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Air Fryer Chocolate Donuts: A Delightful Treat for Every Occasion

Donuts have always held a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of dessert lovers around the world. With their soft, fluffy texture and delightful glaze, they are a beloved treat enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a sweet indulgence. While traditional deep-fried donuts can be rather heavy and laden with oil, the advent of air fryers has opened up a world of healthier baking options without sacrificing taste. In this article, we’ll explore how to make delicious air fryer chocolate donuts that are not only quick and easy but also a guilt-free alternative to their fried counterparts.

The Air Fryer Advantage

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, creating a crispy outer layer while maintaining a moist interior. This cooking method significantly reduces the amount of oil needed, making it a healthier choice. The result is a decadent donut that tastes just as good as a traditional one, yet with fewer calories.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To create scrumptious air fryer chocolate donuts, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon vinegar)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the glaze:

• 1 cup icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (or water)
• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for about 5 minutes. This is essential to ensure that your donuts cook evenly.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the plain flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps to eliminate any lumps and ensures an airy texture.

3. Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.

4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine!

5. Shape the Doughnuts: Spoon the batter into a donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use silicone cupcake moulds; just keep in mind they will have a slightly different shape.

6. Cook in the Air Fryer: Carefully place the donut pan in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a donut comes out clean. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.

7. Cool and Glaze: Once cooked, let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by whisking together icing sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and salt until smooth. Dip each donut into the glaze while it’s still warm, allowing the excess to drip off.

8. Serve and Enjoy: Allow the glaze to set for a few moments before indulging. These air fryer chocolate donuts can be enjoyed plain or sprinkled with chocolate sprinkles or chopped nuts for an added touch.

Conclusion

Air fryer chocolate donuts offer a delightful treat that’s easy to whip up and incredibly satisfying to eat. Perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual weekend brunch or a birthday celebration, these donuts provide the rich taste of chocolate with a fraction of the guilt. So why not give this recipe a try? Your taste buds will thank you!