Light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, these easy air fryer donuts are the ultimate treat for breakfast or a quick dessert. Made with simple ingredients like biscuit dough, they come together in minutes without the need for deep frying. Whether you prefer a classic cinnamon-sugar coating or a glossy glaze, these donuts will hit the spot every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy: Using pre-made biscuit dough cuts down prep time significantly.
Healthier Option: Air frying eliminates the need for oil-heavy deep frying, making these donuts a lighter indulgence.
Customizable: From cinnamon-sugar to chocolate or glaze, you can easily switch up the flavors.
Kid-Friendly: A fun recipe to make with little ones—especially when decorating!
Minimal Equipment: All you need is an air fryer and a small round cutter.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Donuts:
1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough (e.g., Pillsbury Grands)
Olive oil spray or melted butter
For the Topping:
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup (60g) melted butter
Directions
Prep the Air Fryer:
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes.
Prepare the Donuts:
Open the biscuit can and separate the dough into individual biscuits. Use a small round cutter (or the cap of a bottle) to cut out the center of each biscuit to form a donut shape. Keep the cutouts to make donut holes.
Air Fry the Donuts:
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray or brush it with melted butter to prevent sticking. Arrange the donuts in a single layer, leaving space between them. Air fry for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown. For the donut holes, air fry for 2-3 minutes.
Prepare the Topping:
Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush the warm donuts and donut holes with melted butter, then coat them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Servings and Timing
Servings: Makes about 8 donuts and donut holes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes per batch
Total Time: 10-15 minutes
Variations
Glazed Donuts: Mix 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Dip the donuts in the glaze and let them set before serving.
Chocolate Coating: Melt 1/2 cup (90g) chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Dip the donuts and add sprinkles for extra fun.
Savory Twist: Skip the sugar and cinnamon topping. Instead, sprinkle warm donuts with Parmesan and Italian seasoning for a savory snack.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Keep leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 1-2 minutes to restore their warmth and slight crispiness.
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FAQs
How can I prevent the donuts from sticking to the air fryer basket?
I recommend lightly spraying the air fryer basket with olive oil spray or brushing it with melted butter before adding the dough.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the biscuit dough with a gluten-free alternative. Make sure the dough is designed to bake well in an air fryer.
What can I do with the donut holes?
The donut holes can be air fried alongside the donuts and topped with the same cinnamon-sugar mixture. They’re bite-sized and perfect for snacking.
Can I use homemade dough instead of biscuit dough?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite donut dough recipe, you can use it. Just adjust the cooking time if needed, as homemade dough may vary in thickness.
Can I freeze these donuts?
Freezing isn’t ideal for these donuts as the texture might change. It’s best to enjoy them fresh or within a day or two.
Conclusion
Air fryer donuts are a quick, fun, and healthier way to enjoy a classic sweet treat. Whether you stick with the traditional cinnamon-sugar topping or try one of the suggested variations, these donuts are sure to please. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any time in between, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. Give them a try and enjoy homemade donuts without the mess of deep frying.
📖 Recipe:
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Easy Air Fryer Donuts
- Total Time: 10-15 minutes
- Yield: About 8 donuts + donut holes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Discover how to make easy air fryer donuts that are light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet! Made with simple biscuit dough, these donuts are a quick, healthier alternative to deep frying. Customize with cinnamon-sugar, glaze, or chocolate for a delicious breakfast or dessert treat.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough (e.g., Pillsbury Grands)
Olive oil spray or melted butter
For the Topping:
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup (60g) melted butter
Instructions
- Prep the Air Fryer:
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes. - Prepare the Donuts:
Open the biscuit can and separate the dough. Use a small round cutter to cut out the centers, forming donut shapes. Save the cutouts for donut holes. - Air Fry the Donuts:
Lightly spray the air fryer basket or brush it with melted butter. Arrange donuts in a single layer. Air fry at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook donut holes for 2-3 minutes. - Prepare the Topping:
Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush warm donuts with melted butter, then coat in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Notes
Use powdered sugar glaze or melted chocolate for variations.
Add sprinkles for a fun touch.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer for even cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes per batch
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 8 donuts + donut holes
