Air Fryer Donuts

I did a thing this past Sunday morning. I made Air Fryer Donuts.

stack of three donuts with bowl of donut holes in the back


 

I was doom scrolling and saw the cinnamon sugary wheels of glory calling my name. And they look so easy! I happened to have requested 2 cans of biscuit dough on hubby’s last trip to the store, so why not give them a whirl?

Most folks bought an Air Fryer to be healthier. To make their favorites with less oil but all the crisp. Apparently I didn’t get that memo because I used mine to take buttery biscuit dough, fry it, baste it with more butter and then toss it in cinnamon sugar.

Do Air Fried Donuts Taste Like Real Donuts?

I likened them to the now famous cronut – Dominique Ansel’s cross between a croissant and donut. But my sister, a true doughnut connoisseur, quickly corrected me that these should not be uttered in the same sentence- I still stand by my statement.

close up showing layers of biscuits

This is most certainly a doughnut hack. These aren’t going to rival the best yeast donuts or cake-like donuts you’ve ever had.

What I can tell you they are is delicious. They are quick to make and require just 4 ingredients. I would tell you they aren’t very messy, but I made mine with a 2-year-old (it’s also her hands in the video- but she’s 6 now), so mine were totally messy and every surface was covered in sugar fingerprints.

serving platter of cinnamon sugar biscuits in the air fryer

Why Make Air Fryer Donuts?

Super fluffy donuts that are ready in 10 minutes and taste delicious- what’s not to love!

  • Short ingredient list – In fact, you only need four ingredients to make these babies. No all purpose flour, eggs, vanilla extract or coconut oil needed!
  • Fun for the kids – This kids LOVE helping in the kitchen with this recipe. It’s super easy for little hands to help.
  • Easy to customize – If you’re not a fan of cinnamon sugar, add a chocolate glaze and sprinkles instead! The options are endless. You can even make several kinds in one batch.
angle close up of air fried biscuits

Ingredients

The short ingredient list is one of my favorite parts of this air fryer donuts recipe.

  • Refrigerated flaky large biscuits – This is my favorite donut hack ever. Refrigerated biscuits from the store make the easiest donuts in no time!
  • Sugar – Just white granulated sugar is perfect here.
  • Ground cinnamon – You can learn how to make the perfect cinnamon sugar ratio, or buy it already mixed at the sore. But it’s so simple to make.
  • Unsalted butter – You can use salted in a pinch. We just need a base for the cinnamon sugar to stick to.
ingredients for air fryer donuts - biscuit dough, cinnamon, sugar and butter

Variations

My Air Fryer Donuts are topped with just cinnamon sugar coating. Plain and simple, I like the crunch- it reminds me of mom’s cinnamon toast as a kid.

But you can use whatever toppings your heart desires. Dress them like any other donut. Dipping in a basic powdered sugar and milk glaze is always acceptable. As are sprinkles, or “sparkles” as my daughter calls them.

More donut toppings:

How to Make Air Fryer Donuts

Start with a can of refrigerated biscuit dough. My Air Fryer only accommodates 4 donuts without overlapping, so I worked in 2 batches.

  1. Make the Donut. Work on a non-stick surface or a lightly floured surface. Using a 1-inch cookie cutter, make holes in the center of each biscuit. This is necessary for them to cook the whole way through. It if you fry them whole, the center will still be doughy. I didn’t have a 1-inch cookie cutter so instead I used the cap off a bottle.
cutting holes in biscuit dough on a cutting board
  1. Grease them Up. Set aside the doughnut holes. Spray the inside of your Air Fryer with oil and then add donuts. Lightly spray the tops.
  2. Air Fry. Cook at 350°F for 5 minutes, turning half way through. No need to respray, as the bottoms will have residual oil on them already. Repeat with the other four biscuits and also the donut holes.
four donuts in the air fryer basket
  1. Butter Baste. Baste with the melted butter.
basting air fried biscuits with butter
  1. Toss in cinnamon and sugar. Serve warm!
tossing biscuits in cinnamon sugar mixture using chopsticks

Round Out the Meal

You can serve these donuts with any of your other favorite breakfast foods. I like to serve mine with a savory breakfast meat like bacon or sausage. You can also whip up some scrambled eggs or a spinach quiche.

