Imagine biting into a warm, fluffy donut, freshly made and perfectly glazed, all in a matter of minutes. Sounds like a dream, right? With the magic of your air fryer and a simple can of biscuits, this dream becomes a delicious reality! These air fryer donuts are incredibly fast, delightfully easy, and utterly delicious. In just 4 minutes in your air fryer, you’ll be devouring not only perfectly shaped donuts but also adorable, bite-sized donut holes. Get ready to revolutionize your breakfast or dessert game!
Why This Air Fryer Donut Recipe is a Game Changer
Donuts hold a special place in our hearts – a delightful indulgence, often reserved for special occasions or a weekend treat from a local bakery. Traditionally, making donuts at home involves messy deep-frying, which can be time-consuming, requires a lot of oil, and often leaves a lingering smell in your kitchen. This is where our air fryer donut recipe shines as a brilliant alternative.
By harnessing the power of your air fryer, you can achieve that perfectly crispy exterior and soft, tender interior without the excessive oil. This means significantly less guilt with every delicious bite! It’s a healthier twist on a classic comfort food, allowing you to enjoy fresh, warm donuts more often. The air fryer circulates hot air, cooking the donuts evenly and quickly, resulting in a texture that’s remarkably similar to traditionally fried donuts, but with a lighter feel.
The secret ingredient that makes this recipe incredibly simple and accessible is the use of store-bought canned biscuits. This clever shortcut eliminates the need for yeast, kneading, and long proofing times, cutting down preparation from hours to mere minutes. Whether you’re craving a sweet breakfast, a quick snack, or an impromptu dessert, this recipe allows you to whip up delicious homemade donuts and donut holes anytime the craving strikes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or even entertaining a crowd with a fun, interactive donut bar!
EXPLORE MORE DELICIOUS DONUT RECIPES: You might also love these delightful variations – try our Lemon Baked Donuts for a zesty twist or indulge in the classic comfort of Peanut Butter & Jelly Donuts!
Essential Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Donuts
Making these delicious air fryer donuts requires only a handful of readily available ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry. The foundation of this recipe is canned biscuits, which transform into fluffy donuts with minimal effort. Beyond that, you’ll just need a few basic components for your desired glazes or toppings. You’ll find all precise measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, but let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
THE DONUT BASE – Canned Biscuits: The choice of biscuit is critical for achieving the perfect donut texture. We extensively tested both flaky homestyle and standard buttermilk biscuits. Our strong recommendation is to use **standard buttermilk biscuits**. Why? Flaky biscuits tend to separate and can become somewhat brittle in the air fryer, resulting in a less cohesive and less “donut-like” texture. Buttermilk biscuits, on the other hand, maintain their structure beautifully, yielding a soft, slightly chewy interior that mimics a traditional donut much more closely. Look for “Jumbo” size cans for larger donuts. While other types of biscuits *can* be used, the buttermilk variety truly delivers the best results for a classic donut experience.
DELICIOUS TOPPINGS: The beauty of homemade donuts lies in the endless possibilities for customization! We’ve provided detailed recipes for three incredibly popular toppings in the comprehensive recipe card below:
- Rich Chocolate Glaze: A classic choice, perfect for chocoholics. This glaze hardens slightly, giving that iconic bakery donut finish.
- Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting: A wonderfully indulgent and unique frosting that pairs beautifully with the simple donut base. If you’re a peanut butter lover, this is a must-try!
- Sweet Cinnamon-Sugar Topping: Simple, classic, and utterly irresistible. A warm, buttery roll in cinnamon sugar is a timeless favorite for a reason.
But don’t stop there! Feel free to get creative with other options:
- Zesty Lemon Glaze: For a bright, tangy flavor, you can find a fantastic lemon glaze recipe on our lemon baked donuts post.
- Powdered Sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar is a simple yet elegant finish that lets the donut flavor shine.
- Maple Glaze: Combine powdered sugar with a touch of maple syrup and milk for a comforting, breakfast-inspired topping.
- Store-Bought Frostings: For ultimate convenience, don’t hesitate to use your favorite pre-made frosting. Vanilla, chocolate, or cream cheese frostings all work wonderfully.
- Sprinkles and Candies: Add a pop of color and fun with various sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or crushed candies before the glaze or frosting sets.
- Chopped Nuts: Toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds can add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Prepare your chosen toppings *before* your donuts come out of the air fryer, as they are best coated while still warm!
