Easy Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts Recipe — cooking, recipes, bon apetit

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Fresh, soft, and full of apple spice, these air fryer apple cider donuts are the perfect morning treat for anyone who loves simple baking and zero oil cleanup. This guide walks through everything needed to make tender, cakey donuts with a crispy golden shell, with practical tips for prepping the dough ahead, shaping, and air frying. Expect a little apple magic, a lot of cozy spices, and results that taste like a crisp orchard morning. cooking, recipes, bon apetit

Apple cider reducing in a saucepan

Key takeaways

  • Make an apple cider reduction for concentrated flavor.
  • Keep the dough wet enough so the air fryer produces a soft interior and crisp exterior.
  • Chill the dough 4 to 12 hours for easy rolling and clean cuts.
  • Air fryer temps differ by type: 375 for basket units, 410 for combo convection models.
  • Finish with melted butter and cinnamon sugar for classic apple cider donut flavor. cooking, recipes, bon apetit

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups apple cider, reduced to 2/3 cup (apple cider reduction)
  • 1 large egg plus 1 egg white, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar, about 73 g
  • 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, cooled
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 cups all purpose flour, 360 g
  • 1 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (or ginger)
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted for brushing
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar plus 1 tbsp cinnamon for coating
Mixing wet ingredients in a bowl with apple cider reduction

Step by step

  1. Make the apple cider reduction. Simmer 2 1/2 cups apple cider over medium high heat, boil down to about 2/3 cup. Cool completely before using. This is pure concentrated apple flavor.
  2. Combine wet ingredients. Whisk one large egg and one egg white, then add the cooled reduction, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth.
  3. Whisk dry ingredients. In a large bowl measure 3 cups (360 g) all purpose flour, 1 3/4 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, spices and salt. Stir to combine so every donut has the same balance of cinnamon and leavening.
  4. Fold, do not overmix. Fold wet into dry with a spatula until the flour disappears. The dough should remain relatively wet so the air fryer yields a soft interior. Overmixing makes dense, chewy results.
  5. Chill. Transfer the cohesive dough to the fridge for 4 to 12 hours. Cold dough rolls and cuts cleanly.
  6. Shape. On a lightly floured surface pat dough to about 1/2 inch thickness, up to 3/4 inch if preferred. Use a 3 inch cutter and a 1 inch cutter for the hole. Transfer shapes to a parchment lined sheet. Re roll scraps to make extra holes or more donuts.
  7. Preheat air fryer 5 minutes. For basket style set 375 F. For combo convection air fryer set 410 F. Test one donut first and adjust temp by 15 to 25 degrees if it is underbaked or browning too fast.
  8. Air fry. Spray donuts lightly with neutral oil. Bake 6 minutes, flip, then bake 2 to 3 more minutes until puffed and golden and internal temp reaches about 170 F. Donut holes bake about 6 minutes.
  9. Finish and coat. Brush warm donuts all over with melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar (2/3 cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon). For a lighter finish gently press the sugar on rather than spooning it from above. Alternatively dunk in butter and roll.
Rolling chilled dough and cutting donut shapes

Troubleshooting and pro tips

  • Measure flour correctly. Use a scale for 360 g, or spoon flour into the cup and level it to avoid a dry, heavy dough.
  • Keep dough wet. Adding too much flour ruins the air fryer texture. Aim for slightly sticky, not stiff.
  • Chill is essential. Cold dough cuts cleaner and keeps shapes while frying in the air fryer.
  • Test one donut. Every air fryer performs differently. Bake one and adjust temp before batch cooking.
  • Save cinnamon sugar. Sift and store leftover mix in a jar for waffles, toast, or future donuts.
Brushing donuts with melted butter and coating with cinnamon sugar

Enjoy warm

"I want them fresh," and that is exactly what these air fryer apple cider donuts deliver. Soft, cakey, and coated in warm cinnamon sugar, they make a speedy, delightful fall breakfast or anytime treat. cooking, recipes, bon apetit

Make the dough the night before, air fry in the morning, and enjoy a bakery style treat with minimal cleanup. cooking, recipes, bon apetit

This article was created from the video Easy Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts Recipe with the help of AI.

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