open the can of biscuits and prepare them as per the instructions on the packaging. They might have to rise while covered, depending on the brand chosen for your air fryer donuts.
Step 2: Cut holes
Once the biscuits are ready to be used; take the cookie cutter or the large piping tip to cut a hole in the center of the biscuit.
Always put the biscuit on a steady surface or the holes won’t be even, and you run the risk of tearing up the dough.
*Put the holes from the biscuits to the side as you can make mini donuts from these!
Step 3: Oil
Brush the smallest bit of oil on the inside of the air fryer, directly where you will be placing the donuts.
Don’t use a non-stick spray as that can ruin the taste of the donuts and can last longer on the inside of the air fryer (ruining the next thing you make).
Place the biscuits inside the air fryer but don’t let them touch! You don’t want them sticking together and ruining the overall look of the donut.
Step 4: cool and glaze
Let the donuts cook in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 360°. Remove the donuts from the air fryer and place on the cooling rack. Line underneath the cooling rack with parchment paper as the glazing part of the recipe will get messy! Load the next batch of donuts into the air fryer and let them cook for 5 minutes at 360°. Dip the donuts in your chosen glaze – either chocolate or vanilla or both.
Step 6: Decorate
Allow the glaze to set fully and harden; then dip the same donut again in the glaze**
You can pour the glaze over the donuts if that is easier for your workstation – this is where the parchment paper comes into play to make cleanup super quick.
Add sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, candies – whatever you want to the glaze!
Serve and enjoy!
*The glaze for the donuts should not be so thick it breaks the donuts under the weight when you dip them.
*If the glaze runs off the donuts the minute you stop dipping them, then you aren’t putting a thick enough layer on.
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