How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Donuts: A Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this delightful recipe. For a concise, printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and full instructions, please Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Your Toppings First: This is a crucial first step! Air fryer donuts cook very quickly and are best topped immediately after baking while they are still warm. Before you even think about the biscuits, ensure all your glazes, frostings, or cinnamon-sugar mixtures are ready to go. This might involve melting butter, whisking ingredients, or simply getting your sprinkles in a bowl. (Refer to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for detailed instructions on preparing our recommended toppings, or use your own favorite recipes!)
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with cooking spray. This prevents the donuts from sticking and ensures easy removal. A non-stick spray is best for this purpose.
- Separate the Biscuits: Carefully open the can of jumbo buttermilk biscuits. Gently separate each biscuit from the stack, resulting in 8 individual pieces.
- Cut Out Donut Shapes: Using a small cookie cutter (approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter), or even a clean, narrow bottle cap, cut out the center of each biscuit. This will create your classic donut shape. Make sure to save these small center pieces – they will become your delicious donut holes!
- Air Fry in Batches: Place 4 of the biscuit donuts (and/or donut holes) into the prepared air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This allows for even cooking and proper airflow. Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and bake for exactly 4 minutes. Cooking in batches is crucial to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to unevenly cooked or soggy donuts.
- Immediately Top and Enjoy: As soon as the air fryer timer goes off, carefully remove the hot donuts and donut holes from the basket. Be very cautious as they will be extremely hot! Immediately roll them in melted butter and then cinnamon-sugar, dip them into chocolate glaze, or spread them with your favorite frosting. If adding sprinkles or other decorative elements, do so while the frosting or glaze is still wet to ensure they stick. Repeat this process for the remaining batches of donuts, making sure to top them while they are still warm for the best flavor and adherence.
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is key to achieving that perfect crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture. Cook in small batches, leaving space between each donut for optimal air circulation.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: While not always strictly necessary, preheating your air fryer for 2-3 minutes can help ensure consistent cooking temperatures and slightly faster cooking times.
- Spray Generously: Don’t be shy with the cooking spray on your air fryer basket. This prevents sticking and helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown color.
- Handle with Care: Cooked donuts are soft when hot. Use tongs or a spatula to carefully remove them from the air fryer basket to avoid tearing.
- Top While Warm: The best time to apply glazes, frostings, or cinnamon-sugar is immediately after removing the donuts from the air fryer. The warmth helps the coatings melt slightly and adhere better.
- Adjust Timing for Different Air Fryers: Air fryer models can vary in their cooking power. While 4 minutes at 350°F is a good starting point, keep an eye on your first batch and adjust the time slightly if needed to achieve your desired golden brown.
Storage and Reheating Homemade Donuts
Freshly made donuts are always best enjoyed immediately, especially when warm. However, if you have leftovers, proper storage can keep them delicious for a little longer:
- Storing Glazed/Frosted Donuts: Once cooled completely, store glazed or frosted donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1-2 days. If your frosting contains dairy, refrigeration might be necessary, but this can sometimes alter the donut’s texture.
- Storing Plain Donuts: Plain, unglazed donuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. You can then warm them slightly and add fresh toppings.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze plain, uncooked biscuit dough rounds (after cutting the centers). Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, air fry them from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time. You can also freeze *cooked* plain donuts. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, then store in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and reheat gently.
- Reheating: To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave for 10-15 seconds can also work, but be careful not to overheat, or they can become tough.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Donuts
While you *can* technically use flaky homestyle biscuits, we strongly recommend sticking with standard buttermilk biscuits for this recipe. Flaky biscuits tend to separate and become a bit too crispy and crumbly in the air fryer, losing that desirable soft, chewy donut texture. Buttermilk biscuits hold their shape better and provide a more authentic donut-like consistency, making them the superior choice for homemade air fryer donuts.
Absolutely! Setting up a “donut bar” is a fantastic and fun idea for kids and friends to customize their own treats. Here’s how to do it: prepare all your donut toppings (glazes, frostings, cinnamon-sugar, sprinkles, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips) in separate bowls. Once the air-fried donuts are ready, place them on a platter and let everyone go to town with their creative toppings. To minimize mess, have everyone decorate their donuts over a plate or a large sheet pan to catch any stray crumbs or drippings. This interactive experience adds an extra layer of fun to any gathering!
