Pin It I discovered these donuts by accident on a Tuesday morning when my kids begged for something sweet but I had zero motivation to pull out mixing bowls and wait for yeast to rise. A can of biscuit dough sat in the fridge, and somewhere between my second coffee and finding flour everywhere anyway, I thought: why not just air fry them? Twenty minutes later, the kitchen smelled like a donut shop, and my skepticism had completely evaporated.
My neighbor stopped by one morning while I was testing a batch, and the smell pulled her in before she could even knock. She grabbed one straight from the coating bowl—still warm—and just closed her eyes. That's when I knew this recipe wasn't just convenient; it was the kind of thing that actually makes people happy in a simple, no-pretense way.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (one 16 oz can): This is your shortcut to fluffy, and it works because biscuits are already engineered to puff up beautifully—air frying just speeds up the process and gives you a golden exterior.
- Nonstick cooking spray: A light coating prevents sticking and helps them brown evenly without extra oil.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Use fresh sugar from a sealed container; old sugar can clump and make your coating uneven.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp): Don't skimp here—good cinnamon makes the difference between a donut that tastes generic and one that tastes like it came from somewhere special.
- Unsalted butter (4 tbsp, melted): Butter is what makes the coating stick and adds richness; melting it first means even distribution and no lumps.
Instructions
- Get your air fryer ready:
- Set it to 350°F and let it preheat for 3 minutes while you work on the dough. You want the basket hot so the biscuits puff up immediately instead of sitting and browning unevenly.
- Shape your donuts:
- Pop open the dough, separate the biscuits, and use a 1-inch round cutter (a small glass or shot glass works too) to punch a hole in the center of each one. Those little holes don't go to waste—they cook just as fast and taste incredible.
- Prepare the basket:
- Give it a light spritz of nonstick spray so nothing sticks, but don't oversaturate or you'll end up with soggy spots.
- Air fry with attention:
- Lay donuts flat in a single layer, flip them halfway through the 3-4 minute cook time, and watch for that golden-brown color. They puff up fast, so staying close matters.
- Coat while warm:
- Mix your cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl beforehand, then immediately brush each hot donut with melted butter on all sides. The heat makes the butter soak in slightly, and it acts as the adhesive for the coating to cling beautifully.
- Toss and coat:
- Drop the buttered donuts into the cinnamon sugar and toss until completely coated. This is satisfying work—every donut should look like it's been rolled in sweet, fragrant sugar.
Pin It I made these for my daughter's sleepover, and watching five sleepy teenagers dunk them in coffee and hot chocolate felt like I'd somehow cracked the code on something important. They were gone in minutes, and nobody asked if they were homemade or store-bought—they just tasted like care.
Variations That Work
Once you nail the basic recipe, the coating options open up beautifully. Powdered sugar creates a softer, more elegant finish and pairs wonderfully with a vanilla glaze drizzled on top. Cocoa powder mixed with a little sugar gives you something that tastes almost like chocolate donuts, especially if you dust them right before serving. Brown sugar and cinnamon together create a deeper, almost caramel-like flavor that's different from the simple cinnamon sugar version.
Storage and Freshness
These are absolutely best within the first hour when they're still warm and the cinnamon sugar hasn't had time to settle into the crumb. If you make them ahead, store them in an airtight container—they'll keep for about a day, though they lose some of that just-fried texture. Reheating in a 300°F oven for three minutes revives them better than the microwave ever could.
Why the Air Fryer Works
Air fryers work their magic by circulating hot air at high speed, which crisps the outside of the biscuit dough while the inside stays tender and fluffy. It's the difference between deep frying, which can make donuts greasy, and baking, which doesn't quite get you that crispy edge. The air fryer hits the sweet spot in between, and the short cook time means you're not drying anything out. Plus, cleanup is laughably easy compared to working with hot oil—just a quick rinse of the basket and you're done.
- Check your specific air fryer's temperature settings; some models run hotter than others, so adjust time slightly if needed.
- Don't skip the nonstick spray even if your air fryer is non-stick; it prevents minor sticking and makes the coating adhere better.
- Make the donut holes at the same time—they cook in about 2 minutes and honestly taste more indulgent than the full donuts.
Pin It These donuts taught me that sometimes the best kitchen moments come from working with what you have on hand instead of waiting for the perfect ingredients. They're proof that shortcuts can still taste like love.
Recipe FAQs
- → What dough is best for making these donuts?
Refrigerated biscuit dough works perfectly, providing a soft yet sturdy base that cooks quickly and puffs nicely in the air fryer.
- → How do I get a crispy outside and fluffy inside?
Air frying at 350°F for 3-4 minutes with a flip halfway ensures golden, crispy exteriors while keeping the interior light and fluffy.
- → Can I prepare these donuts without an air fryer?
While this method favors air frying, you can bake them in an oven until golden brown, though texture and time will vary.
- → How should I apply the cinnamon sugar coating?
Brush the hot donuts with melted butter then toss them in a cinnamon sugar mixture to achieve an even, flavorful coating.
- → Are there variations to the cinnamon sugar topping?
Yes, you can roll donuts in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or drizzle a simple vanilla glaze for different flavor profiles.
- → Can leftover donuts be stored?
Store cooled donuts in an airtight container for up to one day to maintain freshness and softness.