Pillowy Air Fryer Glazed Donuts

Air Fryer Donuts are pillowy soft and topped with the most delicious homemade glaze. These made-from-scratch donuts will taste just like the fried version, if not better! You’re going to love them!

Ingredients

Donut Dough:

• 2 ½ teaspoons instant dry yeast
• ½ cup warm water, about 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup evaporated milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup vegetable shortening
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ - 3 cups all-purpose flour
• Spray Cooking Oil
Donut Glaze:
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 ⅓ cups powdered sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 teaspoons evaporated milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-4 teaspoons water

Instructions

1. Combine the yeast, water, sugar, evaporated milk, salt, shortening, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer. Pour in 2 cups of flour and knead on a medium-low speed with a dough hook until well combined. Slowly add in the remaining flour until a smooth dough ball forms. Dough should be wet, but should not stick to your fingers or the sides of the bowl.
2. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap or clean dish towel and let rise 1 1/2 hours.
3. Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Use a drinking glass or round cookie cutter to punch out 12 donuts, re-rolling the dough as necessary to get a dozen donuts and use almost all of the dough. Let rise another 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, heat Air Fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, place 3-4 donuts in the airfryer, making sure that they do not touch. Spray the donuts with cooking oil and air fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes.
5. Fry the donuts a few at a time until golden brown, flipping halfway through. It is helpful to do a test donut to ensure that it gets cooked through. Transfer fried donuts to a wire rack, covered with a layer of paper towels. Let cool for 1-2 minutes, then dip the top of the donut into glaze and place back on the wire rack.