Air Fryer Apple Cider Donut Recipe

So you’re craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. And maybe you’ve got an air fryer sitting there, judging you for only using it for frozen fries? Let’s give that workhorse something *truly* glorious to do: whip up some Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts!

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Okay, let’s be real. Frying donuts is a mess. It’s like a grease explosion waiting to happen, and then your whole house smells like a fairground (in a bad way). This recipe? No deep frying required, thank the culinary gods! It’s also ridiculously quick, mostly hands-off, and produces these wonderfully cakey, apple-cider-infused treats that taste like autumn snuggled up with a warm hug. Plus, it’s pretty idiot-proof, even I didn’t mess it up – and trust me, that’s saying something.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• For the Donuts:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (the basic stuff, no fancy ancient grains needed)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (the sweet stuff, not the super-fine kind for delicate macarons)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (for that delightful rise, don’t skimp!)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (its partner in crime for fluffiness)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (because apple + cinnamon = soulmates)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (a little extra warmth, trust me)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (balances all that sweetness)
• 1/2 cup apple cider (the good stuff, not apple *juice*, big difference!)
• 1/4 cup buttermilk (or make your own by adding a dash of lemon juice to regular milk, easy peasy)
• 1 large egg (room temp, if you’re feeling fancy)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (because butter makes everything better)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (the essential flavor booster)
• For the Topping (because every donut deserves a cozy coat):
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (more butter, you’re welcome)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling, not for a sugar high… mostly)
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (again, can you ever have too much?)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Get Prepped & Mixed: First things first, go preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Don’t skip this, it’s crucial! Lightly spray your donut pan with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set that dry goodness aside.
2. Wet Things Up: In a separate medium bowl, combine the apple cider, buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and happy.
3. Combine Forces: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix! Lumps are totally fine here; overmixing leads to tough donuts, and nobody wants a tough donut.
4. Fill ‘Em Up: Carefully spoon the batter into a piping bag (or a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off – hack alert!). Pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan cavities, filling each about two-thirds full.
5. Air Fry Time! Place the donut pan in your preheated air fryer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cooking times can vary, so keep an eye on ’em!
6. Cool Down (a Little): Once baked, carefully remove the pan from the air fryer. Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before gently transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. The Grand Finale (Topping!): While the donuts cool, melt the butter for the topping in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon. Dunk each cooled donut into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated, then roll it generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
8. Devour: Serve immediately and bask in your donut-making glory!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to Preheat the Air Fryer: Rookie mistake, seriously. It needs to be hot for that initial crisp, just like a regular oven. Your donuts will thank you.
• Overmixing the Batter: We talked about this! It’s not a cake, it’s a donut. Lumps are your friends. Overmixing develops too much gluten, resulting in dense, sad donuts.
• Overfilling the Donut Pan: They will puff up! Fill them about two-thirds full. Otherwise, you’ll have donut volcanoes and messy clean-up.
• Not Greasing the Pan: Unless your pan is super non-stick, always give it a spray. Otherwise, you’ll be prying those beauties out and possibly ruining their perfect shape.
• Ignoring Cooling Time: Don’t try to coat hot donuts. The sugar will melt, and it’ll be a sticky, clumpy mess. Patience, young padawan!

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No Buttermilk? No Problem! Seriously, just measure out 1/4 cup of regular milk, add about 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice, stir, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Voila! Instant buttermilk. You’re basically a kitchen wizard.
• Butter Swap: If you’re out of butter for the *donut batter*, you can swap it for a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil. For the *topping*, though? Stick with butter, IMO. It just tastes better and helps the sugar adhere perfectly.
• Different Spices: Feeling adventurous? Add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves to your spice mix for an extra kick. Or, if you’re not a nutmeg fan, just up the cinnamon a tad.
• Gluten-Free Flour: I haven’t personally tried this one, but a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend *might* work. Just make sure it’s one designed for baking, and be prepared for a slightly different texture.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider? Well, technically yes, but why dilute the autumn magic? Apple cider has a more concentrated, complex flavor that really makes these donuts sing. Apple juice will be sweeter and less “appley.”
• My air fryer doesn’t have a donut pan. What do I do? You can find silicone donut molds that fit most air fryers, or even try baking them in a muffin tin (they’ll be more like donut holes or mini muffins, but still delicious!). Just adjust baking time down.
• How long do these donuts last? Honestly? Not long, because you’ll eat them all. But if you *happen* to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best fresh, though!
• Can I make these ahead of time? You can bake the donuts ahead of time and store them, then coat them with the butter and cinnamon sugar just before serving. Freshly coated is always best!
• What if I don’t have an air fryer? You can totally bake these in a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 12-15 minutes. Same delicious results, just a slightly different cooking method.

Final Thoughts

See? That wasn’t so scary, was it? You just whipped up a batch of delicious, autumn-spiced donuts with minimal fuss and no greasy splatters. You’re practically a pastry chef now, and your air fryer is probably beaming with pride. So go on, grab a warm beverage, impress your friends (or just yourself, because you deserve it!), and enjoy the taste of pure, unadulterated comfort. You’ve earned it!