Keto Doughnuts: The Air-Fryer Method

The ketogenic diet accommodates sweet cravings when you know which ingredients swap effectively. These air-fried doughnuts use almond flour and erythritol – commonly stocked at Tesco and Sainsbury’s – to replicate the texture of wheat flour without the carbs.

Why almond flour works

Almond flour contains just 3g net carbs per 100g compared to 70g in plain flour. Its high fat content (50g per 100g) helps achieve the tender crumb structure doughnuts require. Studies show nut-based flours produce lower post-meal glucose responses than grain flours (Volek JS, Phinney SD, Forsythe CE, et al. 2008).

The glaze equation

A standard sugar glaze spikes blood glucose by 2-3 mmol/L within 30 minutes. The keto version uses powdered erythritol (£4.50 for 250g at Holland & Barrett) mixed with heavy cream. Erythritol has negligible impact on blood sugar according to European Food Safety Authority evaluations.

What this means in practice

You’ll need:

200g almond flour (£2.80 at Tesco)
50g erythritol
2 large eggs
60ml double cream

Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. Mix dry ingredients, then blend in wet components until smooth. Pipe into greased moulds and air-fry for 8 minutes. Makes 6 doughnuts at 95p per serving.

Texture troubleshooting

If your doughnuts emerge dense, check your almond flour isn’t clumping. Sift it thoroughly before mixing. keto baking powder can add lift without carbs. For crispier exteriors, brush with melted butter before the final minute of cooking.

Storage tips

These keep for 3 days in an airtight container. Unlike wheat doughnuts, they won’t stale as quickly due to the absence of gluten. Freeze unglazed portions for up to a month.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use coconut flour instead?

Coconut flour absorbs more liquid. Replace almond flour with 70g coconut flour and add an extra egg. Expect a denser result.

Do I need special moulds?

Silicone doughnut moulds (£7.99 for 6 at Lakeland) work best, but you can shape freehand on parchment paper.

How many carbs per doughnut?

Approximately 3g net carbs when made with erythritol. Always check your specific brands’ nutritional labels.

The bottom line

Air-fried keto doughnuts satisfy cravings without derailing ketosis. The method cuts oil absorption compared to deep frying. If you’d rather not do the macro maths yourself, the Keto Dieting app does it for you on Google Play and the App Store.

References

Volek JS, Phinney SD, Forsythe CE, et al. (2008). Carbohydrate restriction has a more favorable impact on the metabolic syndrome than a low fat diet. Lipids. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3274-2
Paoli A, Rubini A, Volek JS, Grimaldi KA (2013). Beyond weight loss: a review of the therapeutic uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.116