These Air Fryer Donuts are the easiest donuts you can make at home, thanks to the secret ingredient and your air fryer!
Every other Sunday is Donut Day in my house. And this stay-at-home time hasn't stopped us!
My husband used to go out on Sunday mornings to get some donuts from a local donut shop for the whole family. He'd also stop by our local Starbucks and bring back coffee for the two of us.
Now, we make our own coffee at home every day. And, we make these SUPER EASY, CRAZY DELICIOUS Air Fryer Donuts every other Sunday!
The Secret Ingredient
The secret shortcut to making these donuts: canned biscuit dough.
Say whaaat??
Yep. Canned biscuit dough. The kind you find in the grocery store next to the canned cinnamon rolls and pizza dough.
Some people use pizza dough for fast, easy donuts. But I like the flaky fluffy texture you get using biscuit dough.
Is it exactly like a classic donut? No. But it's buttery, light, and flaky, and my family and I LOVE it!
What You Need to Make This Recipe
First, you need an air fryer. This is the XL basket-style air fryer that I have and use almost every day now.
You only need three ingredients to make these easy air fryer donuts:
- can of biscuits
- melted butter
- cinnamon sugar
Okay, technically that's four ingredients, since the last one is made up of cinnamon and sugar. But I always have a small mason jar made up of cinnamon sugar.
To make cinnamon sugar: simply mix together one part granulated sugar with one-fourths part ground cinnamon in a jar. Now you always have cinnamon sugar mix ready to go!
I use cinnamon sugar on so many things: waffles, donuts, muffins.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
Start by preheating your air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
Open the can of biscuits and placing each raw biscuit dough onto a plate or a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper.
Use the wide end of a pastry tip to create a hole in the middle of each biscuit. Save the dough for donut holes!
Spray your air fryer with a bit of olive oil spray.
Place cut biscuits down onto the air fryer basket, leaving room between each one so that they don't touch. I have an XL air fryer and make these in two batches; depending on your specific air fryer, you might need to do the same.
Air fry at 360°F for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a bowl, and set aside.
When done, the biscuit tops will be golden brown. Carefully remove the hot donuts (use tongs to avoid burning your fingers if they are too hot) from the air fryer and dredge immediately Into the shallow bowl with cinnamon sugar mix. Be sure to coat all sides.
As you work on the donuts, you might want to first brush them with the melted butter before coating with the cinnamon sugar.
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Air Fryer Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 can biscuit dough (8 biscuits)
- olive oil spray
- ยฝ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
- Take biscuit dough out of the can and use a small round cookie cutter or the back of a pastry tip to cut out holes in the middle of each donut. Use the center dough for donut holes.
- Spray the interior of the air fryer basket with oil spray. Place donuts In a single layer. Make sure donuts do NOT touch each other or overlap; they will stick to each other if they do.
- Air fry at 360°F for 5 minutes. During this time, you can melt the butter and have it ready.
- When done, the biscuit tops will be golden brown. Carefully remove the hot donuts (use tongs to avoid burning your fingers if they are too hot) from the air fryer and dredge immediately Into the shallow bowl with cinnamon sugar mix. Be sure to coat all sides.
- As you work on the donuts, you might want to first brush them with the melted butter before coating with the cinnamon sugar.
- Enjoy immediately!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Candice says
Everything about this recipe is genius!
1. Using an air fryer to make donuts.
2. Using biscuit dough.
3. Knowing I am always only 15 minutes away from donuts.
Thank you for this great recipe. Can't wait to make them again!
Toni says
I love how easy this is to make!! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Sara Welch says
Another great recipe for my Air Fryer! Going to start my day off right with these, tomorrow!
Anita says
I would never have guessed one can fry donuts in an air-fryer. This is a game changer, probably not so great for the waist line, but good for being able to make donuts whenever I want. :)
Carrie Robinson says
I just love that you made these in the air fryer! They look perfect. :)