Or if you’re just doing donuts and coffee, serve them with a frothy cup of whipped coffee. Yum!

close up of flakey layers in a loaf pan

Storage and Freezing

You can make anything ahead of time, the question is will it taste good? Donuts are best right out of the fryer when made traditionally and the same rings true here.

How to Store Donuts in the Air Fryer

Donuts can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for several days, if they last long. They are best on day #1 and might need a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave to reheat the butter goodness back to its former glory.

Can I Freeze Air Fryer Donuts?

I do not recommend freezing these donuts. You can, but the texture is totally off when thawed. They take less than 10 minutes to make, might as well make them fresh.

angle of cinnamon sugar biscuits in a loaf pan

More Breakfast Recipes

Breakfast is easily my favorite meal of the day. Sweet, savory, I like it all! Here are a few of our favorite easy breakfast ideas.

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Maple Coffee Cake

Maple Coffee Cake is an easy cake recipe using real maple syrup and pancake mix for a quick and easy breakfast cake recipe. 
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overhead og fruit pizza

EASY Fruit Pizza

This Dessert Pizza with fresh fruit, cream cheese frosting and a crispy cookie base is a fun and tasty treat the whole family will go crazy for!
See The Recipe!
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Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Pancake Recipe

Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are easy blueberry pancakes made with creamy ricotta cheese. Ricotta hotcakes are a super fluffy pancake recipe. The best pancakes from scratch!
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close up of air fryer donuts with cinnamon sugar topping
serving platter of cinnamon sugar biscuits in the air fryer

Air Fryer Donut Recipe

3.75 from 107 votes
Buttery and delicious Air Fryer Donuts in just 10 minutes and using only 4 ingredients. Coated in cinnamon sugar, these are going to be your new favorite!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Remove the biscuits from the can, separate them, and place them on a work space like a cutting board or rolling mat. Use a 1-inch round cookie cutter (or similarly-sized bottle cap) to cut holes out of the center of each biscuit.
  • Lightly coat your air fryer basket with cooking oil.
  • Place 4 donuts in a single layer without touching in the air fryer.
  • Close the air fryer and set to 350°F (nope, you do not need to preheat).
  • Cook for 5-6 minutes or until donuts are lightly browned and you can see the layers of biscuit start to seperate. Flip halfway through the cooking process.
  • Repeat with the remaining biscuits.
  • In a small, shallow bowl or pie plate, mix together sugar and ground cinnamon.
  • Baste both sides of the warm donuts with melted butter.
  • Toss in cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve immediately.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!

Video

Notes

*Many companies do not suggest using nonstick cooking spray such as Pam, which can damage the coating on the basket. Instead, make your own spritz and use olive oil or avocado oil.
You can also cook the donut holes by following the same process and cooking for 4 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 286 kcal, Carbohydrates: 35 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 15 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Cholesterol: 16 mg, Sodium: 545 mg, Potassium: 129 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 8 g, Vitamin A: 175 IU, Calcium: 35 mg, Iron: 2 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 286
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer donuts, homemade doughnuts
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
collage of air fryer donut recipe with text overlay for facebook
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

3.75 from 107 votes (95 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    These air fryer donuts are so easy to make! Sometimes I add honey with the cinnamon and sugar and my kids love them!

  2. 5 stars
    I had no idea you could use biscuit dough to make donuts, and make it healthier by using the air fryer instead of a deep fryer! This recipe is genius – and turned out so good!!

  3. 5 stars
    I make biscuit donuts all the time on the stovetop fried in oil, but never thought to do them in the air fryer – brilliant! I love how easy these are to make.