Easy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe

So, you’re craving donuts but don’t feel like deep-frying your entire kitchen into a greasy disaster zone? Same. That’s where the magic of the air fryer comes in. You’ll get golden, fluffy donuts without a gallon of oil or smelling like a fryer at a state fair. Bonus: they’re stupidly easy. Seriously, if you can open a can of biscuit dough, you’re already halfway there.

Why This Recipe is Awesome?

• Zero stress – no fancy dough-making, no yeast drama, no rolling pins.
• Less oil, less guilt – okay, it’s still a donut, but at least you’re not bathing it in oil.
• Fast AF – you’ll have donuts in under 15 minutes. That’s less time than it takes to decide what to watch on Netflix.
• Foolproof – if I didn’t burn them, you probably won’t either.

Basically, it’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen wizard without actually doing much.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s your shopping list, short and sweet:

• 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (the pop-it-and-pray kind)
• 2–3 tablespoons melted butter (the golden nectar of the gods)
• ½ cup sugar (for coating)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (because plain sugar is just sad)
• Optional: chocolate glaze, sprinkles, or whatever makes your heart happy

Yep, that’s it. Five ingredients and one of them is optional. Don’t you love recipes that don’t make you buy an entire spice aisle?

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (yep, it matters—don’t skip).
2. Pop open the biscuit can—brace yourself for that pop jump scare.
3. Cut holes in the center of each biscuit with a cookie cutter or literally any round thing (shot glass, water bottle cap, whatever). Congrats, you just made donuts.
4. Place donuts in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Crowding = sadness.
5. Cook for 5 minutes, flip them, then cook another 2–3 minutes until golden brown.
6. Dip in melted butter (yes, we’re still pretending this is “healthier”) and coat in cinnamon-sugar.
7. Eat immediately while still warm, because cold donuts are basically bread with an identity crisis.

Pro tip: Donut holes cook faster—check them around 3–4 minutes so you don’t end up with tiny hockey pucks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping preheat – don’t. Unless you like sad, undercooked dough.
• Overcrowding – this is not a clown car; give the donuts room.
• Forgetting the flip – one side will look like a bronzed goddess, the other like a pale ghost.
• Going overboard with butter – okay, this one’s not really a mistake, but maybe don’t drench them so much they turn soggy.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No cinnamon? Just use plain sugar, or roll them in powdered sugar like a rebel.
• Want glaze? Mix powdered sugar with a splash of milk and drizzle like you’re on a baking show.
• No biscuit dough nearby? You can use pizza dough in a pinch, but it’s more chewy-bread vibes than donut magic.
• Dairy-free? Swap in vegan butter and boom, problem solved.

IMO, the cinnamon-sugar coating is chef’s kiss, but you do you

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FAQs of Easy Air Fryer Donuts 

Can I use homemade dough?

Sure, but that defeats the whole point of “easy.” If you’re in a homemade mood, go for it, Martha Stewart.

Do I need to spray the air fryer basket?

Yes, unless you like scraping donut corpses off the bottom. A quick spritz of oil spray works wonders.

Can I reheat leftovers?

Leftovers? Cute. But if you somehow have any, pop them back in the air fryer for 2 minutes. Good as new.

Can I freeze these donuts?

Technically yes, but they taste way better fresh. Freezing donuts feels like a crime, IMO.

Can I make them without the hole?

Absolutely. They’ll just look like slightly confused biscuits, but still tasty.

What about donut holes?

They’re the best part! Air fry them for 3–4 minutes and coat them just the same. Bite-sized joy.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—easy air fryer donuts that require zero baking degrees and minimal effort. You get the crispy, fluffy, cinnamon-sugar goodness without deep-frying your soul (or your kitchen).

Now go whip up a batch, snap a picture, and pretend you’re the next TikTok baking star. Or just eat them in your pajamas while binging your favorite show. Either way, you win.

👉 Pro challenge: Try not to eat the entire batch in one sitting. Good luck.