February 18, 2023
Review RecipeAir Fryer Donuts
These sweet, glazed air fryer donuts take the mess out of making a breakfast treat that will surely be a hit with the entire family.
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If you’re looking for an easy way to satisfy those cravings without all the mess and fuss traditional fried donuts require, then air fryer donuts might be just the thing for you. These donuts are light, fluffy on the inside, and delightfully crisp on the outside, with a sweet glaze to finish them off; perfect for any occasion!
Air Fryer Donuts Ingredients
The overall flavor of air fryer donuts can be described as warm, light, fluffy, and buttery – simply irresistible. If you want a guilt-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth craving, then air fryer donuts will hit the spot!
For a little bit of extra sweetness, a delicious vanilla glaze will finish them off nicely. Or, if you are looking for a slightly different flavor, skip the glaze and dust them with a cinnamon sugar coating.
You’ll need:
- 1 (10-count) can of Grands buttermilk biscuits
- 1-2 tablespoons of melted butter
For the Glaze
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon of butter, melted
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons of water
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Substitutions and Additions
BISCUITS: You can use different biscuits, but it may affect the texture and cooking time in the air fryer.
GLAZE: You can change the flavor of the glaze to maple, almond, or coconut by swapping out the vanilla extract.
How to Make This Air Fryer Donuts Recipe
Forming the donuts is as easy as cutting a hole in the center of the premade biscuit dough. You can even bake the donut holes too!
Adding the glaze is best done while the donuts are still warm, so while they are baking, make sure to mix it up so that it is ready.
We’ve got all the steps to bake up some incredibly tasty homemade donuts in the air fryer everyone’s sure to love.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 300°F.
STEP TWO: Open the can of biscuits, separate them, and lay them on some parchment paper, so they don’t stick to the countertop.
STEP THREE: Cut a small hole in the center of each biscuit with a 1-inch cookie cutter or the wide end of a frosting tip.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
If you don’t have a 1-inch cookie cutter, you can use the wide end of a frosting tip or just pinch some dough out with your fingers and then smooth out the hole.
STEP FOUR: With your hands, smooth around the edges to make an even donut shape.
PRO TIP:
You can also use the center pieces and make air fryer donut holes.
STEP FIVE: Brush the melted butter over each donut.
STEP SIX: Spray the inside of the air fryer before placing the donuts in. Leave space between each donut and bake in a single layer.
STEP SEVEN: Bake for 6 minutes.
To make the Glaze
STEP ONE: Mix the powdered sugar, melted butter, salt, water, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
PRO TIP:
You can add more or less water to the glaze to get the consistency you prefer. Just do it one spoon at a time.
STEP TWO: With a fork, pick up each donut one at a time and place it in the glaze. Turn the donut over a few times until it is completely covered with the glaze.
PRO TIP:
It is best to glaze the donuts when they are warm, coming straight out of the air fryer rather than letting them cool.
STEP THREE: Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack
STEP FOUR: Let the glaze set for ten minutes before serving.
PRO TIP:
If you would prefer to skip the glaze and use cinnamon sugar to coat your donuts, mix
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons of cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Spray each donut with oil as you take them out of the air fryer.
- With a fork, pick up each donut and spray it with oil. Place each donut one at a time in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Turn the donut over a few times until it is completely covered with the sugar.
How To Serve
These air fryer donuts with biscuits are delicious eaten warm or cold, and make the perfect treat for an easy breakfast surprise.
Some great accompaniments include a rich hot chocolate or a creamy double chocolate chip frappuccino to bring out the sweetness of the donut.
You could also try a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea for guests to enjoy. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, why not pair your air fryer donuts with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even fresh fruit?
Check out our air fryer cake and air cinnamon rolls for even more easy recipes for sweet treats.
MORE DONUT RECIPES
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: It is best to store these delicious donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the donuts but only freeze them before putting the glaze on. Store them in an airtight container for up to 3 months in the freezer labeled with a use-by date.
Skip the donut shop and whip up these easy air fryer donuts right in your own kitchen. The prep time is so quick that you will be enjoying a sweet and soft donut for a delicious breakfast in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze this air fryer donut recipe?
This easy treat can be frozen for up to 3 months without the glaze. It is best to wait to glaze the donuts until you are ready to serve them.
Do I have to add the glaze to the air fryer biscuit donuts?
You can change up the coating on your donuts with an easy cinnamon sugar mixture instead. Check out our pro tip for instructions.
I don’t have a cookie cutter to cut the hole in the donuts; what else can I use?
If you don’t have a cookie cutter that is the right size, you could use a bottle cap, the wide end of a frosting tip, or even your hands to cut a hole in the middle of the biscuit dough.
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Air Fryer Donuts
These sweet, glazed air fryer donuts take the mess out of making a breakfast treat that will surely be a hit with the entire family.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Servings 10
Ingredients
- 1 Grands buttermilk biscuits, 10-count
- 1 to 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 300°F.
- Open the can of biscuits, separate them, and lay them on parchment paper, so they don’t stick to the countertop.
- Cut a hole in the center of each biscuit with a 1-inch cookie cutter or the wide end of a frosting tip.
- With your hands, smooth around the edges to make an even donut shape.
- Brush the melted butter over each donut.
- Spray the inside of the air fryer before placing the donuts in. Leave space between each donut and bake in a single layer.
- Bake for 6 minutes.
Glaze
- Mix the powdered sugar, melted butter, salt, water, and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl.
- With a fork, pick up each donut one at a time and place it in the glaze. Turn the donut over a few times until it is completely covered with the glaze.
- Place the glazed donut on a wire rack
- Let the glaze set for ten minutes before serving.
Notes
- If you don’t have a 1-inch cookie cutter, you can use the wide end of a frosting tip or just pinch some dough out with your fingers and then smooth out the hole.
- You can also use the center pieces and make air fryer donut holes.
- You can add more or less water to the glaze to get the consistency you prefer. Just do it one spoon at a time.
- It is best to glaze the donuts when they are warm, coming straight out of the air fryer rather than letting them cool.
- If you would prefer to skip the glaze and use cinnamon sugar to coat your donuts, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1½ teaspoons of cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon salt. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Spray each donut with oil as you take them out of the air fryer. With a fork, pick up each donut and spray it with oil. Place each donut one at a time in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Turn the donut over a few times until it is completely covered with the sugar.
Nutrition
Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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Comments
Barb Duke says
I think these donuts would be wonderful with a strawberry or lemon glaze. Serve them with a nice steamy cup of hot cocoa, or hot coffee. Not sure that I would put ice cream on them unless I planned them for a dessert, then depending on the glaze as to what flavor of ice cream.
These look absolutely delicious and easy.
Gayle says
Flaky donut. Somewhat of a purist for the glaze. Vanilla is a clean flavor. I did make two glazes by dividing it & then added 3/4 tsp vanilla to one part and 1/4 tsp lemon to second glaze.
Debbie says
Excellent recipe, only thing I would change is instead of water in glaze, I would use milk
paired with hot chocolate or coffee would be a good fresh breakfast
Gabriela B. says
Would you change the flavor of the glaze of these air fryer donuts? If so, what flavor would you choose?
– Mixed Berry