I still remember the first time I made dairy-free air fryer donuts—my kitchen smelled like a cozy bakery, and I couldn’t believe how easy they were! These little golden rings are my go-to when I’m craving something sweet but want to keep it simple and dairy-free. No deep frying, no mess, just fluffy donuts ready in minutes. The air fryer works magic here, giving them that perfect crisp outside while keeping the inside tender. And trust me, nobody will guess they’re dairy-free!
What I love most is how adaptable this recipe is. Whether you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or just trying to cut back on dairy, these donuts deliver all the comfort without compromise. My kids go crazy for them (especially when I add a drizzle of maple glaze), and I feel good knowing they’re getting a treat that’s way better than store-bought. Plus, cleanup is a breeze—just wipe out the air fryer basket and you’re done!
Why You’ll Love These Dairy-Free Air Fryer Donuts
These donuts are my little kitchen miracle—here’s why they’ll become your favorite too:
- Crazy quick: From bowl to plate in under 20 minutes (perfect for sudden sweet cravings!)
- No dairy drama: Almond milk keeps them light and fluffy without any lactose
- Healthier indulgence: Air frying means way less oil than traditional donuts
- Easy cleanup: Just one bowl and a quick wipe of the air fryer basket
- Kid-approved: My picky eaters gobble these up faster than I can make them
Seriously, once you taste how good dairy-free can be, you might never go back to regular donuts!
Ingredients for Dairy-Free Air Fryer Donuts
Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference with these donuts! Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned into the measuring cup and leveled – don’t pack it down!)
- 1/4 cup sugar (regular white sugar works great, but coconut sugar adds a nice caramel note)
- 1 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh – test it with hot water if unsure)
- 1/4 tsp salt (just enough to balance the sweetness)
- 1/2 cup almond milk (unsweetened and at room temperature – cold milk can make the batter stiff)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (any neutral oil works – I often use avocado oil)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff – it really shines through!)
That’s it! Simple pantry staples come together for something magical. I always double-check my baking powder’s freshness – there’s nothing sadder than flat donuts!
Equipment You’ll Need
You won’t need fancy gadgets for these donuts—just a few basics:
- Air fryer (any model works—I use my basic 3.5-quart one)
- Silicone donut molds (or metal ones—just grease them well!)
- Mixing bowls (one for dry, one for wet ingredients)
- Piping bag or ziplock (optional but makes filling molds so much easier)
That’s seriously it! No stand mixer or special tools required—just grab what you’ve got and let’s make donuts!
How to Make Dairy-Free Air Fryer Donuts
Okay, let’s get to the fun part—making these golden beauties! I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and these steps never fail me. Follow along, and you’ll be biting into warm donuts before you know it!
Preparing the Batter
First, grab two bowls—one for dry ingredients, one for wet. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until they’re best friends. In the other bowl, mix the almond milk, oil, and vanilla with enthusiasm! Now, pour the wet into the dry and stir just until combined—a few lumps are totally fine. Overmixing makes tough donuts, and we want fluffy clouds!
Filling the Donut Molds
Here’s my secret: use a piping bag or ziplock with the corner snipped off—it’s way cleaner than spooning! Grease your molds well (trust me, you’ll thank me later), then pipe the batter in, filling each mold about 3/4 full. They’ll puff up beautifully in the air fryer!
Air Frying the Donuts
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes—this gives them a head start. Carefully place the molds in the basket (don’t overcrowd!) and fry for 8-10 minutes until golden. Do the toothpick test—it should come out clean with just a crumb or two. Let them cool for 5 minutes before removing from molds. Warning: resisting eating one immediately is the hardest step!
Tips for Perfect Dairy-Free Air Fryer Donuts
After burning (literally!) through many batches, here are my hard-earned secrets for donut perfection:
- Rest your batter for 5 minutes after mixing – it relaxes the gluten for extra fluffy donuts
- Grease molds generously – I use a pastry brush to get into every nook
- Check early – air fryers vary, so peek at 7 minutes to prevent overbrowning
- Cool completely before glazing (learned this the messy way!)
- Double the batch – they disappear faster than you’d believe!
Oh, and don’t skip the toothpick test – one underbaked donut can ruin your whole day!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
The beauty of these donuts is how easily you can mix things up! Here are my favorite twists:
- Milk swaps: Oat milk or coconut milk work great instead of almond – just keep it unsweetened
- Flour options: For gluten-free, use a 1:1 baking blend (I like Bob’s Red Mill)
- Flavor boosters: Add 1 tsp cinnamon or 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the dry ingredients
- Oil alternatives: Melted coconut oil adds lovely richness if you don’t have vegetable oil
- Sugar variations: Maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of white sugar – just reduce milk slightly
My kids beg for chocolate chip donuts – just fold in 1/4 cup mini dairy-free chips before baking. The possibilities are endless! If you like experimenting with air fryer sweets, you might enjoy these air fryer cinnamon rolls.
Serving & Storing Dairy-Free Air Fryer Donuts
Oh, the joy of biting into a warm donut fresh from the air fryer! These taste best within an hour of making them – the outside stays slightly crisp while the inside stays cloud-soft. My family loves them plain, but a simple glaze takes them over the top. Just mix powdered sugar with a splash of almond milk and drizzle away!
If (somehow) you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’ll lose some crispness but stay delicious. To revive them, pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 1-2 minutes – they’ll taste nearly fresh-baked again! Pro tip: don’t glaze until right before serving to keep them from getting soggy. For more sweet air fryer ideas, check out these air fryer donut holes.
Nutritional Information
Just so you know what you’re biting into! These numbers are estimates (your exact ingredients may vary slightly), but per donut you’re looking at:
- 120 calories
- 20g carbs
- 2g protein
- 3g fat
Not bad for a sweet treat, right? Way better than anything from a drive-thru! Understanding the basic science behind how air fryers work can help optimize results for any recipe, including these donuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked about these dairy-free air fryer donuts all the time—here are the answers to everything you might wonder!
Can I Make These Without an Air Fryer?
Absolutely! Bake them at 350°F in a regular oven for 12-15 minutes instead. They won’t get quite as crispy on the outside, but they’ll still taste delicious.
How Do I Prevent Soggy Donuts?
The secret is letting them cool completely on a wire rack—this stops steam from making them soggy. And always preheat your air fryer—that initial blast of heat creates the perfect texture.
Are These Donuts Gluten-Free?
They can be! Just swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend. I recommend one with xanthan gum already added for the best texture.
Can I Freeze These Donuts?
You bet! Freeze them unglazed in a single layer first, then store in an airtight bag for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes.
Why Did My Donuts Stick to the Molds?
Oh honey, I’ve been there! The trick is greasing every nook—I use a pastry brush to get oil into all the crevices. Silicone molds work best for easy release. If you are looking for other easy air fryer snacks, try these air fryer garlic knots.
Print
Irresistible Dairy-Free Air Fryer Donuts in 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 6 donuts
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Easy dairy-free donuts made in the air fryer for a healthier treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add almond milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- Pour batter into greased donut molds.
- Air fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Use a piping bag for even batter distribution.
- Check doneness with a toothpick.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American