Quick 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Donuts
These air fryer donuts are the fastest way to get warm, sugary donuts on the table with almost no effort. They start with a can of refrigerator biscuits and cook up in under five minutes.
Brush them with melted butter and toss in cinnamon sugar right after they come out, and you’ve got a treat that tastes like it took all morning but comes together in a flash.
What Makes These Air Fryer Donuts So Good
The outside gets lightly crisp while the inside stays soft and tender, just like a yeast donut, without any of the waiting or deep frying. The butter and cinnamon sugar coat every nook and cranny, and because they’re so fresh, the sugar melts slightly into a thin, crackly glaze.
I love making these on a Saturday morning when I want something special but don’t want to deal with a pot of hot oil. They take about ten minutes start to finish, which is hard to beat.
Ingredients
- 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated flaky biscuits (8 count): the flaky layers give you the best texture; buttermilk biscuits also work.
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted: for brushing the hot donuts so the coating sticks.
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar: the base for the cinnamon sugar coating.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon: adjust to taste, but 1 teaspoon gives a nice, warm cinnamon flavor.
Variations / Substitutions
- Use flaky or buttermilk biscuits: Both work; flaky gives a lighter donut, buttermilk is a bit more dense and rich.
- Try other coatings: Swap cinnamon sugar for powdered sugar, or dip in melted chocolate and sprinkles for a fun twist.
- Dairy-free: Use a dairy-free buttery spread and skip the butter brushing, or spray with oil and toss in cinnamon sugar.
- Add a glaze: Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tsp milk and drizzle over cooled donuts.
If you love these, you’ll also want to try our easy baked apple cider donuts.
How To Make Air Fryer Donuts
Step 1: Cut Out the Donuts
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) if your model requires preheating, while you shape the donuts. Pop open the can of biscuits and separate the 8 rounds. Use a small round cutter, like a 1-inch biscuit cutter or the wide end of a piping tip, to cut out the center of each biscuit to make a donut. Set the donut holes aside because they’ll cook faster and make a great little snack.
Don’t worry if the circles aren’t perfect; the biscuits will puff up in the air fryer, and any rough edges give them a nice homemade look. If you’re using a piping tip, wiggle it gently as you press down to get a clean cut.
Step 2: Air Fry the Donuts
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the donuts in a single layer in the basket, leaving a little room between them so the hot air can circulate. You’ll likely need to work in two batches. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4 to 5 minutes, until the donuts are golden brown and puffed.
Keep an eye on them after the 4-minute mark because they can go from golden to too dark quickly. The donuts should feel light and airy when you lift them out with tongs. If you’re cooking the donut holes, they’ll need just 2 to 3 minutes, so pull them out earlier.
Step 3: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While the donuts cook, mix the 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon in a shallow bowl. As soon as a batch comes out of the air fryer, brush the top and sides of each hot donut generously with the melted butter. The heat helps the butter soak in just a little and makes the coating stick.
After brushing, immediately toss the donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture, flipping it once or twice to coat all sides. If you’re making the donut holes, toss those too; they’ll only need about 2 to 3 minutes in the air fryer.
Step 4: Serve Them Warm
Pile the cinnamon sugar donuts onto a plate and serve them right away while they’re still warm. They taste best fresh, with the coating slightly crunchy and the interior soft and steamy. Any leftover can go into an airtight container, but you’ll want to eat them within a few hours for the best texture.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Donuts
- For extra crisp edges, brush the biscuits with a thin layer of melted butter before air frying.
- Let the donuts cool for just 1 minute after air frying before you butter them, so you don’t burn your fingers, but don’t wait longer or the butter won’t soak in as well.
- Use flaky biscuits: the layers make the donut pull apart like a croissant-style donut, which is a bit more fun to eat.
- If you don’t have a small cutter, just use a knife to cut an X in the center of each biscuit and gently stretch the dough into a ring shape.
Air fryer models can vary, so use these times as a starting point:
| Donut Type | Cook Time at 350°F | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole donuts | 4–5 minutes | Golden and puffed |
| Donut holes | 2–3 minutes | Shake basket halfway |
Keeping Leftover Donuts Fresh
Room temp: store in an airtight container for up to 1 day. They will lose some crispness but are still good. Reheating: pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 1 to 2 minutes to crisp up again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade donut dough?
Yes, but the cook time may change. You’d need to roll out a simple yeast dough and cut, then let rise briefly before air frying. That’s a different recipe with different timing.
Why did my donuts turn out doughy in the middle?
This usually happens if the air fryer is crowded or the temperature is too low. Make sure to cook in a single layer at 350°F and check for doneness before removing.
Can I make these without an air fryer?
You can bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 8 to 10 minutes, but the texture will be more like biscuits than donuts. Still tasty.
Can I make a chocolate glaze instead?
Absolutely. Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, then dip the cooled donuts.
Can I make these ahead of time?
I wouldn’t; they are at their best within an hour of cooking. If you must, store and reheat as noted, but they won’t be as crisp.
Air Fryer Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Open biscuits, separate rounds, and cut out centers with a 1-inch cutter to form donuts. Set donut holes aside.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket. Place donuts in a single layer and cook at 350°F for 4 to 5 minutes until golden. Cook donut holes for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Brush hot donuts with melted butter, then immediately toss in cinnamon sugar to coat.
- Serve warm right away.
