Name: Easy Air Fryer Donuts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon) (Nutmeg is traditional; cinnamon is an alternative.); 1/2 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant milk) (For dairy-free, use a plant milk.); 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or neutral oil) (Use melted coconut oil or neutral oil for a dairy-free option.); 1 large egg (Replace with a flax egg for vegan option.); 1 tsp vanilla extract; Powdered sugar for dusting (Dust just before serving.)

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I’ve been making these Easy Air Fryer Donuts on lazy weekend mornings for years — they’re quick, tender, and smell like a coffee shop without the line. Light cake-style donuts come together in one bowl and finish in the air fryer in under 10 minutes, so they’re perfect for breakfasts, last-minute brunches, or when kids want a fun bake-along. If you already love simple air fryer sweets (I sometimes pair them with my go-to air fryer chicken wraps for a savory-sweet brunch), this recipe will become a staple.

Why you’ll love this dish

These donuts are the no-fuss answer when you want homemade treats without frying oil or long proofing times. They’re budget-friendly (pantry staples), fast (5–7 minutes cooking), and easy to customize for kids or parties. Because they’re baked in a donut pan in the air fryer, you get golden edges and a soft crumb with way less mess.

“Five minutes in the air fryer and the house felt like a bakery — light, warm, and gone in an hour.” — a happy Sunday-morning tester

I also like that they’re forgiving: the batter is forgiving if you overmix a little, and they handle toppings (powdered sugar, glazes, cinnamon sugar) without falling apart. If you want another quick air-fryer snack to serve alongside, try these crispy air fryer fried pickles for a savory contrast.

How this recipe comes together

Step-by-step overview:

Dry ingredients are whisked together to ensure even leavening and nutmeg distribution.
Wet ingredients are mixed separately so melted butter doesn’t cook the egg.
Wet and dry are combined just until incorporated to keep the donuts tender.
Batter is spooned into a greased donut pan sized to fit your air fryer.
Air-fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes until set and lightly golden.
Cool briefly, then dust with powdered sugar.

This short process means you can go from mixing bowl to plate in about 15–20 minutes total.

What you’ll need

Ingredient list:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
1/2 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant milk)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or neutral oil for a dairy-free swap)
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Powdered sugar for dusting

Notes and substitutions:

For dairy-free: use a plant milk and swap butter for melted coconut oil or neutral oil.
To make them lighter, replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cornstarch.
Nutmeg is traditional in cake donuts; cinnamon is an easy alternative for a familiar flavor.
If you want a richer brunch spread, pair these with sticky-sweet sides like air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders for contrast.

How to prepare it

Step-by-step instructions:

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan that fits inside your air fryer basket.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg until evenly combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix — a few small lumps are fine.
Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full so the donuts have room to rise.
Place the pan in the air fryer and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes, or until the donuts are puffed and lightly golden. A toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Remove the pan and let the donuts cool for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Best ways to enjoy it

Serving suggestions:

Dust with powdered sugar as instructed for a classic finish. For a glazed option, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tbsp milk and 1/4 tsp vanilla; dip while donuts are slightly warm.
Sprinkle chopped nuts, sanding sugar, or mini chocolate chips on top of a wet glaze.
Plate with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a small pitcher of warm maple syrup for dipping.
For a brunch spread, serve alongside scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and a savory air-fryer snack like these loaded air fryer nachos for a crowd-pleasing table.

Storage and reheating tips

Keeping leftovers fresh:

Room temperature: Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Powdered sugar will soften; store uncoated and dust before serving if you want a crisp dusting.
Refrigeration: Refrigerate up to 5 days if topped with dairy-based glaze; bring to room temperature before serving.
Freezing: Freeze cooled donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 2–3 minutes to refresh the exterior without drying the interior. Microwaving for 10–12 seconds is faster but can make them slightly chewy.

Always handle hot pans with care and cool donuts briefly before dusting or glazing.

Helpful cooking tips

Don’t overmix: Stir just until the flour is moistened. Overmixing makes cake-style donuts dense.
Use a toothpick test: 5 minutes can be enough in a hot air fryer, but sizes vary. If the toothpick comes out wet, add 1 more minute.
Grease the pan well: A light coating of butter or nonstick spray prevents sticking; silicone pans are very forgiving.
Keep an eye on heat: If the top browns too quickly, lower the temperature by 10–15°F and add a minute or two of time.
Batch size: If your air fryer is small, cook in batches rather than overcrowding; proper circulation is key to even browning.

Creative twists

Cinnamon-sugar: Brush warm donuts with melted butter, then toss in cinnamon-sugar for a classic treat.
Maple glaze with bacon: Top with a quick maple glaze and sprinkle crisp bacon bits for a brunch-forward twist.
Chocolate-dipped: Dip half in melted chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt for a sophisticated snack.
Fruit-stuffed: Pipe a spoonful of jam into the center after cooling for a jelly-style donut.
Gluten-free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend lacks it.

Your questions answered

Q: Can I make these without a donut pan?
A: Yes. Use a muffin tin for cake-donut muffins (reduce cooking time slightly and fill cavities 2/3 full) or pipe rounds onto a small parchment square in the air fryer basket. Results will be slightly different in shape and crumb.

Q: Can I use store-bought biscuit dough instead?
A: You can, but canned biscuit dough yields a different, fluffier texture and is less “cake” style. These from-scratch donuts have a lighter, more delicate crumb than most canned options.

Q: My air fryer runs hot — how should I adjust cook time?
A: Lower the temp by 10–15°F and check at 4 minutes. Every air fryer’s airflow differs; a quick toothpick test prevents overcooking.

Q: Are these safe to make for kids or to freeze for school lunches?
A: Yes, they’re kid-friendly and freeze well. Pack thawed donuts in airtight containers. If you glaze them with dairy, refrigerate and use within a few days.

Q: Can I make them vegan?
A: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water, chilled) and use plant milk and oil instead of butter. Texture will be slightly different but still tasty.

Conclusion

These Easy Air Fryer Donuts are a short, satisfying route to homemade sweets — minimal cleanup, quick cook time, and plenty of room for creative toppings. For a visual walkthrough and another tested method, see the detailed guide at Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe (With Video) | The Kitchn. If you want more from-scratch inspiration and variations, this Air Fryer Donuts {From-Scratch Recipe!} – Plated Cravings page has helpful ideas to expand on the basics.

Enjoy the warm, fresh donuts — and don’t be surprised if they disappear fast.