The first time I made these heart-shaped air fryer donuts I was surprised by how easy they were and how impressed everyone looked when I took them out warm and glossy with colorful icing.
They taste like tender cake donuts with a light crumb and a thin crisp edge from the air fryer.
If you want a quick, festive treat for a weekend breakfast, classroom party, or an edible gift, this recipe is a tiny show-stopper that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: batter to finished donuts in about 20–30 minutes.
- Minimal equipment: just bowls, a piping bag (or zip-top bag), and an air fryer.
- Kid-friendly: kids can pipe and decorate their own hearts.
- Healthier-feeling: air frying uses far less oil than deep-frying but still gives a golden exterior.
These donuts have a tender, cake-like interior with a faint chew from the egg and a soft crumb from the flour and milk. The 5–7 minutes in the air fryer develops a light crust that contrasts nicely with glossy icing and sprinkles. They hold their heart shape well and the simple vanilla flavor makes them a perfect canvas for colorful toppings.
“Five stars! My kids declared these the best Valentine’s donuts ever — quick, simple, and the hearts actually stayed intact. Will make again.” — Jamie R., reader
Key Ingredients
All-purpose flour
All-purpose flour is your structure builder. It provides the protein and starch that trap air and set the cake-like crumb. For consistently tender results, use a spoon-and-level measure rather than scooping directly from the bag; King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill work well.
Milk
Milk adds moisture and flavor while helping the batter come together smoothly. Whole milk gives the richest crumb, but 2% works fine if that’s what you have on hand. If using plant milk, choose one with a neutral flavor and similar thickness (oat or soy are good).
Egg
A single large egg contributes lift, structure, and tenderness. The egg proteins set in the heat and support the tiny air bubbles created by the baking powder and baking soda. Let the egg come to room temperature for even mixing and better rise.
Baking powder + Baking soda
This small double-leavening combo guarantees lightness and helps color the exterior in the brief air-fry time. Baking powder gives the main lift while the small amount of baking soda reacts with any acid in the mix (like some milk) to create additional lift and browning. Make sure your leaveners are fresh for best results.
Full ingredients list:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- Cooking spray or oil for the air fryer
- Colorful icing
- Sprinkles
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
This ensures every bite has uniform sweetness and lift without pockets of one ingredient.
Pro Tip: Sift or whisk the dry mix well; if your baking powder is older than six months, swap it before baking.
Step 2: Whisk the wet ingredients
In another bowl, whisk the milk, egg, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.
A little froth helps incorporate air into the batter and gives a lighter texture.
Pro Tip: Allow the egg to sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes for quicker emulsification with the milk.
Step 3: Fold wet into dry
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and fold with a spatula until just combined; don’t overmix.
You want a batter that is smooth but a little thick — overmixing will create a dense donut.
Pro Tip: The batter should hold its shape briefly when piped; it should not be runny. If it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time.
Step 4: Preheat and prepare the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray or brush oil on the basket or silicone mold if using one.
Proper preheating ensures an even rise and consistent browning.
Pro Tip: If your air fryer has a small basket, work in batches to avoid overcrowding which reduces crisping.
Step 5: Pipe heart shapes
Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a large zip-top bag with the corner snipped. Pipe heart shapes into the oiled basket or a heart-shaped silicone mold.
Pipe slightly larger than your desired finished size; they will shrink a touch while cooking.
Pro Tip: For uniform hearts, practice on a sheet of parchment first. Use a pancake-style squeeze and a quick pull to finish each heart.
Step 6: Air fry until golden
Air fry the hearts for about 5–7 minutes until golden brown and springy to the touch. Flip once if your basket cooks unevenly.
They should spring back slightly when gently pressed and have a light golden edge.
Pro Tip: Start checking at 4:30 minutes the first time you cook to avoid over-browning; every fryer heats a bit differently.
Step 7: Cool briefly
Remove the donuts and let them cool on a rack for several minutes so the interior firms and the surface stops steaming.
Cooling prevents the glaze from sliding off and gives a nicer texture.
Pro Tip: Cool only until warm — they’re best iced while still slightly warm for a thin glaze that sets nicely.
Step 8: Ice and decorate
Once cooled, dip or pipe colorful icing and add sprinkles to finish. Use a thin layer first, then thicker accents if desired.
Decorating is where these donuts become delightful, so let your creativity guide the colors and textures.
Pro Tip: For glossy icing, warm a little corn syrup into the glaze. For piping, thicken with a spoonful of powdered sugar.
Expert Tips for Success
- Check your leaveners: Baking powder and baking soda lose strength over time. Test baking powder by dropping a teaspoon into hot water — it should fizz immediately. Old leaveners = flat donuts.
- Measure flour correctly: Spoon flour into your cup and level it off. Too much flour makes a dry, heavy donut. Use a kitchen scale (1 cup ≈ 120 g) for precision.
- Batter consistency matters: The batter should be thick but pipeable. If it holds a peak when lifted with a spatula it’s too stiff; if it spreads like pancake batter it’s too thin. Adjust with tiny amounts of milk.
