Save to Pinterest The air fryer sat on my counter for months before I ever thought to make donuts in it. One rainy Saturday morning, craving something sweet but wanting to avoid the mess of deep frying, I grabbed a can of biscuit dough and decided to experiment. Twenty minutes later, my kitchen smelled like a bakery, and I was biting into the most incredibly warm, cinnamon-sugar coated treat. These have become my go-to when I need to impress guests without actually trying hard.
Last winter, my niece came over for a sleepover and I surprised her with warm donuts for breakfast. She watched through the air fryer basket as they puffed up and turned golden, practically vibrating with excitement. Now every time she visits, she asks if were making those donuts again, and honestly, I never say no.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated biscuit dough: This shortcut is absolute genius because the yeast is already activated, giving you that classic donut shop texture without any rising time or kneading
- Unsalted butter, melted: Brushing the hot donuts with butter first creates the perfect adhesive layer so that cinnamon sugar clings to every single surface
- Granulated sugar: Regular white sugar gives you that classic crunch and sweetness that balances perfectly with the spices
- Ground cinnamon: The star of the show, and adding just a pinch of nutmeg takes it over the top
Instructions
- Heat things up:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes while you prep everything else
- Shape your donuts:
- Open that can of biscuit dough and use a small round cutter or even a clean bottle cap to cut out the center of each biscuit, saving those little centers to make donut holes
- Prep the basket:
- Give your air fryer basket a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray so nothing sticks
- Air fry to perfection:
- Arrange the donut shapes in a single layer without touching and air fry for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping them halfway through until theyre golden brown and puffed up beautifully
- Mix the coating:
- While those are cooking, whisk together your sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl
- The magic moment:
- Immediately brush each hot donut with melted butter, then toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely coated
- Dont waste the holes:
- Air fry the reserved centers for just 3 to 4 minutes and give them the same butter and cinnamon sugar treatment
Save to Pinterest My neighbor knocked on my door while I had a batch cooling, drawn by the incredible smell wafting through the hallway. I sent her home with a few warm ones, and she texted me an hour later saying her family had already demanded I make them again.
Getting That Perfect Texture
The air fryer circulates hot air all around the dough, creating a slightly crisp exterior while keeping the inside incredibly tender and fluffy. Deep frying can sometimes make donuts greasy or heavy, but this method gives you that irresistible fried flavor and texture with way less oil and practically no cleanup.
Making It Your Own
While the classic cinnamon sugar combination is timeless, you can absolutely play around with different coatings. Sometimes I mix in a little cocoa powder for chocolate donuts, or add pumpkin pie spice in the fall. You could even make a quick glaze with powdered sugar and milk instead of the butter coating.
Serving Suggestions That Take It Over The Top
These are fantastic on their own, but serving them alongside a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk makes for the ultimate breakfast or snack experience. If youre feeling fancy, you could even sandwich a little jam or Nutella between two donuts.
- The donut holes cook faster, so keep a close eye on them
- If the coating is not sticking, the donuts have cooled down too much
- These never last long in my house, so consider doubling the recipe
Save to Pinterest These air fryer donuts have become my secret weapon for bringing joy to any morning, and I hope they become a favorite in your kitchen too.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Why use biscuit dough instead of making donut dough from scratch?
Biscuit dough creates an incredibly light and fluffy texture that closely resembles classic cake donuts. It eliminates the need for yeast rising time and messy dough preparation. The ready-to-use dough ensures consistent results every time, perfect for beginners or anyone wanting homemade donuts without the hassle.
- → Can I make these ahead of time and reheat later?
These donuts taste best when freshly made and still warm. The cinnamon sugar coating maintains its ideal texture immediately after coating. If you must make them ahead, store unfrosted donuts in an airtight container and reheat briefly in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, then coat with butter and cinnamon sugar just before serving.
- → What's the best way to cut the donut holes?
A small round biscuit cutter, piping tip, or clean bottle cap works perfectly for cutting the center holes. Press firmly and twist slightly to create clean edges. The removed centers become delicious donut holes—just remember they cook faster, typically needing only 3-4 minutes in the air fryer.
- → Can I substitute the cinnamon sugar coating?
Absolutely! Try powdered sugar for a classic glazed look, or create a chocolate glaze using melted chocolate and a splash of milk. For a fall twist, add pumpkin pie spice to the sugar mixture. You could also drizzle with vanilla icing or toss in vanilla sugar for different flavor variations.
- → Do I need to grease the air fryer basket?
A light coating of nonstick cooking spray prevents sticking and helps achieve even browning. Avoid using too much spray, as excess oil can make the donuts greasy. Alternatively, you can line the basket with parchment paper designed for air fryers, though spraying directly works perfectly for this recipe.
- → How do I know when the donuts are done?
The donuts are ready when they're golden brown on both sides and have puffed up noticeably. They should feel firm but spring back lightly when touched. The internal temperature should reach 200°F. If they're browning too quickly, reduce the temperature by 25 degrees and extend the cooking time slightly.