Indulge Guilt-Free: The Ultimate Guide to Easy Air Fryer Donuts from Canned Biscuits
Imagine warm, fluffy donuts, perfectly golden, and dusted with cinnamon sugar or draped in rich chocolate glaze – all made in mere minutes, right in your own kitchen! Forget the mess and guilt of deep-frying; these air fryer donuts are incredibly fast, delightfully easy, and utterly delicious. Using a simple hack with canned biscuits, you can transform everyday pantry staples into a breakfast or dessert dream. Just 4 minutes in your air fryer and you’ll be savoring these irresistible donuts and their adorable donut holes!
Perfect for a spontaneous sweet treat, a fun weekend breakfast project with the kids, or an impressive last-minute dessert, these air-fried delights offer all the flavor and texture of traditional donuts without the extensive prep or heavy oil. Get ready to elevate your donut game with this game-changing recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Quick Air Fryer Donut Recipe
Donuts hold a special place in our hearts – they’re a quintessential comfort food, a delightful indulgence that often comes with a side of guilt due to their deep-fried nature. However, with this innovative air fryer donut recipe, you can enjoy all the wonderful flavor and soft texture of homemade donuts with significantly less fuss and far less oil. This method truly changes the game for donut lovers!
- Healthier Alternative: By using an air fryer instead of deep-frying, you drastically reduce the amount of oil needed, making these donuts a lighter option you can enjoy more often.
- Unbelievably Fast: From prep to plate, these donuts are ready in under 15 minutes. The air fryer cooks them in just 4 minutes per batch, meaning fresh, warm donuts are always just a few moments away.
- Effortlessly Easy: No yeast, no kneading, no rising time! Our secret ingredient – canned biscuits – takes all the hard work out of donut making. It’s a foolproof method even for novice bakers.
- Customizable Fun: Whether you prefer classic cinnamon sugar, rich chocolate glaze, creamy peanut butter frosting, or a medley of sprinkles, these donuts are a blank canvas for your favorite toppings. It’s a fantastic activity for families, allowing everyone to personalize their perfect treat.
- Donut and Donut Holes in One: Don’t throw away those cut-out centers! They become adorable, bite-sized donut holes, offering a delightful variety in every batch.
By leveraging the power of your air fryer and the convenience of canned biscuits, you can have a batch of delicious donuts and donut holes whenever the craving strikes, without any of the usual hassle. It’s truly a win-win for speed, simplicity, and taste!
RELATED RECIPES: Craving more baked goods? You might also enjoy these recipes: Lemon Baked Donuts or Peanut Butter & Jelly Donuts!
Key Ingredients for Your Homemade Air Fryer Donuts
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list, relying on common pantry items and a single star ingredient: canned biscuits. You’ll find all precise measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
Let’s take a closer look at the components that make these air fryer donuts so special, along with some helpful tips for substitutions and best results.
- Canned Biscuits: This is the foundation of our easy donuts. We experimented with both flaky homestyle and standard buttermilk biscuits. For the most donut-like texture and consistency, we highly recommend using standard buttermilk biscuits. Flaky biscuits tend to separate and can feel more like a dressed-up biscuit than a true donut. Look for “Jumbo” or “Grands!” style biscuits for a larger, more satisfying donut size.
- Butter: Essential for both flavor and for helping the cinnamon-sugar topping adhere. Unsalted butter is generally preferred, but salted butter works too, just be mindful of overall sodium if adding additional salt to glazes.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Topping: A timeless classic! A simple blend of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon creates that irresistible warm, sweet spice. You can adjust the ratio to your preference.
- Chocolate Glaze: Made from butter and chocolate chips, this glaze melts into a glossy, rich coating. Dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate chips can all be used depending on your preference.
- Peanut Butter Frosting: A creamy, decadent topping combining butter, creamy peanut butter, and powdered sugar. For a slight texture contrast, you could use a small amount of crunchy peanut butter, but creamy provides the smoothest frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: A versatile topping that can be simply dusted over the warm donuts or mixed with milk or lemon juice for a quick glaze.
- Sprinkles: The ultimate fun and festive decoration! Add them to wet glazes or frostings before they set for a colorful finish.
Other Topping Ideas: Don’t limit yourself to the recipe card! You can explore other toppings like a lemon glaze (find a recipe on my lemon baked donuts post), a maple glaze, crushed nuts, shredded coconut, or even a simple vanilla glaze made with powdered sugar and milk. The possibilities are endless!
