There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about donuts, especially when you think about warm, fluffy bites paired with the creamy sweetness of glaze. Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts capture all that enchanting charm without the beefy fryers and the mess that often comes with them. With just a can of refrigerated biscuit dough and a few tasty toppings, these donuts transform into a delightful breakfast treat or snack in no time. The lightness of the air fryer cooking method allows each donut to puff up to perfection, giving you a crispy exterior with a soft, airy inside.

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I can vividly recall the first time I stumbled upon this simple yet satisfying recipe. It was a Saturday morning, and I craved something sweet, yet quick and easy to prepare. That’s when my air fryer became my best friend, turning ordinary biscuits into fluffy, delicious donuts. They can be whipped up in under 30 minutes, and between the two tasty types of glaze, you’ll be left wondering why you hadn’t made these sooner. Trust me, once you take a bite of these gorgeous treats, you’ll want to share them with everyone around you!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Ready in just 20 minutes, from prep to plate!
Irresistible Flavor: Each donut is warm, fluffy, and coated in rich glaze.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Cute and colorful, they’re perfect for breakfast or snack time!
Flexible Serving: Enjoy them fresh in the morning or set them out at parties — they’ll impress everyone.
Diet-Friendly Options: Can be made gluten-free by substituting the biscuit dough!

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 16.3 ounce refrigerated biscuit dough: This is the star of the show! Choose your preferred brand or variety. For a gluten-free option, look for gluten-free biscuit dough.
Cooking Spray: A light coating helps prevent the donuts from sticking to the air fryer basket.
2 tablespoons butter, melted: Adds rich flavor to both the donuts and the glaze.
1 cup powdered sugar: This makes the glaze thick and sweet, perfect for sticking to your donuts!
½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a pleasant aroma and enhances the flavor of the glaze.
1-2 tablespoons milk: This will create a smooth glaze; adjust the amount based on the desired thickness.
Sprinkles: Optional but add fun and color; go for rainbow sprinkles for a festive touch!
½ cup heavy cream: Essential for creating a luscious chocolate glaze.
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts easily and pairs wonderfully with the biscuits.
¾ cup powdered sugar, sifted: For the chocolate glaze, ensuring a smooth consistency.
Rainbow sprinkles: To sprinkle on top of your glazed donuts for an extra burst of color!

How to Make Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts

Prepare the Biscuits: Open the can of refrigerated biscuit dough and separate it into 8 pieces. Use a donut cutter to cut out the center hole from each biscuit. If you don’t have a donut cutter, a small round cutter or even your fingers will do!
Air Fryer Setup: Spray the basket of your air fryer with vegetable oil cooking spray to ensure your donuts don’t stick. This is a crucial step that will save you from a messy cleanup!
First Batch Cooking: Arrange 4 of the donuts and a couple of donut holes in the basket of your air fryer, making sure they’re not overlapping. Spray the tops of the dough with cooking spray to get them nice and crispy.
Cooking Cycle: Set your air fryer temperature to 350º F and cook for 5 minutes. After the first 5 minutes, carefully flip the donuts over and cook for an additional 5 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown around the edges and looking delicious!
Cooling: Carefully remove the donuts and let them cool on a wire rack before repeating the process with the remaining dough. You might want to munch on the donut holes while you wait—they’re too cute to resist!
Making Vanilla Glaze: In a mixing bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 cup of powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Mix until it becomes a smooth glaze that can easily coat your donuts.
Preparing Chocolate Glaze: For a rich chocolate glaze, pour ½ cup of heavy cream into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for about 1 minute. Add in ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Then, mix in ¾ cup of sifted powdered sugar until everything is combined.
Glazing the Donuts: Dip each donut into your glaze of choice, allowing the excess to drip off before placing them back on the cooling rack. Top them with sprinkles while the glaze is still wet so they stick nicely. Allow the icing to set for about 5 minutes before diving in!

Storing & Reheating

To keep your Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. You can also freeze donuts for up to 3 months; just place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer at 350º F for about 3-4 minutes until warm, though some texture may change and may not be as fluffy when reheated.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer; keep donuts in a single layer for even cooking.
Use a donut cutter for perfect shapes; if you’re using a small cookie cutter, ensure they’re evenly sized for even cooking.
Batter temperature matters! The dough works best when kept cold, so try to keep it refrigerated before kneading and cutting.
Want to switch things up? Try adding cinnamon sugar instead of glaze for a different flavor profile.
Make the glazes thinner or thicker to your liking by adjusting the milk or powdered sugar accordingly.

Once you dive into the blissful experience of enjoying Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts, you won’t want to go back to the store-bought varieties! They’re fluffy, fabulous, and practically melt in your mouth. Plus, making these donuts from the comfort of your own kitchen is not just satisfying, it feels like an accomplishment. What a fun weekend breakfast treat or surprise snack for unexpected guests!

Let your creativity flow while experimenting with different glazes and toppings. Don’t hesitate to invite the kiddos into the kitchen for a fun family activity as you all assemble your perfect donut creations. You’re going to love them!

Recipe FAQs

How long do Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts last?

Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for about a week or freeze them for up to 3 months.

Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of refrigerated dough?

Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough works wonderfully, just make sure it’s on the thicker side to hold its shape when cut into donuts.

Can I skip the glaze?

Of course! If you’re not into glazing, these donuts are delicious plain or simply dusted with powdered sugar for a sweeter breakfast without the fuss of preparing glazes.

What can I do if my donuts aren’t fluffy?

If your donuts turned out dense, it might be due to overworking the biscuit dough. When mixing and cutting, be gentle to keep the air pockets intact for that desired fluffy texture.

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