If you’re craving a warm, sweet treat without the hassle of deep frying, these Easy Air Fryer Donuts are the perfect solution. Made with canned biscuits and coated in buttery cinnamon sugar, this simple recipe delivers bakery-style flavor in minutes. Whether you’re preparing a quick breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert, these donuts are sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make with minimal ingredients
- No deep frying required
- Soft, fluffy interior with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating
- Perfect for beginners and busy families
- Budget-friendly and ready in under 15 minutes
- Great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
- Kid-friendly and fun to customize
Ingredients
- 1 can large biscuits
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Generously grease a donut pan with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
- Open the can of biscuits and use a small round cookie cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit, creating a donut shape.
- Save the donut holes and cook them alongside the donuts if desired.
- Place each biscuit round into the prepared donut pan, gently pressing them into the mold.
- Air fry for 4 minutes.
- Carefully flip each donut and continue cooking for another 4 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove the Easy Air Fryer Donuts from the air fryer.
- Dip each warm donut into the melted butter.
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Roll the butter-coated donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely covered.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy.
Tips & Tricks
- Use refrigerated biscuit dough for the quickest results.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- Add a simple vanilla glaze for extra sweetness.
- Try pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon during fall.
- Air fryer temperatures vary, so check for doneness after 7 minutes.
- For a lighter coating, brush on butter instead of dipping.
Details
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian
Notes
- Serve with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
- Top with powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish.
- Add a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
- The donut holes can be cooked and coated just like the full-sized donuts.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Donut)
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Sugar: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
FAQ
Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes. Simply place the biscuit donuts directly in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one for proper airflow.
What biscuits work best for air fryer donuts?
Large refrigerated biscuit dough provides the best texture and rise for homemade air fryer donuts.
Can I use a glaze instead of cinnamon sugar?
Absolutely. A simple mixture of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract makes a delicious glaze.
How do I know when the donuts are done?
The donuts should be golden brown on the outside and fully cooked in the center.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, but they taste best fresh. Reheat before serving for the softest texture.
Are air fryer donuts healthier than fried donuts?
Since they aren’t deep fried in oil, air fryer donuts generally contain less fat than traditional fried donuts.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store leftover donuts in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating
Warm in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds.
Similar Recipes
Easy Air Fryer Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 can large biscuits
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Generously grease a donut pan with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
- Open the can of biscuits and use a small round cookie cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit, creating a donut shape.
- Save the donut holes and cook them alongside the donuts if desired.
- Place each biscuit round into the prepared donut pan, gently pressing them into the mold.
- Air fry for 4 minutes.
- Carefully flip each donut and continue cooking for another 4 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove the Easy Air Fryer Donuts from the air fryer.
- Dip each warm donut into the melted butter.
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Roll the butter-coated donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely covered.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Serve with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
- Top with powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish.
- Add a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
- The donut holes can be cooked and coated just like the full-sized donuts.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Conclusion
These Easy Air Fryer Donuts are proof that homemade treats don’t have to be complicated. With just a few pantry-friendly ingredients and less than 15 minutes of cooking time, you can enjoy soft, fluffy donuts coated in irresistible cinnamon sugar. Whether you’re making them for breakfast, dessert, or a weekend treat, this easy recipe is guaranteed to impress.