Donuts are a beloved treat, but the thought of deep-frying can be intimidating. The good news is you don’t need a fryer to enjoy soft, sweet, and indulgent donuts. Baked or air-fried methods make donut-making simpler, cleaner, and healthier, while still delivering the classic flavors and textures.
Here are five easy-to-follow donut recipes that skip the fryer but keep all the fun.
1. Classic Baked Glazed Donuts
Baked donuts are light, tender, and perfect for adding a sweet glaze.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a donut pan.
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another.
- Combine, stirring until just smooth.
- Spoon batter into donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool slightly and dip in glaze.
2. Cinnamon Sugar Baked Donuts
These donuts have a warm, spicy flavor perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Topping:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a donut pan.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine.
- Spoon batter into pan and bake 10–12 minutes.
- Brush baked donuts with butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
3. Chocolate Baked Donuts
Chocolate lovers can enjoy rich donuts without frying.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Glaze:
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon milk
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a donut pan.
- Mix dry ingredients, then whisk in wet ingredients.
- Fill donut cavities ¾ full and bake 10–12 minutes.
- Melt chocolate chips with butter and milk. Dip cooled donuts in glaze.
4. Apple Cinnamon Baked Donuts
Add fruit to your donuts for extra moisture and flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a donut pan.
- Mix dry ingredients; whisk wet ingredients separately, then combine.
- Fill donut cavities and bake 10–12 minutes.
- Brush with butter and coat with cinnamon sugar.
5. Air-Fryer Vanilla Donuts
Air fryers make donut-making fast and less messy than frying.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup self-raising flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat air fryer to 175°C.
- Mix all ingredients until smooth.
- Spoon batter into silicone donut molds.
- Air fry for 6–8 minutes until golden.
- Let cool and dip in glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Tips for Perfect Non-Fried Donuts
- Don’t overmix batter; gentle folding keeps donuts tender.
- Use a donut pan or silicone mold to maintain shape.
- Glazes and toppings can be customized with chocolate, caramel, or fruit.
- For extra flavor, add zest, spices, or extracts to the batter.
You don’t need a deep fryer to enjoy homemade donuts. Baked or air-fried methods deliver soft, flavorful results with less mess and fewer calories. From classic glazed to chocolate, apple cinnamon, or cinnamon sugar, these donuts are simple, fun to make, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. With these recipes, indulgent treats are just a few steps away, all without the stress of frying.
