Oh, who doesn’t love a warm, fluffy donut? I swear, the smell alone takes me back to childhood Saturday mornings. But let’s be honest, making donuts from scratch can feel like a whole production, right? Well, get ready to have your mind blown because I’ve figured out the most AMAZING way to get that donut fix with hardly any fuss. We’re talking about these incredible Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze! They’re ridiculously quick, super easy, and taste like pure heaven. Seriously, I whipped these up the other day when a sweet craving hit HARD, and my family devoured them in minutes. It felt like I’d pulled off some gourmet magic, but it was all thanks to my trusty air fryer!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
Seriously, these little guys are a game-changer! Here’s why you’re gonna be obsessed:
- So Fast! We’re talking homemade donuts ready in under 30 minutes total. Perfect for when that craving strikes RIGHT NOW.
- Crazy Easy No complicated kneading or rising required. Just mix, bake, and glaze. You’ve got this!
- Irresistible Taste Fluffy, tender little donuts with that perfect hint of cinnamon, all topped with a sweet, tangy strawberry glaze? Yes, please!
- Kid-Friendly Fun These are so much fun to make with little ones. They’ll love helping glaze and of course, gobbling them up!
- Guilt-Free-ish Indulgence Making them in the air fryer cuts down on the oil, so you can enjoy a sweet treat with a little less worry!
Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
Alright, let’s get down to business! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these little bites of happiness. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty standard stuff you probably already have in your pantry. For the donuts, grab these:
- 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 unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
And for that dreamy strawberry glaze? You’ll just need:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
- 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberry powder (this is optional, but trust me, it gives a great color and extra flavor boost!)
Essential Equipment for Making Air Fryer Mini Donuts
Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients ready, which is awesome! Now let’s talk about what you’ll need tool-wise. Having the right gear makes this whole air fryer donut thing super smooth. You’ll definitely want a mini donut pan – they make those cute little shapes perfectly! If you don’t have one, silicone donut molds work like a charm too. We’ll also need a couple of mixing bowls, a good old whisk, and measuring cups and spoons, of course. And don’t forget a wire rack for cooling the donuts before they get their yummy glaze bath!
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
Okay, let’s get these delicious little Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze into your bellies! It’s pretty straightforward, and honestly, the most “work” is just whisking things together. Follow these steps, and you’ll be a donut pro in no time! For the full scoop and more tips, don’t forget to check out the detailed guide!
Preparing the Donut Batter
First things first, let’s get our batter ready. Grab a medium bowl and whisk together all your dry ingredients: the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and that cozy cinnamon. Give it a good whirl to make sure everything’s nicely combined. In a separate bowl, whisk up the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until they’re all buddies. Now, pour those wet ingredients right into your dry stuff. Mix it gently until you just see no more dry flour streaks. Seriously, don’t overmix! A few tiny lumps are totally fine and actually perfect for a tender donut.
Cooking the Mini Donuts in the Air Fryer
Alright, time for the magic! Make sure your air fryer is preheated to 350°F (175°C) – this is key for getting them cooked just right. While it’s heating up, lightly grease your mini donut pan, or if you’re using silicone molds, you’re usually good to go without greasing. Now, spoon or pipe your batter into the donut molds. You want to fill each one about two-thirds full. Don’t overfill them or they’ll puff up funny! Pop the pan into the preheated air fryer and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. The best way to check if they’re done is with a toothpick – stick it right into the center of a donut. If it comes out clean, they’re ready! Let them cool in the pan for just a couple of minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here is a virtue, you don’t want to glaze hot donuts!
Making the Simple Strawberry Glaze
While those yummy donuts are cooling down, let’s whip up the star of the show – the strawberry glaze! Grab a small bowl and whisk together the powdered sugar, the milk, and the strawberry extract until it’s super smooth and dreamy. If you want that gorgeous pink color and an extra punch of strawberry flavor, now’s the time to whisk in that freeze-dried strawberry powder. It really makes the glaze pop!
Glazing and Finishing Your Donuts
Once your mini donuts are totally cool, it’s glaze time! You can totally dip the tops of the donuts right into the bowl of glaze, or if you prefer, just use a spoon or a piping bag to drizzle that beautiful pink glaze over them. It’s up to you how fancy you want to get! Let them sit for a few minutes so the glaze can set up just a bit before diving in.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Mini Donuts
Okay, so you’ve made these (or you’re about to!), and you want them to be just *perfect*. Trust me, I’ve learned a few tricks along the way that make these Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze even better. Here are a few of my top secrets:
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: This is SO important in the air fryer! Make sure you don’t cram too many donut molds in at once. Each one needs a little space for the hot air to circulate around it. If you have a smaller air fryer, you might have to do a couple of batches. It’s worth it for those perfectly cooked donuts!
