Effortless Air Fryer Donuts: Quick & Delicious Canned Biscuit Recipe
Imagine waking up to the aroma of freshly made donuts, golden and fluffy, without the mess of deep frying or the trip to a crowded donut shop. With this incredibly easy Air Fryer Donuts recipe using canned biscuits, that dream becomes a reality in mere minutes! This guide shows you how to transform simple canned biscuit dough and a few pantry staples into a delightful homemade treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a quick dessert.
Making donuts at home has never been simpler. Forget about proofing yeast, rolling dough from scratch, or dealing with hot oil. Our air fryer method simplifies the process dramatically, allowing you to enjoy warm, delicious donuts with a perfectly crispy exterior and a tender, soft interior in under 10 minutes. It’s a game-changer for busy mornings and a fun activity for the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Donut Recipe
- Unbelievably Fast: Ready in Under 8 Minutes! No extensive prep time, no waiting for dough to rise. From package to plate, these air-fried delights are ready faster than you can brew your coffee. This makes them an ideal solution for a quick breakfast on a school day or an impromptu treat.
- Kid-Friendly & Fun to Make: Get the little ones involved! They’ll love cutting the donut holes and, even more, dipping the warm donuts into sweet glazes and colorful sprinkles. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting kitchen memories.
- Perfect Texture Every Time: Crispy Exterior, Soft & Fluffy Interior: You get the best of both worlds – a beautifully golden, slightly crisp crust, and a wonderfully soft, layered center, much like traditional fried donuts but without the grease. The air fryer circulates hot air to achieve this ideal texture.
- No Deep Frying Means Less Mess & Healthier: Say goodbye to splattering oil, greasy countertops, and the lingering smell of fried food. The air fryer offers a healthier alternative, using minimal oil spray to achieve that ‘fried’ taste and texture. Cleanup is a breeze!
- Endlessly Customizable: These biscuit donuts are a blank canvas for your creativity. Whether you crave classic glazed, cinnamon sugar, chocolate-dipped, or something entirely unique, this recipe adapts effortlessly to your favorite flavors. Explore different glazes, toppings, and even savory options for a fun twist.
Essential Ingredients for Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
You’ll be surprised at how few ingredients are needed to create such a delightful treat. Most of these items are probably already in your pantry!
- Canned Flaky Biscuits: We highly recommend using Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers Biscuits for the best results. Their flaky texture transforms beautifully in the air fryer.
- Cooking Spray: Opt for a neutral-flavored spray like grapeseed oil, olive oil, or coconut oil to prevent sticking and aid in browning.
- Powdered Sugar: The base for our simple, sweet glaze.
- Water: To achieve the right consistency for your glaze.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor to the glaze.
- Sprinkles: Optional, but they add a festive touch and are always a hit, especially with kids!
While your donuts are cooking, you can easily prepare the glaze. Simply whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and water in a bowl. For a richer glaze, feel free to substitute water with buttermilk, milk, or heavy cream. This simple vanilla glaze complements the warm donuts perfectly.
Choosing the Right Biscuits for Your Air Fryer Donuts
The type of canned biscuit you choose can significantly impact the final texture of your air fryer donuts. For this recipe, we strongly recommend using Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers Biscuits. Here’s why:
- Shape Retention: These biscuits are known for holding their shape exceptionally well during cooking, which is crucial for creating perfectly round donuts and donut holes. Generic brands can sometimes spread too much, resulting in less defined shapes.
- Flaky Texture: The “flaky layers” characteristic of these biscuits translates into a wonderfully soft, airy, and layered interior in your finished donuts, mimicking the desired texture of traditional fried donuts. While regular canned biscuits will still work, the flaky variety provides a superior mouthfeel.
- Consistent Results: Pillsbury Grands are a reliable choice, ensuring consistent results every time you make this recipe.
While flaky biscuits are our top preference for their superior consistency and layers, other types of canned refrigerated biscuits can also be used. Just be aware that the texture might vary slightly. Experiment to find your personal favorite, but for a truly exceptional experience, stick with the flaky layers!
Top Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Donuts
Achieving perfectly golden and fluffy air fryer donuts is simple with a few key techniques. Follow these tips for consistently delicious results:
- Cut Perfect Donut Shapes: For the donut centers, a small round cookie cutter is ideal. If you don’t have one, get creative! A clean medicine cup, a bottle cap, or even the small end of a pastry tip can work wonders. Don’t discard the dough cut from the centers – these make fantastic “donut holes” that cook up just as quickly and are often a family favorite!
- Prepare Your Air Fryer Basket: Always spray your air fryer basket generously with a cooking oil spray (like grapeseed, olive, or coconut oil) before adding the biscuits. This prevents sticking and promotes even browning. For even easier cleanup, you can line the basket with a silicone mat, parchment paper, or foil. If using liners, ensure they are weighed down by the food before starting the air fryer to prevent them from blowing into the heating element.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: For optimal air circulation and even cooking, arrange the biscuit donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave some space between each donut. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll likely need to cook them in batches. Overcrowding can lead to unevenly cooked or soggy donuts.
