I’m always looking for ways to make fun and interesting donuts, and I think I’ve finally hit on the perfect recipe – air fryer sour cream donuts! They’re fluffy, delicious, and not too unhealthy since they’re baked in the air fryer. Plus, they only require a few simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Give them a try today!

This is one of the best recipes for homemade donuts. Today, I made a batch of old-fashioned sour cream donuts in the air fryer. They are amazing. I poured a simple glaze over them, and voila, breakfast is served–Air Fryer Sour Cream Donuts.
Making homemade donuts in the air fryer is so easy. All you need is a great batter and some silicone molds. You can create any donut that you want. Today, I made a batch of fresh old-fashioned air fryer sour cream donuts glaze. My kids loved them!
If you love fresh donuts, this is the recipe for you. Best yet, you do not even have to wait for these donuts to rise, they are easy, and they are delicious! I am sure that once you taste these, they will become one of your family’s favorite air fryer donut recipes.
Suppose you are looking for other great and easy air fryer donuts. In that case, some of my favorites are Air Fryer Blueberry Donuts, Air Fryer Strawberry Donuts, and of course, being from Boston, Air Fryer Dunkin Donut Chocolate Frosted Donuts.
Check Out Our Latest Air Fryer Recipe & Video!

Sour Cream Donuts
So, if you have never had a sour cream donut before, they are just a donut with sour cream in the batter.
The sour cream adds a bit of sweetness to the batter, but they are not sweet.
The key to these donuts is that there is no yeast involved. Therefore they are tender and flaky and air fried to perfection. They make a great homemade donut.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Sour Cream Donuts

To make these donuts, you use the same ingredients as you would if you were going to bake them. You Will Need:
- Sour Cream
- Egg
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Vegetable Oil
- Granulated Sugar
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Soda
- Ground Nutmeg
- Salt
- Glaze: Powdered Sugar, Milk, and Pure Vanilla Extract
How To Cook Air Fryer Sour Cream Donuts

In a large mixing bowl, mix the sour cream, egg, vanilla, oil, and sugar, then add in the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg. Mix well.


Spray the donut molds with cooking spray, pour the batter about 2/3 the way in the mold, and then set them into the air fryer basket for 10-12 minutes at 320 degrees F, air fryer setting.
Remove from the air fryer basket and let cool slightly, before glazing them.

To make the glaze, in a small mixing bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and van to make the glaze, mix well, and then dip your sour cream donuts into the glaze.
Place them on a drying rack to dry, before serving.

Tips for Making Perfect Air Fryer Sour Cream Donuts
- Another great topping for these donuts is a mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar together.
- Allow the donuts to completely cool before glazing them, otherize the glaze will runoff.
- Place the donuts on a rack to let the glaze runoff; this will ensure an even coating.
- Only fill about 2/3 way full. If you overfill them, they will bubble over, and they will be difficult to remove from the donut pan.
- You can make the batter in advance. I would advise making it the night before you need it and then covering and refrigerating until the next morning.
CAN I ADD FRUIT INTO THE BATTER IN THIS RECIPE?
Yes, if you want to add small berries to this recipe, that would work perfectly. I would suggest either strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
If you want frozen fruit in this recipe, I would add them in frozen.
HOW LONG WILL THESE DONUTS LAST?
Truthfully, they don’t last long in my house. My kids gobble them up, but if you are looking to store leftovers, here is the best way.
Place them into an airtight container and place them on the counter for about 2 to 3 days. For any more extended storage, put them into the refrigerator.
CAN I FREEZE SOUR CREAM DONUTS?
Yes, if you want to make a batch and keep them in the freezer, that’s a great idea. I usually make a big batch on Sunday and then use this for a great and easy breakfast or snack in the next few weeks.
They will last for about 1 to 2 months. To use, place into the refrigerator overnight. I do not add icing until they are defrosted.
TRY THESE AIR FRYER DOUGHNUTS NEXT!
- AIR FRYER CHOCOLATE FUDGE DONUTS
- EASY AIR FRYER STRAWBERRY JELLY DONUTS
- AIR FRYER RED VELVET DONUTS
- AIR FRYER CINNAMON SUGAR DONUT MUFFINS
What Donut Pans Can You Use In The Air Fryer?
Air Fryer pans have come a long way since I started baking with my air fryer. They have these fantastic silicone donut molds. These molds will fit any air fryer basket or oven.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
- To encounter 24Pcs Silicone Molds Silicone Cupcake Baking Cups Silicone Donut Baking Pan Set Nonstick 2 3/4 inches Silicone Donut Mold Muffin Jello
- To encounter 3-inch Silicone Donut Pan Non-Stick 24 Pack Donuts, Bagels Pan 6 Shapes Silicone Donut Molds Oven- Microwave- Dishwasher Safe.
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Air Fryer Sour Cream Donuts
Description
Ingredients
Donuts:
- 1/2 cup sour cream, regular or low-fat
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Glaze or Icing:
- 1 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the sour cream, egg, vanilla, oil, and sugar, then add in the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg. Mix well.
- Spray the donut molds with cooking spray, pour the batter about 2/3 the way in the mold, and then set them into the air fryer basket for 10-12 minutes at 320 degrees F, air fryer setting.
- Remove from the air fryer basket and let cool slightly before glazing them.
- To make the glaze, in a small mixing bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, mix well, and then dip your sour cream donuts into the glaze.
- Place them on a drying rack to dry before serving
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Donut Molds
- Air Fryer
Nutrition
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Nikesha Goodman
These are soooo good! I’ve tried several donut recipes and they all pretty much sucked. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I figured I better start using this air fryer that’s collecting dust. These were such a hit with my kids that I had to make a second batch later that night. I have these exact mini molds but I’m going to try my larger donut molds next time. I did pop them out and flip them over in the molds and cooked then another 5-8 mins because they weren’t done enough for me with cooking for 12 mins on one side. But these are moist and simply delicious. I’ll be making more in the morning!
Cathy
Could I use mini cupcake molds to make these? Like donut holes.
Laurie
Sure. But the time might be less, so remember to check them.
Carol Elkins
Do you happen to know if I can use my silicon donut molds in my air fryer?
Laurie
yes you can
Rhea C Botelho
Hi,
Can I bake the donuts on bake made rather then air fryer mode? I am not air frying , i’m baking right?
Can’t wait to make these. Thanks for hearing the recipe.
Laurie
You can use either. The only difference depending on what air fryer you are using is the fan is either on or off.