These gluten-free air fryer donuts are incredibly light and fluffy. Topped with a chocolate glaze or simple cinnamon sugar, they are the ultimate gluten- and dairy-free treat. This simple recipe delivers delicious bakery-style yeast donuts in just under an hour!
You’ll find these donuts ridiculously easy to make. Like many baked goods that need time for the dough to rise, they only require a bit of patience.
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Using an air fryer means you can avoid the extra fat and hassle that comes with deep-frying donuts. You can get all the light, fluffy texture of yeast donuts with the ease of cooking them in the air fryer.
Why This Recipe for Gluten-Free Donuts?
These gluten-free air fryer donuts are the perfect sweet treat to whip up for breakfast or an indulgent dessert. My favorite way to top these donuts is with chocolate glaze or a coat of cinnamon sugar, but you can add any topping you’d like!
Here are a few more things to love about this donut recipe:
- It is made with simple ingredients.
- All you need is 15 minutes of prep time.
- There is no kneading required.
- It’s gluten-free and dairy-free as written.
Pro Tips for Making Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donuts
This gluten-free air fryer donut recipe is pretty simple and straightforward. That said, I have a few tricks to make prepping this recipe a breeze! Follow these baking tips for the lightest and fluffiest donuts ever.
Use room temperature ingredients (except the almond milk and coconut oil)
Using room-temperature ingredients will help them combine evenly as you mix the dough. One exception is the almond milk used to hydrate the yeast. Additionally, the coconut oil needs to be melted for the best results in this recipe.
Measure the specified ingredients by weight
One thing to remember when making gluten-free recipes is that they can be finicky about the amount of dry ingredients used. Using a digital kitchen scale for the dry ingredients will make the amounts you use much more exact, which helps gluten-free baked goods like these donuts turn out exactly right.
Make sure you let the dough rise for the correct amount of time.
Yeast is an exceptionally effective leavening agent. It is technically a biological leavening agent that is actually alive! Biological leavening agents like yeast consume the sugars in the dough to create the carbon dioxide that makes the dough rise.
Fun fact: The most common baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a single-celled fungus that scientists love to study to better understand biological processes. This yeast doesn’t reproduce like mushrooms do, though. When activated, they’ll reproduce by budding, a process in which the daughter yeast cell will split off from the parent cell.
Although yeast can work fast when properly activated, it still needs adequate time to produce the carbon dioxide that makes the dough rise. Allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes on a wire rack or in the air fryer basket. This process will make your donuts extra light and fluffy.
Don’t roll out the dough too much
When rolling out the dough, you only need to go over it a few times with the rolling pin. If you roll it out too much, your donuts may turn out flat.
Let the donuts cool completely before glazing
It’s important that you wait until the donuts are completely cool before topping them with the glaze. If you do this when they are too warm, the glaze will melt off the donuts. In this way, it’s actually quite similar to frosting a freshly baked cake.
Equipment Needed for Making Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donuts
These tools will help in prepping your gluten-free air fryer donuts:
- Digital scale
- Liquid measuring cup
- Kitchen Thermometer
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Sturdy spoon
- Wax paper
- Rolling pin
- 2-inch biscuit cutter
- Air fryer
Ingredients for Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donuts
If you do a lot of gluten-free baking, you probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry or refrigerator. Be sure to save or print the recipe card below for easy reference if you need to do some grocery shopping.
- Almond milk
- Rapid-rise yeast
- Pure vanilla extract
- King Arthur Measure For Measure gluten-free flour mix
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Coconut oil
- Egg
- Your Favorite Donut Glaze
If you noticed that most of the ingredients for these donuts are dairy-free, you were paying attention! The glaze might contain a small amount of dairy, depending on what you choose. These donuts are otherwise dairy-free.
Key Ingredient Roles for Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donuts
Curious about any of these ingredients? Let’s take a closer look at what each of these ingredients brings to the donuts.
