Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite biscuit recipe, you can certainly use that instead. Just roll the dough to about 1-inch thickness and proceed with cutting and cooking as directed. The cooking time might vary slightly, so keep an eye on them.

My donuts came out doughy in the middle. What went wrong?

This typically happens when the air fryer temperature is too high, cooking the outside quickly while leaving the inside undercooked. Try lowering the temperature to 325°F and cooking for a minute or two longer. Also make sure you're not making the donuts too thick.

Can I make these in a regular oven if I don't have an air fryer?

Yes! Bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375°F for about 8-10 minutes. They won't have quite the same crispy exterior, but they'll still be delicious. Brush with butter before baking for better browning.

How do I know when the donuts are done cooking?

The donuts should be golden brown on the outside and should feel firm (not doughy) when lightly pressed. If you're unsure, it's better to add another minute of cooking time than to have undercooked donuts.

Air Fryer Donuts Recipe - LazyDayRecipes

Name: Air Fryer Donuts Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup granulated sugar (150 grams); 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (6 grams); ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 12 ounces refrigerated jumbo biscuits (340 grams, 1 can); 4 tablespoons salted butter (57 grams, ½ stick)

Want to make fresh, warm donuts without all the hassle of deep frying? These Air Fryer Donuts transform refrigerated biscuit dough into golden, cinnamon-sugar coated treats in just minutes! They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and will have your kitchen smelling like a bakery in no time. Perfect for weekend breakfasts or whenever that donut craving strikes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Simple: From start to finish, you’ll have fresh donuts in about 25 minutes – no yeast, no rising time, no deep fryer needed!
Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will love both making and eating these donuts. It’s a fun kitchen project that delivers delicious results.
Customizable: The basic recipe is just the beginning – you can switch up the coatings and toppings to suit everyone’s preferences.
No Special Skills Required: Even if you’ve never made donuts before, this foolproof recipe will give you bakery-worthy results on your first try.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Refrigerated Jumbo Biscuits: The secret shortcut that makes this recipe so easy! They puff up beautifully in the air fryer, creating that perfect donut texture without any dough-making.
Granulated Sugar: Forms the base of our sweet coating, giving the donuts that classic sweet exterior.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and that distinctive donut shop flavor that makes these irresistible.
Nutmeg: Just a touch adds depth and complexity to the spice mixture – it’s the secret ingredient that makes people wonder what makes these taste so good!
Salted Butter: Helps the cinnamon-sugar mixture stick to the donuts and adds a rich flavor dimension. The slight saltiness enhances the sweetness beautifully.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

There are so many ways to make these donuts your own:

Classic Glazed: Skip the cinnamon sugar and dip in a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk.
Chocolate Lover’s: Add cocoa powder to your sugar mixture or dip in chocolate glaze.
Seasonal Flavors: Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice in fall, or add lemon zest to the sugar in summer.
Filled Delights: Don’t cut the holes! Air fry whole biscuits and then inject with jam, custard, or chocolate hazelnut spread.
Donut Holes: Don’t waste those centers! Air fry them too for adorable, poppable donut holes.

How to Make Air Fryer Donuts

Step 1: Prepare the Coating

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Set this aside while you prepare the donuts.

Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes, giving you time to prepare the dough.

Step 3: Shape the Donuts

While the air fryer heats up, separate the biscuits and place them on a clean work surface. Gently roll each biscuit to about 1-inch thickness. Use a small round cutter (or even the cap from a water bottle!) to cut holes in the center of each biscuit.

Step 4: Cook the Donuts

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Arrange the donuts in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch (they’ll expand!). Cook for 4-5 minutes until they’re beautifully golden brown. Work in batches if needed.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touch

While the donuts cook, melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. As soon as the donuts come out of the air fryer, dip each one in melted butter, then immediately coat in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Make sure to get both sides!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcrowd: Leave space between donuts in the air fryer for proper air circulation.
Watch Closely: All air fryers cook differently, so check at 4 minutes for your first batch.
Coat While Hot: The sugar mixture sticks best when donuts are freshly cooked and still warm.
Experiment With Timing: For softer donuts, air fry for a minute less; for crispier ones, add a minute.
Use The Right Biscuits: The jumbo-sized refrigerated biscuits work best – smaller ones will make mini donuts (which are adorable but cook faster).

How to Serve

These donuts are at their absolute best when served warm, just minutes after making them. Here are some serving suggestions:

Perfect Pairings:

Serve with hot coffee, cold milk, or hot chocolate for the ultimate breakfast treat
Add a side of fresh berries to balance the sweetness
Create a donut board with different toppings for brunch gatherings

Make It Special:

Set up a donut decorating station with different sugars, sprinkles, and glazes
Stack them on a cake stand for an impressive presentation at breakfast or brunch

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’ll lose some of their crispness but will still taste delicious.

Freezing

You can freeze the uncooked biscuit shapes for up to a month. Freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to make, air fry directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating

To refresh day-old donuts, pop them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F. This brings back some of the original crispness.

FAQs

Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite biscuit recipe, you can certainly use that instead. Just roll the dough to about 1-inch thickness and proceed with cutting and cooking as directed. The cooking time might vary slightly, so keep an eye on them.
My donuts came out doughy in the middle. What went wrong?

This typically happens when the air fryer temperature is too high, cooking the outside quickly while leaving the inside undercooked. Try lowering the temperature to 325°F and cooking for a minute or two longer. Also make sure you’re not making the donuts too thick.
Can I make these in a regular oven if I don’t have an air fryer?

Yes! Bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375°F for about 8-10 minutes. They won’t have quite the same crispy exterior, but they’ll still be delicious. Brush with butter before baking for better browning.
How do I know when the donuts are done cooking?

The donuts should be golden brown on the outside and should feel firm (not doughy) when lightly pressed. If you’re unsure, it’s better to add another minute of cooking time than to have undercooked donuts.

Final Thoughts

These Air Fryer Donuts bring the joy of fresh donuts into your home without the mess or fuss of traditional recipes. They’re the perfect weekend treat that comes together in minutes, not hours. The best part? You probably have most ingredients in your kitchen already! So next time that donut craving hits, skip the drive-thru and make a batch at home instead. Your family will be impressed, your kitchen will smell amazing, and that first bite of warm, cinnamon-sugar coated goodness will make you wonder why you haven’t been making these all along!