Air Fryer Pancake Donuts

What’s the best way to start your day? With a warm, and fluffy Air Fryer Pancake Donuts! These donuts are made in an air fryer and are much healthier than their fried counterparts. You can enjoy these treats with or without syrup for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner!

Air Fryer Pancake Donuts Recipe is amazing! If you have been looking for one of the easiest ways to make pancakes in your air fryer, this is the recipe for you!

I love a great plate of pancakes, and with this recipe, you can have everything that you want, easy to eat, and so much better than the frozen kind!

Kid-Friendly, Family Friendly, and absolutely delish! What else do you need to know? I have been making pancakes in the air fryer for years, way before it was a trend.

I actually started making Air Fryer Pancakes for a bunch of hockey players. When we stayed at a hotel, and the parents and I found out they wanted $22 for breakfast for an 8-year-old plate, we sprung into action and made some Air Fryer Fried Eggs, Air Fryer Pancakes, and Bacon. We saved ourselves some cash, and the kids still had an amazing breakfast-thanks to the Air Fryer!

If you are looking for even more Air Fryer Pancake Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER BLUEBERRY PANCAKE MUFFINS, AIR FRYER, BLUEBERRY FILLED DUTCH BABY (PUFFED PANCAKE), and AIR FRYER CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKE BITES.

What Are Pancake Mix Donuts Air Fryer

Pancake donuts are a delightful fusion of pancakes and donuts, combining the fluffy texture and familiar flavor of pancakes with the shape and convenience of donuts. E

Then the pancake batter cooked in a donut mold or donut maker to achieve a donut shape, offering a fun twist on traditional breakfast and snack items.

Add some chocolate chips, blueberries, or bananas directly into the batter, for a fun breakfast!

Why You Will Love Pancake Mix Donuts Air Fryer

• Easy to Make: Using pancake mix as the base simplifies the process, making it accessible even to those with minimal baking experience.
• Customizable: These donuts offer endless customization options. You can mix in your favorite ingredients, such as chocolate chips or blueberries, and top them with a variety of glazes, sprinkles, or powdered sugar to suit your taste.
• Quick and Convenient: The air fryer cooks these donuts quickly, making them a perfect option for a speedy breakfast, snack, or dessert.
• Fun for All Ages: Both kids and adults will enjoy making and eating these donuts. The process is fun and easy, making it a great activity for families to do together.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Pancake Donuts

Here’s a brief overview of the ingredients you’ll need:

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.

• All-purpose Flour: Provides the necessary structure, ensuring your donuts hold together well while remaining tender and delightful to bite into.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the batter, balancing the flavors and ensuring your donuts have that irresistible dessert quality.
• Baking Powder: A crucial leavening agent, baking powder helps your Air Fryer Pancake Donuts rise and become fluffy, ensuring a light and airy texture that’s simply irresistible.
• Baking Soda: Aids in leavening and provides a tender texture to the donuts, making them soft and enjoyable to eat.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness of the donuts, enhancing the overall flavor profile of your tasty treats.
• Sour Cream: Adds a rich creaminess and moisture to the donuts, ensuring they are deliciously soft and slightly tangy, which complements the sweetness perfectly.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
• Egg: Acts as a binder, giving the donuts structure and a tender crumb.
• Butter: Contributes to the richness and moistness of the donuts, giving them a soft texture and a delicious buttery flavor.
• Toppings and Glazes (optional): Get creative with various toppings and glazes, such as chocolate, vanilla icing, sprinkles, or powdered sugar!

How To Make Pancake Donuts In Air Fryer

Here is a brief overview of making pancake donuts in the air fryer, the full recipe is below in the printable recipe card, at the bottom of the post:

Prepare The Batter: Add the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl. In another, both add the sour cream, milk, egg, and melted butter.

Slowly mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing well. Spray your donut pan with non-stick cooking. Add the batter, filling about 2/3 the way full about ⅔ way full. 

Fill The Donut Molds: Set the donut pan into the air fryer and set the temperature to 320 degrees F, air fryer setting, and set cook time for 7 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the donut comes out clean. 

