Easy Air Fryer Gluten-Free Donuts You’ll Love!

Ever bite into a donut and instantly wish—oops, I promised you no dashes—okay, instantly wish the whole batch was gluten free and made with your air fryer sitting right there on the counter? Yeah, same. Getting air fryer gluten-free donuts that’s soft on the inside, golden outside, and actually safe for sensitive tummies can be such a hassle. Believe me, I’ve tried every trick. If you already burned out making chewy bagels (looking at you, gluten-free dairy-free bagel) or panicking about which flour actually works—I totally get it. Put down the grocery store disappointment. I’ve got you. By the way, if you want to dive deep into picking the right gluten-free flours and milks, check out this super handy flour and milk guide. Ready to twist up your weekend brunch?

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Why this recipe is the best!

Alright, I’m gonna spill it. This recipe? It’s wildly simple, doesn’t require a mile-long ingredient list, and you don’t need anything fancy. Just use what’s in your kitchen. No joke, these air fryer gluten-free donuts taste like something a five-star bakery would charge you $6 for—except you made them while wearing pajamas.

I spent what felt like years messing up yeast, over-baking, under-baking. But with an air fryer, you get that even heat that works magic on gluten-free stuff. The donuts puff up, the outside gets that authentic, “yup, I’m a donut” vibe, while inside stays light. Plus, you dodge the whole deep-frying mess. That oil splatter life? Not for me, not on a weekend.

If you love classic treats, you’ll be blown away. Oh, and you can customize them! Dip in cinnamon sugar, drizzle chocolate, or eat ‘em straight up. Look, make a couple, make a dozen—no one’s judging. These are just that good.

“Hands down, the fluffiest donut I’ve made at home. My kids could not believe there was no wheat. I may never buy a boxed gluten-free mix again!”

Pro Tips

Testing out air fryer gluten-free donuts over the years, a few sneaky tricks make a world of difference. First, never skip sifting the flour—little clumps ruin the whole vibe. Let your dough chill a bit before shaping; trust me, sticky hands are the enemy. If you’re using a donut pan in your air fryer, lightly oil it so nothing sticks—not even a crumb.

Another thing, do a tiny “test bake” with just one donut before you cook the whole batch. Air fryers all run a bit different and you don’t want to learn the hard way. Sometimes, a minute less or more is all it takes. Oh, and if you want a hack for pillowy centers? Cover the warm donuts with a clean kitchen towel right after cooking. They stay steamy and lovely. Sometimes it feels like magic—don’t ask why, just do it.

Wanna see more about oven temps or gluten free baking tips? Swing by this page dedicated to troubleshooting gluten free bread. It’ll save you so much heartache (I learned that the hard way, trust me).

Which Flour Do You Use?

Alright, flour. The make-or-break move. For my air fryer gluten-free donuts, I stick with a good all-purpose gluten-free blend. Notice, I said good—some are straight-up sand. Make sure your blend includes xanthan gum or guar gum. If it doesn’t, toss in half a teaspoon yourself.

The type of flour does matter. If you’re almond flour, the donuts come out dense—almost heavy. Oat flour? That works, but a bit more crumbly. I like using a mix with rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca. Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 or King Arthur’s gluten free work excellent for me. The smoother the flour feels, the prettier the donuts.

You can definitely experiment (that’s part of the fun). If you’re still hunting for your favorite flour, jump over to the best store-bought gluten free bread list. Tons of options and reviews—super handy for the indecisive.

Tips for the Best Homemade Donuts

Making homemade air fryer gluten-free donuts that taste (and look) great isn’t tough. Just a few easy pointers:

• Don’t overmix. Treat the dough gentle, like it’s a scared kitten.
• Letting the shaped donuts rest 5–10 minutes before air frying gives better rise.
• Spritz donuts with a little oil before air frying (only a little).
• Eat them warm. Honestly, that’s when they are world-class. Cold donuts? Meh.

How to Store Donuts

So, you made a batch and—shocker—didn’t eat them all in one sitting? That’s discipline. Store leftover air fryer gluten-free donuts in an airtight container. Room temp is fine for up to two days. Any longer and they start tasting weird. If you wanna save some for later in the week, freeze them after cooling. Reheat in the air fryer for a minute or two and they taste just baked. Don’t refrigerate—makes them weirdly tough. Learned that from a sad attempt at “saving for breakfast.” Go freezer or go fresh, that’s my motto.

If you’re curious about keeping other gluten-free baked goods fresh, I wrote about storing gluten-free bread. Same tricks mostly apply.

Wrapping it up with sweet confidence

Ready to conquer breakfast like a gluten-free pro? These air fryer gluten-free donuts are honestly a game changer. You don’t need bakery skills, just a little curiosity and a craving for something sweet. I seriously hope you dive in and, hey, go a little wild with toppings. For even more inspiration, check out The Ultimate Gluten Free Air Fryer Donuts (so many drool-worthy ideas), especially if you want to take these to next-level fabulousness. And if cinnamon rolls are your jam, you have to peek at these gluten-free dairy-free cinnamon rolls for another easy, crowd-pleasing morning treat. Next time you’re scoping out kitchen fun, just remember: you’ve totally got this.