These Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts are soft, fluffy, and coated in a sweet maple glaze that’s simply irresistible. With no deep frying required, they’re an easy homemade treat perfect for any occasion.

Golden air fryer donuts topped with smooth maple frosting, served on a cooling rack.
Save This Recipe Form

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below & I will send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from me on occasion!

Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts are so good! I love these donuts. They are light, they are airy, and they are delicious! And the icing on top really makes all of the difference. If you love maple syrup, you will love these donuts!

They make an amazing breakfast or dessert! They are so sweet and pair lovely with a hot cup of coffee. If you love a homemade, freshly baked donut, this might become one of your favorites; there is nothing better than a hot baked donut, which can bake in minutes with the help of the air fryer! Mere minutes!

The result is a great donut that will literally melt in your mouth!

If you become donut obsessed like me, some of my favorite Air Fryer Donut Recipes are AIR FRYER GLAZED BISCUIT DONUTS. AIR FRYER BANANA DONUTS, and AIR FRYER RASPBERRY LEMON DONUTS.

Golden air fryer donuts topped with creamy maple frosting, arranged on a cooling rack.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Air Fryer Convenience – No messy deep-frying, just quick and easy golden donuts.
  • Bakery-Style Taste – Fluffy inside, lightly crisp outside, with rich maple frosting.
  • Simple Ingredients – Made with pantry staples you likely already have at home.
  • Family-Friendly Treat – Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet after-dinner dessert.
  • Customizable Toppings – Switch up the glaze or add sprinkles for fun variations.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts on kitchen table.
  • All-Purpose Flour — Provides structure and soft, tender donut texture.
  • Salt — Balances sweetness and enhances overall maple flavor.
  • Baking Powder — Helps donuts rise light, fluffy, and airy.
  • Baking Soda — Works with buttermilk for extra lift.
  • Brown Sugar — Adds sweetness with a hint of molasses.
  • Butter — Creates rich flavor and soft, moist crumb.
  • Egg — Binds ingredients while adding richness and structure.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract — Deepens flavor with warm, sweet notes.
  • Maple Extract — Boosts authentic maple taste in donuts.
  • Buttermilk — Adds moisture and tenderizes for fluffy donuts.
  • Maple Syrup — Sweet, rich flavor for glaze and donuts.
  • Powdered Sugar — Creates smooth, sweet maple frosting topping.
  • Milk — Thins glaze to perfect spreadable consistency.

How To Make Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts

Mixing dry ingredients—flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda—in a large bowl for donut batter.

Step One: Spray the donut pan with non-stick spray and set it aside. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to a large mixing bowl and use a whisk to mix them.

Whisking together sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, maple extract, buttermilk, and maple syrup in a mixing bowl.

Step Two: In a second mixing bowl, add the sugar, butter, egg, vanilla and maple extracts, buttermilk, and maple syrup. Whisk to combine.

Mixing wet and dry ingredients together until just combined with slight lumps visible.

Step Three: Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until there are no streaks of flour and the two are just combined (it may be slightly lumpy – that’s ok!).

Piping donut batter evenly into six prepared donut pan cavities using a piping bag or plastic bag.

Step Four: Piping the batter equally into the six donut cavities. You can use a piping bag with a large tip, or the end cut off, or snip the corner of a plastic bag.

Donut pan placed in air fryer at 320°F, baked until springy, then turned onto wire rack to cool.

Step Five: Set the pan into the air fryer, at 320 degrees F, air fryer setting, and air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the donut springs back when gently pressed with a finger. Turn out the donuts onto a wire rack.

Whisking confectioner’s sugar, milk, maple syrup, and maple extract over medium heat to create smooth maple glaze.

Step Six: Add the confectioner’s sugar, milk, maple syrup, and maple extract to a medium saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium heat until all ingredients combine. Once mixed, turn off heat but leave the pan on the burner, whisking the glaze occasionally to keep liquid.

Step Seven: While the donuts are warm but cool enough to handle, dip one half of the donut, top side down, into the glaze. Turn the donut right side up and place on a wire rack to finish cooling and for the glaze to set.

Air fryer maple frosted donuts on a wire rack, golden brown and glazed with maple icing.

Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts Recipe Tips

  • Don’t overmix the batter – Stir until just combined; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can make donuts dense instead of light and fluffy.
  • Use a piping bag for even donuts – It helps you fill the cavities neatly and prevents messy overflows.
  • Avoid overcrowding the air fryer – Cook 2–4 donuts at a time, depending on basket size, to ensure even cooking and proper browning.
  • Check for doneness with a spring test – Lightly press the top; if it springs back, the donut is ready.
  • Glaze while slightly warm – Donuts absorb the maple glaze better when they’re still a bit warm, giving a perfect coating without making them soggy.
  • Customize your toppings – Add chopped nuts, sprinkles, or a drizzle of chocolate for extra flair.
  • Store properly – Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or freeze for longer storage.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

  • Storing: Keep the Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and softness. Avoid refrigerating, as it can dry out the donuts.
  • Freezing: Place the cooled donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature before serving.
  • Reheating: Warm frozen or room-temperature donuts in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes for a soft, fresh-from-the-oven texture. Alternatively, microwave individually for 15–20 seconds, then enjoy immediately.
Freshly baked Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts on a wire rack, topped with sweet maple glaze.

Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts Recipe Faqs

Can I make these donuts without an air fryer? Yes! You can bake the donuts in a preheated oven at 320°F for 10–12 minutes, or until they spring back when lightly pressed.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time? Absolutely! Store the maple glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Rewarm slightly before using.

Can I use a different type of sweetener? Yes, you can substitute brown sugar or coconut sugar for the granulated sugar in the batter, though texture and flavor may slightly vary.

How do I prevent the donuts from sticking to the pan? Spray your donut pan generously with non-stick spray or lightly grease it with butter before adding the batter.

Can I add toppings or mix-ins? Yes! Try sprinkling chopped nuts, cinnamon, or chocolate chips over the glaze for extra flavor and texture.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Don’t Forget To Pin!

Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!​

Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts

Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
10 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

Air Fryer Maple Frosted Donuts are so good! I love these donuts. They are light, they are airy, and they are delicious!

Ingredients 

Donuts:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons  Unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 medium egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon maple extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup  confectioners sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon maple extract

Instructions

  • Spray the donut pan with non-stick spray and set it aside. 
  • Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to a large mixing bowl and use a whisk to mix them.
  • In a second mixing bowl, add the sugar, butter, egg, vanilla and maple extracts, buttermilk, and maple syrup. Whisk to combine.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until there are no streaks of flour and the two are just combined (it may be slightly lumpy – that’s ok!).
  • Piping the batter equally into the six donut cavities. You can use a piping bag with a large tip, or the end cut off, or snip the corner of a plastic bag.
  • Set the pan into the air fryer, at 320 degrees F, air fryer setting, and air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the donut springs back when gently pressed with a finger. Turn out the donuts onto a wire rack.
  • Add the confectioner's sugar, milk, maple syrup, and maple extract to a medium saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium heat until all ingredients combine. Once mixed, turn off heat but leave the pan on the burner, whisking the glaze occasionally to keep liquid. **
  • While the donuts are warm but cool enough to handle, dip one half of the donut, top side down, into the glaze.** Turn the donut right side up and place on a wire rack to finish cooling and for the glaze to set. ****
  • Let cool slighly.
  • Plate, serve, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Donut Pan, or Donut Mold
  • Cooking Spray

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 391mgPotassium: 108mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 244IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 1mg

Share this recipe

We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!