Air Fryer Pancake Donuts Recipe Variations

• Chocolate Chip Pancake Donuts: Mix a generous amount of chocolate chips into the batter before cooking.
• Blueberry Pancake Donuts: Fold fresh or frozen blueberries into your pancake batter for a fruity twist.
• Cinnamon Sugar Coated: After air frying, while the donuts are still warm, brush them with melted butter and roll in a mix of cinnamon and sugar
• Maple Glazed: Whip up a quick maple glaze by mixing pure maple syrup with powdered sugar until you reach a pourable consistency.
• Bacon Bits Pancake Donuts: For a savory-sweet combination, add cooked and crumbled bacon into the batter or sprinkle on top before air frying
• Pumpkin Spice Pancake Donuts: Incorporate pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice into your batter for a fall-inspired treat.
• Lemon Poppy Seed Pancake Donuts: Add lemon zest and poppy seeds to the batter for a citrusy and slightly crunchy texture.
• Gluten-Free Pancake Donuts: Use a gluten-free pancake mix and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

Air Fryer Pancake Donuts Recipe Pro Tips

• Consistent Batter Thickness: The key to uniform donuts is maintaining a consistent batter thickness. If the batter is too thin, your donuts may spread out too much and lose their shape. If it’s too thick, they might not cook through properly.
• Piping Bag Trick: For perfectly shaped donuts, use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off to pipe the batter into the donut molds or onto your air fryer tray.
• Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like with traditional baking, starting with a preheated air fryer can make a big difference.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Place the donuts in a single layer with space around each one to allow for proper air circulation. You can also use parchment paper, if you don’t have a donut pan.
• Cool Before Glazing: If you plan to glaze or decorate your donuts, let them cool down a bit first.
• Experiment with Toppings and Fillings: Don’t be afraid to get creative with toppings and fillings. From classic powdered sugar and chocolate glaze to more adventurous options like lemon curd filling or a matcha glaze, there are endless possibilities to explore.
• Monitor Your Cooking Time: Depending on your air fryer model and the size of your donuts, cooking times can vary.

Air Fryer Pancake Donuts Faqs

Can I use store-bought pancake mix for making donuts? Yes, you can use store-bought pancake mix as a base for your donuts.

Do I need donut molds to make these in the air fryer? While donut molds can help achieve the classic donut shape, they’re not absolutely necessary. You can also pipe the batter into rings on a piece of parchment paper designed to fit your air fryer basket. However, using molds can provide more uniformity and ease in handling.

How do I prevent the donuts from sticking to the basket or molds? Lightly grease your air fryer basket or donut molds with cooking spray or brush them with a bit of oil. This will help ensure your donuts release easily after cooking.

Can I make these donuts vegan or gluten-free? Yes, you can adapt the recipe to be vegan by using a dairy-free milk substitute and a vegan pancake mix. For gluten-free donuts, use a gluten-free pancake mix and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

How long do pancake donuts last and how should they be stored? Pancake donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Can I add fillings to my pancake donuts? Absolutely! While adding fillings before cooking can be challenging with this method, you can easily inject your cooked donuts with jam, custard, or chocolate using a piping bag and a narrow nozzle after they’ve cooled down a bit.

Why did my donuts come out too dense or too airy? The density of the donuts can be affected by the batter consistency. If it’s too thick, your donuts may be dense. If it’s too thin, they might become too airy or even collapse.

Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can double the recipe, but you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Air Fryer Pancake Donuts Equipment Used

• Donut Pan, McoMce 2-Pack Non-Stick Donut Pans Silicone Molds, Makes Perfect 3 Inches Donuts Bagels and More, 6-Cavity Doughnut Pan Mini Donut Pan for Baking.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER GERMAN APPLE PANCAKES
• AIR FRYER FROZEN PANCAKES
• EASY AIR FRYER BLUEBERRY PANCAKE MUFFINS
• AIR FRYER CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKE MUFFINS
• EASY AIR FRYER MINI BUTTERMILK PANCAKES

Don’t Forget To Pin!

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