Save There's something almost magical about the moment you crack open a can of biscuit dough and realize you're just minutes away from homemade donuts. My first attempt at air fryer donuts happened on a lazy Saturday morning when I was desperate for something sweet but completely unwilling to wait. I grabbed what I had on hand—a can of biscuits, some melted butter, and cinnamon sugar—threw them into the air fryer, and four minutes later, golden, fluffy donuts emerged like a small miracle. It's become my go-to trick whenever I need to impress someone without actually spending time in the kitchen.
I remember serving these to my roommate on a Tuesday evening when she came home complaining about a terrible day at work. She took one bite of that warm, cinnamon-sugared donut still glowing from the air fryer, and her entire expression shifted. She asked how long they'd taken, and when I told her four minutes of actual cooking time, she laughed so hard she nearly dropped the donut. Now whenever she visits, that's the first thing she asks for—which says something about comfort food that requires barely any effort.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (1 can, 8 biscuits): This is your secret weapon—already seasoned, already designed to puff up beautifully, and the whole foundation of this recipe's speed and reliability.
- Nonstick cooking spray: A light coating prevents any sticking and helps the donuts brown evenly without needing to flip them obsessively.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): The sweetness base for your coating, and it adheres beautifully to warm buttered donuts.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp): Don't skip the cinnamon—it transforms these from basic fried biscuits into something that smells like you've been baking all morning.
- Unsalted butter, melted (4 tbsp): Applied while the donuts are still warm, this helps the cinnamon sugar stick and adds that rich, indulgent finish.
Instructions
- Get your air fryer ready:
- Preheat to 350°F for 3 minutes so it's ready to go the moment you have donuts shaped and in the basket.
- Make donut shapes:
- Open your biscuit can, separate each biscuit gently, and use a small round cutter (about 1 inch across) to cut out the center of each one—you'll have eight donut rings and eight little holes. Save the holes; they fry up just as well and take about 2 minutes.
- Spray and arrange:
- Give your air fryer basket a light spray of nonstick spray, then arrange your donut rings in a single layer. If your basket is small, you might need two batches, which is fine.
- Air fry until golden:
- Cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through using tongs. You're looking for them to puff up and turn golden brown—they'll smell absolutely incredible when they're done.
- Make your coating:
- While donuts cook, mix your sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow bowl so it's ready the moment they come out.
- Coat while warm:
- This is the critical moment: brush each hot donut with melted butter on every surface, then immediately toss in the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely coated. The warmth helps everything stick.
- Finish and serve:
- Eat them warm if possible. Repeat with any remaining donuts and those little donut holes, which take about 2 minutes and are honestly the best part.
Save One of my favorite moments with these donuts happened during a chaotic morning when I had friends unexpectedly stopping by before a long drive. Instead of scrambling to find something to offer them, I pulled out a can of biscuits, set the air fryer, and had warm donuts ready before anyone even finished their coffee. It became the kind of gesture that people remember—not because it was fancy, but because it was thoughtful and somehow tasted like I'd been planning for their arrival all morning.
Why the Air Fryer Changes Everything
The air fryer is doing something beautiful here that a regular oven never quite manages—it circulates heat so aggressively that your biscuits puff up while crisping on the outside at exactly the same moment. A traditional oven would either dry them out or leave them dense, but the air fryer hits that perfect middle ground in about four minutes. It's also incredibly forgiving; even if you flip a donut a few seconds late or early, they still come out golden and fluffy.
Flavor Variations That Actually Work
After making these a dozen times, I've learned that the cinnamon sugar coating is just the beginning. A powdered sugar glaze made with milk and vanilla tastes bakery-quality and takes thirty seconds to make. Cocoa powder mixed with sugar gives you something that feels almost fancy. I've even tried a maple-cinnamon combination, which tastes like fall captured in a donut. The beauty is that once you have the base recipe locked in, experimenting with coatings takes no extra time at all.
Storage, Leftovers, and Small Batch Tips
These donuts are at their absolute peak in the first hour while they're still warm, but they'll keep for a day in an airtight container if you somehow have leftovers. I've found that reheating a leftover donut in the air fryer for about a minute brings back some of that warmth and crispness. If you're cooking for one or two people, you don't need to make all eight; just cook as many as you want and save the rest of the dough for another day.
- Eat donuts warm for maximum texture and flavor—the difference is noticeable and worth the wait.
- Coat them immediately after they come out of the air fryer, not after they cool, or the sugar won't stick properly.
- The little donut holes cook faster and are perfect for sneaking a second one without committing to a full donut.
Save These donuts remind me that some of the best kitchen wins come from simplicity and smart shortcuts rather than from complexity. There's real joy in realizing you can serve something warm and homemade in the time it takes to make coffee.
Common recipe questions
- → What type of dough works best?
Refrigerated biscuit dough provides the perfect light and fluffy texture, making it ideal for quick air frying.
- → How do you achieve a crispy exterior?
Air frying at 350°F and flipping halfway ensures even browning with a golden, crisp outer layer.
- → Can I make different coatings?
Yes, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or a vanilla glaze can be used to vary the finish and flavor.
- → Are donut holes cooked the same way?
Donut holes can be air fried alongside or separately; they cook quickly and are excellent for snacking.
- → What tools are needed for preparation?
A small round cutter shapes the donuts, while a pastry brush helps evenly coat butter for the cinnamon sugar layer.