Save I discovered air fryer donuts completely by accident on a lazy Saturday morning when my daughter asked for something sweet, and I realized I had nothing but a can of biscuits in the fridge. What started as kitchen improvisation turned into a household obsession—golden, fluffy donuts ready in less time than it takes to brew coffee. Now whenever someone mentions they don't have time for homemade treats, I smile knowing this trick.
I'll never forget bringing a batch of these to my neighbor's coffee morning, watching three people take one bite and immediately ask for the recipe. The best part wasn't their surprise at how good they were, but their disbelief when I told them the whole thing takes less time than a quick shower.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated biscuit dough: One 16 oz can gives you exactly 8 biscuits, and the magic is that they're already seasoned and designed to puff up beautifully in heat.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Just a light coating keeps things from sticking without adding unnecessary oil or mess.
- Granulated sugar: Half a cup combined with cinnamon creates that classic donut coating that clings to the warm butter perfectly.
- Ground cinnamon: One and a half teaspoons provides enough warmth and spice to make people ask if there's more cinnamon sugar available.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and brushed while the donuts are still hot allows the coating to stick and creates that bakery-style finish.
Instructions
- Heat your air fryer:
- Set it to 350°F and let it preheat for 3 minutes. This ensures your donuts cook evenly and achieve that light golden color rather than browning unevenly.
- Shape your donuts:
- Separate the biscuits and use a small round cutter (about 1 inch) to punch a hole in the center of each one. Those little holes cook into donut holes, which honestly disappear faster than the actual donuts.
- Prepare the basket:
- Give your air fryer basket a light spray of nonstick cooking spray. This single step prevents any sticking and makes cleanup effortless.
- Air fry with intention:
- Arrange the donuts in a single layer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. You'll watch them puff up and turn that gorgeous golden brown that makes your kitchen smell incredible.
- Mix your coating:
- While the donuts cook, combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. This takes 30 seconds and ensures you're ready the moment they come out hot.
- Coat while warm:
- Brush each hot donut with melted butter on all sides, then immediately toss in cinnamon sugar. The heat makes everything stick perfectly and creates that luxurious bakery texture.
- Serve or repeat:
- Enjoy your batch while they're still warm, then repeat the process with remaining donuts and holes if you're making a second batch.
Save There's something almost magical about handing someone a still-warm donut made from ingredients most people have forgotten about in their pantry. It's one of those rare moments where kitchen chemistry feels like you've pulled off something genuinely impressive, even though you absolutely haven't.
Why This Method Works So Well
The air fryer's circulating heat creates crispy exteriors that a regular oven simply can't match, and biscuit dough has just the right structure to transform into donut-shaped magic. There's minimal oil involved, the donuts don't absorb excess grease, and the entire process produces that fresh-from-the-bakery quality that makes people think you've been up since dawn preparing.
Flavor Variations Worth Trying
Once you've mastered the basic cinnamon sugar version, the fun really starts. For a glaze, whisk together powdered sugar with a little milk and vanilla, then drizzle it over cooled donuts for an elegant finish. You can also roll them in plain powdered sugar for something more refined, dust them with cocoa powder for a chocolate twist, or even try a combination of both cinnamon and cocoa for depth.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Fresh donuts are undeniably the goal, but life doesn't always cooperate with perfect timing. These keep in an airtight container for up to a day, though they're best within the first few hours when the texture is still at its peak.
- Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain softness without condensation making them soggy.
- If you have leftover donut holes, they reheat beautifully in the air fryer at 325°F for just 1 to 2 minutes.
- Make the coating mixture ahead of time and store it in a small jar—it lasts for weeks and lets you enjoy fresh donuts whenever impulse strikes.
Save This recipe proves that the best treats aren't always about complexity or time spent—sometimes they're about knowing which shortcuts actually deliver. Enjoy these warm, and don't be surprised when people ask you to make them again.
Kitchen Guide
- → What kind of dough is used?
Refrigerated biscuit dough forms the base, providing a quick and fluffy texture without lengthy preparation.
- → How do you achieve the donut shape?
Use a small round cutter to cut holes in the center of each biscuit, creating classic donut forms and optional donut holes.
- → What temperature is best for air frying?
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook the donuts for about 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway for even browning.
- → How is the cinnamon sugar coating applied?
Once cooked, donuts are brushed with melted butter and then tossed in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for sweet flavor and a slight crunch.
- → Can I customize the coating?
Yes, for variety try drizzling a powdered sugar glaze or rolling in cocoa powder instead of cinnamon sugar for different taste profiles.