Pin It I discovered these donuts on a lazy Sunday morning when I was craving something sweet but couldn't face the thought of a full recipe. My air fryer was sitting there, and a can of biscuits in the fridge sparked an idea that seemed too simple to work. Four minutes later, I pulled out golden, pillowy donuts that tasted like they came from a proper bakery. My partner walked into the kitchen, confused about how I'd managed pastry magic so quickly, and that's when I knew I'd stumbled onto something special.
I made these for my book club one evening when I'd overbooked myself and forgotten it was my turn to bring dessert. Ten minutes before everyone arrived, I threw together a batch and set them on a plate with small napkins. The relief on my face when people went back for seconds was almost as satisfying as the donuts themselves. One friend asked for the recipe assuming it was complicated, and I loved watching her face when I explained it was basically just biscuits and an air fryer.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated biscuit dough: The secret shortcut that makes this whole thing possible—there's no shame in using it, and it gives you that tender crumb you'd spend hours perfecting with a proper dough.
- Nonstick cooking spray: A light mist prevents sticking without adding extra grease, which keeps your donuts light instead of heavy.
- Granulated sugar: Plain sugar works best for the coating since it adheres perfectly when mixed with cinnamon and brushed butter.
- Ground cinnamon: Don't skimp on this—use good quality cinnamon because you really taste it in every bite, and stale cinnamon tastes like dust.
- Unsalted butter: Melted right before coating ensures the sugar sticks evenly and gives you that glossy finish.
Instructions
- Warm up your air fryer:
- Set it to 350°F and let it preheat for three minutes while you work on the dough. A properly heated air fryer is the difference between fluffy donuts and dense ones.
- Shape your donuts:
- Separate the biscuits gently and use a small round cutter—about the size of a thimble—to punch a hole in the center of each one. The holes become little donut holes, which honestly might be the best part, so don't throw them away.
- Prepare your basket:
- Give the air fryer basket a light spray with cooking spray, just enough so the donuts don't stick but not so much that they slide around.
- Air fry with intention:
- Lay the donuts flat in a single layer and set the timer for three to four minutes, flipping them halfway through. You'll see them puff up and turn golden—that's when you know they're done.
- Mix your coating:
- While the donuts cook, combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl so it's ready the moment they come out of the fryer. Speed matters here because you want to coat them while they're still warm so the sugar adheres.
- Coat with butter and sugar:
- Using a pastry brush, immediately brush each warm donut with melted butter on all sides, then toss it quickly in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated. It's almost meditative, and the smell will make your kitchen feel like a donut shop.
- Serve and repeat:
- Enjoy these warm, and if you're making more batches, start fresh with the remaining dough and donut holes.
Pin It There was something unexpectedly joyful about making these donuts for my niece's surprise visit last month. She'd had a rough day at school, and watching her face light up when I handed her a warm donut with that cinnamon sugar dusting made me realize this recipe is about more than just speed—it's about being able to show someone they're worth nine minutes of your time.
Why The Air Fryer Changes Everything
Traditional donuts involve yeast, rising time, and oil temperature management that can feel intimidating. The air fryer skips all that drama by using circulating heat to create that golden exterior and fluffy interior without deep frying. What used to be a weekend project is now a weeknight impulse, and honestly, that feels revolutionary. The texture is surprisingly authentic—crispy outside, tender inside—without any of the heaviness that comes from sitting in oil. Once you taste one, you'll understand why I make these at least twice a month.
Simple Flavor Variations You Can Try
The cinnamon sugar is the classic, but I've experimented with different coatings depending on what I'm craving. A maple glaze made with powdered sugar and maple syrup feels fancy but takes the same amount of time. Sometimes I brush the warm donuts with melted chocolate instead of butter and coat them in a mix of powdered sugar and cocoa powder for something richer. Rolling them in plain powdered sugar gives you a lighter option that's still indulgent, and I've even dusted a batch with everything bagel seasoning just to see what would happen—it's oddly delicious if you like savory-sweet contrast.
How To Store Them So They Stay Fresh
Fresh donuts are always best, but I understand not everyone eats them immediately. Let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container, where they'll keep for about one day before the texture starts to deteriorate. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze the cooled, uncoated donuts in a freezer bag for up to two weeks, then reheat them in the air fryer for a minute and coat them fresh. Reheating a coated donut works too, but the sugar coating gets a bit sticky and loses that crisp quality, so I prefer to store them uncoated when possible. Trust me when I say that the two-minute effort to reheat and coat them fresh is worth it.
- Always let donuts cool to room temperature before sealing them away or moisture will make them soggy.
- If you notice them getting stale, a quick 30-second air fryer blast at 320°F brings back some of that just-made texture.
- The donut holes keep their texture even longer, so make extra of those if you're planning ahead.
Pin It These donuts have become my answer to the question "what can I make in ten minutes that feels like a celebration?" They're proof that shortcuts aren't cheating—they're just smarter cooking.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of dough works best?
Refrigerated biscuit dough provides the ideal texture for light, fluffy results with minimal preparation time.
- → How do I ensure even cooking in the air fryer?
Arrange the dough pieces in a single layer without overcrowding and flip halfway through cooking for uniform golden color.
- → Can I make variations to the coating?
Yes, alternatives like powdered sugar glaze or cocoa powder create delicious flavor twists while keeping the coating simple.
- → How should these be stored if not eaten immediately?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day to maintain freshness and softness.
- → Is a special tool required to shape the dough?
A small round cutter about 1 inch diameter works well to create classic donut rings and holes from the biscuit dough.