Fluffy, sweet, and perfectly golden—these Air Fryer Vegan Donuts are a delicious way to enjoy homemade donuts without deep frying. With just a few basic ingredients and a quick 5-minute air fry time, you’ll have bakery-style results with minimal effort. Top them with glaze, sprinkles, or cinnamon sugar for a fun, customizable treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No hot oil required – No need to heat up a deep fryer or deal with messy cleanup.
- Ready in minutes – The air fryer cooks each batch in just 5–6 minutes.
- Simple ingredients – Uses pantry staples and dairy-free options.
- Customizable – Change the glaze, toppings, or filling to suit your taste.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm almond milk (unsweetened)
- 2 tablespoons melted vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or use half vanilla and half almond extract)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons almond milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings:
- Vegan sprinkles
- Cinnamon sugar
- Finely chopped nuts
- Crushed freeze-dried fruit
How to Make Air Fryer Donuts
1. Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Pour in warm almond milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5 minutes on a floured surface or using a mixer with a dough hook.
2. First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. Shape the Donuts
Gently deflate the dough and roll it out to ½-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or two round cutters to shape the donuts. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 20–30 minutes.
4. Air Fry
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly brush or spray the donuts with oil. Place a few donuts in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd) and cook for 5–6 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a cooling rack.
5. Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, almond milk, and vanilla until smooth.
6. Glaze and Decorate
Dip each cooled donut into the glaze. Let excess drip off, then place on the wire rack. Add toppings while the glaze is still wet, then allow it to set before serving.
Tips for Best Results
- Use warm—not hot—milk: Aim for around 100–110°F to activate the yeast.
- Weigh your ingredients: For consistent results, use a kitchen scale if possible.
- Re-roll scraps: Gather leftover dough to make more donuts or form donut holes.
- Work in batches: Air fry a few donuts at a time to ensure even cooking and color.
Flavor Variations
- Swap the glaze: Try chocolate, maple, or citrus variations.
- Creative toppings: Use crushed cereal, cocoa nibs, or shredded coconut.
- Filling option: Skip the hole and fill round donuts with jam or vegan cream after cooking.
Storage
- Room Temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Best enjoyed fresh.
- Freezer: Wrap cooled donuts individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
🍽️ More Delicious Recipes to Try Next
Loved these fluffy Air Fryer Donuts? Here are some other easy and mouthwatering recipes you won’t want to miss:
- 🥬 Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers – A high-protein, flavor-packed dinner idea that’s perfect for meal prep or summer grilling.
- 🍦 Viral Cottage Cheese Ice Cream – This high-protein dessert is trending for a reason. Creamy, dreamy, and shockingly simple!
- 🥞 Eggless Vegan Crêpes – Perfect for sweet or savory fillings, these thin vegan crêpes are surprisingly easy and totally egg-free.
- 🍜 Ramen Carbonara – A fun, fusion-style recipe combining creamy carbonara with quick-cooked ramen noodles.
- 🧈 Butter Swim Biscuits – Buttery, soft, and incredibly easy to make—these biscuits practically bake themselves in a pool of melted butter.
- 🍮 Easy Vegan Tapioca Pudding – A comforting, creamy no-bake dessert that’s dairy-free, egg-free, and nostalgic in the best way.
Air Fryer Donuts
Description
Craving homemade donuts without the mess of deep frying? These Air Fryer Donuts are light, fluffy, and perfectly golden—ready in just 5 minutes! Glazed to perfection and endlessly customizable, they deliver that classic donut-shop flavor with a fraction of the oil and effort. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned baker, this easy air fryer donut recipe is your new go-to for quick breakfasts, sweet treats, or fun weekend baking. No fancy tools, no deep fryer—just pure donut joy, made right in your air fryer!
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1. Make the Donut Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt.
- Add the warm almond milk, melted vegan butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until a soft, sticky dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- 2. Shape the Donuts
- Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and roll it out to ½-inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Use a donut cutter (or two round cutters of different sizes) to cut out donuts and donut holes.
- Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let rise again for 20–30 minutes, until slightly puffy.
- 3. Air Fry the Donuts
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly spray or brush the tops of the donuts with a neutral oil like avocado or canola.
- Air fry in batches of 3–5 donuts at a time, depending on your air fryer size, for 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before glazing.
- 4. Glaze and Top
- In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, almond milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Dip the slightly cooled donuts into the glaze, letting the excess drip off.
- Place back on the rack and add any toppings while the glaze is still wet. Let sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the glaze to set.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 20
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 102kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 2g4%
- Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
- Trans Fat 0.01g
- Sodium 92mg4%
- Potassium 30mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 19g7%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 9g
- Protein 2g4%
- Vitamin A 107 IU
- Vitamin C 0.004 mg
- Calcium 18 mg
- Iron 1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Room Temperature: These air fryer donuts are best enjoyed fresh! However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Freezer-Friendly: To freeze, individually wrap the cooled donuts in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
