Oh, you know those days when a serious donut craving just hits? Like, a deep, undeniable urge for something sweet, fried (or at least *fried-tasting*!), and just plain delightful? Well, let me tell you, my Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze have become my absolute go-to for exactly those moments. Forget waiting for a bakery run; these little beauties are so ridiculously quick and easy, and the whole air fryer magic? It completely changes the game. I remember one Sunday, I was absolutely dreaming of a fluffy donut, and boom, these were born. Total game-changer!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love these? They’re unbelievably:
- Super Speedy: Ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish – perfect for a quick treat!
- Ridiculously Easy: No fancy techniques needed. Even if you’re new to baking, you’ve got this.
- So Delicious: Fluffy, tender donuts with that bright, tangy strawberry glaze? Yes, please!
- Super Fun: Making them is a blast, and they’re just adorable, especially for little hands (or grown-up ones who love cute food!).
Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You really don’t need much to whip up these little bits of joy. It’s amazing what a few pantry staples can do, right? For the donuts themselves, you’ll want all-purpose flour, a touch of granulated sugar for sweetness, baking powder to make them nice and fluffy, a pinch of salt to balance everything, and a whisper of cinnamon – it just adds that perfect cozy warmth. Then, we’ve got the wet stuff: milk, a large egg, some melted unsalted butter for richness, and a splash of vanilla extract for that classic donut flavor. Trust me, using good, fresh ingredients makes all the difference!
And for that dreamy strawberry glaze? So simple! Just powdered sugar, some lovely strawberry puree (you can make this yourself by blending fresh or frozen strawberries!), and a tiny bit more milk to get the perfect drizzle-able consistency. You could even add a little drop of strawberry extract for an extra punch if you’re feeling wild!
Essential Equipment for Making Air Fryer Mini Donuts
Okay, so to whip up these adorable Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze, you don’t need a whole professional bakery setup, thankfully! You’ll definitely need your trusty air fryer, of course – that’s the magic wand here. Then, a mini donut pan or some silicone donut molds are a must; they give the donuts their cute shape and help them cook evenly. Make sure you have a couple of mixing bowls, one for your dry stuff and one for the wet, and a good old whisk to get everything nicely combined. Oh, and a cooling rack is super handy for letting them cool down before you get to the best part – the glazing!
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
Okay, ready to make some magic? Making these Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze is honestly super straightforward. Just follow these steps and you’ll be sinking your teeth into a warm, fluffy donut in no time! If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even check out these other donut recipes, like these Krispy Kreme copycats, but I promise these air fryer ones are a lifesaver for a quick fix!
Preparing the Donut Batter
First things first, let’s get our batter ready. Grab one bowl and whisk together all your dry ingredients – that’s the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Give it a good mix so everything’s evenly distributed. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Now, pour the wet stuff into the dry stuff and stir it all up. Give it just a few stirs until it’s combined. Seriously, don’t go crazy with the mixing here; overmixing is the enemy of tender donuts!
Air Frying Your Mini Donuts
Time for the air fryer! Make sure you’ve plugged it in and preheated it to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, get your mini donut pan or those cute silicone molds ready. A quick spray of cooking oil or a bit of grease helps them pop right out later. Spoon or pipe your batter into the molds, filling each one about two-thirds of the way full. They need a little room to puff up! Pop them into the air fryer and cook for about 5-7 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Easy peasy!
Crafting the Strawberry Glaze
While those gorgeous little donuts are cooling off, let’s whip up that dreamy strawberry glaze. You only need three things: powdered sugar, that lovely strawberry puree you made, and just a tiny splash of milk. Whisk it all together until it’s super smooth and glossy. If it seems a bit too thick for drizzling or dipping, just add another teaspoon of milk until you get the perfect consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the donuts but still pourable. So pretty!
Glazing and Finishing Your Donuts
Once your donuts are completely cool – and this is important, you don’t want a meltdown! – it’s time for the fun part. You can either dip the tops of the donuts right into the bowl of glaze, or use a spoon to drizzle it artfully all over them. Place them back on the wire rack to let that beautiful glaze set up a bit before you dive in. That’s it! Pure donut perfection.
Tips for Perfectly Fluffy Air Fryer Mini Donuts
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but sometimes, a little extra insider know-how can make all the difference, right? Here are a few of my personal tricks that I swear by to get these Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze extra fluffy and delicious. Trust me, these little tweaks are worth it!
