These Glazed Donuts in Air Fryer are one of my favorite homemade treats because they give you a soft, fluffy donut texture, similar to deep-fried donuts, and there is no deep frying needed. The dough is light and airy, and the sweet glaze finish is one everyone loves.
What I love most about this air fryer donuts recipe is how easy it is to prepare the dough the night before and then bake the donuts fresh the next morning. If you're looking for another delicious breakfast treat, why not try these Homemade Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch? Now for the recipe, as promised!
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Video Tutorial
Try This Glazed Donuts in Air Fryer Recipe
One of my favorite things about these donuts is how close they are to a Krispy Kreme copycat Recipe. They're really soft in the center with a slightly crispy exterior and a sweet glaze that melts in your mouth.
The air fryer also simplifies the process compared to deep frying, and the end result is amazing. Whenever I make these, I always make a double batch because they get eaten really fast.
Why You’ll Love It
- Easy to make: I love that I don't need to deep-fry anything for this donuts recipe.
- Perfect Texture: You get soft, fluffy centers and a light crispness on the outside.
- Krispy Kreme copycat Recipe: It makes these donuts like the classic glazed donuts, and they are homemade.
- Make-ahead friendly: The dough can rise overnight in the refrigerator, making it perfect for a make-ahead dessert.
- Small-batch recipe: You don’t have to spend hours making them; this recipe yields about 6 donuts.
Ingredients
- Bread flour: Although I prefer using bread flour for donuts because it gives the dough a great chew and texture, you'll get great results with plain all-purpose flour. The flour I used has 13.4g of protein.
- Egg: The secret to this recipe is that it only uses egg yolk. Don't waste the egg white. If you don't have an immediate use for it, freeze it.
- Instant Yeast: You add it directly to the flour. It doesn't need to be activated before mixing into the dough. If you prefer to use active dry yeast for your yeast dough, use 1 teaspoon (4g). When using active dry yeast, you will need a little more, as these two types of yeast are different.
How to Make Glazed Donuts in Air Fryer
1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, milk, egg yolk, and yeast, and knead until it comes together. Then let it rest.
2. Then knead on high speed in a stand mixer until the dough releases from the sides of the bowl and passes the windowpane test.
3. Gradually add the butter and knead until the butter is fully incorporated. Once all of the butter has been added, increase the speed to high and knead until the dough is smooth and releases from the sides of the bowl. It's a soft, smooth dough that is slightly sticky.
4. Lightly spray a medium-sized bowl with nonstick spray or oil and transfer the dough to the bowl; lightly oil the top of the dough as well. Cover and let rest in a warm spot for 1 hour.
5. Then transfer the dough to the refrigerator and chill for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
6. On a very lightly floured surface (use as little flour as possible - just enough so that the dough doesn't stick to the rolling pin and surface), shape the dough into a square with your hands and roll it out.
7. Using a very lightly floured donut cutter or two round glasses of different sizes, cut out rings and holes.
8. Place the rings and holes on a lightly oiled tray. Reroll and cut until you run out of dough. Lightly spray a piece of plastic foil with nonstick spray or oil and cover the donuts. Let it rise in the refrigerator overnight.
9. Take the homemade donuts out of the fridge and let them sit on the kitchen counter while preheating the air fryer.
10. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil or nonstick spray and place 3-4 donut rings (depending on the size of your air fryer basket) in the air fryer basket and bake on each side until golden brown.
11. In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla until combined. Then stir in the hot water and whisk until smooth (melted butter doesn't give the same effect as adding hot water does).
12. Dip the warm donuts on both sides in the glaze and allow to drip off. Then glaze the baked holes with the remaining glaze.
13. Transfer to a wire cooling rack or baking tray with parchment paper, allow the glaze to set and harden for about 15-30 minutes, and serve. You can also add normal cinnamon sugar and skip the glaze, or sprinkle some pecan nuts, crushed biscuits, colorful sprinkles, or more, before the glaze sets.
Recipe Tips
- If the dough is still sticky and doesn't release from the sides of the bowl after mixing on high speed for 6-8 minutes, add 1 teaspoon of flour at a time until you reach that point.
- Use as little flour as possible when rolling out the dough.
- Let the dough pass the windowpane test before shaping.
- Lightly spray the donuts with oil before air frying.
- Bake a test donut first if you're using a new air fryer.
- Allow the glaze to set before serving.
What Can You Serve With This?
