If you’re craving sweet, fruity doughnuts but want a lighter, quicker option, these Strawberry Doughnuts are perfect for you. Made with fresh strawberries, this recipe offers the same delicious flavors of classic baked doughnuts but with the added convenience of air frying. The result? Soft, fluffy doughnuts with a sweet strawberry glaze are ready in minutes without deep frying.

Why Strawberry Doughnuts?
Using fresh or canned strawberries in doughnuts adds a burst of natural sweetness and a fruity flavor, making each bite irresistible. Strawberries also add moisture to the batter, ensuring the doughnuts stay soft and tender. The air fryer method allows you to enjoy these delicious treats without the mess and extra oil required for traditional frying, making it a healthier and more convenient option for strawberry doughnut lovers.

Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Doughnut Recipe:
- Use Fresh Strawberries: Opt for ripe, fresh strawberries to get the best flavor. If using canned strawberries, be sure to drain them well to avoid adding too much moisture to the dough.
- Do Not Overmix: Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients together to keep the batter light and fluffy. Overmixing can result in dense doughnuts.
- Proper Glazing: Let the doughnuts cool completely before adding the strawberry glaze to ensure it sticks and doesn’t melt off.
- Freezing the Doughnuts: If you want to store the doughnuts for later, freeze them before adding the glaze for best results.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the doughnuts.
- Sugar: Sweetens the doughnut batter.
- Baking soda: Helps the doughnuts rise and gives them a light, airy texture.
- Salt: Enhances flavor by balancing the sweetness.
- Milk: Adds moisture to the batter.
- Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together.
- Melted butter: Adds richness and helps keep the doughnuts moist.
- Strawberries, finely chopped or pureed: The key ingredient that adds flavor and moisture.
Frosting:
- Powdered sugar: For a smooth, sweet glaze.
- Finely chopped strawberries: Adds a fresh strawberry flavor to the frosting.
- Freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder: Intensifies the strawberry flavor in the glaze.
HOW TO BAKE Strawberry Doughnuts
Step 1: Make the Doughnuts
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and chopped or pureed strawberries. Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. The batter should be light and slightly runny.
Step 2: Fill the Doughnut Pans
Pour the batter into a freezer ziplock bag and snip off one corner to create a piping bag. Pipe the batter into a well-greased doughnut pan, filling each cavity about 1/3 full. Alternatively, spoon the batter directly into the pan. Bake the doughnuts in the air fryer at 190°C (375°F) for 8-9 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Step 3: Cool and Prepare the Frosting
Remove the doughnuts from the air fryer and let them cool completely. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and melted butter until smooth. Add in the finely chopped strawberries, a pinch of salt, and enough powdered sugar to achieve a spreadable consistency.

Step 4: Prepare the Strawberry Glaze
For the glaze, mix the finely chopped strawberries and half of the powdered sugar in a bowl. Let it sit for 1 minute to allow the strawberries to release their juice. Then, add the remaining powdered sugar and crushed freeze-dried strawberries, stirring until smooth. Use the glaze immediately to dip the cooled doughnuts.
How to Store Leftovers:
Leftover strawberry doughnuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to four days. For best results, freeze unglazed doughnuts and add the glaze after thawing.
Cooking Methods for Strawberry Doughnuts:
While this recipe is designed for the air fryer, you can also bake the doughnuts in the oven at 190°C (375°F) for about 10-12 minutes. The air fryer method, however, yields a quicker cook time and a perfectly crisp exterior without the need for oil.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these strawberry doughnuts for breakfast, brunch, or dessert! They pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or tea. You can also top them with sprinkles, fresh fruit, or even a drizzle of chocolate for an extra treat.

Air Fryer Strawberry Doughnuts
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Small Bowl
- Doughnuts Pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 3 Tbsp melted butter
- 1/3 cup strawberries finely chopped or pureed
Frosting:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup finely chopped strawberries
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries crushed into powder
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Doughnuts
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and chopped or pureed strawberries. Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. The batter should be light and slightly runny.
Step 2: Fill the Doughnut Pans
- Pour the batter into a freezer ziplock bag and snip off one corner to create a piping bag. Pipe the batter into a well-greased doughnut pan, filling each cavity about 1/3 full. Alternatively, spoon the batter directly into the pan. Bake the doughnuts in the air fryer at 190°C (375°F) for 8-9 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Step 3: Cool and Prepare the Frosting
- Remove the doughnuts from the air fryer and let them cool completely. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and melted butter until smooth. Add in the finely chopped strawberries, a pinch of salt, and enough powdered sugar to achieve a spreadable consistency.
Step 4: Prepare the Strawberry Glaze
- For the glaze, mix the finely chopped strawberries and half of the powdered sugar in a bowl. Let it sit for 1 minute to allow the strawberries to release their juice. Then, add the remaining powdered sugar and crushed freeze-dried strawberries, stirring until smooth. Use the glaze immediately to dip the cooled doughnuts.
FAQs ABOUT Air Fryer Strawberry Doughnut
1. Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen strawberries can be used, but make sure to thaw and drain them before adding them to the batter to avoid excess moisture.
2. Can I make these doughnuts gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that is meant for baking.
3. How can I make these doughnuts vegan?
To make vegan strawberry doughnuts, replace the egg with a flaxseed egg, the milk with almond milk, and the butter with a plant-based alternative.
This Air Fryer Strawberry Doughnut Recipe is the perfect blend of sweet, fluffy doughnuts with a deliciously fruity glaze that everyone will love!
About the Author
I am Seun, and I love to share my first-hand experience using multiple air fryers. Stick around for yummy delicacies made from the air fryer and many amazing tips on using your newfound Kitchen appliance – the air fryer!