I did a thing this past Sunday morning. I made Air Fryer Donuts.
I was doom scrolling and saw the cinnamon sugary wheels of glory calling my name. And they look so easy! I happened to have requested 2 cans of biscuit dough on hubby’s last trip to the store, so why not give them a whirl?
Most folks bought an Air Fryer to be healthier. To make their favorites with less oil but all the crisp. Apparently I didn’t get that memo because I used mine to take buttery biscuit dough, fry it, baste it with more butter and then toss it in cinnamon sugar.
Do Air Fried Donuts Taste Like Real Donuts?
I likened them to the now famous cronut – Dominique Ansel’s cross between a croissant and donut. But my sister, a true doughnut connoisseur, quickly corrected me that these should not be uttered in the same sentence- I still stand by my statement.
This is most certainly a doughnut hack. These aren’t going to rival the best yeast donuts or cake-like donuts you’ve ever had.
What I can tell you they are is delicious. They are quick to make and require just 4 ingredients. I would tell you they aren’t very messy, but I made mine with a 2-year-old (it’s also her hands in the video- but she’s 6 now), so mine were totally messy and every surface was covered in sugar fingerprints.
Why Make Air Fryer Donuts?
Super fluffy donuts that are ready in 10 minutes and taste delicious- what’s not to love!
- Short ingredient list – In fact, you only need four ingredients to make these babies. No all purpose flour, eggs, vanilla extract or coconut oil needed!
- Fun for the kids – This kids LOVE helping in the kitchen with this recipe. It’s super easy for little hands to help.
- Easy to customize – If you’re not a fan of cinnamon sugar, add a chocolate glaze and sprinkles instead! The options are endless. You can even make several kinds in one batch.
Ingredients
The short ingredient list is one of my favorite parts of this air fryer donuts recipe.
- Refrigerated flaky large biscuits – This is my favorite donut hack ever. Refrigerated biscuits from the store make the easiest donuts in no time!
- Sugar – Just white granulated sugar is perfect here.
- Ground cinnamon – You can learn how to make the perfect cinnamon sugar ratio, or buy it already mixed at the sore. But it’s so simple to make.
- Unsalted butter – You can use salted in a pinch. We just need a base for the cinnamon sugar to stick to.
Variations
My Air Fryer Donuts are topped with just cinnamon sugar coating. Plain and simple, I like the crunch- it reminds me of mom’s cinnamon toast as a kid.
But you can use whatever toppings your heart desires. Dress them like any other donut. Dipping in a basic powdered sugar and milk glaze is always acceptable. As are sprinkles, or “sparkles” as my daughter calls them.
More donut toppings:
- Light and Fluffy Chocolate Frosting
- Sweetened Coconut Flakes
- Candied Bacon
- Fresh Fruit
- Crushed candy, cereal
or cookies
- Marshmallow fluff
- Caramel Sauce
- Powdered Sugar
- Chocolate glaze
- Powdered Sugar Icing
How to Make Air Fryer Donuts
Start with a can of refrigerated biscuit dough. My Air Fryer only accommodates 4 donuts without overlapping, so I worked in 2 batches.
- Make the Donut. Work on a non-stick surface or a lightly floured surface. Using a 1-inch cookie cutter, make holes in the center of each biscuit. This is necessary for them to cook the whole way through. It if you fry them whole, the center will still be doughy. I didn’t have a 1-inch cookie cutter so instead I used the cap off a bottle.
- Grease them Up. Set aside the doughnut holes. Spray the inside of your Air Fryer with oil and then add donuts. Lightly spray the tops.
- Air Fry. Cook at 350°F for 5 minutes, turning half way through. No need to respray, as the bottoms will have residual oil on them already. Repeat with the other four biscuits and also the donut holes.
- Butter Baste. Baste with the melted butter.
- Toss in cinnamon and sugar. Serve warm!
Round Out the Meal
You can serve these donuts with any of your other favorite breakfast foods. I like to serve mine with a savory breakfast meat like bacon or homemade breakfast sausage. You can also whip up some scrambled eggs or a spinach quiche.
Or if you’re just doing donuts and coffee, serve them with a frothy cup of whipped coffee. Yum!
Storage and Freezing
You can make anything ahead of time, the question is will it taste good? Donuts are best right out of the fryer when made traditionally and the same rings true here.
How to Store Donuts in the Air Fryer
Donuts can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for several days, if they last long. They are best on day #1 and might need a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave to reheat the butter goodness back to its former glory.
Can I Freeze Air Fryer Donuts?
I do not recommend freezing these donuts. You can, but the texture is totally off when thawed. They take less than 10 minutes to make, might as well make them fresh.
More Breakfast Recipes
Breakfast is easily my favorite meal of the day. Sweet, savory, I like it all! Here are a few of our favorite easy breakfast ideas.
Maple Coffee Cake
EASY Fruit Pizza
Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Pancake Recipe
Air Fryer Donut Recipe
Ingredients
- 16.3 ounce can refrigerated flaky large biscuits
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- cooking spray*
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
Instructions
- Remove the biscuits from the can, separate them, and place them on a work space like a cutting board or rolling mat. Use a 1-inch round cookie cutter (or similarly-sized bottle cap) to cut holes out of the center of each biscuit.
- Lightly coat your air fryer basket with cooking oil.
- Place 4 donuts in a single layer without touching in the air fryer.
- Close the air fryer and set to 350°F (nope, you do not need to preheat).
- Cook for 5-6 minutes or until donuts are lightly browned and you can see the layers of biscuit start to seperate. Flip halfway through the cooking process.
- Repeat with the remaining biscuits.
- In a small, shallow bowl or pie plate, mix together sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Baste both sides of the warm donuts with melted butter.
- Toss in cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve immediately.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Deliciousness! They aren’t REAL donuts, but I actually liked them better.
Being a doughnut freak I had to try! They were great! I hit one snag, though. After the first batch, we started the fryer cold, and the second batch started with the fryer hot. I had to really watch the second batch because they cooked kinda differently, but they turned out fine. And these are so easy! I had to act like they were more difficult to make or the Hubs would want them every day! 🫢
Thanks for the recipe!
This is a wonderful recipe! My whole family loved them! I took the extra dough from the center and popped them in the air fryer as well and followed the recipe again just only a minute on both sides. It was great!
These donuts are so easy!! Canned biscuits for the win.
Canned Refrigerated ‘Biscuits’ Well, there goes your non-American readership. What with the Canned, and then what definition you might use for ‘biscuits’…
Sorry Paull, but I live in the states and 90% of our readership is in the states. I can’t write about what I am not familiar with. Best and cheers!
OK
due you have Donuts recipes from scratch
I do not, sorry.
This looks like a super easy way to make donuts. I’m wondering if you could also use frozen dough for dinner rolls. I may have to try that too!
I’m sure you can- let us know how it works.