• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Zest for Baking

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Bagels
    • Biscuits
    • Bread Machine
    • Cake
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Donuts
    • Frostings
    • Muffins
    • Pancakes
    • Quick Bread
    • Rolls
    • Sandwich Bread
    • Scones
    • Snacks
    • Gluten Free Side Dishes
    • Waffles
    • Yeast Breads
  • Resources
    • Baking Tips
    • Gluten Free Flours
    • Using Substitutes
  • About
    • Get 15 Free Gluten Free Bread Recipes!
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Classes & Books
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • About
    • Classes & Books
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Donuts

    The Ultimate Gluten Free Air Fryer Donuts

    Published: Oct 4, 2022 by Christine · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    bite of a gluten free air fryer donut

    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!

    These are the easiest homemade donuts you’ll ever make. You can enjoy this sweet treat without the hassle and added fat of using a deep fryer. Air-fried without any oil, these tasty donuts come out perfectly crisp on the outside with a soft and tender interior. They look and taste just like they came from your favorite donut shop!

    gluten free air fryer donuts on a white plate.

    This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links support Zest For Baking at no additional cost to you. I receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase through these links.

    Table of contents

    • 🍩Why this recipe is the best!
    • 💭Pro tips
    • 📖Ingredients & substitutions
    • 🥄Mixing
    • Rolling
    • ⏲️Cooking & serving
    • FAQ's
    • Other donut recipes

    🍩Why this recipe is the best!

    These gluten free air fryer donuts are the perfect sweet treat to whip up for breakfast or an indulgent dessert (this chocolate pie is pretty amazing too!). 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's made with just 9 simple ingredients
    • All you need is 15 minutes of prep time
    • There is no kneading required, similar to this crescent roll dough
    • It’s gluten free and dairy free as written
    hand holding a bite of a gluten free air fryer donut.

    💭Pro tips

    This gluten free air fryer donut recipe is pretty simple and straightforward. That being said, I have a few tricks that will make prepping this recipe a breeze! Follow these baking tips for the lightest and fluffiest donuts ever.

    1. Use room temperature ingredients (except the almond milk and coconut oil)

    Using room temperature ingredients will allow ingredients to combine evenly when mixing the dough. One exception is the almond milk which is used to hydrate the yeast. Additionally, the coconut oil needs to be melted for the best results in this recipe.

    2. Measure the specified ingredients by weight

    For the most accurate measurements, use a digital scale to measure the flour and sugar by weight. This will ensure your dough is the right consistency.

    3. Let the dough rise for 30 minutes before cooking

    The yeast produces carbon dioxide which causes the dough to 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.

    4. 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. Like these biscuits, if you roll it out too much, your donuts may turn out flat.

    5. Let the donuts cool completely before glazing

    It’s important that you wait until the donuts are completely cool before adding the glaze on top. If you do this when they are too warm, the glaze will melt off of the donuts.

    6. Helpful tools

    These tools will help in prepping your gluten free air fryer donuts:

    • Digital scale
    • Liquid measuring cup
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Whisk
    • Sturdy spoon
    • Wax paper
    • Rolling pin
    • 2-inch biscuit cutter
    • Air fryer

    📖Ingredients & substitutions

    labeled ingredients on a countertop
    • Almond milk - There is no alternative to the almond milk in this recipe.
    • Rapid rise yeast - There is no substitute for rapid rise yeast (also known as instant yeast) in these donuts.
    • Pure vanilla extract - There is no alternative for the vanilla extract in this recipe.
    • King Arthur Measure For Measure gluten free flour mix - This donut recipe was tested using King Arthur Measure For Measure gluten free flour mix. Other gluten free flour mixes may work here but they have not been tested.
    • Granulated sugar - I don't recommend substituting the granulated sugar in this recipe.
    • Baking powder - There is no alternative for the baking powder in this recipe.
    • Salt - There is no substitute for the salt in this recipe.
    • Coconut oil - There is no substitute for the coconut oil.
    • Egg - I don't recommend using an egg alternative in this donut recipe.

    🥄Mixing

    steps to making gluten free air fryer donuts.

    These gluten free air fryer donuts are so easy to whip up. To get started, make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature aside from the almond milk and coconut oil. Prepare the basket or wire racks of an air fryer by spraying them with non-stick cooking spray. Set them aside. The first step in making the donut dough is to hydrate the rapid rise yeast. Add the almond milk to a liquid measuring cup and warm it to 80°F. Then, add the yeast and vanilla extract and stir to combine (step 1 above). Set the mixture aside for 5 minutes.

    Next, add the gluten free flour mix, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl (step 2) and whisk until combined. Add the melted coconut oil and the egg (step 3) and stir until the mixture resembles crumbs (step 4). Next, add in the yeast mixture (step 5) and use a sturdy spoon to stir until combined. A slightly sticky dough will form (step 6). 

    Rolling

    steps to preparing donuts.

    Place the dough on a piece of floured wax paper (step 1 above). Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a 7-8 inch disk. It should be about ½ inch - ¾ inch thick (step 2 above). Like in these buttery biscuits, you should only need to go over 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 (step 3 above). Repeat this process with the remaining dough. Finally, take each round and use your fingers to make a hole in the middle of each one. Then, place the donuts on the greased (or parchment lined) wire rack or in the air fryer basket and let them rise for 30 minutes (step 4 above).

    ⏲️Cooking & serving

    baked air fryer gluten free donuts

    Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Once the donuts are done rising, cook the donuts for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown. Remove them from the air fryer and let them cool completely. Then, glaze them with chocolate glaze or top them with a cinnamon sugar topping and enjoy!

    plate of gluten free air fryer donuts

    FAQ's

    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.

