Two-Ingredient Dough Air Fryer Donuts: Guilt-Free Deliciousness!

Craving a sweet treat but don’t want the guilt? Look no further! These two-ingredient dough air fryer donuts are a game-changer. They’re incredibly easy to make, surprisingly delicious, and a much healthier alternative to traditional fried donuts. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or anytime you need a quick and satisfying dessert. Get ready to ditch the donut shop and embrace the magic of simple, healthy homemade donuts!

## Why You’ll Love These Two-Ingredient Dough Air Fryer Donuts

* **Easy peasy:** Seriously, the recipe requires only two ingredients. You probably already have them in your kitchen!
* **Quick:** From start to finish, these donuts can be ready in under 30 minutes.
* **Healthier:** Air frying significantly reduces the amount of oil compared to deep frying, making them a lighter and healthier option.
* **Customizable:** The basic recipe is a blank canvas. You can get creative with toppings and glazes to suit your taste.
* **Kid-friendly:** A fun and easy recipe to make with kids. They’ll love rolling the dough and adding their favorite toppings.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy them for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a snack.

## The Magic Two Ingredients

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. All you need are:

* **Self-rising flour:** This type of flour already contains baking powder and salt, which provides the necessary lift and flavor to the donuts. If you don’t have self-rising flour, don’t worry! I’ll show you how to make your own substitute later.
* **Greek yogurt:** Plain Greek yogurt adds moisture, protein, and a slight tang to the dough. It also helps to create a soft and chewy texture.

That’s it! Two ingredients are all that stand between you and a batch of delicious air fryer donuts.

## Making Your Own Self-Rising Flour

If you don’t have self-rising flour on hand, you can easily make your own. For every cup of all-purpose flour, add 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Whisk together thoroughly to ensure the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Air Fryer:** A must-have for this recipe. Any air fryer will work, but basket-style air fryers are generally easier to use for donuts.
* **Mixing Bowl:** For combining the ingredients.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Rolling Pin:** To roll out the dough.
* **Donut Cutter or Cookie Cutters:** To create the donut shape. You can also use a knife or even a drinking glass and a smaller circular cutter for the center hole.
* **Parchment Paper (optional):** To prevent the donuts from sticking to the air fryer basket.
* **Wire Rack:** For cooling the donuts.

## The Two-Ingredient Dough Air Fryer Donut Recipe

Here’s the step-by-step guide to making these incredibly easy donuts:

**Yields:** Approximately 6-8 donuts
**Prep time:** 10 minutes
**Cook time:** 8-10 minutes

### Ingredients:

* 1 cup self-rising flour (or 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder + ¼ teaspoon salt)
* ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (non-fat, low-fat, or full-fat will work)

### Instructions:

**1. Prepare the Dough:**

* In a mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour and Greek yogurt.
* Mix until a shaggy dough forms. It will be a little sticky at first.
* Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
* Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes until it comes together into a smooth ball. Be careful not to over-knead, as this can make the donuts tough.
* If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s easier to handle.

**2. Roll and Cut the Donuts:**

* Lightly flour your work surface.
* Roll the dough out to about ½ inch thickness.
* Use a donut cutter or cookie cutters to cut out donut shapes.
* If you don’t have a donut cutter, use a large cookie cutter or a drinking glass for the outer circle and a smaller circular cutter (or even the lid of a spice jar) for the center hole.
* Re-roll any dough scraps and cut out more donuts until you’ve used all the dough.

**3. Air Fry the Donuts:**

* Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
* Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper (optional, but recommended to prevent sticking).
* Carefully place the donuts in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to allow for even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the basket; you may need to cook the donuts in batches.
* Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and cooked through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.
* Flip the donuts halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.

**4. Cool and Decorate:**

* Carefully remove the donuts from the air fryer and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
* Once the donuts are cool, you can decorate them with your favorite toppings. See below for glaze and topping ideas!

**5. Enjoy!**

* Serve immediately and enjoy your guilt-free air fryer donuts!

## Glaze and Topping Ideas

Now for the fun part – decorating! Here are some delicious glaze and topping ideas to get you started:

* **Classic Glaze:** Combine 1 cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk (or water) until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts in the glaze and sprinkle with sprinkles.
* **Chocolate Glaze:** Melt ½ cup chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts in the chocolate glaze and sprinkle with chocolate shavings or chopped nuts.
* **Cinnamon Sugar:** Combine ¼ cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Brush the warm donuts with melted butter (or coconut oil) and then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
* **Maple Glaze:** Combine ½ cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts in the maple glaze and sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans.
* **Peanut Butter Glaze:** Combine ½ cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and 2-3 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts in the peanut butter glaze and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
* **Lemon Glaze:** Combine ½ cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts in the lemon glaze and sprinkle with lemon zest.
* **Other Topping Ideas:** Sprinkles, chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, coconut flakes, crushed Oreos, mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, icing, whipped cream, fresh fruit.

## Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts

* **Don’t over-knead the dough:** Over-kneading can result in tough donuts. Knead just until the dough comes together into a smooth ball.
* **Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket:** Overcrowding can prevent the donuts from cooking evenly. Cook them in batches if necessary.
* **Adjust cooking time as needed:** The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer. Keep an eye on the donuts and adjust the cooking time as needed.
* **Let the donuts cool completely before glazing:** Glazing warm donuts can cause the glaze to melt and run off.
* **Store leftover donuts in an airtight container:** Leftover donuts can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They are best enjoyed fresh.
* **Experiment with flavors:** Try adding extracts (vanilla, almond, lemon) or spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) to the dough for added flavor.
* **Use different types of yogurt:** While plain Greek yogurt is the most common choice, you can experiment with other types of yogurt, such as flavored Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt, to add different flavors to the donuts.
* **Make donut holes:** Instead of cutting out full-sized donuts, use a smaller cutter to make donut holes. These will cook even faster in the air fryer.
* **Add protein powder:** For a protein boost, try adding a scoop of protein powder to the dough. This will make the donuts even more filling and satisfying.

## Troubleshooting

* **Dough is too sticky:** Add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is easier to handle.
* **Dough is too dry:** Add more Greek yogurt, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
* **Donuts are not cooking evenly:** Make sure the donuts are spaced evenly in the air fryer basket. Flip them halfway through cooking.
* **Donuts are burning:** Lower the temperature of the air fryer and reduce the cooking time.
* **Donuts are not rising:** Make sure you are using self-rising flour or a proper substitute (all-purpose flour + baking powder + salt). Check the expiration date of your baking powder.

## Variations

* **Chocolate Donuts:** Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dough.
* **Cinnamon Roll Donuts:** Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the rolled-out dough before cutting out the donut shapes.
* **Apple Cinnamon Donuts:** Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ¼ cup of finely diced apples to the dough.
* **Pumpkin Spice Donuts:** Add ¼ cup of pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the dough.

## Nutritional Information (per donut, without glaze)

* Calories: Approximately 80-100
* Protein: 4-5 grams
* Carbohydrates: 15-18 grams
* Fat: 1-2 grams

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Final Thoughts

These two-ingredient dough air fryer donuts are a lifesaver for anyone craving a quick, easy, and healthier treat. They’re incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize them with your favorite flavors and toppings. So, ditch the guilt and get ready to enjoy a batch of delicious homemade donuts in minutes! Happy air frying!