Almond Milk
1/2 cup almond milk
Almond milk makes a good dairy replacement for many baked goods, like these donuts. It will often add a slight nutty flavor to any recipe it is added to. Most importantly for this recipe, almond milk provides the liquid needed to activate the yeast.
It’s important to heat the almond milk to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38 degrees Celsius) to activate the yeast properly. Too hot, and the heat could kill the yeast. Too cold, and the yeast won’t activate at all.
Rapid Rise Yeast
3 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast
You may see rapid-rise yeast labeled as instant yeast. As the name suggests, this yeast provides the rapid-rising action that makes these donuts fluffy.
Commonly Asked Question: How can yeast survive being kept in a packet for such a long time if it’s alive? This one actually came from a young niece of mine when we were baking something that called for yeast! According to Laura Rusche, an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Buffalo, yeast can enter a form of suspended animation when conditions are less than ideal for growth and reproduction. That includes the lack of food in the container or packet it’s kept in.
“They can go into a sort of suspended animation to survive stress,” she told the University of Buffalo for a fact page on baker’s yeast. Apparently, baker’s yeast can also survive being frozen: “In the lab, we put them in a -80 Celsius freezer, so it’s a deep freeze, and they are stable for years and years. Later, we take a little bit of the ice out of the frozen culture, and it starts growing again.”
Pure Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Vanilla extract adds a bit of complexity to the sweet flavor of many baked goods, like donuts.
King Arthur Measure For Measure Gluten-Free Flour Mix
300 grams King Arthur Measure For Measure gluten-free flour mix
I like this brand of gluten-free flour mix for “beginner-level” gluten-free recipes like these donuts. It can replace “ordinary” wheat flour at a 1:1 ratio in many baked recipes. For instance, if a recipe calls for 300 grams of wheat flour, 300 grams of this gluten-free flour will usually work.
Granulated Sugar
50 grams granulated sugar (about 1/4 cup)
Granulated sugar provides most of the sweetness in this recipe. It also gives the yeast something to consume and produce the carbon dioxide needed to make the dough rise.
Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
While baking powder won’t provide most of the rise in these donuts, it does add a little chemical leavening to this recipe. Chemical leavenings like baking powder react with other ingredients, usually acids, in a recipe to produce a little carbon dioxide.
Salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
Besides adding a bit of flavor, salt regulates the yeast’s rising power. Just make sure you don’t add too much salt, because it can kill the yeast!
Coconut Oil
2 tablespoons coconut oil
Coconut oil provides the fats needed for this recipe. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature. It’s important to melt it before adding it to this recipe to make sure it mixes in well. Just be sure not to get it too hot. You want it just hot enough to be a liquid.
Egg
1 large egg
Eggs typically serve as the binder in baked goods like these donuts. Without a good binder, most baked goods would just fall apart in ways that are way beyond just being “too crumbly.”
Donut Glaze
Donut glaze basically does a few things that make donuts more satisfying.
- First, it makes donuts “look like” donuts rather than weird-looking, strange-tasting bagels.
- Second, it adds a little extra sweetness and flavor to the donuts.
- Third, you can use your favorite flavored donut glaze to finish your donuts.
Printable Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donuts Recipe Card
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the basket or wire racks of an air fryer by spraying them with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Add the almond milk to a liquid measuring cup and heat it to 100°F. Add the yeast and vanilla extract and stir to combine. Set the mixture aside for 5 minutes.
- While waiting for the yeast to activate, add the gluten-free flour mix, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl and whisk until combined.
- Add the melted coconut oil and the egg to the flour mixture and stir until the mixture resembles crumbs.
- Once the yeast is activated, add the yeast mixture to the ingredients in the large bowl and stir with a sturdy spoon until well-combined. The mixture should be sticky.
- Place the dough on a piece of floured wax paper. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a 7- to 8-inch disk. It should be about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. You should only need to roll the dough a few times with the rolling pin to achieve this thickness.
- Next, use a 2-inch biscuit cutter to cut out as many rounds as possible. Move rounds aside, roll the remaining dough out again, and cut out the remaining rounds. Repeat until you can’t get any more 2-inch rounds from the dough that has been rolled out to a thickness of 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch.