    What is the difference between yeast donuts and cake donuts?

    While yeast donuts are generally softer and fluffier, cake donuts, like these homemade ones, tend to be a bit sweeter. Since baking them in the oven would result in a tough texture, yeast donuts are either deep-fried or air fried. Cake donuts on the other hand are baked in the oven in a donut pan. They have a denser texture, similar to the texture of cake, hence the name.

    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.

    Other donut recipes

    • Spiced Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts
    • Tender Gluten Free Cake Donuts {Baked}
    • Gluten Free Carrot Cake Donuts with Cream Cheese Icing
    • Gluten Free Baked Blueberry Donuts – Egg and Gum Free

    Did you make and love this recipe? Give it your review and star rating rating below! And make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook too!

    📋Recipe

    plate of gluten free air fryer donuts

    The Ultimate Gluten Free Air Fryer Donuts

    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.
    4.20 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Rest time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 57 minutes
    Servings: 5 donuts
    Calories: 306kcal
    Author: Christine

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup almond milk
    • 3 teaspoons rapid rise yeast
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 300 grams King Arthur Measure For Measure gluten free flour mix about 2 ¼ cups
    • 50 grams granulated sugar about ¼ cup
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 Tablespoons coconut oil melted
    • 1 egg

    Instructions

    • Spray the basket or wire racks of an air fryer with cooking spray. Set aside.
    • Warm the milk to 80 F. Add the yeast and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour mix, sugar, baking powder and salt.
    • Add the coconut oil and egg and stir until mixture resembles crumbs.
    • Use a sturdy spoon and stir in the yeast mixture. Dough will form.
    • Place dough on a piece of floured wax paper. Roll to a 7-8 inch disk, with dough about ½ inch - ¾ inch thick.
    • Using a 2 inch biscuit cutter, cut out as many rounds as possible. Repeat with remaining dough.
    • Take each round and use your fingers to make a hole in the middle of each.
    • Place doughnuts on the wire rack or in the air fryer basket and let rise for 30 minutes.
    • Preheat air fryer at 350 F. Cook doughnuts for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Let doughnuts cool completely then glaze with chocolate glaze or top with cinnamon sugar topping.

    Notes

    • This recipe was created with this gluten free flour mix. Other mixes may work but they have not been tested.
    • The dough should come together and be slightly sticky. A well floured piece of wax paper will help with both rolling out the dough and to prevent each donut from sticking.
    • Roll the dough with just a few swipes otherwise the donuts may be flat.
    • This recipe was tested with a wire rack style air fryer. Place as many donuts as will comfortably fit in your air fryer basket. 
    • These donuts were glazed with half of the donut glaze here.
    • They are best eaten the same day they're made. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 282mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 48IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @zest_for_baking or tag #zestforbaking!

    Reader Interactions

    Previous Post Scrumptious Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
    Next Post Cassava Flour vs Tapioca Starch

    Comments

    1. Renee

      October 04, 2022 at 7:39 am

      What if you don't have an air fryer? Am I out of luck?

      Reply
      • Christine

        October 04, 2022 at 8:13 pm

        Hi Renee,

        Nope, great question - you can bake these in the oven. Reduce the baking temperature to 325 F and then time them for 10 minutes but watch them carefully - add a minute or two until they get golden brown on top.

        Christine

        Reply
    2. Pat

      February 01, 2023 at 11:28 am

      Hi

      Can the recipe be adapted for vegans , using an egg replacer such as flax or aquafaba?

      Reply
      • Christine

        February 02, 2023 at 10:30 am

        Hi Pat!

        I haven't tested an egg replacement so I can't say with confidence how it will work. But if you try it, I'd be curious how it works.

        Christine

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Christine Brady.

    Hi, I'm Christine, a gluten free baker living in sunny Texas! Zest for Baking is where you'll find gluten free (and dairy free) recipes, tips for substituting ingredients and help navigating the world of gluten free baking.

    More about me →


    Easter Baking

    • Gluten Free Blueberry Cake
    • Traditional Gluten Free Easter Bread
    • Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns (With Dairy Free Option)
    • Pull-Apart Gluten Free Parmesan Rolls (Dairy Free)
    • The Very Best Gluten Free Dinner Rolls {Dairy Free}
    • One-Bowl Gluten Free Strawberry Cake {Dairy Free}

    Cookbooks make great gifts!

    up close image of book cover

    Gluten Free Baking Help

    • 6 Best Substitutes for Psyllium Husk Powder
    • The Top Substitutes for Millet Flour
    • The 8 Best Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes
    • 7 Best Cassava Flour Substitutes
    • Top 9 Arrowroot Flour Substitutes
    • Top 4 Teff Flour Substitutes

    More baking help

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Featured On

    About


    Since 2013, Christine has been helping readers with gluten free baking challenges and substitution issues, all while creating delicious gluten free baking recipes that no one would guess are actually gluten free. Her Zest For Baking recipes have been featured on The Daily Meal, Bloglovin' and Dr. Axe, to name a few. When she's not hanging out on Facebook or sharing pictures on Instagram or pinning on Pinterest, you can find her in her kitchen, creating more ZestForBaking.com recipes!

    Browse


    • Start Here
    • Guide to Gluten Free Flour Substitutes
    • Alternatives to Xanthan Gum & Guar Gum
    • Gluten Free Oat Flour Substitutes
    • Gluten Free White Bread Recipe
    • Soft Gluten Free Breadsticks
    • Gluten Free Dairy Free Dinner Rolls
    • Millet Flour Biscuits
    • Gluten Free Baking Masterclass
    • Classes & Products

    Information


    About

    Contact

    Privacy

    Terms of Use

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2023 | Zest For Baking | Privacy Policy 

    • 96