These donuts were tested three times to ensure they turned out absolutely perfect
I have to admit, when we first tried these donuts, we weren’t very optimistic about how they would turn out, since we’re both huge fans of the “real deal” deep fried doughnuts. But what followed was an incredible surprise — the texture was light and fluffy, evenly golden like bakery donuts, and the taste was absolutely delicious. Here’s what convinced us even more:
- No frying required – meaning no oily stains, no messy dishes, no unwanted smells, and fewer calories.
- One chocolate-glazed donut contains 243 calories.
- Perfect for breakfast, a sweet snack, or dessert.
- Customizable – you can use different glazes, sprinkles, and fillings; ideas are listed below.
- Bakery-like texture and flavor – they truly taste like donuts straight from the bakery.
- Made in a large Tefal Easy Fry air fryer – they bake evenly without the need to flip them.
Versatile – these donuts can also be used as sandwich buns, since they aren’t overly sweet. Simply slice them in half and fill with any savory topping, or spread with butter and jam.
Topping and filling ideas
When it comes to glazes and fillings, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas for chocolate glazes, toppings, and fillings:
Chocolate glazes and toppings:
- Simply use dark or milk chocolate.
- Mix in a little instant coffee (like Nescafé) for an adult twist — don’t forget to add ½ tablespoon of oil for smoothness.
- White chocolate creates bright, glossy donuts — sprinkle with freeze-dried raspberries for a wow factor.
- Rainbow or chocolate sprinkles are always a hit with kids.
- For an extra deep chocolate flavor, sprinkle a pinch of fleur de sel on top.
Fillings (the easiest way is to slice the donut in half):
- Kids at home would unanimously choose Nutella or Lino Lada.
- We love vanilla pastry cream.
- Various jams are fantastic too — strawberry, cherry, raspberry…
- For a fresh twist, try lemon curd.
Tips and tricks
Using an air fryer makes the process much easier, as you just set the temperature and let it do its work. Still, it’s best to follow these tips:
- Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F) before use.
- Check the temperature of the milk before adding it to the dough. It should be around 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), or at room temperature, to properly activate the yeast. Hot milk will kill the yeast.
- Allow the dough to rise long enough—don’t rush it, or the result will be different.
- Roll the dough to a thickness of 1 cm (½ inch). This is important, as baking time depends on the dough’s thickness. Thicker donuts will take longer to bake.
- If you don’t have round cutters, you can use a glass and a bottle cap for the inner circle.
- Bake as many donuts at once as your air fryer basket allows. In the Tefal Easy Fry air fryer, you can bake four donuts at a time.
- Place each donut on a small piece of parchment paper in the basket. Make sure there’s enough space between the donuts, as they will rise during baking. Bake for 4 minutes. Note: if the donuts are thicker, adjust the baking time—maybe an extra minute—and keep an eye on the color. They should be nicely golden. No flipping is needed.
- Let the baked donuts cool to room temperature, then drizzle with chocolate glaze and sprinkle with toppings as desired.
Storing and freezing
They are best enjoyed on the day they’re made (just like any true bakery-style donut).
At room temperature, store them for up to 2 days in a bread bag or an airtight container.
You can also freeze baked and cooled donuts. Keep them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Before serving, let them thaw completely. They can also be served as sandwich buns.
How to make Chocolate-Glazed Air Fryer Donuts at home (video)
Check this short video to master making homemade donuts at home.
Next, try these doughnut recipes
- Brioche Doughnuts with Rich Vanilla Cream
- Spelt Doughnuts with Jam
- Doughnuts with Jam
- Tiramisu Doughnuts
- Heart-Shaped Doughnuts
- Strawberry Cream Doughnuts
Made in collaboration with Digital House d.o.o.
METHOD
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dough
Place all the dough ingredients, except for the butter, into the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a large bowl and a hand mixer fitted with dough hooks). Begin kneading on medium speed for 8–10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Add the butter and continue kneading for another 8 minutes, until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough once again pulls cleanly away from the bowl.
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first proofing
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature (22–25°C / 72–77°F) until it has visibly increased in size, about 1 to 1½ hours.
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shape
Generously flour your work surface. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about 1 cm (½ inch) thickness. Cut out 12 circles, each 7 cm (about 2¾ inches) in diameter. Then cut out the centers using a smaller cutter, 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) in diameter, to create the classic donut shape.
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second proofing
Place the donuts on a prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave enough space between them so they don’t touch as they rise. Cover with a kitchen towel or cloth that has been lightly misted with water. Let the donuts rise at room temperature for 45–60 minutes, or until they have tripled in size.
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bake
Preheat the Tefal Easy Fry air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Place the first four donuts inside and bake for 4 minutes. Once baked, transfer them to a wire rack and continue baking the remaining batches. Allow the donuts to cool, then glaze them.
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chocolate glazed donuts
Melt the chocolate together with the coconut oil in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, or melt it in the microwave. Dip the top of each donut into the chocolate glaze, then sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles if desired. Set aside until the chocolate is fully set, then serve.
