Make light and fluffy air fryer donuts from scratch with this delicious vanilla bean air fryer doughnuts recipe.
Did you know that you can make donuts in your air fryer?
While there is no doubt that doughnuts are an indulging breakfast or dessert, you can make them a bit healthier and lighter if you skip deep frying your doughnuts and prepare them in your air fryer without all that extra oil.
And the truth is that the air fryer makes yeast doughnuts so perfectly– golden brown on the outside yet soft and fluffy on the inside–just like air fryer cookies. I am getting hungry just thinking about them!
So satisfy your doughnut cravings with this incredible vanilla bean air fryer donut recipe.
Smothered in sweet vanilla icing, you too are sure to fall in love with this tasty air fryer treat.
Ingredients for Homemade Air Fryer Donuts
You will need:
Doughnuts
- ½ cup milk, 100-110 F
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (¼ ounce packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Vanilla Bean Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- optional: white sprinkles
Substitutions
VANILLA: You can use the same amount of vanilla extract in place of the vanilla bean paste, although I do prefer the rich tastes of vanilla bean paste in this recipe.
How to Make Air Fryer Doughnuts with Vanilla Icing
You can prepare the dough using a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment or by hand with a dough whisk.
First, mix the milk, yeast, and sugar until well combined.
Next, add the egg, vegetable oil, and vanilla bean paste; mix well.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly mix in the flour. Continue kneading on low speed until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky– about 5 minutes.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover in plastic wrap, and set it aside to rise for one hour.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it is about ½” thick.
Use a doughnut cutter or biscuit cutter and a small circular object such as a piping tip to cut out 3-inch doughnuts.
Set the doughnuts (and donut holes, because why not?) on a silicone or parchment-lined sheet pan to rise for an additional hour.
Give your air fryer basket a coat of non-stick spray. Air fry in batches, a few at a time, at 365 F for 7-8 minutes, or until they are a deep golden brown.
Place on a cooling rack and repeat with the remaining dough.
To make the Vanilla Bean Icing, stir to combine the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla bean paste in a small bowl.
Dip the doughnuts in the icing and place on a wire rack so that any excess can drip off.
Serve warm and enjoy!
How to Store
IN THE FRIDGE: While these donuts are best when enjoyed freshly baked, you can store any extra in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warm in the microwave on low for 10 seconds.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the unbaked dough for up to three months. Place unbaked doughnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-tock freezer baggie. Defrost at room temperature before air frying.
More tasty donut recipes to try
Vanilla Bean Air Fryer Doughnuts
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Print Pin Save RateIngredients
For the Doughnuts:
- ½ cup milk, 100-110 F
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, .25 ounce packet
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Vanilla Bean Icing:
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- For the Doughnuts
- Add the milk, yeast, and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment (or into a large bowl in mixing by hand). Mix until well combined.
- Next, add the egg, vegetable oil, and vanilla bean paste and mix well.
- Add the flour gradually with the mixer on low speed. Continue kneading on low speed until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky-- about 5 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover in plastic wrap, and set it aside to rise for one hour.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it is ½” thick. Use a doughnut cutter (or a biscuit cutter and a small circular object such as a piping tip) to cut out 3-inch doughnuts. Set the doughnuts (and doughnut holes, because why not?) on a silicone or parchment-lined sheet pan to rise for an additional hour.
- Grease basket of air fryer with non-stick spray. Air fry in batches, a few at a time, at 365 F for 7-8 minutes, or until they are a deep golden brown. Place on a cooling rack and repeat with the remaining dough.
- For the Vanilla Bean Icing
- Combine the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla bean paste in a small bowl.
- Dip the doughnuts in the icing, and place them on a wire rack to set. Serve warm.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by a third party and intended to serve as an estimate only. The accuracy of nutritional information is not guaranteed.
This recipe was shared on Meal Plan Monday.
I’m a sucker for a great donut so I can’t wait to these.
Wow, your doughnuts are stunning. Yet another reason to get an air fryer!
Can i substitute just pure vanilla for the vanilla bean paste?
Yes!