- Room-temperature ingredients: Let the egg and milk warm slightly. Warm ingredients mix more smoothly and trap air better for a lighter crumb.
- Use the right oil spray: Use a high-smoke-point oil spray (avocado or canola) or lightly brush neutral oil. Nonstick sprays with added lecithin can build up over time; wipe basket occasionally.
- Avoid overcrowding: Cook in a single layer with space between hearts. Overcrowding reduces hot-air circulation and yields pale, soggy edges. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Watch cooking time closely: Air fryers vary. Start checking at 4½ minutes. Look for golden edges and a springy center when pressed gently.
- Use silicone molds for uniform shapes: If your piping is inconsistent, a heart-shaped silicone mold gives identical results and is easy to pop donuts out of after cooking.
- Keep decorations simple for kids: Set up bowls of icing and sprinkles and let kids create. For speed, dip half the donut and then pipe a contrasting drizzle.
- Re-crisp after storing: If donuts soften after sitting, reheat in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 2–3 minutes to refresh the exterior without drying the inside.
Storage & Freezing
Fridge:
Store iced donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Separate layers with parchment to prevent decorations from sticking. Keep them slightly chilled; they taste fresher than room-temp after a day or two.
Counter (short term):
If un-iced, keep donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
Iced donuts can become soggy at room temp after several hours, so refrigerate if not eaten quickly.
Freezer:
Freeze un-iced donuts in a single layer on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 2 months.
Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap to protect glazing during storage.
Thawing & reheating:
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for 30–60 minutes at room temperature. Warm un-iced donuts in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 2–3 minutes to refresh.
Avoid reheating iced donuts in the air fryer; instead thaw and allow icing to come to room temp or gently re-ice after warming.
Variations & Substitutions
Chocolate-glazed hearts:
Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dry mix for chocolate cake donuts, and ice with a simple chocolate ganache. You may need to add 1–2 teaspoons more milk for balance.
Biscuit shortcut version:
For a super-quick method, use soft biscuit dough rolled and piped into hearts. The texture will be different — flakier and less cake-like — but still delicious and faster.
Dairy-free swap:
Replace milk with unsweetened oat or almond milk and use a flax "egg" (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water) for an egg-free variation. Expect a slightly denser crumb.
Flavor add-ins:
Fold in a tablespoon of lemon zest or 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon for a flavor lift. You can also add mini chocolate chips (fold in gently) but be careful with extra moisture and cooking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use biscuit dough instead of making the batter?
A: Yes. Biscuit dough works as a shortcut and gives a flakier, more layered donut. Press or pipe the biscuit dough into heart shapes and reduce cooking time slightly, checking for a golden exterior.
Q: My donuts are raw in the center but browned on top. What went wrong?
A: That indicates your air fryer is too hot or the basket is overcrowded. Lower temperature by 10–15°F and cook a bit longer, or cook in smaller batches so hot air circulates evenly.
Q: How do I prevent the icing from sliding off warm donuts?
A: Let them cool until just warm, not hot, before icing. A thin glaze will set better on slightly warm donuts. For thick decorations, wait until fully cooled or they may melt.
Q: Can I make these in a conventional oven?
A: Yes. Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 350°F (175°C) for about 10–12 minutes, checking for a springy center and golden edges. Times vary with oven and thickness.
Q: How can I make them vegan?
A: Use a flax or chia egg (1 tbsp ground seed + 3 tbsp water), plant milk, and a vegan icing. Expect a slightly different texture, often denser and fudgier.
Final Thoughts
These air fryer heart-shaped donuts are my go-to quick dessert for celebrations and weekday smiles.
They’re easy to customize, fast to make, and always look festive when decorated.
Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and pin this to Pinterest to save it for later.
For more inspiration and similar air-fryer ideas try this Air Fryer Heart Shaped Donuts – Recipes From A Pantry, or this Air Fryer Biscuit Donut Recipe (Heart Shaped) • The Fresh Cooky, and for a Valentine’s-specific twist see Air Fryer Valentine’s Day Donuts | EmilyFabulous.
Heart-Shaped Air Fryer Donuts
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour Use a spoon-and-level measure for best results.
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Check freshness for best results.
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda Check freshness for best results.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk Whole or 2% milk recommended.
- 1 large egg Let reach room temperature.
Other
- Cooking spray or oil for the air fryer Use a high-smoke-point oil.
- Colorful icing For decoration.
- Sprinkles For decoration.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
- In another bowl, whisk the milk, egg, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and fold with a spatula until just combined; do not overmix.
Air Frying
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray or brush oil on the basket or silicone mold.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a large zip-top bag with the corner snipped. Pipe heart shapes into the oiled basket or a heart-shaped silicone mold.
- Air fry for about 5–7 minutes until golden brown. Flip once if necessary.
- Remove the donuts and let them cool on a rack for several minutes.
- Once cooled, dip or pipe colorful icing and add sprinkles to decorate.
