Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (For gluten-free, substitute with a gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (Ensure it’s gluten-free if necessary)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2/3 cup fresh apple cider (For a twist, try pear cider)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (For lower carb, substitute with a granular sweetener that measures like sugar)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (Vegan substitute: use coconut oil or vegan butter)
- 1 large egg (Vegan air fryer donuts can be made using a flax egg or commercial egg replacer)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. This mix is the foundation of our air fryer donuts recipe.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, blend 2/3 cup fresh apple cider, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and the sugar begins to dissolve.
3. Mix Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. The dough will be sticky; that’s okay! This is crucial for moist, tender donuts.
4. Shape Donuts: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Pat it down gently until it’s about 1/2 inch thick. Use a donut cutter to cut out donut shapes. If you don’t have a donut cutter, a large and a small round cookie cutter will work fine.
5. Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This preheating step is essential for ensuring the donuts cook evenly.
6. Air Fry: Place the donuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they aren’t touching. Air fry for about 5-6 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Flip halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
7. Cool and Glaze: Let the donuts cool for a couple of minutes. Then, if you like, dip them in a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a bit more apple cider, or just a dusting of cinnamon sugar.
Notes
The key to perfect apple cider donuts step-by-step is not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cooking them in batches may be necessary, but it ensures each donut cooks evenly and becomes perfectly crispy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: air fryer apple cider donuts