Heavenly Crispy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe: Sweet Breakfast Joy!

Homemade donuts with a delightful crispy air fryer twist combine classic comfort with modern kitchen magic.

These golden, fluffy treats promise a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried pastries.

Crafting these delectable circles of joy requires minimal effort and just a few simple ingredients.

The air fryer works its culinary wizardry, creating a perfectly crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft and tender.

Each bite delivers a melt-in-your-mouth experience that rivals bakery-fresh donuts.

Sweet-toothed dessert enthusiasts will adore this quick and easy recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary delights.

Prepare to embark on a delicious adventure that brings bakery-style indulgence straight to your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 12

What You Need for Air Fryer Donuts

• Canned Biscuit Dough: Convenient shortcut for quick and fluffy donut base with soft, pillowy texture perfect for air frying.
• Bottle Cap or Round Cutter: Essential tool for creating classic donut shape with clean, smooth edges.

• Melted Butter: Adds golden crispiness and rich flavor to the donuts, helping achieve beautiful exterior.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky smooth glaze with delightful sweetness that perfectly complements the donuts.
• Milk: Helps thin and blend glaze, creating smooth, glossy coating for donuts.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.

• Sprinkles: Adds playful color and festive texture to finished donuts.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Provides warm, spicy-sweet coating that brings extra depth to the dessert.

Tools That Help You Nail Air Fryer Donuts

• Air fryer: Essential for cooking donuts quickly and evenly without deep frying.
• Small round cutter or bottle cap: Perfect for creating donut holes in biscuit dough.
• Pastry brush: Helps evenly spread melted butter on donuts before air frying.
• Mixing bowl: Used for preparing smooth glaze with powdered sugar and milk.
• Whisk: Helps blend glaze ingredients until perfectly smooth.
• Tongs or spatula: Useful for flipping donuts midway through cooking and removing from air fryer.
• Cooling rack: Optional, helps donuts cool and prevents soggy bottoms.

How to Make Air Fryer Donuts That Taste Fried

• Create Donut Shapes

Grab your biscuit dough and transform each round into a tasty ring. Punch out the center using a bottle cap or small cutter, creating perfect donut circles. Stash those cute middle pieces for bonus donut holes!

• Fire Up the Air Fryer

Warm your air fryer to a toasty 350F, getting it ready for golden goodness. Give it a few minutes to heat up completely.

• Craft Crispy Treats

Brush your dough rings with melted butter for extra yumminess. Carefully place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t touching. Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping midway to ensure even browning. Zap the donut holes separately for 3-4 minutes until they’re beautifully crisp.

• Whip Up Glorious Glaze

Mix powdered sugar with milk and a splash of vanilla until silky smooth. Adjust the liquid to reach your perfect drizzling consistency.

• Dress and Decorate

While donuts are still warm, dunk them into the glaze or cascade sweetness over the top. Sprinkle with fun toppings like colorful jimmies or cinnamon sugar if you’re feeling extra playful.

• Serve and Savor

Let the glaze set for a few moments, then dive into your homemade air fryer delights!

Creative Toppings and Twists for Donuts

• Simple Ways to Level Up Your Treat
• Lightly brush donuts with melted butter to ensure extra golden, crispy edges that enhance flavor and texture.
• Never overcrowd the air fryer basket – leave room between donuts for even cooking and maximum crispiness.
• Dip donuts while they're still warm to help the glaze stick better and create a smoother, more even coating.
• Experiment with different glaze variations like chocolate, maple, or cream cheese to match your mood and taste preferences.
• For gluten-free version, use gluten-free biscuit dough. For vegan option, substitute dairy milk with almond milk and use plant-based butter alternative.

Fun Ways to Serve Fresh Air Fryer Donuts

• Party Platter Paradise: Create a stunning donut display on a wooden board with different glazes and toppings, perfect for brunch gatherings or casual get-togethers.
• Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair these warm donuts with fresh coffee, cold milk, or a fruity smoothie for a delightful morning treat that everyone will love.
• Flavor Adventure Station: Set up a DIY topping bar with crushed nuts, chocolate chips, colorful sprinkles, and various glazes so guests can customize their donuts to taste.
• Dessert Remix Magic: Transform leftover donuts into a quick dessert by crumbling them over ice cream or using them as a crunchy topping for pudding or yogurt parfaits.

Tips for Storing Donuts and Keeping Them Soft

• Quick Freshness Hacks
• Consume donuts within 1-2 days at room temperature, placed on a wire rack to prevent sogginess.
• Store glazed donuts in an airtight container for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain texture.
• Wrap unglazed donuts individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in air fryer for 1-2 minutes to restore crispness.
• Bring refrigerated or frozen donuts back to life by air frying at 300F for 2-3 minutes, ensuring they taste just as delicious as when first made.

Crispy Air Fryer Donuts Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Heavenly air fryer donuts bring bakery-style magic straight to home kitchens with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Crisp exterior, pillowy centers, and sweet glaze create an irresistible treat you’ll want to savor with every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 can (16.3 oz/462.3 g) refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• sprinkles (optional)
• chocolate chips (optional)
• cinnamon sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prep Transformation: Liberate the biscuit dough from its container, delicately separating each round. Craft donut shapes by excising a central core using a petite round cutter or bottle cap, reserving the extracted circles for miniature companions.
2. Thermal Calibration: Ignite the air fryer to 350F (175C), allowing 3-5 minutes for precise temperature equilibration.
3. Culinary Elevation: Caress donuts with liquefied butter, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Strategically position donuts within the air fryer basket, maintaining spatial intervals. Orchestrate a golden transformation by air frying at 350F for 5-6 minutes, executing a midpoint flip. Simultaneously, crisp the donut holes for 3-4 minutes.
4. GlazeAlchemy: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a silky elixir, adjusting viscosity through calculated milk or sugar additions.
5. Embellishment Ritual: While donuts radiate residual warmth, immerse them in the glistening glaze or cascade the coating artistically. Embellish with sprinkles or cinnamon sugar for textural complexity.
6. Presentation: Allow the glaze to solidify momentarily, then surrender to the irresistible allure of freshly crafted air fryer donuts.

Notes

• Lightly coat donuts with melted butter to ensure even browning and prevent sticking in the air fryer basket.
• Arrange donuts in a single layer with enough space between them for proper air circulation, guaranteeing crispy exterior and even cooking.
• Adjust glaze thickness by adding milk or powdered sugar gradually – aim for a smooth, drizzle-able texture that coats donuts perfectly without being too runny or thick.
• Experiment with different toppings like crushed nuts, chocolate chips, or flavored sugars to customize your donuts and add exciting texture and flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg