You know those mornings when you wake up craving something sweet, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? That’s exactly why I fell in love with this biscuit donuts recipe air fryer hack. It’s my secret weapon for turning a basic can of refrigerated biscuits into warm, cinnamon-sugar coated magic in under 15 minutes. I discovered this trick one sleepy Sunday when my kids begged for donuts, and now it’s our go-to treat. The air fryer gives them that perfect crispy outside while keeping the centers soft and pillowy – way better than driving to the bakery!
Why You’ll Love This Biscuit Donuts Recipe Air Fryer
Let me count the ways these donuts will become your new obsession:
- 5-minute prep – Seriously, open a can and you’re halfway there
- No deep fry mess – All that crispy goodness without the oil splatters
- Pantry staples only – Just biscuits, butter, sugar, and cinnamon
- Kids go wild – Mine fight over who gets to punch out the centers
- Hot donuts in 6 minutes flat – Faster than waiting in line at the donut shop
Trust me, once you try these, you’ll keep a can of biscuits in your fridge just for emergencies. You know, the “I need donuts NOW” kind.
Ingredients for Biscuit Donuts Recipe Air Fryer
Here’s the beautiful part – you only need four simple ingredients to make magic happen. I always double check my pantry before starting because nothing’s worse than realizing you’re out of cinnamon mid-recipe (been there!). Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough – The flaky kind works best, not the buttermilk variety
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar – I use regular white sugar but raw sugar adds nice texture too
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – Freshly opened for maximum flavor punch
- 2 tablespoons melted butter – Real butter please! Margarine just doesn’t coat the same
See? I told you it was simple. The biscuit dough does all the heavy lifting here, and the rest is just for that irresistible cinnamon-sugar crust we all love. Pro tip: if you’re feeling fancy, keep some vanilla extract or nutmeg nearby to jazz up the sugar coating!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets to make these biscuit donuts. Just grab these basics from your kitchen:
- Air fryer – Any model works, but I love my basket-style for easy flipping
- Small round cutter – A shot glass works perfectly for punching donut holes
- Mixing bowl – For that irresistible cinnamon-sugar blend
- Pastry brush – Helps butter cling to every nook and cranny
That’s it! If you’re missing something, improvise – a spoon works for brushing butter in a pinch. The air fryer does all the hard work anyway.
How to Make Biscuit Donuts in the Air Fryer
Okay, let’s get to the fun part—turning those basic biscuits into golden, sugar-coated masterpieces! I promise it’s easier than you think, and I’ll walk you through each step. Just follow along, and in no time, you’ll have warm donuts that’ll make your kitchen smell like a bakery.
Step 1: Prepare the Biscuit Dough
First, pop open that can of biscuits (the best kitchen sound, right?). Separate them carefully—I like to gently pull them apart so they keep their round shape. Now, grab your small cutter (or that shot glass I mentioned) and punch out the centers. Save those little donut holes—they’re the chef’s treat! Just make sure not to overcrowd your air fryer basket. Give each donut some breathing room, or they won’t crisp up properly. I usually cook them in batches because patience is worth it for perfect donuts.
Step 2: Air Fry the Donuts
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F—this is key for even cooking. While it heats, arrange your donuts in a single layer. No stacking! Cook them for about 3 minutes, then flip them carefully with tongs. You’ll see them starting to puff up and get that beautiful golden color. Give them another 2-3 minutes until they’re evenly browned. Keep an eye on them—air fryers can vary, and you want them crisp but not too dark. The donut holes cook faster, so I usually pull those out about a minute earlier.
Step 3: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Here’s where the magic happens! Mix your sugar and cinnamon while the donuts cook. As soon as they come out of the air fryer, brush them with melted butter—this helps the sugar stick like glitter on a craft project. Then, dunk them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they’re still warm. Roll them around to coat every inch. Pro tip: do this over a plate unless you want your counter to look like a sugar bomb went off (speaking from experience here). Serve immediately, and watch them disappear!
Tips for Perfect Biscuit Donuts Recipe Air Fryer
After making these dozens of times (no shame!), I’ve learned a few tricks for biscuit donut perfection:
- Preheat religiously – That 350°F head start means even cooking from the first second
- Watch the clock – Start checking at 5 minutes; some air fryers run hotter than others
- Butter while piping hot – Warm donuts soak it up better for maximum sugar cling
- Eat immediately – They lose that magical crispness if they sit too long
Oh, and save those donut holes! They’re perfect for little hands (or for sneaking when no one’s looking). If your first batch isn’t perfect, just adjust the time – air fryers can be temperamental, but you’ll nail it by batch two.
