{"id":3499,"date":"2026-10-21T11:40:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T03:40:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rcafsite.com\/blog\/?p=3499"},"modified":"2026-10-21T11:40:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T03:40:55","slug":"can-i-make-donuts-in-an-air-fryer-oven-424b-7716e7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.rcafsite.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/21\/can-i-make-donuts-in-an-air-fryer-oven-424b-7716e7\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I make donuts in an air fryer oven?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever stared at a box of store-bought donuts\u2014glazed, sprinkled, still warm from the display case\u2014while wondering if you could replicate that sweet, pillowy bite without the mess of deep frying, you\u2019re not alone. As someone who\u2019s spent years in the air fryer oven space, answering questions from home cooks and small bakery owners alike, one of the most common inquiries I get is: \u201cCan I make donuts in an air fryer oven?\u201d The short answer? Absolutely. But if you want fluffy, golden donuts that don\u2019t turn out dense, greasy, or dry, there\u2019s a science to it\u2014and as a supplier of air fryer ovens, I\u2019m here to break it down, share what I\u2019ve learned from testing hundreds of batches, and even give you pro tips to nail your first try. Air Fryer Oven<\/a><\/p>\n

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First, let\u2019s debunk a quick myth: air fryers (including air fryer ovens) don\u2019t actually fry. They circulate super-heated, forced air around food, creating a Maillard reaction on the surface\u2014that crispy, golden crust that makes fried foods taste \u201cfried\u201d without all the oil. For donuts, that means you get the best of both worlds: the tender, soft interior of a homemade donut and a light, crisp exterior, with little to no oil. But there\u2019s a catch: not all air fryer ovens are the same. A countertop air fryer with a small, tight basket works, but an air fryer oven, which has a larger cavity and even heat distribution across multiple racks, is actually better for donuts, especially if you\u2019re making a batch for a crowd.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen too many home cooks ruin their first batch because they use the wrong donut type, don\u2019t prep the air fryer oven correctly, or set the temperature too high. Let\u2019s start with the donut itself. There are two main types: cake donuts and yeast donuts. Cake donuts are denser, leavened with baking powder or baking soda, and hold their shape well in the air fryer. Yeast donuts, the ones that puff up light and airy, are trickier because they need time to rise, and too much heat can deflate them. If you\u2019re a beginner, I always recommend starting with cake donuts\u2014they\u2019re more forgiving, faster to make, and less likely to come out undercooked.<\/p>\n

Prep is where most people slip up, and as someone who\u2019s helped customers troubleshoot their air fryer oven donut fails, this is non-negotiable. First, you need to make sure your donuts aren\u2019t touching each other. When hot air is forced around food, crowding blocks circulation, which leads to uneven cooking\u2014one side burnt, the other raw. In a standard air fryer basket, you might fit 4-6 donuts at a time; in an air fryer oven, which can hold two to three times that on a single rack, you can space them 1-2 inches apart to let air flow freely.<\/p>\n

Next, lining the basket or rack. Don\u2019t use plain aluminum foil\u2014 it traps moisture, and your donuts will get soggy. Instead, use a perforated parchment paper liner (cut to fit your air fryer oven\u2019s basket or rack) or a silicone baking mat with holes. The holes let air pass through, keeping the bottom of the donut crisp, while the liner prevents sticking. For donut holes? Use a mini muffin tin or a silicone donut hole mold designed for air fryers\u2014this keeps their round shape so they puff up evenly.<\/p>\n

Temperature is another make-or-break factor. I\u2019ve tested dozens of temperature settings over the years, and the sweet spot for cake donuts is 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C). For yeast donuts, lower it to 325\u00b0F (160\u00b0C) so the yeast can set without shrinking. If you set the temperature too high (say, 375\u00b0F\/190\u00b0C), the outside will burn before the inside is cooked, leaving you with a tough, doughy center. Too low (300\u00b0F\/150\u00b0C), and the donuts won\u2019t crisp up, tasting more like a steamed bun than a donut.<\/p>\n

