Easy Air Fryer Donuts With Lemon Glaze
What Makes These Irresistible?
These air fryer donuts are soft, fluffy, and covered in a perfectly sweet glaze—just like your favorite coffee shop treat but without the deep frying! Made with a simple yeasted dough, they have that light and airy texture with a crisp golden exterior. Plus, using the air fryer means less mess, less oil, and no need to heat up your kitchen.
Your Recipe Essentials: Bake Like a Pro!
Get ready to create something special! This section provides everything you need to make your baking experience effortless.
Shop The Tools: Optimize your baking with must-have equipment. From a reliable stand mixer to the ideal cake pan, find the tools that matter.
Variations & Flavor Ideas
Love variety? Try these delicious donut flavors!
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts – Toss warm donuts in cinnamon sugar instead of glazing.
Chocolate Glazed Donuts – Swap vanilla glaze for melted chocolate and top with sprinkles.
Maple Glaze – Replace vanilla extract with maple syrup for a sweet maple-flavored donut.
Powdered Sugar Donuts – Skip the glaze and dust with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
1 cup warm whole milk (105-110°F)
1 (0.25-ounce) packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
1/4 cup + 1 tsp granulated sugar
6 tbsp melted unsalted butter
1 large egg (room temperature)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
Coconut or olive oil cooking spray
For the Glaze:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tbsp melted unsalted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon juice + 1 Tbsp lemon zest to garnish
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Instructions
For the Donuts
Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, whisk together warm milk, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Mix the Dough: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk melted butter, egg, and remaining sugar. Stir in yeast mixture, then add flour and salt. Mix on low until a dough forms, then knead on medium-low for about 5 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky.
First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour 15 minutes).
Shape the Donuts: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter (or a 3-inch and 1-inch round cutter) to cut out donuts and holes.
Second Rise: Place the donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely, and let them rise for another 15-20 minutes.
Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spray the basket with oil, place donuts in a single layer (don’t overcrowd), and lightly spray tops with oil. Cook for 6 minutes for donut holes, 8 minutes for full-sized donuts, until golden brown.
For the Glaze
Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, vanilla and lemon juice until smooth. Dip the warm donuts in the glaze, place on a wire rack, and let set for 5 minutes. Optional: Garish with lemon zest.
Notes:
Let the Dough Rise Fully – Be patient during both rises! Rushing the process can lead to dense donuts instead of the light, fluffy texture you're aiming for. If your kitchen is cool, let the dough rise in a slightly warm oven (turned off) with the oven light on.
Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer – Leave space between the donuts so the hot air can circulate properly. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking, making some donuts crispy while others remain undercooked. Cook in batches for the best results!
Isaiah 40:31 —
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
FAQs About Air Fryer Donuts
Can I make these donuts without an air fryer?
Yes! You can bake them at 375°F for 10–12 minutes or fry them in oil at 350°F until golden brown.
Why are my donuts dense?
This can happen if too much flour was added or if the dough wasn’t kneaded enough. Make sure to measure flour correctly and knead until elastic.
Why are my donuts overcooked?
Every air fryer is different! If your donuts are coming out too crispy or dry, try lowering the temperature to 325°F and reducing cook time slightly.
Can I use biscuit dough instead?
Yes! While homemade yeasted dough tastes better, you can air fry store-bought biscuit dough at 350°F for 6–8 minutes
