Air Fryer Donuts are a healthier and quicker way to enjoy the classic fried treat, with a light, fluffy texture and a crispy exterior. Made with simple ingredients, these donuts are coated in a sweet glaze or cinnamon sugar and are perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, all without the deep-frying mess.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Air Fryer Donuts are the perfect combination of light and fluffy, with the golden crispiness of a traditional fried donut but without the oil and mess. They’re easy to make, with no deep frying required, and you can customize them with your favorite toppings like chocolate glaze, cinnamon sugar, or sprinkles. They’re perfect for those who crave the taste of homemade donuts but want a healthier, more convenient option.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough (preferably buttermilk)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar topping, optional)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar topping, optional)
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Prepare the Donuts: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
- Shape the Donuts: Open the biscuit dough and use a small round cutter (such as a bottle cap) to cut out holes in the center of each biscuit, creating a donut shape. You can also use your hands to shape them into rounds, but the traditional hole shape works best.
- Brush with Butter: Lightly brush each donut with melted butter on both sides. This will give them a golden, crispy texture once cooked.
- Air Fry the Donuts: Place the donuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for air circulation. Air fry at 360°F for 5–6 minutes or until golden brown. For best results, flip the donuts halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly.
- Make the Topping: If using cinnamon sugar, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Once the donuts are done, brush them lightly with more melted butter and dip them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Optional Glaze: If you prefer a glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Dip the donuts into the glaze, letting any excess drip off before serving.
- Serve: Let the donuts cool for a few minutes, then serve warm and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8 donuts
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5–6 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Glazed Donuts: Dip the donuts in a chocolate glaze made with powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and milk.
- Maple Donuts: Use maple syrup in place of milk in the glaze for a sweet, maple-flavored topping.
- Sprinkles: After glazing the donuts, top with colorful sprinkles for a fun and festive look.
- Filled Donuts: Fill the donuts with jam, chocolate, or cream before air frying by piping the filling into the center after cutting the hole.
- Vegan Donuts: Use vegan biscuit dough, plant-based milk, and a dairy-free butter alternative for a vegan-friendly version.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: Freeze any leftover donuts in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. To reheat, place in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to warm through and crisp up again.
- Reheating: If the donuts become soft, reheat them in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to bring back their crispy texture.
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade dough for air fryer donuts?
Yes! You can use homemade yeast dough or even make dough from scratch, but using biscuit dough is quicker and easier for a faster result.
2. Can I make these donuts without a hole in the center?
Yes, you can skip cutting the holes and make filled donuts instead. Simply air fry the dough in a ball shape and add your filling after cooking.
3. Can I make these donuts ahead of time?
These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the dough the night before and store it in the refrigerator. Just air fry them in the morning for a quick breakfast.
4. How can I make these donuts fluffier?
For a fluffier donut, be sure not to overwork the dough when shaping the donuts. The biscuit dough should stay light and airy for the best texture.
5. Can I air fry donut holes?
Yes, the donut holes can be air fried as well. Reduce the cooking time to about 3–4 minutes, and coat them in cinnamon sugar or glaze after cooking.
6. Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free biscuit dough to make gluten-free donuts in the air fryer. Be sure to check the dough packaging for cooking instructions.
7. How do I avoid donuts sticking to the air fryer basket?
To prevent sticking, make sure to lightly grease the air fryer basket or use parchment paper. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure the donuts cook evenly.
8. Can I make these donuts without glaze or toppings?
Absolutely! The donuts are delicious on their own, even without glaze or cinnamon sugar. Just air fry them and enjoy as is for a simple treat.
9. Can I use any type of biscuit dough?
Yes, you can use any type of refrigerated biscuit dough. Buttermilk biscuits work particularly well, but flaky or buttery doughs will work too.
10. Can I make mini donuts in the air fryer?
Yes, you can make mini donuts by using smaller biscuit dough rounds. Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, checking after 3-4 minutes.
Conclusion
Air Fryer Donuts are a healthier, quicker way to enjoy a classic favorite without the mess of deep frying. With a golden, crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior, these donuts are customizable with a variety of toppings like cinnamon sugar, glaze, or chocolate. Whether you’re treating yourself to a sweet breakfast or serving them at a gathering, these air fryer donuts are sure to impress!
Print
Air Fryer Donut
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Air Fryer Donuts are a healthier, quicker version of the classic treat, made with simple ingredients and topped with either a sweet glaze or cinnamon sugar. They are light, fluffy, and crispy, perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough (preferably buttermilk)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar topping, optional)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar topping, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Donuts: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
- Shape the Donuts: Open the biscuit dough and use a small round cutter (such as a bottle cap) to cut out holes in the center of each biscuit, creating a donut shape. Alternatively, use your hands to shape them into rounds.
- Brush with Butter: Lightly brush each donut with melted butter on both sides to achieve a golden, crispy texture once cooked.
- Air Fry the Donuts: Place the donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation. Air fry at 360°F for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking. Once golden brown, remove the donuts from the air fryer.
- Make the Topping: If using cinnamon sugar, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. After the donuts are cooked, brush them with more melted butter and dip them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Optional Glaze: To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Dip each donut into the glaze, letting any excess drip off.
- Serve: Let the donuts cool slightly, then serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a lighter glaze, you can add maple syrup instead of milk.
- For filled donuts, pipe in your favorite filling, such as jam, cream, or chocolate, after air frying.
- If you’re craving something spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cinnamon sugar topping.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5–6 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
