Air Fryer Puff Pastry Donuts Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade air fryer puff pastry donuts with this easy baking recipe. These quick treats feature flaky, golden layers and your choice of sweet glazes – no deep frying required! Perfect for breakfast, dessert or whenever you need a delicious pastry fix.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Serves:

8 donuts

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 sheet (320g) store-bought puff pastry, thawed</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30g unsalted butter, melted</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">50g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp ground cinnamon</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the glaze (optional):</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120g powdered sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2-3 tbsp milk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Food coloring (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Sprinkles for decorating (optional)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Air fryer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">8cm (3-inch) round cookie cutter</li><li class="equipment-single-item">2.5cm (1-inch) round cookie cutter for centers</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry brush</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Wire cooling rack</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Remove your puff pastry from the refrigerator and allow it to thaw at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes until pliable but still cool to the touch. This ensures the butter layers remain intact, which is crucial for creating those beautiful flaky layers.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Once thawed, place the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and gently roll it to an even thickness of about 3-4mm. Be careful not to press too hard as this can compress the layers and reduce the puffing effect later.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Using your 8cm round cookie cutter, cut out as many circles as possible from the pastry sheet (you should get about 8 circles). Then, use the smaller 2.5cm cutter to create the donut holes in the center of each circle. Save these cut-out centers for making mini donut bites if desired.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Lightly brush each donut with beaten egg wash, which will help them achieve that beautiful golden color during cooking. The proteins in the egg create a chemical reaction when heated, producing a glossy, golden-brown finish.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Preheat your air fryer to 180°C for 3 minutes. While preheating, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl and set aside. Line your air fryer basket with perforated parchment paper if available, as this prevents sticking while still allowing air circulation.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Place the donuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch (you'll likely need to work in batches). Cook for 5-7 minutes until they've puffed up significantly and turned golden brown. Flip halfway through if your air fryer model requires it for even cooking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>While the donuts are still hot, brush them lightly with melted butter and then immediately dip into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating both sides. The hot butter helps the sugar adhere while adding richness to the finished donuts. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>For glazed donuts, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to create a smooth, pourable consistency. Add food coloring if desired. The glaze should coat the back of a spoon but still run off in a ribbon—if it's too thick, add more milk a few drops at a time; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl, then return to the wire rack. Add sprinkles immediately if using, before the glaze sets. The cooling rack allows excess glaze to drip away, preventing soggy bottoms.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Allow the glaze to set for about 10-15 minutes. These donuts are best enjoyed while still warm or within a few hours of making, as puff pastry tends to lose its crispness over time. If you have leftovers, store in a container with a loose lid to preserve some crispness, and warm briefly in the air fryer at 160°C for 1-2 minutes before serving.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Air Fryer Puff Pastry Donuts Recipe?

The main ingredients are store-bought puff pastry, egg wash, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon. For the optional glaze, you'll need powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and food colouring if desired. Sprinkles are optional for decorating.

How to cook Air Fryer Puff Pastry Donuts Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Air Fryer Puff Pastry Donuts by cutting donut shapes from thawed puff pastry, air frying at 180°C for 5-7 minutes until golden and puffed, then coating with butter and cinnamon sugar or a simple glaze. The air fryer creates perfectly crisp exteriors with tender, flaky interiors without deep frying.

Can I make these puff pastry donuts without an air fryer?

Yes! While an air fryer produces the best results, you can bake these donuts in a conventional oven at 200°C for 10-12 minutes until golden and puffed. They won't be quite as crispy but will still be delicious with a lovely flaky texture.

Why is my puff pastry not rising properly in the air fryer?

This typically happens if your pastry was too warm before cooking (butter melted), you compressed the layers when rolling, or your air fryer wasn't properly preheated. Always use cool pastry, handle gently, and preheat to 180°C for optimal rise.

How long do homemade air fryer donuts stay fresh?

These pastries are best enjoyed fresh within 4-6 hours of making. After that, they begin losing crispness. Store leftovers in a container with a loose lid at room temperature for up to 24 hours, briefly reheating in the air fryer at 160°C for 1-2 minutes to restore some crispness.

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