There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, soft donut fresh out of the oven. The golden crust, the pillowy inside, and that sweet glaze melting in your mouth—it’s pure happiness! But what if you don’t have a deep fryer? Don’t worry—you can still make irresistible, soft homemade donuts right in your kitchen using your oven or air fryer.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Before you start, make sure you have everything ready. Soft donuts need a good balance of moisture, fat, and rise—and these ingredients will help you get it just right.
You’ll need:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
- ½ cup warm milk (not hot)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional toppings: sprinkles, crushed nuts, cinnamon sugar, or melted chocolate!
Step 2: Make the Perfect Donut Dough
This step is where the magic happens!
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the butter, egg, vanilla, and yeast mixture. Stir until a dough starts to form.
- Knead: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
💡 Tip: If your kitchen is cold, preheat your oven for a minute, turn it off, and let the dough rise inside—it’s the perfect cozy spot!
Step 3: Shape and Bake
Once your dough has doubled in size, it’s time to shape those soft rings!
- Roll out the dough: Flatten it gently to about ½-inch thickness using a rolling pin.
- Cut the donuts: Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one large, one small) to create that classic donut shape.
- Second rise: Place the cut donuts on a parchment-lined baking tray, cover lightly with a cloth, and let them rise again for 30 minutes.
Now, baking options:
- In the oven: Preheat to 180°C (350°F). Bake the donuts for 8–10 minutes, until light golden brown.
- In an air fryer: Spray lightly with oil and air fry at 175°C (350°F) for about 5–6 minutes.
Step 4: Glaze and Decorate
This is the fun (and delicious) part!
- Make the glaze: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more sugar (for thickness) or milk (for thinness).
- Dip and decorate: Once the donuts cool slightly, dip the tops in glaze. Add sprinkles, crushed nuts, or melted chocolate while the glaze is still wet.
- Let them set: Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack for a few minutes until the glaze firms up.
💡 Pro Tip: For a classic cinnamon-sugar finish, brush warm donuts lightly with melted butter and roll them in a cinnamon-sugar mix.
Step 5: Enjoy and Store
Your soft, oven-baked donuts are ready to enjoy! Serve them warm with a cup of coffee or milk.
To store:
- Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- For longer storage, freeze them (unglazed) and reheat in the oven for a few minutes when ready to serve.
Final Takeaway
Who needs a fryer when you can bake donuts that are just as soft, golden, and satisfying? With simple ingredients and a little patience, you’ll have bakery-style donuts right from your kitchen.
✨ Save this recipe for later and treat yourself to these soft homemade donuts anytime a sweet craving strikes!
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