Air Fryer Yeast Donuts

Air fryer yeast donuts are amazing! If you are looking for a foolproof method for making yeast donuts, this recipe is for you!

Nothing is better than a batch of homemade donuts, especially when made with yeast. They puff up beautifully and are so incredibly tender on the inside.

Being from Boston, we had a donut store on every corner. I loved picking out my favorite flavors as a weekend treat, but nothing beats a classic glazed round donut. While I love making all kinds of donuts at home, I don’t always love wasting a whole pot of oil for frying.

If you are looking for the Best Air Fryer Donut Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER POWDERED SUGAR DONUTS, AIR FRYER EASY FUNFETTI CAKE MIX DONUTS, or AIR FRYER BANANA DONUTS.

Air Fryer Yeast Donuts

These are some of the best donuts you will make with your air fryer. They are light and fluffy and delicious!

If you have never made homemade donuts, don’t be intimidated. They are quite simple to put together. Today, I made my air fryer donuts with a simple glazed coating, but you can add anything you want for a truly fantastic treat!

Watch How To Make Homemade Donuts In Air Fryer

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Yeast Donut Recipe!

• Uses simple pantry ingredients
• Makes a full dozen
• Kid-friendly
• It’s easier than using a deep fryer!
• Once the dough has risen, it cooks for 5 minutes.
• Easily change the flavor or color of the glaze.

Ingredients Needed For Homemade Yeast Donuts

Here are the simple ingredients to make homemade yeast donuts in the air fryer.

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

• Milk – Whole milk tends to work best, but you can use skim milk if that’s what you have.
• Yeast—For this air-fryer donut recipe, you will need Active Dry Yeast (not the instant kind). Always check the label to ensure it’s not expired, and consider testing a small amount first to ensure it’s still fresh.
• Granulated Sugar – This feeds the yeast and assists in proofing. Without a chemical reaction, your dough won’t rise!
• Salt – While sugar feeds the yeast, salt keeps it from growing out of control. Don’t skip this ingredient!
• Egg – This also helps the dough rise and makes it extra tender when cooked.
• Melted Butter—Unsalted butter is preferred since the dough already contains salt. Allow the butter to cool slightly after melting before adding it to the yeast mixture.
• Pure Vanilla Extract – You’ll need this to flavor the dough and the glaze topping.
• All-Purpose Flour—This creates a better texture than bread or pastry flour, and I always have it on hand.
• Powdered Sugar – Combine this with butter, salt, and vanilla to make a delicious homemade glaze!

How To Make Yeast Donuts In Air Fryer

Here are the steps to make yeast donuts in the air fryer.

Step 1: Proof the yeast

Start by warming your milk—this yeast donut recipe won’t work if it’s cold. Add the milk to a glass measuring cup and microwave until it reaches the ideal temperature of 110-120 degrees. Stir the warm milk, sugar, and yeast, mixing well for about a minute. Let the yeast mixture sit for about 5 minutes. If it doesn’t bubble, you’ll need to throw it out and start with a fresh packet. Remember, the chemical reaction is what makes your yeast donuts rise.

Step 2: Make Yeasted Dough

Pour the yeast mixture into a large mixing bowl, then add the egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix in the flour until the dough starts to come together. Using the dough hook attachment, use a bowl of a stand mixer to mix at low speed. 

Spray a separate large bowl with olive oil spray. Transfer the dough to the lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Place the bowl in a warm place to rise for about an hour.

Step 3: Cut The Donuts

Once the dough has risen, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to about 1/4-inch thick.

Use large biscuit cutters to cut out each donut, then a smaller one to create the hole in the middle. Continue until you have cut out all of your dough.

Step 4: Second Rise

Add the donuts to a greased air fryer tray or air fryer basket (sprayed with olive oil). Let them rise for another 30 minutes until doubled in size. Meanwhile, whisk together the glaze ingredients and set them aside.

Step 5: Air Fry Donuts

Next, cook the donuts in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes at 340 degrees F. Work in batches if they won’t all fit in the tray or basket of your air fryer.

Step 6: Glaze

Transfer the fluffy doughnuts, one at a time, to the glaze bowl while they are still warm. Coat the entire surface, then place them on a plate or wire rack to cool while the glaze hardens.

Pro Tips:

• Warm ingredients are a must for this yeast donut recipe. Heat the milk and melt the butter. I also recommend bringing your egg to room temperature so it blends smoothly into the dough. Let it rest on the counter for 30-45 minutes before getting started.
• Use a thermometer. The milk must be at the right temperature for the air fryer donuts to rise. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast. It’s too cold, and the yeast won’t even activate.
• Cooking times may vary. Since each air fryer model differs, keep a close eye on your first batch and note the exact cooking time. Air fryer donuts should be golden brown but not burnt.
• How to make donut holes: This yeast donut recipe has a bonus—you get donut holes, too! After you’ve cooked your air-fried donuts, add all of the tiny cutouts to the basket. Cook at the same temperature (but only for 2-3 minutes), then glaze.
• Want a flavored glaze? Add a little cocoa powder or lemon zest until it tastes just right. For a fruity option, grind some freeze-dried strawberries and use the powder to flavor the glaze. You can also use cinnamon sugar topping or chocolate glaze.

Faq’s

Can I make yeast donuts in the air fryer? Yes, you can. While they won’t have the exact same texture as traditional deep-fried donuts, air-fried yeast donuts can still be deliciously fluffy and flavorful.

What type of yeast is best for making donuts? Active dry yeast and instant yeast are suitable options for making yeast donuts. Some prefer instant yeast because it can be mixed directly into the dough without being activated in warm water first.

Do I need to proof the yeast when making air-fryer donuts? It’s recommended that the yeast be proofed to ensure it’s active and will help the dough rise properly. To do this, dissolve the yeast in warm water with a bit of sugar and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly.

How long do I need to let the dough rise? After mixing and kneading the dough, you’ll need to let it rise in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles. This typically takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.

Can I use pre-made refrigerated biscuit dough to make air-fried donuts? Yes, you can use canned biscuit dough to make quick and easy air-fried donuts. Separate the biscuits, poke a hole in the center, and air fry them until golden brown.

When should I set the air fryer to cook yeast donuts? Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook the donuts for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the donuts.

How should I glaze or decorate the air-fried yeast donuts? Once the donuts are cooked and cooled, dip them in a quick vanilla glaze, sprinkle them with powdered sugar, or coat them in cinnamon sugar for added flavor. Get creative with your toppings, and enjoy your homemade air-fried yeast donuts!

How to store leftover donuts: Place the donuts in an airtight container. Yeast doughnuts will last at room temperature for 1-2 days.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER GLAZED BISCUIT DONUTS
• EASY AIR FRYER EASY FUNFETTI CAKE MIX DONUTS
• AIR FRYER RASPBERRY LEMON DONUTS
• EASY AIR FRYER CINNAMON SUGAR DONUT MUFFINS

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