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- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground ginger - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ¼ teaspoon ground cloves - ½ teaspoon salt - ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed - 1 large egg - ½ cup molasses - ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk with vinegar) - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Glazing ingredients When I cook, I always pick the best ingredients. Fresh spices make a huge difference. Buy whole spices and grind them at home for the best flavor. Look for molasses that is rich and dark. This adds depth to your donuts. Choose high-quality brown sugar, as it gives a nice caramel taste. For the flour, all-purpose works great, but ensure it is fresh and not stale. If you need a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free donuts, swap buttermilk with almond milk mixed with vinegar. If you can’t use egg, try a flax egg. Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with two and a half tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. You can also replace molasses with maple syrup for a lighter taste. First, set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Let it preheat for about 5 minutes. This helps cook the donuts evenly. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Combine 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Whisk these well to blend them. In another bowl, beat together ⅓ cup of packed brown sugar with 1 large egg. Use an electric mixer or whisk until it's light and fluffy. Now, add in ½ cup of molasses, ¼ cup of buttermilk, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until everything is smooth. Next, pour the dry mix into the wet ingredients. Fold them together gently. Be careful not to overmix. This keeps the donuts soft and fluffy. Grab your donut pan and lightly grease it with non-stick spray. This step helps the donuts come out easily after cooking. Fill each cavity about ¾ full with the batter. Now, place the filled donut pan in the preheated air fryer. Cook the donuts for 7 to 9 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick. It should come out clean when the donuts are ready. Once cooked, take the donut pan out of the air fryer. Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they are still warm, dip the tops into a glaze made from 1 cup of powdered sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons of milk. Let them rest on the rack to allow the glaze to set. To get soft and fluffy donuts, use fresh ingredients. Fresh flour and spices make a big difference. When mixing, only stir until just combined. This keeps the donuts light. Overmixing can lead to tough donuts. Keep the batter chunky, and don’t worry about small lumps. Mixing should be gentle. After you add the dry ingredients to the wet ones, use a spatula. Fold the mixture slowly. Stop as soon as you see no dry flour. If you see lumps, that’s okay. It’s better to have a few lumps than tough donuts. For a smooth glaze, mix powdered sugar with milk until creamy. Dip the tops of the donuts while they are still warm. This helps the glaze stick better. Let excess glaze drip off before placing them on a rack. This way, the glaze sets nicely. Make your donuts look special for the holidays. Use a colorful platter to display them. Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top for extra flair. You can also add gingerbread cookies or candy canes around the donuts. This creates a fun and festive vibe for your guests. {{image_4}} You can easily change the flavor of your donuts. For pumpkin spice donuts, swap some flour for pumpkin puree and add pumpkin pie spice. This gives a warm, cozy taste. You can also add chopped nuts for crunch. If you prefer chocolate, mix in cocoa powder. Use ¼ cup of cocoa powder instead of ¼ cup of flour. These choices keep each bite exciting and festive. While the classic glaze is sweet and simple, you can try different flavors. For a maple glaze, mix powdered sugar with maple syrup instead of milk. This gives a rich, sweet taste. You can also make a chocolate glaze by melting chocolate chips with a bit of butter. Dip the warm donuts in the glaze for a delightful finish. Get creative with your toppings to make your donuts stand out! If you're looking for gluten-free donuts, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Make sure the blend has a good mix of starches and proteins for the best texture. Also, check that your baking powder is gluten-free. This way, everyone can enjoy these tasty treats during the holidays. Just follow the same steps, and you’ll have delicious gluten-free donuts to share! To store your leftover donuts, place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh for up to three days. You can also use plastic wrap if you don’t have a container. Make sure they cool completely before sealing them up. This prevents moisture from making them soggy. When you're ready to enjoy your donuts again, the best method is to use the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and heat the donuts for about two to three minutes. This method helps them regain their soft texture. You can also use a microwave, but only heat them for about 10-15 seconds. This keeps them warm without drying them out. If you want to save some donuts for later, freezing is a great option. First, let them cool completely. Then, wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap. After that, place the wrapped donuts in a freezer bag. They can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you want one, just take it out and reheat it in the air fryer. Enjoy fresh gingerbread flavor anytime! Air fryer gingerbread donuts last about 2 to 3 days at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge for about a week. Just remember, the colder air can make them a bit dry. Yes, you can make the donut batter ahead of time. Mix the wet and dry ingredients and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you're ready, just follow the steps to bake your donuts. This saves time on busy mornings. You can get creative with toppings! Try chocolate glaze, sprinkles, or crushed nuts. You can also add a dusting of powdered sugar for a simple touch. For a fun twist, drizzle some caramel or maple syrup on top. Yes, air fryer donuts are usually healthier. They use less oil, so they have fewer calories and fat. You still get that lovely, crispy texture without deep frying. Plus, you can control the ingredients for a fresher treat. In this blog post, we explored the ingredients and steps for making air fryer gingerbread donuts. We covered tips for choosing quality ingredients, avoiding common mistakes, and ways to make variations. Remember, these donuts are easy to make and fun to customize. Whether you keep them simple or get creative, enjoy your tasty treats today. Happy baking!

Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts

Indulge in the festive season with these delicious Air Fryer Spiced Gingerbread Donuts! Perfectly spiced and glazed, these donuts are quick to make and a delightful treat for any holiday gathering. Discover simple steps to create these warm, fluffy delights in just 30 minutes. Ready to satisfy your sweet tooth? Click through to explore the full recipe and bring this scrumptious holiday treat to your kitchen!
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Ingredients
  

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

½ teaspoon salt

⅓ cup brown sugar, packed

1 large egg

½ cup molasses

¼ cup buttermilk (or substitute with milk mixed with a dash of vinegar)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For glazing: 1 cup powdered sugar combined with 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions
 

Preheat the Air Fryer: Begin by setting your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

    Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well blended and set them aside for later use.

      Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together the brown sugar and large egg using an electric mixer or a whisk until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the molasses, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to this bowl, whisking until everything is smooth and well combined.

        Combine Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough.

          Prepare the Donut Pan: Lightly grease a donut pan with non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Using a spoon, fill each cavity in the pan with the batter, filling them about ¾ full to allow for rising.

            Air Fry the Donuts: Carefully place the filled donut pan into the preheated air fryer basket. Cook the donuts for 7 to 9 minutes, making sure to check for doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean when the donuts are ready.

              Cool the Donuts: Once cooked, remove the donut pan from the air fryer and allow the donuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

                Glaze the Donuts: While the donuts are still slightly warm, dip the tops into the glaze made of powdered sugar and milk until they are nicely coated. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to let the icing set.

                  Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 12 donuts

                    - Presentation Tips: Arrange the donuts on a festive platter, adding a sprinkle of cinnamon on top for extra flair. Enhance the holiday atmosphere by placing a few gingerbread cookies or candy canes around the platter for a charming touch!