Effortless Air Fryer Donuts: Quick & Delicious Biscuit Dough Recipe
Indulge in a sweet treat without the deep-fryer! Learn how to make irresistible Air Fryer Donuts using convenient store-bought biscuit dough. Top them with a silky vanilla glaze and a shower of sprinkles for a fun, easy, and incredibly tasty dessert or breakfast.
There’s nothing quite like a freshly made donut, but the thought of messy, oil-fried donuts can often deter home bakers. If your family, like mine, adores the classic fried variety but you dread the clean-up and unhealthy aspects, then this recipe for Air Fryer Donuts is about to become your new favorite! Forget the extensive kneading and proofing of traditional donut recipes; these delightful treats are made from humble store-bought biscuit dough and come together in mere minutes.
While we won’t claim these air fryer donuts are a health food, they offer a significantly lighter alternative to their deep-fried counterparts. By utilizing the air fryer, you achieve a wonderfully crisp exterior and a soft, fluffy interior without submerging them in oil. Sometimes, striking that balance between indulgence and convenience is all that truly matters, and these easy donuts hit the mark perfectly!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Air Fryer Donuts
Beyond their incredible taste, there are numerous reasons why these air fryer donuts are a game-changer for anyone craving a quick and simple dessert. The primary draw is the sheer speed and ease of preparation. From packaging to plate, you’re looking at under 15 minutes of active time, making them perfect for busy mornings, impromptu gatherings, or satisfying a sudden sweet tooth. No specialized equipment beyond an air fryer and a can of biscuits is required!
Furthermore, the air fryer offers a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. By circulating hot air, the donuts achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and a tender, airy crumb without absorbing excessive oil. This means less guilt and less mess to clean up in your kitchen, making it a win-win situation for any home cook. You get all the flavor and texture of a freshly fried donut, but with a lighter touch.
The versatility of these biscuit-based donuts is another huge plus. While the vanilla glaze is undeniably a family favorite, the plain, warm donuts provide a blank canvas for an endless array of toppings and flavors. From simple cinnamon sugar to rich chocolate glaze, you can customize each batch to suit individual preferences, making them a fun activity for kids and adults alike.
The Magic of Store-Bought Biscuit Dough for Quick Donuts
The secret to the incredible speed and simplicity of this recipe lies in using refrigerated biscuit dough. This ingenious shortcut completely bypasses the time-consuming process of making dough from scratch, which involves measuring, mixing, kneading, and waiting for it to rise. With store-bought biscuit dough, you get perfectly portioned, ready-to-use dough that puffs up beautifully in the air fryer, creating a light and airy donut texture that’s surprisingly close to traditional yeast donuts.
For these photos and optimal results, we typically use Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers Biscuit dough. The layers in these biscuits create a wonderfully light and airy texture in the finished donut, giving them that delightful pillowy quality. However, traditional Grand Biscuits also work exceptionally well, producing a slightly denser but equally delicious donut. Feel free to experiment with your favorite brand and style of refrigerated biscuits to discover what you enjoy most. Just ensure you have a standard 8-count can for the recipe’s measurements.
Ingredients You’ll Need for These Easy Air Fryer Donuts
Gathering your ingredients for these air fryer donuts is incredibly straightforward. Most items are likely already staples in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store.
- Refrigerated Biscuit Dough (1 can, 8 biscuits – like Pillsbury Grands)
- Cooking Spray (vegetable oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil)
- Butter (melted, for the glaze)
- Powdered Sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar)
- Vanilla Extract (pure vanilla extract offers the best flavor)
- Milk (any kind – whole, 2%, or even non-dairy milk works)
- Sprinkles (optional, but highly recommended for fun!)
When selecting your cooking spray, consider options like vegetable oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil, which all perform well in the air fryer and help achieve that golden-brown finish without sticking. For the glaze, using a good quality butter and pure vanilla extract will elevate the flavor significantly. The milk helps to achieve the perfect consistency for dipping, so you’ll want to have a little extra on hand to adjust if needed.
Step-by-Step: How To Make Donuts In An Air Fryer
Making these delicious donuts is surprisingly quick and simple. Follow these detailed steps for perfect results every time:
- Prepare the Biscuit Dough: Start by carefully opening the tube of refrigerated biscuits. Separate the 8 individual biscuits. To create the classic donut shape, use a donut cutter to punch out the center hole from each biscuit. If you don’t have a specific donut cutter, don’t worry! A small round biscuit cutter, the back of a large piping tip, or even a shot glass can work perfectly for cutting out the centers. Remember to save those little donut holes – they cook up into delightful bite-sized treats!
- Preheat and Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray (like vegetable, coconut, or avocado oil). This prevents sticking and helps the donuts brown beautifully. While it’s not strictly necessary to preheat all air fryers, doing so for a couple of minutes at 350°F (175°C) can ensure more even cooking from the start.
