When I was little, my grandmother used to make the most delicious donuts every Sunday morning. The smell of fresh, warm donuts would fill the house, and my siblings and I would eagerly gather around the kitchen, waiting to get our hands on those golden treats. Fast forward to today, and while I don’t have my grandmother’s patience to deep fry, I’ve found the perfect alternative with this air fryer glazed donut recipe. It’s quick, easy, and just as delightful. Plus, the air fryer cuts down on the mess and oil, making it a healthier option.
One of my favorite variations is adding a touch of nutmeg to the dough for a subtle spice that enhances the flavor. For a more decadent twist, try filling the donuts with a bit of your favorite jam or custard after they’ve been fried. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even experiment with different glazes – chocolate, maple, or even a zesty lemon. These donuts are a versatile treat that you can easily adapt to suit your taste.
Making Air Fryer Glazed Donuts
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm water (about 100°F)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
- Cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 teaspoons evaporated milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 4 teaspoons water
Directions
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine yeast, warm water, sugar, evaporated milk, salt, shortening, eggs, and vanilla. Begin with 2 cups of flour and knead on medium-low with the dough hook until mixed. Gradually add more flour until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky but manageable.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and let it rise for around 1 1/2 hours.
- Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Use a round cutter or a glass to cut out 12 donuts, re-rolling the scraps as needed. Allow the cut donuts to rise for an additional 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Arrange 3-4 donuts in the air fryer basket without touching each other. Lightly spray the donuts with cooking spray and air fry for approximately 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Test one donut to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Move the cooked donuts to a wire rack with paper towels underneath. Let them cool for 1-2 minutes. For glazed donuts, dip the tops into the glaze and return to the rack. For cinnamon sugar donuts, dip each donut in melted butter, then coat with a cinnamon sugar mixture on both sides, and place back on the rack.
FAQs:
Can I use a different type of milk instead of evaporated milk in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute evaporated milk with regular milk or a non-dairy alternative. However, the texture and flavor of the donuts might be slightly different. Evaporated milk adds richness, so using a substitute might result in a lighter donut.
What should I do if my dough is too sticky to handle?
If your dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a smooth and slightly sticky consistency. Be cautious not to add too much flour, as this can make the donuts dense and less airy.
How can I ensure my donuts are cooked through in the air fryer?
To ensure your donuts are cooked through, test one donut first. If the donut is still doughy in the center after the recommended cooking time, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Also, flipping the donuts halfway through cooking helps them cook evenly.
Can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. After the initial rise, cover the dough and refrigerate. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature and rise again if needed before rolling and cutting.
What can I use if I don’t have a donut cutter?
If you don’t have a donut cutter, you can use a round glass or a cookie cutter for the outer shape and a smaller cutter or bottle cap for the center hole. Re-roll the scraps to make more donuts, ensuring you don’t overwork the dough.
How should I store leftover glazed donuts?
Store leftover glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes or microwave them for about 10-15 seconds to refresh their texture.
Air Fryer Glazed Donuts
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 teaspoons of instant dry yeast
- 1/2 cup of warm water around 100°F
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup of vegetable shortening
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- Cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons of melted butter
- 1 1/3 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoons of evaporated milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 to 4 teaspoons of water
Instructions
- Mix yeast, warm water, sugar, evaporated milk, salt, shortening, eggs, and vanilla in a stand mixer's bowl. Start with 2 cups of flour and knead on medium-low using the dough hook until combined. Gradually add more flour until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky but not too sticky to handle.
- Move the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and let it rise for about 1 1/2 hours.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to a thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Cut out 12 donuts using a round cutter or a glass, re-rolling the scraps as needed. Let the cut donuts rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place 3-4 donuts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch. Lightly spray the donuts with cooking spray and air fry for about 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Test with one donut to ensure they are cooked through.
- Transfer the cooked donuts to a wire rack with paper towels underneath. Allow them to cool for 1-2 minutes. For glazed donuts, dip the tops into the glaze and return to the rack. For cinnamon sugar donuts, dip each donut in melted butter and then into a cinnamon sugar mixture, coating both sides, and return to the rack.
