Craving warm, fluffy donuts but don’t want the mess and fuss of deep-frying? Look no further! This ultimate guide will show you exactly how to make incredibly easy and delicious **Air Fryer Donuts** right in your own kitchen. Using a clever shortcut with canned biscuits, you can whip up a batch of homemade doughnuts in mere minutes, perfect for a quick breakfast, a delightful brunch addition, or a satisfying sweet treat any time of day.

Easy Air Fryer Donuts: A Quick Homemade Treat

Making homemade donuts doesn’t have to be an all-day baking project. Our simple air fryer donut recipe transforms a humble can of refrigerator biscuits into golden-brown, cake-like doughnuts with minimal effort and significantly less oil than traditional frying methods. This means you can enjoy that fresh-from-the-bakery taste without the guilt or the greasy clean-up.

These **air fryer biscuit donuts** are a game-changer for busy mornings or whenever a sweet craving strikes. They are wonderfully versatile, allowing you to customize them with an array of glazes, sugars, and sprinkles to suit everyone’s taste. While we’re huge fans of supporting local bakeries and their incredible Spokane donut shops, there’s an undeniable charm and comfort in enjoying warm, freshly made donuts in your pajamas, without having to leave the house.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of basic ingredients to get started. Forget complicated yeast doughs or specialty flours; with just a can of refrigerated biscuits, some cinnamon, sugar, and a touch of butter or cooking spray, you’re well on your way to a delightful homemade treat that your family and friends will absolutely adore. It’s the perfect semi-homemade solution for elevating your breakfast or brunch spread.

Essential Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Donuts

Creating these delightful air fryer donuts requires minimal ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry or refrigerator. The star of the show is, of course, the canned biscuit dough, which provides the perfect base for a light and fluffy donut.

Doughnut Base Ingredients:

• Refrigerator Biscuits: We highly recommend using a brand like Pillsbury Grands Biscuits for their consistent texture and size, which yields perfectly puffy donuts. However, most store-brand flaky layer biscuits will also work wonderfully. Just be sure to check the can for the number of biscuits, as this recipe typically yields 6-8 standard-sized donuts.
• Melted Butter or Butter Spray: This is crucial for achieving that beautiful golden-brown exterior and helping your chosen toppings adhere perfectly. Melted unsalted butter brushed on offers a rich flavor, while butter spray provides a lighter, easier coating.

Delicious Topping Options:

The magic of homemade donuts truly shines through in the toppings. Here are some classic and simple options to elevate your air fryer creations:

• Classic Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

  Combine 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon with ⅓ cup of granulated sugar. This timeless coating offers a comforting aroma and sweet, spiced flavor that pairs perfectly with the warm donuts.

• Simple Sugar Glaze:

  Whisk together ½ cup of powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of whole milk until smooth. Adjust milk slightly to reach your desired consistency – thick enough to coat but thin enough to drip. This glaze creates a beautiful sheen and a sweet, delicate finish.

• Rich Chocolate Glaze:

  Melt ½ cup of chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate work best) with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler. Stir until completely smooth and glossy. The coconut oil helps achieve a perfectly dippable consistency and a lovely shine.

Feel free to get creative with your glazes! Add colorful sprinkles while the glaze is still wet for a fun, festive touch, or try a dash of almond extract in your sugar glaze for a different flavor profile. The possibilities are endless!

Equipment You’ll Need

Preparing these air fryer donuts is incredibly simple, and you likely already have most of the necessary equipment on hand. Here’s what you’ll need for success:

• Your Favorite Air Fryer: Whether you have a basket-style air fryer, an air fryer oven, or a smart oven with a built-in air fryer function, any model will work. Ensure it’s clean and ready for use.
• Circle Cutter: To create the classic donut shape, you’ll need a small round cutter. A small cookie cutter set often includes the perfect size for cutting the center hole of each biscuit. Alternatively, you can use a biscuit cutter, a piping tip, or even a clean bottle cap – anything small and circular will do the trick!
• Small Bowls: Essential for mixing your cinnamon sugar or whisking up your glazes. Having multiple bowls makes the topping process efficient.
• Kitchen Tongs or Wooden Skewer: These are invaluable for safely flipping the hot donuts in the air fryer and transferring them to your topping bowls.
• Non-Stick Cooking Spray or Air Fryer Parchment Paper: Crucial for preventing your donuts from sticking to the air fryer basket. We recommend olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil spray. (More on this in the tips section!)

Step-by-Step: How to Make Air Fryer Donuts

Get ready to transform simple canned biscuits into irresistible donuts with these easy-to-follow steps. Precision and a keen eye will ensure your donuts come out perfectly golden and delicious every time.

1. Prepare the Biscuits: Carefully remove the biscuits from the can. Lay them flat on a clean surface. Using your chosen circle cutter, cut a hole in the center of each biscuit. These small centers can be cooked separately to make delightful donut holes!
2. Preheat and Prepare Your Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket or tray with a non-stick cooking spray (like olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil) to prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can line it with air fryer-specific parchment paper. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes while you prepare the biscuits; this helps ensure even cooking.
3. Arrange Biscuits in the Air Fryer: Place the cut biscuits in a single layer in your preheated air fryer basket. Ensure there is enough space around each biscuit for air to circulate evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will likely fit 3-4 donuts per batch. Do not overcrowd the basket.

4. 
   

   First Air Fry: Air fry the biscuits at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as air fryer models can vary in cooking time. You’ll notice them starting to puff up and turn a light golden color on the bottom.

5. Flip and Continue Frying: Using kitchen tongs or a wooden skewer, carefully flip each biscuit donut over. This ensures even browning on both sides.

6. 
   

   Second Air Fry: Air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the donuts are beautifully golden brown and cooked through. Check them frequently during the last few minutes to prevent burning. They should feel light and airy when gently pressed.