- Arrange and Spray Dough: Carefully arrange 3-4 donut rings (and a few donut holes, if you’re making them) in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s crucial not to overcrowd the basket, as air circulation is key for even cooking and proper puffing. Leave a little space between each piece. Once arranged, lightly spray the tops of the biscuit dough with cooking spray. This promotes browning and helps achieve that slightly crispy exterior.
- Initial Cooking: Close the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes. During this first phase, the donuts will begin to puff up and turn a light golden color on the bottom.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: After 5 minutes, carefully open the air fryer and use tongs to flip each donut and donut hole over. This ensures even cooking and browning on both sides. Close the basket and continue cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the donuts are deeply golden brown and cooked through. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them during the last few minutes.
- Cool and Repeat: Once cooked, immediately remove the hot donuts from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a wire cooling rack. This allows air to circulate around them, preventing them from becoming soggy and ensuring they cool properly. While these donuts are cooling, continue cooking the remaining batches of biscuit dough until all your donuts are done.
As you can see from the photos, a luscious vanilla glaze is our absolute favorite way to finish these air fryer donuts! It adds a perfect touch of sweetness and a beautiful sheen. However, the world of donut toppings is vast, and there are many delicious options to explore!
Mastering the Vanilla Glaze for Your Air Fryer Donuts
A classic vanilla glaze is the perfect complement to these warm, fluffy air fryer donuts. It’s simple to make and adds a touch of bakery-style elegance to your homemade treats. To prepare this delicious glaze, begin by melting the butter either in a microwave-safe bowl or in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, combine it in a medium-sized bowl with the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and one tablespoon of milk.
Whisk all the ingredients together vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. If the glaze appears too thick to easily dip your donuts, add the remaining tablespoon of milk, or even a tiny bit more (half a teaspoon at a time), until it reaches your desired consistency. It should be thick enough to cling to the donut but thin enough to drip off slightly. Conversely, if your glaze is too thin, simply whisk in a bit more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it thickens up.
Once your donuts have cooled slightly but are still warm, you can begin the glazing process. Dip the top of each donut into the prepared vanilla glaze, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Then, quickly transfer the glazed donut to a wire rack. If you’re adding sprinkles, now is the time to apply them while the glaze is still wet. Let the glazed and sprinkled donuts sit on the wire rack for about 5-10 minutes to allow the glaze to set up before serving. This ensures a clean, non-sticky finish.
Beyond Vanilla: Delicious Donut Topping Variations
While the vanilla glaze is a timeless choice, these air fryer donuts are incredibly versatile and can be transformed with a variety of other delicious toppings. Here are a few popular ideas to inspire you:
Classic Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
For a warm and comforting treat that evokes fond memories of classic donut shops, opt for a simple yet incredibly satisfying cinnamon sugar coating. As soon as the donuts come out of the air fryer and are still warm, lightly brush them all over with a little melted butter. The butter is crucial here, as it acts as the adhesive for the cinnamon sugar mixture. Once buttered, toss the warm donuts gently in a bowl filled with a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon (typically 1/4 cup sugar to 1 teaspoon cinnamon, adjusted to taste). Ensure they are fully coated for that irresistible sweet and spicy crunch.
Simple Powdered Sugar Donut Holes
Don’t let those delightful donut holes go to waste! They make for fantastic bite-sized treats, especially when coated in powdered sugar. Just like the cinnamon sugar donuts, brush the still-warm donut holes with a touch of melted butter, then toss them in a bowl of powdered sugar until evenly coated. This creates a soft, sweet exterior that melts in your mouth – a perfect little burst of sweetness!
Other Creative Topping Ideas
- Chocolate Glaze: Melt some chocolate chips with a tablespoon of milk or cream, then dip the donuts for a rich, decadent finish.
- Maple Glaze: Combine powdered sugar with maple syrup and a splash of milk for a distinctly autumnal flavor.
- Lemon Glaze: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a little lemon zest to your powdered sugar and milk mixture for a bright, tangy topping.
- Nutty Crunch: After glazing, sprinkle with finely chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds for added texture.
- Coconut Delight: Toasted shredded coconut makes a fantastic tropical topping, especially on a vanilla or chocolate glaze.
Essential Tools: Making the Perfect Donut Hole
Achieving that iconic donut shape with a perfect hole in the center is easier than you might think, even if you don’t own a specialized donut cutter. While a dedicated donut cutter is certainly the most convenient tool, many common kitchen items can serve as excellent substitutes:
- Donut Cutter: If you have one, this is the easiest option! It will cut both the outer ring and the inner hole simultaneously, ensuring perfectly uniform donuts.
