The Definitive Guide to Baking Christmas Doughnuts in an Air Fryer
By Deshawn from Duronic
For years, the thought of homemade doughnuts was synonymous with thermometers, litres of splattering oil, and that lingering fried smell for days. It is a commitment that many of us, especially during the hectic festive season, simply do not have the energy for. The promise of air fryers has been a game-changer for crispy potatoes and chicken wings, but baking? Proper, from-scratch baking? That has always felt like a step too far.
I am here to debunk that myth entirely. Using the Duronic AF34 10L Digital Air Fryer, I embarked on a mission to create the perfect Christmas doughnut: light, airy, infused with festive spice, and finished with a beautiful glaze. This is not a hack. It is a legitimate, and in many ways superior, method of baking. Let's dive in.
Why the Duronic AF34 is a Game-Changer for Bakers
Before we get to the flour, we need to talk about the machinery. Not all air fryers are created equal, and for a precise task like doughnut baking, the features of the Duronic AF34 large air fryer are not just luxuries; they are necessities.
Precision is Everything: The 10 Presets
The 'Bake' function on this machine is a genuine baking tool. Unlike models with a single temperature dial, the Duronic’s digital presets take the guesswork out of the equation. You are not approximating; you are selecting a function engineered for consistent, even heat circulation. This is critical for doughnuts, which need a steady, enveloping heat to rise properly without drying out.
The Watchful Eye: Viewing Windows & Internal Lights
This is the feature that sold me. Baking is a visual art. With the Duronic AF34 dual air fryer viewing windows and internal lights, I can monitor the rise and colour of my doughnuts in real time. No more swinging the drawer open to peek and losing precious heat, causing erratic cooking. I watched my doughnuts puff into golden-brown perfection without a single interruption. The peace of mind this provides is immense.
Sync & Save: For the Ultimate Festive Spread
Christmas is about multi-tasking. While my doughnuts were baking in one 5L drawer, I used the Sync Cook function to perfectly roast some spiced nuts for nibbles in the other. Imagine needing two different items ready at the same time? The Sync Finish function is a stroke of genius. It automatically delays the start of the shorter program so both drawers finish together. This means your freshly glazed doughnuts can be served immediately alongside other warm treats. It transforms the appliance from a single-tasker into the command centre of your festive kitchen.
The Recipe: Spiced Christmas Air Fryer Doughnuts
This recipe is designed specifically for the air fryer’s rapid air technology. The result is a doughnut that is beautifully soft inside with a delightfully tender, cake-like crumb.
Ingredients:
225g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground ginger
85g caster sugar
60ml vegetable oil
1 large egg
180ml buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
150g icing sugar
2-3 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
Festive sprinkles, for decorating
Method:
Prepare the Duronic AF34: Start by inserting the large 10L drawer. This gives you the perfect surface area to cook multiple doughnuts in one batch. Select the BAKE function on the dual air fryer and set the temperature to 180°C. The preheat function is excellent, but for this recipe, we will let it come to temperature as we make the batter, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. This ensures the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed, which is crucial for an even rise.
Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate jug or bowl, whisk the caster sugar, oil, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-combined.
Bring it Together: Create a well in the centre of your dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Using a spatula, gently fold everything together until just combined. Do not overmix. A few lumps in the batter are absolutely fine; overmixing will lead to tough doughnuts.
Pipe and Bake: Spoon your batter into a piping bag (or a sturdy food bag with the corner snipped off). Lightly grease the large air fryer basket liner, or for absolute precision, use silicone doughnut moulds that fit neatly inside the large drawer. Pipe the batter into the moulds, filling each one about two-thirds full. The viewing window is your best friend here – you can check they are not overflowing before you start cooking.
Into the Fryer: Carefully place the moulds into the preheated Duronic digital air fryer drawer. Set the timer for 6-8 minutes. Thanks to the internal light, you can watch them magically rise and become golden. They are ready when a skewer inserted into the thickest part comes out clean.
Cool and Glaze: Remove the doughnuts from the moulds and place them on a wire rack to cool completely. While they cool, whisk the icing sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth, pourable glaze. Once the doughnuts are cool, dip the tops into the glaze, add your festive sprinkles, and let the glaze set.