Variations for Your Biscuit Donuts
Once you’ve mastered the basic version, try these fun twists! Swap the cinnamon sugar for a simple powdered sugar glaze (just mix powdered sugar with a splash of milk). Feeling adventurous? Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the sugar mixture. For chocolate lovers, roll warm donuts in cocoa powder mixed with sugar – instant chocolate donuts!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, these donuts beg to be served warm with a steaming cup of coffee – the cinnamon-sugar coating melting slightly into your mug is pure bliss. For kids, I love pairing them with ice-cold milk for dunking. Feeling fancy? Add fresh berries on the side to cut through the sweetness. Breakfast just got way more exciting!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Okay, confession time – these biscuit donuts rarely last long enough to store in my house! But if you somehow have leftovers (superhuman willpower?), pop them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. When you’re ready for round two, just toss them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350°F to revive that crispy magic. They won’t be quite as perfect as fresh, but still way better than day-old bakery donuts!
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I do believe in knowing what’s going into my family’s treats! Here’s the scoop on these biscuit donuts (because let’s be honest – we’re not eating them for their health benefits). Keep in mind these numbers can vary based on your specific biscuit brand and how heavy-handed you are with that cinnamon sugar coating!
Per donut, you’re looking at roughly:
- 120 calories – Not bad for such a satisfying treat!
- 6g sugar – That cinnamon-sugar coating does its job
- 5g fat – Mostly from the butter and biscuit dough
- 17g carbs – Perfect fuel for a busy morning
- 2g protein – Every little bit counts, right?
Remember, these are estimates – your actual numbers might dance around a bit depending on your ingredients. I always figure one donut is worth it for that warm, happy feeling it brings! And hey, at least we’re not deep frying – that’s got to count for something. Understanding nutritional labels can help you track these estimates.
FAQ About Biscuit Donuts Recipe Air Fryer
I get so many questions about these magical air fryer donuts – let me answer the ones that pop up most often in my kitchen and from readers!
Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?
You absolutely can! I’ve tested this with my favorite homemade buttermilk biscuit dough (roll it slightly thinner than usual). The texture will be a bit more rustic and the cook time might vary by a minute or two. That said, I keep coming back to the canned stuff because… well, have you seen how fast these come together on busy mornings? If you are looking for a great base recipe, check out this guide on easy air fryer biscuits recipe.
How do I prevent the donuts from sticking to the basket?
Here’s my foolproof method – either give your air fryer basket a quick spritz with cooking spray or use those handy parchment liners made for air fryers. The melted butter coating does double duty here too – the sugar helps create a non-stick surface as they cook. If one does stick, just gently nudge it loose with a silicone spatula.
Can I make these ahead and reheat them?
While they’re definitely best fresh, I’ve had decent luck storing cooled donuts in an airtight container and reheating at 350°F for about 90 seconds. They lose a bit of that magical crispness but still taste way better than stale donuts! The donut holes actually reheat better – they crisp right back up.
What if I don’t have a small cutter for the centers?
No worries! I’ve used everything from the cap of a water bottle to a clean pill bottle in a pinch. You can even just stretch the biscuits slightly and use your fingers to tear out the center – rustic charm! Or skip the holes entirely and make “donut cookies” by cutting each biscuit into quarters before frying.
Can I use something besides cinnamon sugar?
Oh honey, now you’re speaking my language! Try powdered sugar for classic simplicity, or mix cocoa powder with your sugar for chocolate donuts. My neighbor swears by a maple glaze (just mix powdered sugar with real maple syrup). For grown-up treats, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the sugar mixture. For more sweet air fryer ideas, you might enjoy these air fryer apple crumble cups recipe.
There you have it – all my biscuit donut wisdom in one place! Now it’s your turn – try this recipe and share your delicious results below! Did you discover any brilliant variations? Any air fryer tricks I should know about? Spill the sugar-coated secrets!
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Easy 5-Minute Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts | Irresistibly Crispy
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy and delicious biscuit donuts made in an air fryer. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
- 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Separate the biscuit dough into individual biscuits.
- Use a small round cutter to remove the center of each biscuit to form a donut shape.
- Place the donuts and donut holes in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Brush the warm donuts with melted butter and dip in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 4mg
Keywords: biscuit donuts, air fryer donuts, easy breakfast, quick snack