- Biscuit Cutter & Small Round Cutter: A set of round biscuit cutters is incredibly versatile. Use a larger one (around 2.5-3 inches) for the outer donut shape, and then a smaller one (about 1 inch) to punch out the center hole.
- Piping Tip: The wider end of a large round piping tip (often used for frosting cakes) works exceptionally well for creating clean, uniform donut holes. Simply press it firmly through the center of your biscuit dough.
- Shot Glass or Small Bottle Cap: For a quick and easy solution, a small shot glass or even a clean bottle cap (from a water bottle or soda) can be used to cut out the center hole. Just make sure the edges are relatively sharp for a clean cut.
- Cookie Cutter: Any small, round cookie cutter can also do the trick. Get creative with what you have on hand!
The key is to press down firmly and twist slightly to ensure a clean cut, minimizing any tearing of the dough. Remember, the smaller inner pieces can also be air-fried into delicious donut holes, so don’t discard them!
Pro Tips for Air Fryer Donut Success
To ensure your air fryer donuts turn out perfectly every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Choose the Right Bowl for Glazing: When preparing your glaze, make sure to use a bowl that is slightly wider than your donuts. This will make the dipping process much easier, allowing you to coat the entire donut surface in one smooth motion without making a mess or struggling with uneven coverage.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: The perfect glaze consistency is key. If your glaze seems too thick to easily coat the donuts, add milk or water very sparingly – start with 1 teaspoon at a time – and whisk well after each addition until you reach a smooth, dippable texture. If, on the other hand, your glaze is too thin and runs off the donuts too quickly, whisk in a tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Air Fryer: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for any air fryer recipe. For even cooking and proper browning, the air needs to circulate freely around each donut. Place donuts in a single layer with a little space between them. If you overcrowd the basket, the donuts will steam rather than crisp, resulting in a less desirable texture. Work in batches if necessary.
- Don’t Forget the Donut Holes: Those little cut-out centers are just as delicious! Air fry them alongside your donuts (or in a separate batch if space is limited) for mini treats. They cook even faster, usually in about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve Warm for Best Results: While these donuts are still tasty cooled, they are absolutely divine when served warm, straight off the cooling rack. The warm, fluffy interior combined with the freshly set glaze is truly a delight.
- Storage: If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Where to find these sprinkles? You can often find a fantastic variety of fun and colorful sprinkles at Fancy Sprinkles or your local craft store’s baking aisle.
To make this recipe, I personally used a Cosori 5.8 Qt Air Fryer. It’s a great model because it’s spacious enough to fit a good number of donuts in each batch, and its removable basket makes shaking, stirring, or flipping your food incredibly easy, ensuring even cooking every time.
More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes to Try
If you’ve enjoyed the ease and convenience of making donuts in your air fryer, you’re in for a treat! The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can cook a wide array of dishes, from crispy snacks to satisfying main courses. Here are some more fantastic air fryer recipes from our kitchen that you might love:
- Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Hamburgers
- Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Donuts
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
8
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
-
1
can,
8 biscuits refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands) -
Cooking Spray (vegetable, coconut, or avocado oil)
-
2
Tablespoons
butter
,
melted -
1
cup
powdered sugar
-
½
teaspoon
vanilla extract
-
1-2
Tablespoon
milk
-
Sprinkles
Instructions
-
Open the canned biscuits and separate them into 8 individual pieces. Use a donut cutter or a small round cutter to cut out the center hole from each biscuit, creating donut rings and small donut holes.
-
Lightly spray the basket of your air fryer with a non-stick vegetable, coconut, or avocado oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
-
Arrange 3-4 donut rings and a couple of donut holes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is no overlapping to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
-
Lightly spray the tops of the biscuit dough with cooking spray. This helps them brown beautifully and achieve a slightly crispy exterior.
-
Cook the donuts at 350º F (175°C) for 5 minutes. After this time, carefully flip each donut and donut hole over, then cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
-
Carefully remove the cooked donuts and donut holes from the air fryer and place them on a wire cooling rack. Continue cooking the remaining biscuit dough in batches until all are done.
-
While the donuts are cooling, prepare the vanilla glaze. Whisk together the melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk in a medium bowl until you achieve a nice smooth, pourable consistency. Adjust with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
-
Once the donuts have cooled slightly but are still warm, dip the top of each donut into the glaze. Let any excess glaze drip off, then immediately transfer to the wire rack. If desired, top with sprinkles while the glaze is still wet. Let stand for about 5-10 minutes for the glaze to set up before serving. Enjoy warm!
Nutrition
Serving:
1
g
|
Calories:
263
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
41
g
|
Protein:
4
g
|
Fat:
9
g
|
Saturated Fat:
4
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
5
g
|
Trans Fat:
2
g
|
Cholesterol:
9
mg
|
Sodium:
592
mg
|
Sugar:
18
g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
Breakfast Recipes, Dessert
American
8
263
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