How to Make Air Fryer Donuts: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this delightful recipe. For a quick overview, you can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with exact measurements and instructions at the bottom of the page.
- Prepare Your Toppings First: This is a crucial step! The donuts cook very quickly and are best coated while still warm. Before you even open the biscuits, make sure your desired toppings are ready to go. Whether it’s melting butter for cinnamon sugar, whisking a glaze, or having frosting at the ready, advanced preparation ensures a seamless process. (Please refer to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for detailed topping instructions, or use your own favorite recipes!)
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and helps ensure your donuts get that perfect golden finish.
- Cut the Biscuits: Open the can of jumbo buttermilk biscuits and carefully separate each biscuit into individual pieces. Most cans contain 8 biscuits.
- Create Donut Shapes: Using a small cookie cutter or a dough punch, approximately 1 to 1½ inches in diameter, cut out the center of each biscuit. Don’t discard these centers – they are perfect for making delightful donut holes!
- Air Fry the Donuts and Holes: Arrange the biscuit donuts and donut holes in a single layer in the prepared air fryer basket. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent even cooking. Cook 4 at a time (or as many as comfortably fit without touching) for 4 minutes at 350°F (175°C). The exact time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them. They should be puffed up and golden brown.
- Top Immediately: As soon as the donuts and donut holes are finished cooking, immediately and carefully remove them from the air fryer (they will be very hot!). While still warm, roll them in melted butter and then cinnamon-sugar, dip them into chocolate glaze, or spread them with your favorite frosting. If using sprinkles, add them right away before the frosting or glaze has a chance to harden, ensuring they stick beautifully.
Tips for Air Frying Donuts Like a Pro
To ensure your air fryer donuts turn out perfectly every single time, consider these expert tips:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is paramount for air frying. Overcrowding prevents the hot air from circulating properly, leading to unevenly cooked or soggy donuts. Cook in batches, leaving space between each donut.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: While not always strictly necessary for all air fryer recipes, preheating for a few minutes can help ensure a consistent temperature and faster, more even cooking for your donuts.
- Lightly Grease the Basket: Even with non-stick coating, a quick spray of cooking oil prevents sticking and helps achieve that lovely golden-brown exterior.
- Flip Halfway (Optional): For even browning on both sides, you can carefully flip the donuts halfway through the cooking time. However, many air fryers cook effectively without flipping due to their efficient heat circulation.
- Top While Warm: The secret to perfectly coated donuts is to apply toppings immediately after removing them from the air fryer. The warmth helps the butter stick, the sugar melt slightly, and glazes adhere beautifully.
- Adjust Cooking Time: Air fryer models vary. The suggested 4 minutes is a good starting point, but always monitor your donuts. They should be golden brown and puffed. If they are not quite done, cook for another minute or two.
- Storage: Air fryer donuts are best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1-2 days. Glazed or frosted donuts may become a little stickier over time.
- Reheating: To refresh leftover donuts, pop them back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F (150°C) until warm. Be careful not to overheat, especially if they are frosted.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Donuts
While you can technically use flaky canned biscuits, we strongly recommend against it for the best results. We’ve tried both flaky homestyle and standard buttermilk biscuits, and the buttermilk variety truly performs better. Flaky biscuits tend to fall apart or separate into layers during air frying, resulting in a texture that feels more like a dressed-up biscuit rather than a soft, cohesive donut. Standard buttermilk biscuits hold their shape beautifully and provide a more authentic donut-like taste and consistency.
Absolutely! Air fryer donuts are perfect for entertaining. For a fun and interactive experience, set up a “donut bar.” Prepare multiple topping options as shown in our recipe (cinnamon sugar, chocolate glaze, peanut butter frosting), and consider adding extra choices like powdered sugar, various sprinkles, chopped nuts, or even fruit toppings. Let kids and friends customize their own donuts! To keep cleanup easy, have them decorate over a large plate or a sheet pan to catch any crumbs or drippings.
Air fryer donuts offer a fantastic balance! They achieve a wonderfully soft and fluffy interior with a slightly crisp exterior, similar to baked donuts but often with a more golden finish. While they won’t have the exact greasy chewiness of a traditional deep-fried donut, they capture the essence and satisfaction of a fresh donut with significantly less fat and calories. Many people find the lighter texture and guilt-free enjoyment preferable.
