Air fryer donuts are a game-changer for breakfast lovers! They’re crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Best of all? You can whip them up in no time. We’ve coated ours in cinnamon and sugar, giving you that classic donut shop flavor without leaving the house.
Growing up, biscuit donuts were a special treat for breakfast in our home. My mom would make them on special occasions or whenever she was in a particularly good mood. It’s one of those sweet memories that always brings a smile to my face.
If you’ve never tried biscuit donuts, you’re in for a treat. These donuts are made from canned biscuit dough with the centers cut out, then deep-fried to perfection. Once you coat them in sugar or glaze, they rival anything you’d get from a bakery. They’re just that good!
But let’s be honest—deep frying isn’t exactly relaxing first thing in the morning. The hot oil, the clean-up, and the lingering smell of grease can be a lot to handle. That’s why I was thrilled to discover that my air fryer could replicate that crispy, fried donut experience without the mess.
I’ll admit, my expectations were low at first. I thought they might end up tasting like baked biscuits with a sugar coating. But then I stumbled upon a little trick that changed everything. Dunking the air-fried donuts in melted butter gives them that irresistible, freshly fried texture. Trust me, it’s heaven on a plate!
The best part? Clean-up is a breeze—just a quick wipe down, and you’re done. No grease, no mess, just delicious homemade donuts in under 10 minutes.
What You’ll Need:
- Biscuit dough: For this easy air fryer donut recipe, grab a can of refrigerated biscuit dough. Just avoid the layered variety—they’re better suited for something like our maple bar donuts.
- Coating: All you need is melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon to create that classic donut coating.
How to Make Air Fryer Donuts:
- Start by opening your biscuit dough and separating the biscuits.
- Use a donut cutter or a water bottle cap to cut out the centers.
- Place the donuts in your air fryer basket, leaving the donut holes aside for now. Lightly spray the donuts with cooking oil.
- Cook the donuts at 350°F for 5-6 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Depending on your air fryer’s size, you might need to cook in batches.
- Once the donuts are done, pop the donut holes in the basket, give them a spray of oil, and cook for 4 minutes.
Coating Your Donuts:
- Dip the warm donuts into a shallow bowl of melted butter.
- In another bowl, mix your cinnamon and sugar.
- Dunk each donut into the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring they’re fully coated on both sides.
Sure, it might seem a little indulgent to dunk your donuts in butter, but we’re not counting calories here—we’re counting smiles. These donuts are all about that perfect mix of crispy, fluffy, and sweet.
Get Creative with Toppings:
These air fryer donuts are delicious as-is, but you can easily customize them with different toppings. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Dust with powdered sugar for a light, sweet touch.
- Spread on some Nutella for a chocolate-hazelnut twist.
- Drizzle with melted Biscoff cookie spread for something unique.
- Keep it classic with granulated sugar or your favorite cake frosting.
With an air fryer and a can of biscuit dough, you’re just minutes away from enjoying homemade donuts. They’re perfect for a quick breakfast, a weekend treat, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and satisfying.