Air Fryer Donuts: The Easiest & Fastest Homemade Donuts
These Air Fryer Donuts are the simplest donuts you can prepare at home, thanks to a clever shortcut and your trusty air fryer!
In our house, every other Sunday is officially Donut Day. And even during these stay-at-home times, we haven’t broken the tradition!
My husband used to venture out every Sunday morning to our favorite local donut shop, bringing back a box of treats for the whole family. He’d also swing by Starbucks to grab coffee for the two of us.
Now, we’ve embraced the homemade life. We make our own coffee every day, and every other Sunday, we whip up these SUPER EASY, CRAZY DELICIOUS Air Fryer Donuts!
The Secret to Speedy Air Fryer Donuts
The secret ingredient that makes these donuts so quick and easy? Canned biscuit dough!
I know, right? It sounds almost too good to be true.
Yep. Canned biscuit dough. The same kind you’ll find in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, nestled between the canned cinnamon rolls and pizza dough.
While some people opt for pizza dough to make quick donuts, I personally prefer the slightly flaky and wonderfully fluffy texture you get from using biscuit dough. It adds a unique touch to the homemade donut experience.
Is it *exactly* like a classic donut from your favorite bakery? Not quite. But it’s wonderfully buttery, surprisingly light, delightfully flaky, and my family and I absolutely LOVE them!
This recipe is perfect for a quick weekend breakfast, a fun activity with kids, or even a late-night craving. The possibilities are endless!
What You Need to Make These Air Fryer Donuts
First and foremost, you’ll need an air fryer. I use an XL basket-style air fryer almost every day now. Its spacious capacity makes it perfect for cooking larger batches and a variety of different foods. You can find a similar XL basket-style air fryer here.
Beyond the air fryer, you only need four simple ingredients to create these delightful air fryer donuts:
- 1 can of biscuit dough (the flaky kind works best!)
- Olive oil spray
- Melted butter
- Cinnamon sugar
Okay, so technically that’s four ingredients, since the last one is a mix of cinnamon and sugar. But I always keep a small mason jar filled with pre-mixed cinnamon sugar ready to go. It’s a real time-saver!
To make cinnamon sugar: Simply combine one part granulated sugar with one-fourth part ground cinnamon in a jar. Give it a good shake, and voila! You’ll have a ready-to-use cinnamon sugar mix for all your culinary adventures.
I use cinnamon sugar on so many things: waffles, pancakes, muffins, toast… the list goes on! It’s a versatile and delicious addition to any breakfast or dessert.
Want to get even more creative? Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to your cinnamon sugar mix for a unique and warming flavor profile. Or, for a festive twist, try using pumpkin pie spice during the fall months.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Own Air Fryer Donuts
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions and get ready to enjoy fresh, warm donuts in minutes!
- Preheat: Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes. This ensures even cooking and a crispy exterior.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: While the air fryer is preheating, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Set it aside for later.
- Open the Biscuits: Carefully open the can of biscuits. Place each raw biscuit dough onto a plate or a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. This prevents them from sticking.
- Cut the Holes: Use the wide end of a pastry tip, a small cookie cutter, or even a knife to create a hole in the middle of each biscuit. Don’t throw away the dough from the holes! Those become delicious donut holes.
- Spray the Basket: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray. This prevents the donuts from sticking and helps them brown evenly.
- Arrange the Donuts: Place the cut biscuits into the air fryer basket, ensuring there’s enough space between each one so that they don’t touch. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the donuts in batches. I have an XL air fryer and usually make these in two batches.
- Air Fry: Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer.
- Melt the Butter: While the donuts are cooking, melt the butter in a bowl and set it aside. This will be used to help the cinnamon sugar stick to the donuts.
- Coat in Cinnamon Sugar: When the donuts are done, the tops will be a beautiful golden brown color. Carefully remove the hot donuts (use tongs to avoid burning your fingers!) from the air fryer. Immediately dredge each donut in the shallow bowl of cinnamon sugar mix, making sure to coat all sides generously.
- Brush with Butter (Optional): As you continue to work on the donuts, you might find that brushing them with melted butter before coating them with cinnamon sugar helps the sugar adhere better. This is especially helpful if the donuts start to cool down a bit.
- Enjoy Immediately: These air fryer donuts are best enjoyed warm and fresh! Serve them with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.
These air fryer donuts are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed any time of day. They’re quick, easy, and require minimal ingredients, making them a perfect option for busy weeknights or lazy weekend mornings.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts
- Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure the donuts aren’t touching in the air fryer for even cooking.
- Watch Closely: Air fryers vary, so keep an eye on your donuts to prevent burning.
- Get Creative: Experiment with different toppings like chocolate glaze, sprinkles, or powdered sugar.
Variations to Spice Up Your Air Fryer Donuts
Want to add a little extra flair to your air fryer donuts? Here are a few delicious variations to try:
- Chocolate Glazed Donuts: After the donuts have cooled slightly, dip them in melted chocolate and top with sprinkles.
- Maple Glazed Donuts: Whisk together maple syrup, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk for a sweet and decadent glaze.
- Powdered Sugar Donuts: Simply dust the warm donuts with powdered sugar for a classic and simple treat.
- Filled Donuts: Use a piping bag to fill the donuts with your favorite jam, cream, or chocolate filling.
- Savory Donuts: For a savory twist, skip the cinnamon sugar and brush the donuts with garlic butter or sprinkle them with Parmesan cheese.
More Breakfast & Brunch Recipes to Enjoy
Looking for other delicious breakfast and brunch recipes to try? Here are a few of my favorites:
- Air Fryer Strawberry Turnovers: Flaky and fruity, these turnovers are a delightful way to start the day.
- Air Fryer Crispy Bacon: Perfectly crispy bacon in just minutes, without the mess of frying.
- Banana Chocolate Chip Waffles: A delicious and satisfying twist on classic waffles.
- Chorizo Breakfast Bowl: A hearty and flavorful breakfast bowl that’s perfect for a weekend brunch.
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