- Poke a hole in the middle of each round with one finger.
- Place the donuts on the greased wire rack or in the air fryer basket. Make sure they aren't touching one another. Let them rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F while the donuts rise.
- Once the donuts have finished rising, cook them for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove them from the air fryer and place them on a cooling rack. Let them cool completely.
- Once they have completely cooled, glaze with your favorite donut glaze.
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Method for Making Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donuts
These gluten-free air fryer donuts are easy to whip up. The process does take slightly more than an hour, but it’s totally worth the wait for freshly baked donuts.
Step One: Prepare Air Fryer
Prepare the basket or wire racks of an air fryer by spraying them with non-stick cooking spray. Put them in a place where they’ll be out of the way while you make the donuts.
Step Two: Activate Yeast
Add the almond milk to a liquid measuring cup and heat it to 100°F. I like to use a kitchen thermometer to make sure I have the correct temperature. Then, add the yeast and vanilla extract and stir to combine. Set the mixture aside for 5 minutes.
Step Three: Mix Dry Ingredients
While waiting for the yeast to activate, add the gluten-free flour mix, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl and whisk until combined.
Step Four: Add Coconut Oil and Egg
Add the melted coconut oil and the egg and stir until the mixture resembles crumbs.
Step Five: Add Yeast Mixture
Once the yeast is activated, add the yeast mixture to the ingredients in the large bowl and stir with a sturdy spoon until well-combined. The mixture should be sticky.
Step Six: Roll Out Dough
Place the dough on a piece of floured wax paper. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a 7- to 8-inch disk. It should be about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. You should only need to roll the dough a few times with the rolling pin to achieve this thickness.
Step Seven: Cut Out Rounds
Next, use a 2-inch biscuit cutter to cut out as many rounds as possible.
Move rounds aside, roll the remaining dough out again, and cut out the remaining rounds.
Repeat until you can’t get any more 2-inch rounds from the dough that has been rolled out to a thickness of 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch.
Step Eight: Make Holes in the Middle of the Rounds
Poke a hole in the middle of each round with one finger. Yes, you will probably get dough on your finger. (My niece thought this was funny, along with poking the holes being the most fun step.) Wash and dry your hands before you go on to the next step if you want to get it off.
Step Nine: Let Donuts Rise
Place the donuts on the greased wire rack or in the air fryer basket. Give them a little space between donuts because they will expand in both height and diameter. Let them rise for 30 minutes.
Step Ten: Preheat Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F while the donuts rise.
Step Eleven: Cook Donuts
Once the donuts have finished rising, cook them for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. They may look a little like imperfectly formed bagels at this stage. Don’t let anyone put cream cheese on them, lol.
Step Twelve: Let Donuts Cool
Remove them from the air fryer and place them on a cooling rack. Let them cool completely.
Step Thirteen: Glaze With Your Favorite Donut Glaze
Once they have completely cooled, glaze with your favorite donut glaze. I like chocolate best, but a cinnamon-sugar glaze is good too. Sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles before the glaze sets, if desired.
Substitutions and Variations for Gluten-Free Air Donuts
Whole milk or 2% milk makes a decent substitute for the almond milk in a pinch. Replace the almond milk with the dairy milk at a 1:1 ratio.
I used coconut oil to replace the butter in most donut recipes. They can be used pretty much interchangeably at a 1:1 ratio. (One thing to remember about doing this is that coconut oil can make the recipes it’s used in a little crisper than butter can. For this donut recipe, it probably doesn’t make much difference. It’s just something to be aware of.)
Of course, it’s possible to add a little flavor directly to the donut dough! I’ll sometimes add a half-teaspoon of cinnamon for cinnamon donuts, or a half-teaspoon of full-on pumpkin spice for a “pumpkin pie” flavored donut.