Yes, you absolutely can! Many brands now offer gluten-free canned biscuit dough. Simply substitute the regular buttermilk biscuits with your favorite brand of gluten-free canned biscuits. Follow the same cutting and air frying instructions. The cooking time should remain similar, but always keep an eye on them, as gluten-free doughs can sometimes cook slightly differently.
Any standard air fryer, whether basket-style or oven-style, will work wonderfully for making these donuts. The most important thing is to ensure you don’t overcrowd the basket. If you have a smaller air fryer, you might just need to cook in more batches. Basket-style air fryers are particularly convenient for easily shaking or flipping the donuts, if desired.
Making air fryer donuts from canned biscuits is a truly super fun and rewarding activity, perfect for a cozy weekend morning or an impromptu sweet craving. It’s a culinary hack that both adults and kids will absolutely adore. Honestly, you don’t even need kids around to justify making a batch of these delectable donuts just for yourself!
This recipe offers an incredible combination of speed, ease, and deliciousness, proving that you don’t need fancy equipment or extensive culinary skills to create memorable treats. Dive into the world of air frying and discover how simple it is to bring a little bit of donut shop magic into your home.
Explore More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
If you love the convenience and versatility of your air fryer, you’re in for a treat! This amazing appliance can do so much more than just “fry.” Here are some of our other favorite air fryer recipes that are quick, easy, and bursting with flavor:
- Air Fryer French Toast Bites
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
- Air Fryer Apple Fries
- Air Fryer Bagels
- Air Fryer Boiled Eggs
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!
Air Fryer Donuts (from Canned Biscuits)
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 16 ounce can Jumbo buttermilk biscuits
Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Chocolate Glaze
- 2 ½ tablespoons butter, melted
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 2 ½ tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
Optional Topping Ideas
- Powdered Sugar (for dusting)
- Sprinkles
- Other favorite toppings (chopped nuts, shredded coconut, fruit glazes)
Equipment You’ll Need
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Air fryer
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1.5-inch biscuit cutter
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Mixing bowls
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Whisk or spatula
Before You Begin & Recipe Notes
- We highly recommend using standard buttermilk biscuits over flaky homestyle for the best donut-like texture. Flaky biscuits may fall apart during cooking.
- For a fun serving idea, create a “donut bar” with various toppings, allowing guests to customize their own. Decorate over a plate or sheet pan for easy cleanup.
- This recipe yields 8 donuts and 8 donut holes.
- Please note: The nutrition calculation provided does NOT include any of the toppings, as your choice of toppings will significantly affect the final nutritional value.
Instructions
Part 1: Prepare Toppings (Before baking)
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Before you begin baking your donuts, ensure all your chosen toppings are prepared and ready. The donuts cook quickly and need to be coated while warm.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
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Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a wide, shallow bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds. In a separate wide, shallow bowl, mix together the 1 tablespoon of cinnamon with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Set aside.
Chocolate Glaze
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Melt 2 ½ tablespoons of butter in a wide, shallow bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Add the ⅓ cup of chocolate chips to the melted butter. Microwave for another 30 seconds, then whisk until the chocolate is fully melted, and the glaze is smooth and free of lumps. Set aside.
Peanut Butter Frosting
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Melt 2 ½ tablespoons of butter in a wide, shallow bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir the 1 tablespoon of creamy peanut butter into the melted butter until well combined. Then, gradually stir in the ⅔ cup of powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Part 2: Bake the Donuts in the Air Fryer
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Lightly spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
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Open the can of Jumbo buttermilk biscuits and carefully separate each biscuit into 8 individual pieces.
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Use a small cookie cutter or a dough punch (approximately 1-½ inches in diameter) to cut out the center of each biscuit, creating a donut shape. Reserve these small centers to make delicious donut holes.
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Place the biscuit donuts and donut holes into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Bake 4 at a time (or as many as fit comfortably) for 4 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until golden brown and puffed.
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Immediately remove the hot donuts and donut holes from the air fryer (use tongs as they will be very hot!). While still warm, roll them in the prepared melted butter and then the cinnamon-sugar mixture, or dip them into the chocolate glaze, or spread them with the peanut butter frosting. If adding sprinkles, do so immediately before the frosting or glaze sets. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on Feb 4, 2021, and has been updated for improved content and clarity.