Jelly donuts, also known as jam donuts or Berliner, are a delightful treat loved by people of all ages. These soft and fluffy pastries, with a sweet and gooey jelly filling, are a favorite at bakeries and coffee shops. While traditionally fried, you can now make delicious jelly donuts in an air fryer with much less oil and mess. In this article, we will guide you through a simple and easy recipe to make jelly donuts in an air fryer that will surely satisfy your cravings.
Gathering the Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients to make these scrumptious jelly donuts. You will need:
– 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
– ¼ cup of granulated sugar
– 2 ¼ teaspoons of instant yeast
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– ½ cup of warm milk
– 2 large eggs
– 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
– Vegetable oil for greasing
– Your preferred jelly or jam for filling
– Powdered sugar for dusting
Preparing the Dough
To start, let’s prepare the dough for our jelly donuts. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients together until well incorporated.
Create a well in the center of the dry mixture. Pour in the warm milk, beaten eggs, and melted butter. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry mixture until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms.
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much, as it may result in dense donuts.
Rising the Dough
Once the dough is kneaded to perfection, shape it into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm and draft-free area for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
Forming the Jelly Donuts
After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any trapped air. Transfer it back to the floured surface and divide it into equal portions, depending on how big you want your donuts to be. A good size would be around 2-3 inches in diameter.
Take each dough portion and flatten it into a circle using your hands or a rolling pin. Place a small spoonful of your preferred jelly or jam in the center of the dough circle. Be careful not to overfill, as it may leak during the cooking process.
Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges together firmly to seal the donut. Repeat this process with the remaining dough portions, ensuring each donut is properly sealed.
Air Frying the Jelly Donuts
Now comes the exciting part – air frying the jelly donuts! Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Grease the air fryer basket or tray with a small amount of vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
Place the prepared jelly-filled donuts in the greased basket or tray, leaving space between them to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
Carefully place the basket or tray into the preheated air fryer and cook the donuts for about 8-10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Check on them halfway through and flip them over using tongs for even browning.
Once the jelly donuts are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer using the tongs and let them cool on a wire rack. Avoid digging in immediately, as the jelly filling will be piping hot!
Serving and Enjoying
After the jelly donuts have cooled down slightly, dust them generously with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and presentation. You can do this by sifting the powdered sugar over the donuts or by placing the sugar in a small sieve and gently tapping it over the top.
Serve these delectable jelly donuts while still warm for a truly blissful experience. The crispy and golden exterior combined with the oozing jelly filling will surely delight your taste buds.
Tips and Variations
– Experiment with different flavors of jelly or jam to find your favorite combination. Traditional options like strawberry, raspberry, and apricot work well, but feel free to get creative!
– If you prefer a healthier option, you can use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. The donuts may turn out slightly denser, but still delicious.
– To add an extra burst of flavor, try seasoning your powdered sugar with a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg before dusting the donuts.
– If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still enjoy homemade jelly donuts by deep-frying them in vegetable oil. Heat the oil to 375°F (190°C) and fry the donuts for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Conclusion
Making jelly donuts in an air fryer is a convenient and healthier alternative to traditional frying. The recipe outlined above provides a simple and easy method to enjoy these delectable treats in the comfort of your own home. So why wait? Gather your ingredients, fire up your air fryer, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of mouthwatering jelly donuts.