Description
Deliciously soft and fluffy homemade doughnuts cooked to perfection in an air fryer. These air fryer doughnuts are lightly crisp on the outside, tender inside, and coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture for a classic sweet treat without the need for deep frying.
Ingredients
Dough
- 300 g plain flour
- 50 g caster sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 140 ml whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 14 g (one packet) fast-action dry yeast
- 100 g butter, melted (divided: 50 g for dough, rest for brushing)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 200 g caster sugar
- 10 g ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients and combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl of a freestanding mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and nutmeg. Add the milk, egg, yeast, and half of the melted butter (50 g). Mix on low speed until the dough begins to come together.
- Knead the dough: Increase the mixer speed to medium and mix for 3-5 minutes until the dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl and is smooth. If kneading by hand, transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until elastic and smooth.
- First rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rest in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper during this time.
- Shape doughnuts: Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and roll it out to approximately 1 inch thickness, ensuring the dough isn’t too thin to avoid flat doughnuts. Use a doughnut cutter or pastry rings to cut out doughnuts and holes. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, brush with melted butter, cover with a clean tea towel or clingfilm, and let them rest for 45 minutes to rise further.
- Preheat air fryer and cook doughnuts: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (356°F) and lightly grease the basket or plate with oil or melted butter. Place 2-4 doughnuts in the basket (depending on the size), air fry for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and repeat with remaining doughnuts.
- Cinnamon sugar coating: Mix caster sugar and ground cinnamon in a large bowl. While the doughnuts are still warm, brush them with the remaining melted butter and toss each doughnut in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the warm, cinnamon sugar-coated doughnuts immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Do not roll the dough too thin as it will cause the doughnuts to be flat instead of fluffy.
- If you don’t have a doughnut cutter, use two round cookie cutters of different sizes.
- Brush doughnuts lightly with butter before air frying to enhance browning and flavor.
- You can air fry doughnut holes as well using the same method.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat briefly in the air fryer to refresh.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
