If you’re craving a sweet treat but want to skip the deep frying and lengthy prep, this Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe is just the answer. With just a handful of everyday ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you can create fluffy, golden donuts that are crisp on the outside and tender inside. The magic comes from using jumbo biscuits as your dough base, making the process incredibly straightforward and perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers wanting a fast fix. These donuts are dusted in a warm cinnamon sugar coating that simply melts into the buttery glaze, giving you that classic comfort flavor without the fuss. Ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with minimal effort? Let’s dive in!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe is simple yet plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of texture, flavor, and color. The combination is designed to keep things easy but delicious.
- Jumbo Biscuits: The base for your donuts, these flaky biscuits create a soft, airy texture once cooked.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and works with the cinnamon for that classic donut coating.
- Ground Cinnamon: Provides a warm, spicy note that complements the sugar and butter perfectly.
- Butter (melted): Adds richness and helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to the donuts for that irresistible glaze.
- Oil Spray (coconut or olive): Used to lightly coat the air fryer basket to prevent sticking while keeping things healthy.
How to Make Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Begin by setting your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and let it preheat for 3 to 5 minutes. This ensures your donuts cook evenly and develop a golden crust while remaining soft inside.
Step 2: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar
While the air fryer warms up, mix together half a cup of granulated sugar and half a tablespoon of ground cinnamon in a medium bowl. This mixture will coat your donuts and give them that perfect sweet and spicy flavor.
Step 3: Cut the Donut Shapes
Open your can of jumbo biscuits and, using a 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut a hole out of the center of each biscuit to form your donut shape. You’ll end up with both donuts and donut holes to enjoy. Lightly spray your air fryer basket with a coconut or olive oil spray to prevent sticking — avoid non-stick sprays that can damage your air fryer.
Step 4: Air Fry the Donuts
Place the donuts (not the holes) carefully in the basket, giving them space to cook evenly. Cook for 5 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, until golden and puffed. Meanwhile, melt your butter to get it ready for coating.
Step 5: Coat the Donuts with Butter and Cinnamon Sugar
Once the donuts are cooked, brush them generously with the melted butter using a silicone pastry brush. Then, dip and roll each donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture for an even, delicious coating. You can also spoon some on top to make sure every bite is sugary and flavorful. Shake off excess sugar gently before serving.
Step 6: Air Fry the Donut Holes (Optional)
Don’t forget about those cute donut holes! Air fry them for slightly less time—around 3-4 minutes at 360 degrees. Then coat them in butter and cinnamon sugar just like the donuts. They make perfect bite-sized treats!
How to Serve Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
While these donuts shine on their own, adding a simple garnish can elevate them even more. Try sprinkling a pinch of powdered sugar or a handful of mini chocolate chips on top. For a fun twist, drizzle a light glaze of vanilla or maple syrup to add shine and extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
Pair your Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe with a steaming cup of coffee or hot cocoa for the perfect cozy breakfast or snack combo. Fresh fruit like strawberries or sliced apples can add a refreshing contrast to the rich donuts, rounding out the meal nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests or add some flair? Serve your donuts stacked on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of whipped cream, caramel sauce, and fruit preserves for dipping. You could even arrange the donuts like a donut tower or place the holes in glass jars for a playful touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers from your Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep them fresh and tender, avoid refrigerating as it can dry them out quickly.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze your donuts by wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last up to a month frozen without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To reheat, pop your donuts back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. This method revives their crispy exterior and fluffy interior much better than a microwave can.
FAQs
Can I use regular biscuits instead of jumbo biscuits?
You can, but jumbo biscuits work best because they create a donut size that’s perfect for air frying. Smaller biscuits will make bite-sized donuts, which are still delicious but may need less cooking time.
Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating ensures the donuts start cooking immediately at the correct temperature for a crispy outside and soft inside. Skipping this step could cause uneven cooking or soggy spots.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just substitute the jumbo biscuits with a gluten-free biscuit dough brand. Cooking times should remain pretty similar, but keep an eye as gluten-free dough can brown a bit faster.
What can I use if I don’t have a 1-inch round cookie cutter?
If you don’t have a cookie cutter, a small bottle cap or the end of a piping tip can work as a cutter for the donut holes. Just make sure it’s food-safe and about the right size.
Can I add toppings like powdered sugar or glaze?
Yes! While the cinnamon sugar is classic, powdered sugar, chocolate glaze, or even a simple vanilla icing drizzle can add extra fun and flavor to your donuts.
Final Thoughts
You’ve got everything you need to whip up this Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe whenever a craving strikes. It’s a fun, fast, and foolproof way to enjoy fresh donuts without all the mess. Trust me, once you try these light, flavorful bites you’ll be reaching for the air fryer instead of the bakery every time. Go ahead, treat yourself—you deserve it!
Print
Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts + 8 holes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Air Fryer Donuts are a quick and delicious treat made from flaky biscuit dough, coated in cinnamon sugar, and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer. Perfect for a sweet breakfast or snack, they offer a healthier alternative to traditional fried donuts with minimal prep and cook time.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 can Jumbo Biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands)
- 5 Tablespoons butter (melted)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit by turning it on to the desired temperature and running it empty for 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Set this mixture aside for coating the baked donuts later.
- Prepare the Dough: Open the can of jumbo flaky biscuits. Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut out the centers from each biscuit to create donut shapes with holes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with coconut oil spray or olive oil spray to prevent sticking; avoid using non-stick sprays like Pam as they can damage your air fryer.
- Air Fry the Donuts: Place the donut shapes (not the holes) into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each. Cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes until they turn golden and cooked through. While the donuts bake, melt the butter if not already done.
- Coat Donuts with Butter and Cinnamon Sugar: Remove the donuts from the air fryer and immediately brush them generously with melted butter using a silicone pastry brush. Then, roll and dip the donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture to fully coat them. Use a spoon to sprinkle and coat the tops as well. Shake off any excess sugar gently.
- Serve Warm: Serve the donuts hot for the best taste and texture. Optionally, you can air fry the cut-out holes following the same steps for extra mini treats.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking of donuts.
- Use coconut or olive oil spray instead of non-stick sprays that may damage the air fryer.
- The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model.
- Feel free to experiment with different coatings such as powdered sugar or glaze for variety.
- Donuts are best enjoyed fresh and warm for optimal texture.
