Air Fryer Donuts four ways: cinnamon sugar, Krispy Kreme glazed, chocolate frosted, and powdered sugar! These homemade treats are buttery, flaky, and made with refrigerated biscuit dough.
Everybody loves homemade donuts, but making donuts from scratch can be SO time consuming and difficult. My solution? Biscuit dough! Trust me. You’re going to love these air fryer donuts. They’re flaky, buttery, sweet, and YOU get to pick your toppings: cinnamon sugar, glazed, chocolate frosted, or powdered sugar!
Ingredients
The “base” of air fryer donuts is only three ingredients!
- Canned Biscuits – the “donut dough” in these air fryer donuts. Using biscuit dough is a great way to make a “cheater” quick and easy semi-homemade donut. The dough becomes incredibly light and fluffy in the middle with a slightly crisp exterior. The flavor can’t be beat: buttery with the perfect blend of sweet and a touch of salt.
- Melted Butter and Vanilla Extract – coats the dough to give it a sweet, buttery flavor. It also acts as a binder for the cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar flavors. Without it, the toppings wouldn’t stick.
- Toppings – we’re making 4 flavors, but the options are endless! Today we have instructions on how to make cinnamon sugar, Krispy Kreme glazed, chocolate frosted, and powdered sugar donuts.
Pro tip
The toppings are literally endless: try a maple glazed, vanilla frosted, etc.
How to make
These donuts couldn’t be easier: air fry the pre-made biscuit dough then dunk (or frost) in your toppings of choice!
- Use a 1.5 inch round cookie cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit, then separate the holes from the biscuits. Set aside on a clean work surface.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together melted butter and vanilla then set aside.
- Place 4 donut rings in the greased air fryer basket with the air fryer preheated to 350º and air fry for 5 minutes.
- Immediately remove the donuts from the air fryer and submerge in the melted butter/vanilla mixture, then finish off with the toppings of your choice. Repeat with remaining donut rings/holes.
Pro tip
These are best eaten immediately. Keep the donuts warm in a heated oven while the remaining donuts are air frying.
Variations
Although the topping ideas for donuts are pretty much endless, I stuck to these 4 SUPER YUMMY variations:
- Cinnamon Sugar – mix together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon for a crunchy, sweet, slightly spicy finish.
- Krispy Kreme Glazed – whip up a makeshift Krispy Kreme glaze with 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract, 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, and 1/4 cup light corn syrup.
- Chocolate Frosted – make a creamy homemade chocolate frosting with 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Finish it off with sprinkles for a sweet and colorful garnish!
- Powdered Sugar – dunk the finished donuts with powdered sugar for a classic, crowd favorite variation.
Pro tip
You could also try a maple glaze by mixing together powdered sugar and maple syrup until a glaze-like texture is reached (throw in some maple extract if you have it on hand for a richer flavor). Top it off with some cooked and crumbled bacon for a smoky flavor twist!
Can you make donuts in the oven?
Yes! If you don’t have an air fryer, no problem.
To make donuts in the oven: place the prepped biscuit dough on baking sheets lined with silicone baking mats and bake at 375ºF for 10-15 minutes or until the middles are cooked and the outsides are golden brown and slightly crispy, then proceed with the recipe as listed.
How to store
These air fryer donuts are definitely best served right away but will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.
Can you reheat donuts in the air fryer?
To reheat leftover donuts: air fry or bake at 350ºF for 2-5 minutes or until warm. I don’t recommend reheating in the microwave, because they’ll be soggy and chewy.
– Jennifer
Air Fryer Donuts
Air Fryer Donuts four ways: cinnamon sugar, Krispy Kreme glazed, chocolate frosted, and powdered sugar! These homemade treats are buttery, flaky, and made with refrigerated biscuit dough.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 32 donuts
Equipment for this recipe
(equipment shown are affiliate links)
Ingredients
Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donuts
- 1 (16.3 oz) can biscuits should contain 8 biscuits
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
Krispy Kreme Glazed Air Fryer Donuts
- 1 (16.3 oz) can biscuits should contain 8 biscuits
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract divided
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
Chocolate Frosted Air Fryer Donuts
- 1 (16.3 oz) can biscuits should contain 8 biscuits
- ¾ cup unsalted butter divided and melted
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract divided
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder or replace with more powdered sugar to keep it vanilla flavored
- 3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Sprinkles for garnish
Powdered Sugar Air Fryer Donuts
- 1 (16.3 oz) can biscuits should contain 8 biscuits
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donuts
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees and grease the inside basket with cooking spray.
- Use a 1.5 inch round cookie cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit, then separate the holes from the biscuits. Set aside on a clean work surface.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Set aside.
- In another medium sized bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Set aside.
- Place 4 donut rings (or all the donut holes) in the preheated air fryer and air fry for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer, submerge in the melted butter/vanilla mixture, then generously dunk into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Enjoy immediately.
- Repeat with remaining donut rings and donut holes.
Krispy Kreme Glazed Air Fryer Donuts
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees and grease the inside basket with cooking spray.
- Use a 1.5 inch round cookie cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit, then separate the holes from the biscuits. Set aside on a clean work surface.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Set aside.
- Place powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract into another medium sized bowl, microwave for 30 seconds, then whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Place 4 donut rings (or all the donut holes) in the preheated air fryer and air fry for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer, submerge in the melted butter/vanilla mixture, then submerge in the glaze.
- Enjoy immediately.
- Repeat with remaining donut rings and donut holes.
Chocolate Frosted Air Fryer Donuts
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees and grease the inside basket with cooking spray.
- Use a 1.5 inch round cookie cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit, then separate the holes from the biscuits. Set aside on a clean work surface.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Set aside.
- In another medium sized bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 4 tablespoons melted butter, and salt until well combined.
- Place 4 donut rings (or all the donut holes) in the preheated air fryer and air fry for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer, dunk the bottom half in the melted butter/vanilla mixture*, dunk the top half in the chocolate frosting, then top the frosting with sprinkles.
- Enjoy immediately.
- Repeat with remaining donut rings and donut holes.
Powdered Sugar Air Fryer Donuts
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees and grease the inside basket with cooking spray.
- Use a 1.5 inch round cookie cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit, then separate the holes from the biscuits. Set aside on a clean work surface.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Set aside.
- Place powdered sugar in another medium sized bowl. Set aside.
- Place 4 donut rings (or all the donut holes) in the preheated air fryer and air fry for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer, submerge in the melted butter/vanilla mixture, then generously dunk into the powdered sugar.
- Enjoy immediately.
- Repeat with remaining donut rings and donut holes.
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STORING
Room Temp:1-2 Days
Refrigerator:N/A
Freezer:N/A
Reheat:Air fry at 350ºF for 2-3 minutes or microwave to warm
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions
Notes
*You don't want to dunk the whole donut in the vanilla/butter mixture or the chocolate frosting won't stick. **Nutrition information does not include toppings.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Donuts
Amount Per Serving (1 donut)
Calories 411 Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 46mg15%
Sodium 305mg13%
Potassium 65mg2%
Carbohydrates 38g13%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 449IU9%
Calcium 24mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Keywords: 5 minutes, air fryer, biscuit dough