FAQ About Gluten-Free Air Fryer Donuts
Gluten-free baking can come with a few extra questions, especially when you’re working with an air fryer. Below are answers to some common ones, and if you still need help, leave your question in the comments. We’re happy to help.
Why didn’t my gluten-free donuts rise?
If your donuts didn’t rise, the most likely cause is inactive yeast or milk that was too hot or too cold. I don’t like to heat the almond milk much hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit because excessive heat can kill the yeast.
It can also happen if the dough was left to rise in a cold room. For best results, use fresh yeast and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot until visibly puffy.
Why is my donut dough too sticky to roll out?
Gluten-free yeast dough is often softer and stickier than traditional donut dough, so a sticky texture is normal. If it is too sticky to handle, lightly flour your surface and hands with gluten-free flour, then chill the dough for 15 to 20 minutes before rolling. Avoid adding too much extra flour, or the donuts can turn out dense and dry.
Why did my donuts turn out dense instead of light and fluffy?
Dense donuts are usually caused by too much flour, not enough rise time, or overworking the dough. Since gluten-free flour blends can vary, it helps to spoon and level the flour or weigh it for accuracy.
Letting the dough fully rise before shaping and again before air frying will give the donuts a softer, fluffier texture.
Why are my air fryer donuts undercooked in the middle?
If the outside looks done but the center is still raw, the air fryer may be running too hot. Air fryers can vary widely by brand and model, so your donuts may need a slightly lower temperature or a bit more cook time.
Try cooking in a single layer, avoid overcrowding the basket, and check for doneness by making sure the centers feel set and spring back lightly when touched.
Why did my donuts come out dry?
Dry donuts are usually caused by overbaking, too much flour, or adding extra flour while rolling. Because air fryers cook quickly, even a minute or two too long can dry them out. Start checking early, and once cooked, glaze or coat them while they’re still slightly warm to help retain moisture and improve texture.
Why did my donuts spread out instead of holding their shape?
This usually means the dough was too warm, too soft, or not structured enough before cutting. Chilling the dough briefly can make it easier to handle and help the donuts hold their shape better. Be sure to cut them cleanly and transfer them carefully so they don’t deflate.
Why do my gluten-free donuts taste gummy?
A gummy texture can occur if the donuts are undercooked or if the flour blend has too much starch relative to the moisture in the recipe. King Arthur Measure-for-Measure gluten-free flour shouldn’t have too much starch, but it helps to measure it with a kitchen scale rather than measuring cups to get the exact amount.
Let the donuts cook until the centers are fully set, and allow them to cool slightly before eating so the crumb can finish setting properly.
How can I store these air fryer donuts?
Like most other fried donuts, these gluten-free air fryer donuts are best when served fresh. For that reason, I recommend eating them the day they are made rather than storing them for later.
Can I use any type of yeast in this recipe?
No, this recipe calls for rapid-rise yeast (also called instant yeast), which cannot be used interchangeably with other types of yeast. Rapid-rise yeast differs from other types of yeast, such as active dry yeast or fresh yeast, because it does not have to be proofed before adding it to your dough.
What is the difference between yeast donuts and cake donuts?
While yeast donuts are generally softer and fluffier, cake donuts tend to be a bit sweeter and have a denser texture that’s closer to cake. Since baking them in the oven makes them tougher, yeast donuts are either deep-fried or air-fried. Cake donuts, on the other hand, are oven-baked in a donut pan.
More Homemade Donut Recipes To Try
Ready to bake your way through more gluten-free donuts? Start with these delicious options.
- Spiced Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts
- Gluten-Free Baked Donuts
- Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Donuts
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Donuts
- Gluten-Free Baked Blueberry Donuts
Whether you’re in the mood for something cozy, chocolatey, fruity, or classic, these gluten-free donut recipes give you plenty of sweet ways to keep the donut craving going.
What’s Your Favorite Donut Flavor?
Tried one of these recipes or have a favorite gluten-free donut flavor of your own? Share it in the comments and tell us what you’d make next. We’d love to hear what’s on your donut wish list.
