High-Protein Keto Air Fryer Donuts
Soft rings, air-fried gold, then a sugar-free coat — ready in 20 minutes
These high-protein keto air fryer donuts mix a soft almond dough, cut rings, and cook in the basket until the tops turn gold, then get a brush of butter and a sugar-free coat like the tray. Each donut has 7 g of protein and 3 g net carbs.
Low carb, sugar-free, and no deep fryer.
Why you’ll love these donuts
- 7g protein per donut
- 3g net carbs
- Air fryer, not a fryer
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Sugar-free coat
- No yeast rise
Health notes
- Protein: Vanilla protein powder in the dough.
- Low carb: Almond flour, not wheat.
- Sugar-free: The sparkle is allulose or erythritol, not table sugar.
- Keto-friendly: Each donut stays around 3g net carbs.
Key element — do not crowd the basket
Rings that touch steam instead of browning. Cook in batches, the way the basket in the photo is spaced.
Ingredients
Donuts (12)
- 1½ cups fine almond flour
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder (about 60 g)
- 2 Tbsp powdered monk fruit or allulose
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3 Tbsp melted butter
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Coat
- 2 Tbsp melted butter, for brushing
- ⅓ cup granulated allulose or erythritol
- ½ tsp cinnamon, optional
Swaps
- Oven: 350°F for 12–14 minutes on a lined sheet.
- No protein powder: Use ½ cup more almond flour. Protein drops.
- Glaze: Skip the coat and use a thin cream-cheese glaze. Carbs stay close.
- Table sugar: It looks the same and is not in the card.
Instructions
| 1 | Mix. Stir almond flour, protein powder, sweetener, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, butter, almond milk, and vanilla. Knead into a soft dough. If it sticks, dust with a spoon of almond flour. |
| 2 | Cut. Roll to about ½ inch. Cut 12 rings. Reroll the scraps. They will look pale, like the top photos. |
| 3 | Air fry. Heat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Line the basket. Cook 4 at a time, 6–8 minutes, until the tops are gold. Do not let them touch. |
| 4 | Coat. Brush warm donuts with butter. Toss in the sweetener, with cinnamon if you want it. The coat sticks while they are warm. |
Pro tips
- A wet dough will not hold a hole. Chill it 10 minutes if it slumps.
- Parchment under the rings keeps the bottoms from sticking.
- Granulated allulose looks like the sparkle in the tray. Powdered sweetener will not.
- Real sugar is not in these numbers.
- Macros are per donut, 12 from this batch.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per donut |
|---|---|
| Calories | 155 |
| Protein | 7g |
| Net carbohydrates | 3g |
| Total carbohydrates | 5g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Total fat | 12g |
| Sodium | 110mg |
Estimates based on almond flour, vanilla protein powder, eggs, butter, and a sugar-free coat, divided into 12 donuts. Table sugar and a deep fryer are not included.
Variations
Cinnamon coat
Stir ½ tsp cinnamon into the sweetener.
Chocolate
Dip the top in melted sugar-free chocolate. Carbs rise a little.
Plain
Skip the coat. Calories and carbs drop a little.
Holes
Bake the centers beside the rings. They cook in 5 minutes.
Storage
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Counter | 1 day | Cover. The coat softens a little |
| Refrigerator | Up to 4 days | Warm 20 seconds before eating |
| Freezer | Up to 1 month | Freeze uncoated, then coat after reheating |
FAQ
Test your knowledge
5 quick questions about these air fryer donuts
1. Protein per donut?
2. Net carbs per donut?
3. Why space the rings in the basket?
4. About how long does this take?
5. What is the sparkle on the tray?
