Air Fryer Donuts

Air Fryer donuts are so easy to make! You just need a few simple ingredients to have warm and fluffy donuts for breakfast! Skip baking or deep frying and try these yummy air fried donuts!

You will love this air fryer donut recipe because there is almost no prep time and it is a very simple way to have soft and warm donuts for breakfast. Because these donuts are so yummy, you can skip buying coffee shop donuts!

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

You will love this simple recipe because it’s so easy! It’s perfect for a busy weekday breakfast or a lazy weekend morning. Biscuit donuts just take a few minutes, but if you have more time, you can make them from scratch too! 

I make Cinnamon Sugar Donuts by brushing melted butter on the hot donuts and then coat them with cinnamon and sugar. They are so easy to switch up by adding a chocolate glaze or vanilla glaze frosting, and even holiday sprinkles to give them a festive look.

I will show you how to make biscuit donuts and donuts from scratch. You can decide how you want to make them. However, either way you make them, you will have yummy light fluffy donuts for breakfast, without having to deep fry in oil. 

For more delicious breakfasts, check out this air fryer omelette, air fryer English muffins, air fryer granola, or air fryer soft boiled eggs!

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE BISCUIT DONUTS

• Flaky Honey Butter biscuit dough–you can use grands or buttery layers are great too.
• Unsalted Butter–melted
• Granulated Sugar– this is going to give the donuts a sweet coating after air frying
• Ground Cinnamon-mixed with the sugar, you will get a delicious sweet cinnamon and sugar topping

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER DONUTS FROM BISCUITS

STEP 1
In a small shallow bowl mix the sugar and cinnamon together, and then set aside.

STEP 2
Open the can of refrigerated biscuits and separate, then lay them on a flat surface. To make them into a donut shape, use a donut cutter, biscuit cutter, apple corer, or a 1-inch round cutter, to cut a small hole in the center of each biscuit. Set the inside piece aside to make donut holes later.

STEP 3
Before placing the cut donuts in the basket, lightly spray the basket with air fryer safe non-stick cooking spray. Or you can line your basket with air fryer parchment paper.

STEP 4
Transfer donuts to the air fryer basket. Lay them in a single layer, work in batches as necessary. I only cook 4 donuts at a time. Air Fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-7 minutes, or until golden brown.

STEP 5
Once they are done cooking, brush donuts on both sides with the melted butter and then dip the donuts into the cinnamon sugar to coat.

To make a flaky donut in a hurry and to keep it simple, I use biscuit dough from a can. There are several brands of biscuit dough to choose from, like Pillsbury Flaky dough makes the best batch of donuts.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE HOMEMADE AIR FRYER DONUTS

However, if you have a little bit of time, and want to make fluffy air fryer donuts from scratch, you can make Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes, or use this simple homemade donuts recipe.

• ½ cup warm milk
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon, divided
• 1 packet or 2 ¼ teaspoons active or instant yeast
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER HOMEMADE DONUTS

STEP 1
To make these easy air fryer donuts using yeast, first combine the warm milk, one teaspoon of sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Stir together to activate yeast. Let bowl sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast has bloomed.

STEP 2
In a large mixing bowl, or using a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla. Pour in yeast mixture and stir to combine. Slowly add in flour and salt, until the dough becomes slightly flaky.

STEP 3
Remove the dough from the bowl, and knead on a lightly floured surface. Knead for 3-5 minutes until the dough is somewhat smooth and can be shaped into a ball.

STEP 4
Place dough into a medium glass bowl that has been lightly oiled. Cover with kitchen towel and keep in warm spot for about 30-45 minutes until dough doubles in size.

STEP 5
Punch donut dough to release air and use a rolling pin to roll flat, about ½ inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter, or large round cookie cutter, and cut into circles. Use a small 1 inch cutter, or paring knife, to remove center. Save centers for donut holes. 

STEP 6
Lightly spray basket with an air fryer safe non-stick spray, or use parchment paper liner, and place cutouts into air fryer basket. Air fry donuts 350 degrees F for 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown. When done cooking, remove from air fryer and frost or glaze as desired.

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER DONUT HOLES

Because I don’t like to waste dough, I use the middle cutout to make air fryer donut holes, from the center piece of the donut.

Place the small pieces in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350° F for 5-6 minutes cook time until they are golden brown.

After air frying, simply apply a butter coating and then coat with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

EXPERT TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE

Because these donuts are best when freshly made, if you just want 2-4 donuts, you can save the remaining biscuit dough for later. However, you can make the entire batch and save them for later too.

While these donuts are fun for breakfasts, they are also perfect for holidays or special events. You can skip making these in the classic donut shape, and use fun cookie cutter shapes. 

Whenever you want a jam doughnut, fill using your favorite jelly with a long frosting tip. Add the vanilla glaze for a traditional classic coffee shop donut!

Also, be sure to spray the basket with oil spray or line with baking parchment paper that has holes in it for air flow. 

FOR THE CHOCOLATE GLAZE

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
• 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder

First combine ingredients in a medium bowl, and whisk together. For thicker glaze, add additional powdered sugar, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired thickness. Then dip the top of the donut into the glaze and place on parchment paper until the glaze sets. Before the glaze dries, add sprinkles immediately after dipping.

FOR THE VANILLA GLAZE

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup

Combine ingredients in a medium bowl, and whisk together. For thicker glaze, add additional powdered sugar, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired thickness. Dip the top of the donut into the glaze and place on parchment paper until the glaze sets.

HOW TO STORE DONUTS

These donuts are best when fresh. If you have leftovers, store at room temperature and keep sealed in an airtight container, for 3-4 days.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MORE AIR FRYER BREAKFAST RECIPES

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You are going to love how easy it is to make air fryer donuts! I hope you enjoy them for breakfast as much as we do!