Air Fryer Donuts with Glaze

Make tender, slightly crisp air fryer donuts topped with a simple vanilla glaze—ready in under 30 minutes. This easy recipe uses the air fryer or toaster oven for quick baking with less oil and great texture.

20 min Prep Time
8 min Cook Time
28 min Total Time
8 Servings
Easy Difficulty

Ingredients

Servings:
8
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories 320 kcal
Protein 5g
Fat 16g
Carbohydrates 38g
Fiber 1.5g
💾 Storage

Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, separate layers with parchment and refrigerate up to 5 days; rewarm briefly in a toaster oven or air fryer at low heat (300°F / 150°C) for 2–3 minutes to refresh texture. Un-iced donuts freeze well for up to 2 months—thaw at room temperature and reheat before glazing.

🍳

Best Made With: Air Fryer / Toaster Oven

Choose an air fryer with at least 4–6 quarts of capacity and reliable temperature control for even baking of donuts.

See Our Top Air Fryer / Toaster Oven Picks →

Air Fryer Donuts with Glaze

Air fryer donuts are a fast, delightful way to enjoy homemade donuts without deep frying. This recipe produces tender cake-style donuts with a lightly crisp exterior and a glossy vanilla glaze. Using an air fryer or toaster oven shortens the cooking time and reduces oil while still delivering a familiar donut experience.

What makes these donuts special is the balance between a fluffy interior and a slightly caramelized exterior from the dry-heat environment of the air fryer. The quick bake time means you can have fresh donuts for breakfast or an afternoon treat with very little hands-on time. The glaze is a straightforward powdered sugar mixture that sets quickly so you can eat them warm.

Why the Air Fryer Works for Donuts

The air fryer’s circulating hot air creates an even bake and a thin, crisp crust that mimics the exterior effect of frying without submerging the dough in oil. Because donuts are relatively small and uniform, they cook quickly and evenly in a single layer. If you prefer, a toaster oven with convection mode will give similar results—just watch timing for your appliance.

Choosing the Right Equipment

For consistently great results pick an air fryer or toaster oven with a reliable temperature range and enough basket or rack space to fit 4–6 donuts per batch. If you plan to make donuts and other baked goods often, look for an appliance with a convection mode and a removable tray for easy cleaning.

Explore our top picks before you buy: Best Air Fryers for Home Cooks: Tested and Ranked helps you compare capacity, features, and reliability. If you’re deciding between popular brands, our comparison Ninja vs Cosori Air Fryers: Which Brand Should You Buy? provides brand-level pros and cons.

If you already have an air fryer but want a few accessories: a silicone donut pan helps keep shape and makes removal easier (Silicone Donut Pan on Amazon), and a good pastry brush can speed glazing (Pastry Brush on Amazon). If shopping for a new air fryer, search models you like and read reviews here: Air Fryers on Amazon.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

  • Quick: From bowl to warm donut in under 30 minutes.
  • Less oil: No deep frying needed—lighter texture without sacrificing flavor.
  • Flexible: Glaze or coat with cinnamon sugar; switch to chocolate glaze for variety.

Tips and Variations

  • Use room-temperature ingredients (butter, egg, milk) for a smoother batter and consistent rise.
  • Cook in a single layer; don’t overcrowd the basket. If donuts touch, they may bake unevenly.
  • For glazed donuts that set well, dip while the donuts are warm but not scorching hot—this helps the glaze adhere and creates a glossy finish.
  • Variation idea: Add 1–2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dry mix for chocolate donuts, or fold in 1/2 cup finely chopped fruit for a fruity twist.

Below you’ll find the printable ingredients and step-by-step instructions (in the metadata), nutrition estimate, and storage guidance so you can make these air fryer donuts with confidence. Enjoy fresh donuts with less fuss and tools you likely already own.

Instructions

1

Make the dry mix

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg (if using). Ensure no lumps remain so the donuts have an even crumb.

2

Combine wet ingredients

In a separate bowl whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined—do not overmix. The batter should be somewhat thick but spoonable.

💡 Pro tip: If the batter seems too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until it reaches a thick pancake-batter consistency.
3

Portion the donuts

If you have a silicone donut pan, spoon batter into the cavities about two-thirds full. Alternatively, pipe or spoon batter into donut molds or onto a piece of parchment cut to fit your air fryer rack, shaping rings about 3 inches across (you can make holes with the back of a piping tip).

💡 Pro tip: A piping bag (or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped) gives the cleanest rings when you don't have a pan.
4

Preheat and arrange

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket or use a silicone mat. Place the filled donut pan or molded donuts into the basket in a single layer, leaving space between rings for airflow.

💡 Pro tip: If your air fryer runs hot, reduce temp to 340°F and check a minute or two earlier.
5

Air-fry the donuts

Air-fry the donuts for 4–5 minutes. Check for a light golden color and that the donuts spring back when gently pressed. If using a toaster oven with convection, bake at the same temperature for 6–8 minutes depending on size.

💡 Pro tip: Rotate the pan or swap positions in the basket halfway through cooking for even browning.
6

Cool and glaze

Let the donuts cool slightly on a wire rack for 2–3 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk powdered sugar with 2–3 tablespoons milk and vanilla until smooth. Dip the warm donuts into the glaze and return to the rack until the glaze sets, about 5–10 minutes.

💡 Pro tip: For a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar; for a thinner, add an extra teaspoon of milk at a time.

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