How long to cook donuts in an air fryer

At-a-glance cooking parameters

Temperature

320 °F

160 °C

Total time

6 min

per single layer

Flipping

Not needed

Internal temp

—

use visual cue

Donuts air-fry at 320 °F (160 °C) for about 6 minutes — no flipping — whether you're cooking shaped biscuit-dough rings or warming bakery donuts. Cook the dough until puffed and golden, then glaze or toss in cinnamon sugar once they've cooled slightly so the coating sticks.

Per serving

Approximate values for a single portion of donuts (USDA baseline, cooked, includes light air-fryer oil spray).

Calories

220 kcal

Protein

3 g

Fat

11 g

Carbs

28 g

Donuts in popular air fryer brands

Adjusted for how each brand actually heats. Tap a brand name to see every food we calibrate for it.

Cooking donuts differently?

Times and technique change when starting from frozen or reheating leftovers. Open the matching guide for the right temp, time and brand notes.

• Reheat leftoverReheat Donuts in an Air Fryer300 °F · 2 min · no flipRestore-the-crisp technique

How to tell it’s done

The donuts are puffed and golden and a shaped-dough donut springs back when pressed. Pale, doughy centers need another minute or two before glazing.

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Prep

   Bring ingredients close to room temperature. Mist the dough lightly so the surface browns; brush with butter before cinnamon sugar.

2. 2

   Season

   Season with cinnamon, sugar, powdered sugar (glaze), vanilla.

3. 3

   Load

   Arrange 3–4 donuts in a single layer. for best convection airflow.

4. 4

   Cook

   Set the air fryer to 320 °F (160 °C) and cook for 6 minutes total.

5. 5

   Check & rest

   Check the visual doneness cue and serve immediately for best texture.

6. 6

   Store

   Best the day they're made; store loosely covered at room temperature up to 2 days.

Watch out for

• !Leave space between donuts; they puff and spread as they cook.
• !Glaze or sugar after they cool slightly, or the coating slides off.
• !Cook at the lower temperature so the centers cook before the outsides scorch.
• !Use a parchment liner under sticky or glazed donuts.

FAQ about donuts in an air fryer

What temperature should I cook donuts at in an air fryer?

Cook donuts at 320 °F (160 °C). The convection air at this temperature cooks the food gently — higher temperatures dry it out or scorch the surface.

How long do donuts take in an air fryer?

Donuts take 6 minutes at 320 °F (160 °C) with no flipping needed. Cook in a single layer for the air to circulate.

Do you need to flip donuts in an air fryer?

No — donuts cook evenly without flipping. The convection air reaches all sides simultaneously. Flipping is only needed for dense or thick foods where one side sits against the basket grate; this food does not benefit from it.

Do you need to preheat the air fryer for donuts?

Preheating is optional for donuts — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.

Can I reheat leftover donuts in an air fryer?

Yes. Reheat at 300 °F (149 °C) for 2 minutes. The reheat guide covers the full restore-the-crisp technique. Open the leftover donuts reheat guide →