7. 
   

   Coat and Serve: Immediately remove the hot donuts from the air fryer. While still warm, generously spray them with butter spray or brush them with melted butter. Then, quickly dip them into your prepared cinnamon sugar mixture or drizzle/dip them in your favorite glaze. The warmth helps the toppings adhere perfectly.

Donut Holes: Don’t Waste the Centers!

Those little biscuit centers you cut out? They make fantastic donut holes! Simply place them in the air fryer basket (after removing your larger donuts) and air fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Then, coat them with cinnamon sugar or a glaze just like the regular donuts for a delightful bite-sized treat.

Recipe Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts

Achieving bakery-quality donuts in your air fryer is simple with a few key tips and tricks. Follow these suggestions to ensure your homemade treats are consistently delicious:

• Prevent Sticking with the Right Spray: Always spray your air fryer basket or tray with a non-stick cooking spray before adding the biscuits. We recommend using olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil sprays. It’s important to avoid traditional aerosol non-stick sprays like Pam, as the propellants can sometimes damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket over time.
• Consider Air Fryer Parchment Paper: For an even easier cleanup and guaranteed non-stick cooking, try using parchment paper liners designed specifically for air fryers. These perforated liners allow air to circulate while keeping your donuts from sticking.
• Choose Your Biscuits Wisely: While most brands of refrigerator biscuits will work, Pillsbury Grands Biscuits are often a favorite for this recipe due to their size and tendency to puff up beautifully, creating a satisfying donut texture. Feel free to experiment with store brands to find your preferred option.
• Monitor Cooking Times: Air fryers vary in wattage and efficiency. The suggested cooking times (3-4 minutes per side) are a guideline. Always keep a close eye on your donuts, especially during the first batch. They should be golden brown and cooked through, not burnt. If you’re cooking multiple batches, you might find that subsequent batches cook slightly faster as the air fryer becomes fully heated.
• Storage: If you happen to have any leftover air-fried donuts (a rare occurrence!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They are best enjoyed fresh, but can be gently reheated in the air fryer for a minute or two, or briefly microwaved, to regain some of their warmth and softness.
• Flavor Customization is Key: Don’t limit yourself to just cinnamon sugar! Experiment with different glaze flavors (e.g., lemon glaze, maple glaze), add nuts, shredded coconut, or even a drizzle of caramel or white chocolate. Make these donuts truly your own!

Please note that nutritional information, including calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fats, will vary significantly based on the specific biscuit brand, butter used, and toppings chosen. It’s always best to consult the labels of your ingredients for precise figures.

Recipe Card: Quick and Easy Air Fryer Donuts

Air Fryer Donuts

Delicious Air Fryer Donuts made with refrigerator biscuits. These doughnuts take minutes in the air fryer and taste amazing, offering a quick, less messy homemade treat.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 281 kcal

Author: Tammilee Tips

Ingredients

• 1 tube Refrigerator Biscuits (e.g., Pillsbury Grands)
• Olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil spray (for air fryer)
• Melted butter or butter spray (for coating)

Instructions

1. Remove biscuits from the can. Using a small round cutter, cut a hole in the middle of each biscuit to create the donut shape.
2. Lightly coat your air fryer basket or tray with olive oil spray (or similar non-stick spray/parchment). Place biscuits in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Typically, 3-4 fit comfortably per batch.
3. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes.
4. Carefully flip the biscuit donuts using tongs or a wooden skewer.
5. Air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Watch closely to prevent burning.
6. Remove the warm donuts from the air fryer. Immediately spray with butter spray or brush with melted butter.
7. Dip into your chosen topping mixture (e.g., cinnamon sugar, glazes) and coat completely. Serve warm and enjoy!

Doughnut Holes

1. The biscuit centers can be cooked for 2-3 minutes in the air fryer until golden. Coat with desired topping.

Kitchen Tools

• Air Fryer
• Small Circle Cutter (or similar for holes)
• Small bowls (for toppings)
• Kitchen Tongs or wooden skewer

Notes

Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Combine 1 tablespoon Cinnamon and ⅓ cup sugar.

Sugar Glaze: Whisk ½ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon whole milk together.

Chocolate Glaze: Melt ½ cup chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon coconut oil.

Add sprinkles to glazes for extra fun!

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Donuts

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 281 | Calories from Fat 117

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% Daily Value*

Fat 13g 20%

Saturated Fat 2g 13%

Cholesterol 1mg 0%

Sodium 725mg 32%

Potassium 172mg 5%

Carbohydrates 37g 12%

Fiber 1g 4%

Sugar 3g 3%

Protein 5g 10%

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Vitamin A 2IU 0%

Calcium 38mg 4%

Iron 3mg 17%

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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Explore More Air Fryer Delights!

The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can do so much more than just make amazing donuts. If you love the convenience and crispy results of air frying, be sure to check out some of our other fantastic air fryer recipes:

• Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Air Fryer Bagel Bites
• Air Fryer Hot Dogs
• Air Fryer Frozen Pancakes

You can find our comprehensive collection of Air Fryer Recipes, including many delicious vegetarian air fryer options, to inspire your next meal.

And if you’re always on the hunt for delicious new dishes, explore our other recipe categories: delightful copycat recipes, indulgent dessert recipes, and comforting Crock Pot Recipes.

Final Thoughts on Your Homemade Air Fryer Donuts

We hope this guide inspires you to try making these incredibly easy and satisfying air fryer donuts at home. They’re a testament to how simple ingredients and a clever cooking method can yield truly impressive results. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just a quick indulgence, these biscuit-based donuts are sure to become a favorite in your household.

Don’t forget to follow Tammilee Tips on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all our latest recipe posts and culinary adventures!