Troubleshooting: Your Questions, Answered
Even with a machine as capable as the Duronic AF34 double basket air fryer, baking can have its quirks.
"My doughnuts are dense, not fluffy." This is almost always due to overmixing the batter. Fold gently and accept a few lumps.
"The tops are pale." The rapid air circulation cooks from all angles, so a pale top is normal. If you prefer more colour, you can use the 'Grill' function for the final 60 seconds, but watch closely through that viewing window!
"They are cooking unevenly." Ensure you are not overcrowding the drawer. The Duronic’s 10L large drawer is spacious, but air still needs to circulate. Leave a little space between moulds.
Beyond Doughnuts: Your Duronic AF34 as the Ultimate Christmas Companion
The beauty of this machine is its staggering versatility. While your doughnuts are cooling, let us talk about how the Duronic AF34 BK dual zone air fryer can handle the rest of your festive feast.
The Christmas Dinner Saviour: That 10L large drawer is not just for doughnuts. It can handle a staggering amount of roast potatoes, achieving a crisp exterior and fluffy interior that rivals any oven. Use the ROAST function for chicken thighs or a small joint of beef. The SYNC COOK function means you can have your pigs in blankets (in one 5L drawer) and your stuffing balls (in the other) ready simultaneously.
Effortless Entertaining: The DEHYDRATE function is perfect for making orange slices for decorations or mulled wine. The REHEAT function is a genuine lifesaver on Boxing Day, reviving leftovers without making them soggy.
The Clean-Up: After the festive chaos, the last thing you want is a mountain of washing up. The non-stick, dishwasher-safe baskets and drawers of the Duronic AF34 BK twin air fryer make clean-up an absolute breeze. It is the gift that keeps on giving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the Sync Finish feature work on a dual air fryer?
The Sync Finish feature is designed for ultimate convenience. If you are cooking two different items in the dual 5L drawers that require different times—for example, doughnuts that take 8 minutes and roasted nuts that take 12—you simply activate Sync Finish. The dual basket air fryer will intelligently delay the start of the shorter programme so that both dishes finish cooking at the exact same moment, ensuring everything is served hot and fresh.
Can I really bake doughnuts in airfryer?
Absolutely. The dedicated 'Bake' preset, combined with precise digital temperature control and even heat circulation, makes it an excellent tool for baking. From cakes and muffins to the Christmas doughnuts in this blog, the Duronic AF34 large air fryer provides a consistent, reliable heat source that rivals a conventional oven, often preheating faster and cooking more efficiently.
Is an air fryer easy to clean after cooking something like a sticky glaze?
Yes, it is remarkably straightforward. The baskets and drawers are coated with a high-quality non-stick material. For stubborn, sticky residues, the components are completely removable and dishwasher safe, making clean-up effortless. Using silicone liners or moulds, as suggested for the doughnuts, can make the process even easier.
What is the actual capacity of the large drawer, and what can I cook in it?
The large interchangeable drawer offers a generous 10-litre capacity. This is substantial enough to cook a full family-sized portion of roast potatoes, a whole chicken, a large fish fillet, or a batch of food for entertaining. It is perfect for anyone who needs the flexibility to cook larger items without needing to use the dual drawers.
How does the viewing window with an internal light help with cooking?
The viewing window and integrated light allow you to monitor your food's progress without ever opening the drawer. This prevents heat loss, which can disrupt cooking times and lead to inconsistent results. You can visually check the browning, rising, and overall doneness of your food in real time, giving you perfect control over the final outcome.
Is a dual air fryer suitable for a single person or a small household?
Despite its large capacity, it is ideal for singles or couples. The flexibility is key. You can use just one 5L drawer for a single serving of salmon and vegetables, ensuring no wasted energy. The ability to cook two separate dishes in the dual zone drawers also means you can easily prepare a complete meal for two with different components, making it incredibly versatile for households of all sizes.
Conclusion
So, is it possible to bake Christmas doughnuts in an air fryer? With the Duronic AF34, the question is not just answered; it is celebrated. This machine provides the precision, control, and flexibility that serious home bakers and busy festive hosts require. It demystifies a traditionally messy process, delivering professional results with astonishing simplicity. This Christmas, ditch the oil and embrace the air. Your taste buds, and your kitchen, will thank you for it.
