I Air Fried Some Cheap Donuts and They Were Sensational
A few weeks ago, my partner challenged me to develop a recipe for air fryer donuts. I tried to explain to him that deep-fried donuts are always better than baked ones, adding, “Unless you want to put some Entenmann on it.” I laughed and then shook my head because I had decided my own fate.
As soon as it occurred to me, I absolutely had to test the idea. I bought a variety pack of Entenmann’s donuts (including chocolate glaze, powdered crumb pieces, and classic glaze). I fearfully placed one at a time into the air fryer basket and pressed start.
Over the next seven minutes, I experienced a range of emotions, from anxiety to hope and finally to disbelief: Yes, I’m happy to report that air-fried cheap donuts are a sensation.
This process changes the appearance of donuts, especially glazed ones. The sugar coating partially melts, revealing the donut crumb texture underneath. Everything else was further up the mountain: Each air-fried donut was a textural delight—their dry, smooth, bready texture transformed into a crispy surface with a chewy, caramelized crust. The inner crumb has also changed: instead of having a dense, cake-like texture, the crumb opens up a bit (presumably due to expansion when heated) and has a fluffy feel.
The taste also improves. All the existing elements you love about packaged donuts are concentrated and improved. These donuts are typically one-note sweets, but after air-frying, you’ll notice how buttery they are, taste hints of vanilla, and even catch hints of salt.
This makes logical sense: When heated, some of the sugar melts and caramelizes, the moisture evaporates, and the surface of the donut browns slightly due to the Maillard reaction, creating new, complex flavors. But some tastes I can’t explain. Why does an air-fried chocolate-covered donut taste exactly like Fruity Pebbles? You have to air fry the chocolate frosting just to experience this unexpected transformation.
How to air fry cheap donuts
I wouldn’t air fry the bakery brand donuts that cost $5 each because it’s stupid. Focus on improving factory-made donuts. To air fry cheap donuts at home, simply place them in an air fryer set to 350°F and air fry for five to seven minutes . Be sure to air fry them on the metal rack provided as some of the sugar from the glaze will drip off and you don’t want them to get too soggy.
Once hot, use metal tongs or a fish spatula to remove them from the rack and place them on a rack to cool for about five minutes. Feel free to lightly sprinkle them with flake salt. They will be very soft and brittle at first, but once cooled, the sugar will recrystallize and the donuts will be crispy…and incredible.