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My air fryer donuts are made from scratch and are fluffy, doughy, and perfectly glazed. Just 4 ingredients, no yeast, and ready in minutes.
Ready for more donut recipes? Try my mochi donuts, protein donuts, donut holes, and breakfast donuts next.
If you’ve been wondering how to incorporate your air fryer into your favorite desserts, I have one word: donuts!
But not just any donuts. I’m talking light and fluffy, yet crisp and enveloped in a delicate glaze. Best of all, you only need four ingredients and your handy air fryer.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Shortlist of ingredients. All you need is my famous Greek yogurt dough and powdered sugar for the glaze.
- They’re fast to make. A few minutes of prep time and no more than 8 minutes in the air fryer!
- Healthy. Each one is oil-free, low-fat, and has only 115 calories each! Plus, they’re easy to make vegan and or gluten-free.
- Totally scratch-made. There’s no frozen biscuit dough or pre-made dough here. Just simple, good-for-you ingredients. Trust me, you can taste the difference.
Ingredients needed
- Self-rising flour. A combination of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. You can skip the store-bought kind and make my homemade self rising flour.
- Vanilla yogurt. I used full-fat vanilla Greek yogurt, but any flavored plain yogurt works. If you use a flavored Greek yogurt, you must add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or sugar to compensate for the tartness.
- Powdered sugar. Mixed with water to create a glaze. You can cut the calories and sugar by using a powdered sugar substitute.
- Sprinkles. Optional, but adds a fun pop of color!
- Water. To mix the dough.
How to make air fryer donuts
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Mix the dough. In a large bowl, stir the flour and yogurt until a thick dough remains.
Step 2- Shape. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll out each portion into a sausage shape and connect both sides to form a donut.
Step 3- Air fry. Air fry the donuts at 200C/400F for 7-8 minutes or until firm. Repeat the process with the remaining donuts. Let them cool completely.
Step 4- Add the glaze. Combine the powdered sugar and water to make a glaze. Dip each donut in the glaze, place them on a wire rack, and top with sprinkles.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Save time. Make the dough in a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- Only have plain yogurt? Add 1/4 of sugar or maple syrup to give the dough a sweet flavor.
- Don’t add more flour to the dough. The dough is supposed to be a little sticky, so resist the temptation to add more flour.
- Let the donuts cool completely before adding the glaze. Otherwise, it will glide off the donuts.
Variations
- Vegan donuts. Use vanilla-flavored coconut yogurt.
- Gluten-free donuts. Use gluten-free self-rising flour.
- Make a chocolate glaze. Melt chocolate chips and fold them into the glaze mixture along with 1-2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.
- Or swap the glaze. Brush the donuts with melted butter and toss them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture or dust them with powdered sugar.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover donuts can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.
To freeze: Place the donuts in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to six months.
Frequently asked questions
I’ve tested these donuts with almond flour and while they do work, they aren’t as fluffy or doughy in the middle.
More air fryer treats
Air Fryer Donuts
Video
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup self rising flour
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt * See notes
For the glaze
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1-2 tablespoons water or milk
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add your flour and yogurt and mix well, until a thick dough remains. If the dough is too thin, add more flour. If the dough is too thick, add more yogurt.
- Lightly flour a kitchen surface and transfer the dough onto it. Knead it several times until smooth. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll out each portion of dough into a long, sausage shape and connect both sides to form a donut.
- Line an air fryer basket with parchment paper. Place 2-4 donuts on them (depending on how big your air fryer is), ensuring the donuts are at least half an inch apart, to ensure they have room to rise and spread.
- Air fry the donuts at 200C/400F for 7-8 minutes, or until firm on the outside. Repeat the process until all the donuts are cooked.
- Let the donuts cool completely. While cooling, prepare the glaze. Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water (or milk) and mix until a thick and smooth glaze remains.
- Dip each donut in the glaze and place them on a wire rack. If desired, top with sprinkles.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published September 2022, updated and republished July 2024
Can you substitute with dairy free yogurt ?
They look so cheerful these donuts haha. Also cannot believe you can make it in air fryer.
Thanks for this recipe! My kids loved it! Now I want to experiment with using different flavored yogurts!
Flavor and texture is good. Definitely eatable but definitely not a “donut” has more of a chewy bagel texture. I was expecting more of a cake donut 🍩.
Healthy and delicious donuts- I could eat them all day!!
Can I put these in a donut pan in an air fryer oven?
Absolutely!
Can these be made with almond flour? I don’t do wheat products, only gluten-free flours.
I don’t see why not!
So good!!! I made it with Greek style coconut vanilla yogurt. My kids ate it up
Amazing!! Thank you for this easy and delicious recipe 🍩👏🏼💜
Can I use almond flour and get the same results?
Thanks 💜
Not sure!
Can you add cocoa powder to make them chocolate flavored dough?
I don’t see why not 🙂
Do you mean Greek yogurt or regular? Tks!
Either works! Greek is better though.
Can these be made without the glaze?
You can, but it’s not the most delicious thing!
What if I don’t have self rising flour?
Make your own. Takes 2 seconds 🙂
Can I sub coconut yogurt?
of course!
Can you bake in oven
You sure can!