No problem at all! You can use a clean, narrow bottle cap (like from a soda bottle), a piping tip, or even just pinch out a small piece from the center of each biscuit and roll it into a ball. The goal is just to create the classic donut shape and a smaller piece for the donut hole.
This recipe relies on canned biscuits. While there are some gluten-free and vegan canned biscuit options available in specialty grocery stores, the results may vary in texture compared to traditional buttermilk biscuits. Always check the ingredient list of your chosen biscuit dough to ensure it meets your dietary requirements.
Making air fryer donuts is more than just a recipe; it’s a super fun activity that brings smiles to faces, young and old. It’s the perfect weekend project with the kids, a quick treat for an unexpected guest, or simply a delightful way to satisfy your own donut cravings without the fuss. No need for special occasions or complicated baking skills – just grab those biscuits and your air fryer, and get ready for some seriously delicious homemade donuts!
Explore More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Once you discover the ease and versatility of your air fryer, you’ll want to use it for everything! Here are more fantastic air fryer recipes to expand your culinary repertoire:
- Air Fryer French Toast Bites: A delightful breakfast treat that’s quick and easy.
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets: Crispy, juicy, and much healthier than fast food.
- Air Fryer Pretzel Bites: Perfect for snacking, soft on the inside with a golden exterior.
- Air Fryer Apple Fries: A sweet and healthy snack or dessert.
- Air Fryer Bagels: Yes, you can make homemade bagels in your air fryer!
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs: A surprisingly simple method for perfect boiled eggs.
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts: Achieve tender, juicy chicken breasts every time.
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Air Fryer Donuts
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 16 ounce can Jumbo buttermilk biscuits
Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Chocolate Glaze
- 2 ½ tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 2 ½ tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
Other topping ideas
- Powdered Sugar
- Sprinkles
Things You’ll Need
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Air fryer
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1.5-inch biscuit cutter
Before You Begin
- We tried both flaky homestyle and buttermilk biscuits. The standard buttermilk biscuits are recommended here as they do not fall apart and taste much more like a donut vs a dressed up biscuit.
- Set up a donut bar for kids and friends to make their own. Have multiple topping options as shown and let them go to town. Have kids do this over a plate or over a sheet pan to catch all the crumbs and/or drippings.
- Please note, the nutrition calculation does NOT include any of the toppings since we don’t know what you will choose.
Instructions
Prepare Toppings First
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Before baking the donuts, prepare your toppings as you will need them ready as soon as the donuts are done. This ensures you can coat them while still warm.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
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Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a wide, shallow bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until fully liquid. In a separate wide bowl, mix the 1 tablespoon of cinnamon with 2 tablespoons of sugar until well combined.
Chocolate Glaze
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Melt 2 ½ tablespoons of butter in a wide, shallow bowl in the microwave for approximately 30 seconds. Add ⅓ cup of chocolate chips to the melted butter and microwave for another 30 seconds. Whisk the mixture until all chocolate lumps are gone and the glaze is completely smooth and shiny.
Peanut Butter Frosting
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Melt 2 ½ tablespoons of butter in a wide, shallow bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir 1 tablespoon of creamy peanut butter into the melted butter until fully incorporated. Gradually stir in ⅔ cup of powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and free of lumps.
Bake the Donuts
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Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
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Open the can of jumbo buttermilk biscuits and carefully separate them into 8 individual pieces.
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Using a small cookie cutter or dough punch (about 1.5 inches in diameter), cut out the center of each biscuit. Reserve these small centers to make delicious donut holes.
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Place 4 biscuit donuts and/or donut holes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 4 minutes. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
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Immediately and carefully remove the hot donuts from the air fryer. Roll them in the prepared melted butter and cinnamon-sugar, dip them in chocolate glaze, or spread them with your favorite frosting. If desired, add sprinkles or other decorations before the frosting or glaze hardens. Repeat with remaining batches.
Nutrition Information (per serving, without toppings)
Calories: 207cal |
Carbohydrates: 27g |
Protein: 4g |
Fat: 9g |
Saturated Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 1mg |
Sodium: 534mg |
Potassium: 127mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 2g |
Vitamin A: 1IU |
Calcium: 28mg |
Iron: 2mg
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on February 4, 2021, and has been updated for improved clarity, SEO, and additional helpful tips.