Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer protein donuts! I swear, they’re the easiest way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt. I stumbled onto this recipe when I was desperate for a quick post-workout treat that didn’t taste like cardboard. Now? I make a batch every Sunday – they’re that good! The air fryer magically turns simple ingredients into fluffy, protein-packed donuts in under 10 minutes. No fancy equipment, no waiting for dough to rise – just mix, pour, and air fry. And the best part? My kids gobble them up thinking they’re getting a real dessert!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Protein Donuts
Seriously, these little guys are life-changing! Here’s why they’ve become my go-to snack:
- Crazy quick: From bowl to table in 13 minutes flat—no oven preheating, no fuss.
- Protein powerhouse: Packed with 10g of protein per donut, they actually keep you full (unlike that sad store-bought muffin).
- No guilt: Sweet enough to feel indulgent, but with way less sugar than regular donuts (my fitness coach approves!).
- Air fryer magic: Gets them perfectly fluffy every single time—no weird dense centers or burnt edges.
- Kid-tested: My picky eater thinks they’re “real” donuts. Shhh… I’ll never tell.
Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked. Breakfast, snack, post-workout—they work for everything!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Protein Donuts
Okay, let’s talk ingredients – and yes, every single one matters! Here’s exactly what you’ll need for perfect protein donuts every time:
- 1 cup packed protein powder (vanilla or unflavored works best – I use whey but plant-based works too)
- 1/2 cup finely ground almond flour (the fine texture makes all the difference)
- 1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder (trust me, it prevents any metallic aftertaste)
- 1/4 cup sweetener (I’m partial to monk fruit blend, but use what you like)
- 1/4 cup milk (any kind – I’ve used almond, oat, even water in a pinch)
- 1 room temperature egg (this helps everything bind together beautifully)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff – it makes them smell amazing while cooking)
See? Nothing weird or hard to find – just simple, wholesome ingredients that magically transform into donuts!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these donuts! Here’s the short list:
- Air fryer (any size works – I use my basic 3.7 quart one)
- Silicone donut molds (6-cavity is perfect – they pop right out!)
- Mixing bowls (one for dry, one for wet ingredients)
- Whisk or fork (to blend everything smoothly)
That’s it! No special piping bags or thermometers required – just simple tools you probably already have.
How to Make Air Fryer Protein Donuts Easy
Alright, let’s get to the fun part – making these magical little donuts! I promise it’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps and you’ll be biting into warm, protein-packed goodness in no time.
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
First things first – grab your biggest mixing bowl (trust me, you’ll want the space). Whisk together the protein powder, almond flour, baking powder, and sweetener until everything looks perfectly blended. No lumps allowed! I like to give it a good 30-second whisk – this ensures your donuts will rise evenly and have that perfect fluffy texture.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
Now for the wet team! In a smaller bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla until they’re completely combined. Pro tip: make sure your egg is room temperature – it mixes way better this way. Pour this mixture into your dry ingredients and stir gently. You want it just combined – don’t overmix or your donuts might turn out tough!
Step 3: Fill the Donut Molds
Here’s where the magic happens! Spoon your batter into the silicone molds, filling each cavity only halfway. I know it’s tempting to fill them more, but they’ll puff up beautifully in the air fryer. If you’re worried about sticking, you can give the molds a quick spray with cooking oil, but honestly, the silicone usually releases them just fine.
Step 4: Air Fry the Donuts
Pop those molds into your preheated air fryer at 350°F for about 8 minutes. Around the 6-minute mark, peek in – they should be golden brown and spring back when touched. Every air fryer is different, so you might need to adjust by a minute or two. The smell at this point is absolutely heavenly!
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Resist the urge to dig in immediately! Let the donuts cool in their molds for about 5 minutes – this helps them set and prevents any breakage when you pop them out. After that? Enjoy warm, or let them cool completely if you’re planning to glaze them. Either way, prepare to be amazed at how something so simple can taste so good!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Protein Donuts
After making dozens (okay, maybe hundreds) of batches, I’ve learned all the tricks for perfect protein donuts every time:
- Piping bag hack: Spoon batter into a ziplock bag, snip the corner, and pipe into molds for super neat donuts.
- Check early: Start checking at 6 minutes – some air fryers run hot and can dry them out.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for extra warmth.
- Storage secret: Keep them in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
- Double batch: Make extra! They freeze beautifully for up to a month.
These little tweaks make all the difference between good and “oh-my-gosh-I-need-another” donuts!
Variations for Your Air Fryer Donuts
Oh, the fun you can have with these! My kids love when we mix it up—here are our favorite twists:
- Chocolate craze: Swap vanilla protein powder for chocolate and add mini dark chocolate chips (they melt just enough in the air fryer!).
- Spiced delight: Stir in 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice for cozy autumn vibes—perfect with a drizzle of almond butter.
- Berry blast: Fold in freeze-dried raspberry powder (about 1 tbsp) for pretty pink donuts with a tangy kick.
The best part? Once you nail the basic recipe, you can play with flavors endlessly. What will you try first? If you are looking for more sweet air fryer recipes, check out these air fryer apple fritters.
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Protein Donuts
Here’s the scoop on keeping these donuts fresh – because let’s be real, you’ll want to make extra! Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days (if they last that long). For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag – they’ll stay perfect for a month. When you’re ready to enjoy, just pop frozen donuts straight into the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes. They’ll come out warm and fresh-tasting, like you just made them! For more ideas on quick air-fried snacks, see this guide on air fryer donut holes.
Air Fryer Protein Donuts Nutritional Info
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the breakdown per donut based on my usual ingredients: roughly 120 calories, 10g protein, 8g carbs (2g fiber), and 5g fat. Remember—these numbers will dance around depending on your exact protein powder and sweetener. The best part? Unlike regular donuts, these actually fuel your body while tasting like a treat! Understanding the macronutrient breakdown is key when planning a balanced diet, and you can learn more about general protein intake guidelines here.
FAQ About Air Fryer Protein Donuts Easy
I get questions about these donuts ALL the time – here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I use whey protein powder?
Absolutely! Whey protein works beautifully – it’s what I use most often. Plant-based powders work too, but you might need an extra splash of milk since they tend to absorb more liquid.
Why are my donuts dry?
Oh no! Usually this means they cooked a minute too long. Every air fryer is different, so start checking at 6 minutes. Also, make sure you’re measuring your almond flour correctly – packed too tight and it can dry them out.
Can I make these without molds?
You can try piping rings directly onto parchment in the air fryer basket, but they won’t hold their shape as well. The silicone molds are totally worth it – I got mine for under $10!
What’s the best protein powder flavor?
Vanilla or unflavored lets you customize, but chocolate is amazing too! Just avoid flavors with chunks or mix-ins that might burn.
10g Protein Air Fryer Donuts That Taste Divine
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 6 donuts
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Make easy protein donuts in your air fryer with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup protein powder
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup sweetener
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add wet ingredients and stir until combined.
- Fill donut molds halfway.
- Air fry at 350°F for 8 minutes.
- Let cool before removing from molds.
Notes
- Use silicone molds for easy removal.
- Adjust sweetness to taste.
- Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American