- Coffee
- Hot chocolate
- Tea
- Milk
FAQs
Yes. After cutting the donuts, let them rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours before baking.
The dough may not have been kneaded enough or fully risen. Too much flour may have been added while rolling them out or mixing the ingredients.
Yes, unglazed donuts can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Recipe
Glazed Donuts In Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 cup bread flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 large egg yolk
- ¾ teaspoon instant yeast
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 1 ½ tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ tablespoon hot water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with a hook attachment, add the flour, sugar, salt, milk, egg yolk, and yeast and knead on low speed until it comes together about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through. Let rest for 20-30 minutes.
- Then knead on high speed for about 6-8 minutes until the dough releases from the sides of the bowl and passes the windowpane test.* Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the butter and knead until the butter is fully incorporated. Once all of the butter has been added, increase the speed to high and knead until the dough is smooth and releases from the sides of the bowl. It's a soft, smooth dough, that is slightly sticky.
- Lightly spray a medium-sized bowl with nonstick spray or oil and transfer the dough to the bowl; lightly oil the top of the dough as well. Cover and let rest in a warm spot (68-75°F / 20-24°C) for 1 hour. Then transfer the dough to the refrigerator and chill for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
- Lightly spray a 9x13-inch (23x33cm) sheet with nonstick spray or oil and set aside.
- On a very lightly floured surface (use as little flour as possible - just enough so that the dough doesn't stick to the rolling pin and surface), flatten and shape the dough into a square with your hands and roll it out until it is between ¼-1/2 inch (0.6-1.3 cm) thick. Using a very lightly floured donut cutter, cut out 3-inch (7.5-cm) donuts. Place the rings and holes about 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the prepared sheet. Reroll and cut until you run out of dough.
- Lightly spray a piece of plastic foil with nonstick spray and cover the donuts. The non-stick spray ensures that the dough does not stick to the plastic foil after it has risen. Let rise in the refrigerator overnight.
- Take the donuts out of the fridge and let sit on the kitchen counter for 10 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5-10 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil or nonstick spray and place 3-4 donut rings (depending on the size of your air fryer basket) in the air fryer basket and bake for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Bake the holes for 1-2 minutes on each side. While the donuts are baking, prepare the glaze.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla until combined. Then add the hot water and whisk until smooth. Dip the warm rings on both sides in the glaze and allow to drip off. Then glaze the holes with the remaining glaze. Transfer to a wire rack, allow the glaze to set and harden for about 15-30 minutes and serve. They are best eaten fresh on the same day but you can store them in a container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Notes
Cooking Time and Temperature
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook donut rings for 2-3 minutes per side and donut holes for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown.Taste & Texture
These Glazed Donuts in Air Fryer are soft, light, and fluffy with a slightly crisp exterior. The sweet glaze creates that classic bakery-style finish that makes them hard to resist.Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes before glazing.
- Best Served: Freshly glazed on the day they're made.
Serving Recommendations
I love serving these donuts for breakfast or brunch alongside a hot cup of coffee. They also make a great weekend treat when you want something that feels bakery-made without leaving the house.Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Bread flour: All-purpose flour can be used if needed.
- Instant yeast: Active dry yeast can be used as a substitute.
- Classic glaze: Add vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Chocolate glaze: Replace part of the powdered sugar with cocoa powder.
- Filled donuts: Skip the center hole and fill with jam or custard after baking.
Proper Storage Tips
- Allow the glaze to fully set before storing.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Keep at room temperature for the best texture.
- Freeze unglazed donuts for longer storage.
Pro Tips
- Don't add too much extra flour to the dough.
- Use the windowpane test to check gluten development.
- Spray the donuts lightly with oil before air frying.
- Let the donuts rise fully before baking.
- Dip the donuts into the glaze while they're still warm.
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can absolutely make this donut recipe in the oven by baking the rings at 400°F (204°C) for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Bake the holes on each side for about 2 minutes.
- It's also possible to deep-fry the rings at 360°F - 370°F (180°C -185°C) for 60-90 seconds on each side and the holes for about 30-60 seconds.
How to Do the Windowpane Test?
To do the windowpane test, let the dough rest for about 1 minute after mixing. Then take a small portion of the dough between your fingers and slowly stretch it until the center is very thin and light can shine through without tearing. This means that you have kneaded and developed the dough sufficiently. If it doesn't pass the windowpane test and it tears, knead for 1-2 minutes longer. Do not over-knead either, or the dough will become liquid and soupy.Video
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