- Grease is Your Friend: Even if your pan is non-stick, give it a light spray or brush of oil, especially for the first batch. Sometimes those little donut nooks can be sticky, and you really don’t want your beautiful donuts getting stuck. Nobody likes a donut casualty!
- Glaze That Color: If you want that super vibrant pink color and intense strawberry flavor, don’t skip the freeze-dried strawberry powder. Seriously, it’s a secret weapon! If you don’t have it, a couple of drops of red food coloring will get you the color, but the powder adds that extra flavor punch.
- Cool Them Down Completely: I know, I know, it’s tempting to dip those warm, fragrant donuts right into the glaze. But save yourself the heartbreak! If they’re too warm, the glaze will just melt off into a sticky mess. Let them cool all the way down on the wire rack. Patience is key for that perfect glaze coat!
- Get Creative with Toppings: While the strawberry glaze is amazing, don’t be afraid to mix it up! Tiny sprinkles, a dusting of cinnamon sugar *after* glazing, or even a drizzle of white chocolate would be totally delicious on these little guys. They’re super adaptable! I made some homemade Krispy Kreme style donuts before, and they were amazing, but what about other fried donut styles? You can even compare them to my other Krispy Kreme recipe for variety!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Sometimes you might find yourself in the kitchen and realize you’re missing one little thing. Don’t panic! These Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze are pretty forgiving. If you don’t have strawberry extract, but have a different flavor like almond or even just a little extra vanilla, that works perfectly fine! For the milk, any kind will do – whole milk, skim, almond milk, oat milk – whatever you’ve got will be great. And about that freeze-dried strawberry powder? It’s amazing for color and a real flavor boost, but if you can’t find it, just skip it or add a tiny bit of red food coloring to your glaze for that pretty pink hue. You’ll still have a delicious donut!
Serving and Storing Your Mini Donuts
These little Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze are just begging to be served fresh! They’re absolutely divine with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making for a perfect breakfast treat. Or, of course, they make a super fun and quick dessert after dinner. If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), just pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay delightfully soft at room temperature for about 2-3 days, though honestly, they’re best eaten on the first day!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Mini Donuts
Got questions about whipping up these delightful Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze? I’ve totally got you covered! Here are some of the things folks ask most often:
Can I make these without an air fryer?
Oh, absolutely! If your air fryer is MIA or you just don’t have one, you can totally bake these. Just fill greased mini donut pans about two-thirds full and bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. They won’t be quite as “fried” tasting, but they’ll still be delicious little cake donuts!
What if I don’t have a mini donut pan?
No worries at all! If you don’t have a specific mini donut pan, you have a couple of great options. You can use silicone mini donut molds – they work like a charm and are super easy to clean. Or, if you’ve got a regular muffin tin, you can make mini muffins! Just be sure to adjust the baking time; they might take a minute or two longer. They won’t have the donut shape, but they’ll still be yummy little cake bites!
How do I prevent the donuts from sticking?
Sticking can be such a bummer, right? The best way to prevent these little guys from sticking is to make sure you grease your pan really well before adding the batter. A good cooking spray works wonders, or you can use a bit of melted butter or oil with a pastry brush. If you’re using silicone molds, they’re usually pretty non-stick on their own, but a quick spray never hurts, just in case!
Can I use a different flavor extract for the glaze?
You bet! While the strawberry flavor is lovely with these mini donuts, feel free to get creative! Vanilla extract is always a winner and can be used as a 1:1 substitute. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try almond extract for a different vibe, or even a bit of lemon extract for brightness. Just remember that different extracts have different strengths, so you might want to start with a little less and add more to taste.
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Okay, so we all love a treat, but it’s good to have a general idea of what we’re digging into, right? This is just an estimate, of course, because all our ingredients can be a little different! Based on the recipe for these delicious Air Fryer Mini Donuts with Strawberry Glaze, one donut is roughly:
- Calories: Around 150
- Fat: About 5g
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 25g
- Sugar: Around 18g (that glaze is sweet!)
- Protein: About 2g
- Sodium: Close to 100mg
Remember, these numbers can change a bit depending on the exact brands you use and how generously you glaze, but it gives you a good ballpark!
Print
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 milk
- 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
- 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberry powder (optional, for color and flavor)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the 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). Lightly grease a mini donut pan or use silicone mini 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 the powdered sugar, milk, and strawberry extract until smooth. If using, stir in the freeze-dried strawberry powder.
- Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze or drizzle it over them. Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
- For a stronger strawberry flavor and pink color, add a few drops of red food coloring to the glaze.
- You can substitute other extracts for the strawberry extract, such as vanilla or almond.
- Ensure your air fryer is preheated for even cooking.
- 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: 25mg
Keywords: air fryer donuts, mini donuts, strawberry glaze, easy dessert, quick recipe, homemade donuts