The EASIEST 2 Ingredient Donuts in the Air Fryer!
If you didn’t already know, making Air Fried Desserts is a super fun way to enjoy your air fryer! This particular air fryer donut recipe is amazing because it is so simple and easy. It takes a lot less time than my favorite air fryer donuts (this longer version is more light and fluffy, like Krispy Kreme donuts).
These two ingredient donuts are also very frugal and can be whipped up and ready to enjoy in less than 15 minutes! Another plus is that you can adapt or customize the recipe in lots of ways and use the 2-ingredient dough for a lot of different recipes.
2 Ingredient Dough!
Crazy, right?! Only two ingredients are needed for this dough – self-rising flour and yogurt. I like to use Greek yogurt because it usually has more protein and less sugar. Greek yogurt is thicker than regular yogurt, so it will affect the texture of the dough and the amount of flour needed if you use a different yogurt. But any type of plain or vanilla yogurt should work with some adjustments to the ratio!
The dough will be “shaggy” at first, but after you knead it together a bit it will become sticky, but not too sticky to manage. If it is way too sticky, add just a little more flour. If it is not sticky enough, add a little more yogurt.
Self-Rising Flour Substitute
If you can’t find self-rising flour or don’t want to use it, no problem. Try this substitution…
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
(FYI: A gluten-free flour should work in place of the all-purpose flour, but I haven’t tried it myself.)
Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer. In my Philips XXL air fryer, 7 minutes at 350°F was just right. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can totally fry these donuts traditional style in hot oil. Might want to do donut holes or mini donuts and make sure your dough is sticky with that method though!
I’m not gonna lie, the glaze or topping is really what makes these donuts delicious. My favorite classic donut glaze is in this air fryer donut recipe and in this donut muffins recipe. Use 1/4 of the glaze recipe for 4 donuts, so this is what it will look like…
Classic Donut Glaze for 4 Donuts
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 tablespoon hot water
Whisk together. Add a little more water, if needed, to reach your desired consistency. After the donuts have cooled for a few minutes, dip each donut into the glaze. Then let the excess glaze drip off. If you have extra glaze, you can drizzle it over each donut after the first layer of glaze has set.
I like to use clear vanilla in a glaze recipe because the glaze looks nice with more of the white color, but either way it will taste yummy!
What topping would you try on air fryer donuts?
Classic glaze, melted butter and coating with cinnamon/sugar, chocolate glaze, maple and bacon? Whichever you choose, ENJOY!
If you love EASY recipes with just a few ingredients, try my favorite no-boil, EASY 3-ingredient instant pot yogurt!
The EASIEST 2 Ingredient Donuts in the Air Fryer!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup self-rising flour see notes for substitution
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt plain or vanilla
Instructions
- Mix the self-rising flour and yogurt together until shaggy, then knead in the bowl until dough is well combined and slightly sticky. The dough will be sticky, but should still be able to form into a ball and not stick to your hands too much.
- Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into long ropes (about 9 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.)
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the donuts in the air fryer, with space between them. Spray donuts lightly with cooking spray. Cook in air fryer for 7 mins at 350˚F/177˚C, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
- Let cool a few minute, then top with melted butter and cinnamon/sugar, or glaze, or other favorite donut topping (see notes for my favorite donut glaze).
Recipe Notes
Self rising flour substitute: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt
Nutrition
Recipe Adapted From: Eating Well
When using gluten free flour I have found that it doesn’t quite have the gluey texture to roll so I pat the dough into cakes and then use a small hole cutter. It works a treat
Very nice hack! Thanks Janette!
You would have to addxanthan gum. I will attempt these next as my daughter is GF
Hi Cathy,
To “cook” the donuts , is it best to use “air fry” or “bake” button, or does it matter? Thank you!
Hi Mary, these were made using an air fryer. I would choose air fryer if you have both options. I hope this helps. Enjoy!
I am using my air fryer to make the donuts. But often, writers of AF recipes say “cook.” My AF has buttons for Bake, Roast, and Air Fry (plus reheat). Sometimes, depending on what I am making, I don’t know which button to use when instructions say “cook.” As you can see, I am new to air frying, though I’ve made a good number of from-scratch meals which came out very nicely.
Thank you both for your response and for clarification.
I made these last Saturday, guessing “Air Fryer” since the donuts have to be turned over. They turned out well! I divided the glaze, and made one half maple, the other half orange by subbing melted frozen OJ concentrate for the liquids required. My husband, son, daughter-in-law and I all enjoyed them warm with espresso. Great way to enjoy a Saturday morning! Thank you for all your recipes!
Mary, those sound delicious. Warm donuts plus espresso and loved ones is a fantastic way to enjoy a Saturday morning. You are welcome! Thank YOU for following us!
I was so excited to make these but they tasted nothing like donuts but more like fresh bread. I was so disappointed but after reading the other reviews I might have set it on the wrong setting as I chose bake. Maybe I will try them again.
Hi Kim! I think the trick is to use vanilla Greek yogurt; I used plain Greek yogurt and yup! They were more like bagels than donuts. Next time I’m using the vanilla yogurt and adding a bit of sugar. Side note, I ate mine with whipped cream and chocolate sauce, and they were absolutely delicious!
Hi, how long do they last and can you freeze mixture ?
Hi Julie, great question! The donuts are good for 3-5 days. I haven’t tried freezing the mixture, so I’m not sure how it will affect cooking it later- but google says you can freeze greek yogurt and flour for up to 2 months. So maybe it is worth trying out?
I want to use my donut cutter. How thick should I roll my dough?
Mine didn’t rise and were very stodgy. They looked like a bumpy mess. Flavor was decent. Tasted like a donut and a bagel had a baby.