Cooking time varies, but for small cake donuts, it\u2019s usually 8-10 minutes. For larger yeast donuts, go 10-12 minutes. Here\u2019s a pro tip from working with home cooks: don\u2019t open the air fryer oven door every 2 minutes to check. Every time you open it, the temperature drops by 25-30\u00b0F, which extends cooking time and can cause uneven puffs. Set a timer, and only peek at the 8-minute mark to check for a light golden color and a toothpick inserted in the center coming out clean (no wet batter, just a few crumbs).<\/p>\n

Now, what about that signature glaze or topping? You can add that in the last 2 minutes of cooking, right? Wait\u2014no. If you add sugar or glaze too early, it will burn in the hot air. Instead, take the donuts out after cooking, let them cool for 2-3 minutes, then dip or drizzle. For a classic glaze, mix powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a teaspoon of vanilla, then dip each donut halfway, letting the excess drip off. For sprinkles, add them to the glaze right after dipping so they stick.<\/p>\n

As an air fryer oven supplier, I\u2019m often asked if homemade air fryer donuts taste \u201cas good\u201d as deep-fried. The honest answer: they\u2019re different, but in the best way. Because they use 75-80% less oil, they\u2019re lighter\u2014you can eat two without feeling overly full, which is a win for breakfast or a midday snack. I\u2019ve even supplied air fryer ovens to small local bakeries that now sell air fryer donuts as a signature item, because they\u2019re cheaper to make and quicker to produce than deep-fried ones. But there are a few adjustments to make if you\u2019re used to deep frying. For example, deep-fried donuts have a subtle oily richness, so adding a tiny bit of melted butter to your donut batter can mimic that flavor without the oil. Or, brush the cooked donuts with a light layer of melted butter before glazing, for that same decadent taste.<\/p>\n

What are the common mistakes to avoid, beyond temperature and crowding? Let\u2019s list the ones I hear most often: using too much oil. Some people coat their donuts in oil before putting them in the air fryer, which makes them greasy and defeats the purpose. If you want a little crisp, a light spray of cooking oil (1 second per side) is all you need. Overworking the dough. For cake donuts, mixing the dough until just combined, not overmixing, keeps them tender. For yeast donuts, letting them rise in a warm spot (not too hot\u2014your air fryer oven\u2019s \u201cproof\u201d setting, if it has one, is perfect) until they double in size, which takes 1-2 hours. If they don\u2019t rise, they\u2019ll be dense, no matter how well you cook them. Also, not letting them cool. Donuts are fragile right after cooking; if you glaze them while they\u2019re too hot, the glaze will melt and run off, and the donut will get soggy.<\/p>\n

Now, if you\u2019re in the market for an air fryer oven to make your own donuts, what should you look for? First, even heat distribution. Cheaper air fryer ovens often have hot spots, so one side of your batch will burn while the other is undercooked. Look for models with convection fans that circulate air evenly across all racks, and multiple heating elements (top and bottom) to prevent uneven browning. Second, size. If you\u2019re making donuts for a family, a 10-quart air fryer oven is the minimum; if you\u2019re doing batches for a party or small business, 15-quart or larger works. Third, easy cleaning. Donut dough can stick, and glaze can drip, so look for air fryer ovens with non-stick racks or dishwasher-safe parts.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had customers tell me that before buying our air fryer ovens, they tried to make donuts in a small basket-style air fryer, and only got 4 donuts per batch. With an air fryer oven, they now get 12, so they can make donuts for the whole family in one go. Another customer, a bakery owner, told me that using an air fryer oven cut their donut prep time by half, since they don\u2019t have to deal with a deep fryer\u2019s cleanup or the risk of oil burns.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ready to try, here\u2019s a quick, simple recipe to test with:<\/p>\n

Ingredients (for 12 small cake donuts):<\/p>\n