Easy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts are a dream come true for anyone craving a classic bakery treat without the gluten or the usual deep-frying fuss. This recipe simplifies the process, delivering that beloved custard-filled, chocolate-glazed goodness right in your own kitchen.
Key Ingredients for Easy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts
For the Donuts:
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk of choice), at room temperature
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon (for added warmth)
For the Boston Cream Filling (Pastry Cream):
- 2 cups whole milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (optional, for richness)
For the Chocolate Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Equipment:
- Air Fryer
- Donut pan (silicone or metal)
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Piping bag with a small round tip or a squeeze bottle
How to Make Easy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts
Whipping up these Easy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts is surprisingly straightforward, promising a delightful bakery-style experience at home. In under an hour, you’ll have fluffy, tender donuts bursting with luscious pastry cream and finished with a rich chocolate glaze. The air fryer ensures a perfect, golden-brown exterior without the mess and calories of deep-frying, making this a guilt-free indulgence everyone will adore.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Boston Cream Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth and no lumps remain. This ensures a silky-smooth custard.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until fully incorporated.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture thickens significantly and begins to bubble. This usually takes about 5-8 minutes. Be sure to stir the bottom and sides to prevent scorching.
- Once thickened, remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and the optional butter until fully melted and combined for extra richness.
- Pour the pastry cream into a bowl. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then refrigerate until completely chilled (at least 1-2 hours).
2. Make the Donut Batter:
- Preheat your air fryer to 340°F (170°C). Lightly grease your donut pan. If using a silicone pan, greasing might not be necessary, but it’s a good safeguard.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. If using cinnamon, add it here.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix with a whisk or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make gluten-free baked goods tough. The batter should be thick but pourable.
3. Portion and Air Fry the Donuts:
- Transfer the batter into your prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. You can use a piping bag or a squeeze bottle for easier and neater filling, especially with gluten-free batter.
- Carefully place the filled donut pan into the preheated air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; you may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer and donut pan.
- Air fry for 6-9 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean and the edges are golden brown. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model.
- Once cooked, let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before carefully removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Assemble the Donuts:
- Once the donuts are completely cool, it’s time to fill them. If your pastry cream has thickened too much in the fridge, give it a quick whisk to loosen it up.
- Transfer the chilled Boston cream filling into a piping bag fitted with a small, narrow tip (or use a squeeze bottle).
- Gently insert the tip into the side of each donut and pipe in the pastry cream until the donut feels slightly heavy and filled. Don’t overfill, or it will escape.
5. Prepare and Apply the Chocolate Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and sifted cocoa powder.
- Gradually add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, whisking until you achieve a smooth, thick but pourable glaze consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Once the donuts are filled, dip the top of each donut into the chocolate glaze, letting any excess drip back into the bowl. Alternatively, you can spoon the glaze over the top.
- Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack for a few minutes to allow the glaze to set.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts
You’ll fall deeply in love with these Easy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts because they deliver that classic bakery indulgence with incredible ease and a healthier twist. The star of the show is undoubtedly the luxuriously creamy, homemade Boston cream filling that oozes out with every delectable bite, perfectly complemented by the light and airy gluten-free donut itself. Imagine the joy of recreating such a beloved treat at home, saving money compared to pricey bakery versions, all while enjoying ingredients you can trust.
This recipe is a game-changer, transforming your air fryer into a donut-making powerhouse. Unlike the often-greasy or dense results from less successful gluten-free attempts, these donuts are tender, moist, and incredibly satisfying, rivaling their traditional counterparts. The rich chocolate glaze adds that final, irresistible touch of decadence. If you’ve been missing those delightful bakery treats or are seeking a new gluten-free comfort dessert, these air fryer Boston cream donuts are a must-try. Go ahead, gather your ingredients and prepare to be amazed – you’ll be craving them again and again!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Storing: These Easy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts are best enjoyed fresh, ideally within 24 hours of preparation for optimal texture of both the donut and the filling. Store any uncut, unfilled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For filled donuts, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The pastry cream helps preserve them, but the donut itself may soften over time. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheating is generally not recommended for filled donuts as it can make the donut gummy and the cream runny. If you must reheat a filled donut, a very brief moment in a toaster oven or air fryer on a low setting might warm it slightly, but it will alter the texture significantly. Unfilled donuts can be gently warmed in an air fryer or toaster oven for a minute or two to revive their slight crispness.
- Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze these donuts once they are filled and glazed, as the texture of both the donut and the cream can be negatively impacted upon thawing. Unfilled, unfrozen donuts can be frozen. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1-2 months. Thaw at room temperature before filling and glazing.
Final Thoughts
Easy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts offer a surprisingly simple path to a delightful homemade treat. They prove that classic bakery favorites can be both gluten-free and incredibly delicious when made with a little creativity. Give these air fryer wonders a try; you’ll be so glad you did!
Easy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth and no lumps remain. This ensures a silky-smooth custard.0.5 cup granulated sugar, 3 large egg yolks, 0.25 cup cornstarch
- Gradually whisk in the milk until fully incorporated.2 cups whole milk
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture thickens significantly and begins to bubble. This usually takes about 5-8 minutes. Be sure to stir the bottom and sides to prevent scorching.
- Once thickened, remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and the optional butter until fully melted and combined for extra richness.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pour the pastry cream into a bowl. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then refrigerate until completely chilled (at least 1-2 hours).
- Preheat your air fryer to 340°F (170°C). Lightly grease your donut pan. If using a silicone pan, greasing might not be necessary, but it’s a good safeguard.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. If using cinnamon, add it here.1.5 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, 0.5 cup granulated sugar, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder, 0.25 teaspoon salt, 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.2 large eggs, 0.5 cup unsweetened almond milk, 0.25 cup melted unsalted butter or coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix with a whisk or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make gluten-free baked goods tough. The batter should be thick but pourable.
- Transfer the batter into your prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. You can use a piping bag or a squeeze bottle for easier and neater filling, especially with gluten-free batter.
- Carefully place the filled donut pan into the preheated air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; you may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer and donut pan.
- Air fry for 6-9 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean and the edges are golden brown. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model.
- Once cooked, let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before carefully removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the donuts are completely cool, it’s time to fill them. If your pastry cream has thickened too much in the fridge, give it a quick whisk to loosen it up.
- Transfer the chilled Boston cream filling into a piping bag fitted with a small, narrow tip (or use a squeeze bottle). Gently insert the tip into the side of each donut and pipe in the pastry cream until the donut feels slightly heavy and filled. Don’t overfill, or it will escape.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and sifted cocoa powder.1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Gradually add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, whisking until you achieve a smooth, thick but pourable glaze consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.2-3 tablespoons milk, 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 pinch salt
- Once the donuts are filled, dip the top of each donut into the chocolate glaze, letting any excess drip back into the bowl. Alternatively, you can spoon the glaze over the top.
- Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack for a few minutes to allow the glaze to set.