Air Fryer Doughnuts – Low Fat Recipe

Last updated on October 7, 2020. Originally posted on February 8, 2019 By Beth Neels

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Air Fryer Doughnuts are a fun, easy, healthier way to enjoy everyone’s favorite treat! These Air fryer Doughnuts only take about 5 minutes to cook in the air fryer.

Pink frosted air fryer doughnut with red sugar

Want to make your Valentine something special for Valentine’s Day, that will not ruin all the work in January, trying to lose that extra holiday baggage? Here I am at the rescue! These Air Fryer Doughnuts are “The Bomb!”

When my kids were little, their favorite thing to do at the grocery store was pick out their favorite looking doughnut for that trip! Of course, most of time, it was the frosted ones with the pretty sprinkles.

So for this Valentine’s Day, I thought I would treat my guys to these tasty, healthier doughnuts in the air fryer! I made a few batches, some with the frosting and sprinkles, to commemorate the day!

Of course, I had to do a chocolate batch for them too. They are both choc-o-holics!

close up chocolate glazed doughnut on wire rack and yellow board

I have been wanting to try a baked good in the air fryer. This Air Fryer Doughnut recipe did not disappoint!

The Doughnuts turn out a bit less sweet and a lot less greasy than Dunkin’ Donuts’ versions of doughnuts, but super tasty, nonetheless!

They are soft on the outside, yet fluffy and tender on the inside just like a fried donut!

Why does this recipe work?

This recipe is made with traditional doughnut dough, so the texture and flavor is so similar to traditional doughnuts, you will be amazed.

They have slightly less sugar, so they are better for you.

They are not fried in oil, so they are healthier.

The glaze or frosting adds just the right amount of sweetness.

They are fast and easy. They only take about 1.5 from start to finish, including rising time. Only about 20 minutes active time!

2 chocolate doughnuts on blue pewter plate

I did several batches of these delicious Air Fryer Donuts! They turned out delicious!

Believe it, or not, the general concensus was that everyone who has tried them prefers the plain to the chocolate. Luckily I did the chocolate first, so they had nothing to compare them to.

Optional toppings for these donuts

Powdered sugar glaze, plain or topped with
1. Toasted coconut
2. Chopped peanuts
Buttercream frosting, with any sprinkles or decorating sugars you like
Chocolate frosting
Cinnamon sugar
Orange or lemon zest added to glaze or frosting
Powdered sugar

pink frosted doughnut on antique, flowered china plate

The recipe for the chocolate doughnuts is identical, just add cocoa powder, if you would like chocolate doughnuts!

Optional flavorings for donuts

chocolate
vanilla
chopped and drained fresh or frozen blueberries, well drained.
chopped apples and cinnamon
lemon or orange zest
maple syrup or extract

Are air fried foods healthier for your family?

The inspiration and recipe for these lighter for you doughnuts comes from Cooking Light, one of my favorite magazines! I love learning about different cooking techniques that can improve my family’s overall health!

pink frosted doughnut with cup of tea in tea cup

These doughnuts only contain 4 grams of fat! They still have the carbs, but you have splurge a bit for the holidays, right?

How to Make Donuts in the Air Fryer

Measure water. Heat to between 105-115°F. Add yeast and sugar.
Add butter to milk.
Microwave for 30 seconds, or so to melt butter.
Whisk eggs in bowl.
Measure dry ingredients.
After resting 5 minutes, you will notice the yeast “blooming”, bubbling.
Add yeast, milk (make sure temperature is 105-115°F), and eggs to dry ingredients.
Run in mixer, with bread hook, or mix by hand and knead for a few minutes, until dough is smooth. Place in greased bowl. Cover with kitchen towel, and set in warm place. Let rise 1 hour until doubled.
Roll out to 1/4″ thick, on lightly floured board.
Cut out with 3″ cutter. Then cut hole out of center with 1″ cookie cutter.
Cover. Let rise until doubled, 30 minutes, or so.
Place in air fryer basket. Doughnuts shouldn’t touch. Air fry for 4 to 5 minutes, at 350°F. Internal temperature of doughnut should be 200°F.

Wet ingredients added to dry ingredients. Kneaded dough in mixing bowl. Floured board. Cut doughnuts on board. Doughnuts covered with plastic to rise. Doughnuts on basket.

Cool on rack. Dip in powdered sugar glaze for chocolate doughnuts, or frost with buttercream frosting.

close up white frosted air fryer doughnut on marble board

So whether your Valentine is a chocolate lover, or not, (honestly, who is not a chocolate lover? 🙂 ) make them these delicious doughnuts! For other delicious edibles for your Valentine, see here!

Thanks for stopping by to check out this Air Fryer Doughnut recipe! Happy Valentine’s Day, one and all!

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Tools I Use to Make Air Fried Donuts

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Enjoy! And have fun cooking!

Xoxo,

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