- Room Temp is Key: Make sure your milk and egg are at room temperature before you start mixing. This helps everything blend together so much better, leading to a more even texture in your donuts. It sounds small, but it really does help!
- Don’t Overfill: This is a big one! I know it’s tempting to fill those donut molds to the brim, but seriously, don’t do it. Fill them only about two-thirds full. They need space to puff up nicely in that hot air, otherwise, you might end up with a donut blob instead of a cute little ring!
- Know Your Air Fryer: Every air fryer is a little different, so that 5-7 minute cook time is a guideline. Keep an eye on your first batch. If they’re browning a little too fast, just lower the temperature slightly or shorten the time. You’re looking for that perfect golden-brown hue and of course, that clean toothpick test!
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: I’ve learned this the hard way – glazing warm donuts is a recipe for a soggy mess! Let them cool down completely on the wire rack. It might feel like forever when you’ve got that yummy glaze ready, but it’s totally worth the patience for a perfect, set glaze.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Donuts
Let’s chat about the goodies we’re using in these Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze! I know sometimes you might not have something exact on hand, or you’re just curious about *why* we use certain things. So, let’s break it down!
For the milk in the donut batter, you can totally swap out regular dairy milk for almond milk, soy milk, or even oat milk if you like. It works just as well! And that granulated sugar? While it gives us that lovely sweetness, you could experiment with a bit of coconut sugar, though it might give the donuts a slightly different color and flavor – which isn’t a bad thing, just different!
Now, about that strawberry puree for the glaze – if you’re not feeling strawberries, don’t stress! You can absolutely use other fruit purees. Raspberry or even a blueberry puree would be amazing, or you can try it with a little lemon or orange zest for a citrusy kick. It’s all about making it your own!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Mini Donuts
Got questions about making your own delightful Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze? I totally get it! There are always a few things that pop into our heads when we try something new. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Can I make these without a donut pan?
Oh, absolutely! If you don’t have a special mini donut pan, no worries at all. You can totally use silicone donut molds, which work like a charm. Another trick is to use a mini muffin tin and just spoon the batter in, filling them about two-thirds full. They won’t be perfect rings, but they’ll still be delicious little donut bites!
How long do air fryer donuts last?
These little guys are best enjoyed fresh, honestly! They’re at their fluffiest and most delicious the day you make them. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll usually stay pretty good for about 2-3 days, but they do tend to lose a bit of that fresh-baked tenderness as time goes on. Honestly, though? They disappear pretty fast around here!
Can I use a different fruit for the glaze?
YES! Experimenting is the best part, right? That strawberry puree is just a suggestion. You can totally make a raspberry glaze, a blueberry glaze, or even a bright lemon or orange glaze using citrus zest and juice instead of fruit. Just make sure whatever fruit you use is pureed smoothly. The key is getting that lovely sweet-tart flavor to balance the donut. It’s so fun to mix it up!
Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Mini Donuts
You know, when I’m whipping up these Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze, I’m usually more focused on how delicious they’re going to taste than counting every little calorie! But if you’re curious, just keep in mind that the exact nutritional details can swing a bit depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use and how thick you make that yummy glaze. Fresh strawberries versus frozen, the type of milk, even the brand of flour can all make a teeny tiny difference. So, think of these numbers as a fun ballpark estimate rather than a super strict science!
Share Your Delicious Creations!
I absolutely LOVE seeing your creations! If you whip up these Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze, please let me know how they turned out. Drop a comment below, give the recipe a star rating, or tag me on social media with a pic – I can’t wait to see your sweet little donuts!
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Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
- Total Time: 22 min
- Yield: 12 mini donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Quick and easy mini donuts made in the air fryer, topped with a simple strawberry glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons strawberry puree
- 1 teaspoon milk
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a mini donut pan or use silicone donut molds.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut molds, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Air fry for 5-7 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the donuts cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and milk until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze or drizzle it over them.
- Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
- For a stronger strawberry flavor, you can add a drop of strawberry extract to the glaze.
- Ensure your air fryer is preheated for even cooking.
- Do not overfill the donut molds, as the donuts will puff up.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 7 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: air fryer donuts, mini donuts, strawberry glaze, homemade donuts, easy dessert, quick recipe