- Monitor Cooking Closely & Flip Halfway: Air fryers vary significantly in heating times and temperatures. Always keep a close eye on your donuts, especially during the first batch. Our Ninja Air Fryer typically cooks them to golden perfection in about 8 minutes (4 minutes per side at 360°F). Flip the donuts gently halfway through cooking to ensure both sides brown evenly.
- Serve Warm and Fresh: Air fryer donuts are best enjoyed warm, right after they’ve been glazed and topped. The contrast of the warm, soft interior with the sweet glaze is irresistible.
- Reheat in the Air Fryer: If you have any leftovers, the air fryer is also the best way to reheat them. A quick 2-minute blast at 320°F will bring them back to their delicious, crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside glory.
- Consider Air Fryer Model: This recipe works well in most air fryers, including basket-style and oven-style models. If you have a Ninja Foodi Multi Cooker, use the “Air Crisp” function. Always refer to your appliance’s manual if you’re unsure about specific settings or temperatures.
Exciting Topping Ideas for Your Air-Fried Donuts
Once your air fryer donuts are perfectly golden and cooled slightly, it’s time for the fun part: toppings! The possibilities are endless, allowing you to customize each donut to your liking. Here are some popular and delicious ideas:
- Classic Vanilla Glaze with Sprinkles: The recipe’s included simple vanilla glaze is a timeless choice. After dipping, immediately top with colorful sprinkles for a festive look and added crunch.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: For a quick and delightful alternative, melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter. In a separate shallow dish, mix about 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1-2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Dip warm donuts in melted butter, then dredge them generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture. These are fantastic for a cozy morning. (Try our Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donuts recipe for a dedicated guide!)
- Rich Chocolate Glaze: Melt half a cup of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) with 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream in the microwave or a double boiler until smooth. Dip warm donuts into the chocolate glaze. You can add more sprinkles or even a drizzle of white chocolate for a sophisticated look.
- Maple Glaze: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup, and 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream until smooth. This gives your donuts a delightful breakfast-ready flavor.
- Lemon Glaze: Combine 1 cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice for a bright, tangy glaze that’s perfect for a spring or summer treat.
- Powdered Sugar Dusting: For the simplest option, simply dust the warm donuts generously with powdered sugar.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match or invent your own unique toppings! A little creativity can turn these simple biscuit donuts into extraordinary confections.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Air Fryer Donuts
While these donuts are definitely best enjoyed fresh and warm, you might have a few leftover. Proper storage and reheating can help maintain their deliciousness:
- Storage: Store leftover air fryer donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To prevent them from becoming soggy, place a paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb any excess moisture. If they are heavily glazed, it’s best to store them in a single layer if possible, or separate layers with parchment paper.
- Reheating: To bring them back to life, simply reheat the donuts in your air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for about 2 minutes. This will crisp up the exterior again and warm the interior, making them almost as good as freshly made. Avoid microwaving, as this tends to make them chewy and can dry them out.
Pairing these delightful donuts with a side of crispy bacon made in the air fryer makes for a complete and satisfying breakfast or brunch!
Air Fryer Donuts with Canned Biscuits are an incredibly easy, budget-friendly, and fun way to enjoy homemade donuts. This adaptable recipe is perfect for customizing with your favorite toppings and will quickly become a family staple!
Easy Air Fryer Donuts with Biscuits
Air Fryer Fanatics
Pin Recipe
Save RecipeSaved!
Ingredients
- 8 Count Canned Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers Biscuits
- Grapeseed Oil Spray
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 Tbsp Water, Cream, or Buttermilk
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
-
Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil spray (such as grapeseed oil).
-
Carefully separate the canned biscuits. Place each biscuit on a cutting board and use a small round cookie cutter (or a clean bottle cap/medicine cup) to cut a hole in the center, forming your donuts. Save the centers to make mini donut holes.
-
Arrange 3-4 donuts in a single layer in the prepared air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between each for optimal air circulation. Add a few donut holes as well, fitting them where possible without overcrowding.
-
Cook the donuts at 360°F (180°C) for 4 minutes. Carefully flip each donut and donut hole, then cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
-
Carefully remove the cooked donuts and donut holes from the air fryer and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly while you prepare the glaze.
-
Repeat the cooking process for any remaining biscuit donuts and holes.
-
While the donuts are cooking or cooling, prepare your vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and water (or milk/cream/buttermilk).
-
Continue whisking until the glaze is completely smooth and free of lumps. Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar (for thicker) or more liquid (for thinner) as needed.
-
Once the donuts are slightly cooled but still warm, dip each donut and donut hole into the glaze, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let excess glaze drip off, then transfer back to the wire rack.
-
Immediately after glazing, sprinkle with your favorite colorful sprinkles if desired.
-
Serve your delicious homemade air fryer donuts warm and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
