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Close-up of glazed air fryer donuts made with biscuit dough, arranged on a white plate.

Air Fryer Donuts: 10-Min Biscuit Magic

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July 23, 2025

You know, sometimes you just crave a sweet treat, something warm and comforting, but the thought of yeast and waiting around feels like too much, right? Well, I’ve got just the thing that feels like a little kitchen magic: air fryer donuts with biscuit dough! It’s my go-to for those mornings when the breakfast craving hits suddenly, or when you need a super-fast dessert that still feels special. This recipe is all about approachable elegance, just like I love to share here at Unfold Recipes. It’s amazing how something so simple, using just canned biscuits, can be transformed into these delightful little donuts. It really captures that joy of creating something delicious with minimal fuss, which is exactly the kind of story I love bringing to your kitchens!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donuts with Biscuit Dough

Seriously, these little guys are a game-changer:

  • Lightning Fast: We’re talking 10-minute donuts! They are so quick to whip up.
  • Super Easy Hack: Forget yeast! This canned biscuit dough hack is a lifesaver for busy mornings.
  • Simply Delicious: Get that perfect bite with easy glazed donuts that taste amazing.
  • Total Convenience: A fuss-free air fryer dessert that’s always a hit.

Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts

Gather these simple goodies and let’s get started!

  • 8 oz canned biscuit dough (the flaky layers work great!)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • For the Simple Glaze:
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp milk (start with 1, add more if needed)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make Air Fryer Donuts with Biscuit Dough

Okay, so making these is honestly a breeze, and I love showing folks how simple it can be to get amazing results. Trust me, you’ll feel like a kitchen wizard after this!

Preparing the Biscuit Dough

First things first, carefully separate those individual biscuits from the can. Then, gently flatten each one a little – you don’t want them too thick. Just a little squish works wonders. Now, grab your melted butter and brush each side of the flattened biscuits. Don’t be shy with the butter!

Air Frying the Donuts

Get your air fryer preheated to 350°F (175°C). While it heats up, roll those buttery biscuits into the cinnamon-sugar mixture we made earlier, making sure they’re coated nicely on all sides. Pop them into your air fryer basket in a single layer – seriously, give them space so they can get nice and golden, don’t overcrowd it! Air fry for about 4 to 6 minutes, and don’t forget to flip them halfway through. They cook super fast, so keep an eye on them!

Creating the Perfect Glaze

While your donuts are doing their thing in the air fryer, let’s whip up that dreamy glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and just a splash of milk. Start with about a tablespoon of milk and add more, a tiny bit at a time, until you get a smooth glaze that’s thick enough to coat but still drizzleable. If it gets too thin, just add a bit more powdered sugar. It’s that easy!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts

You know, getting those clouds of deliciousness just right for your air fryer donuts with biscuit dough is all about a few little tricks. I’ve learned these through a lot of happy (and sometimes slightly imperfect!) baking moments.

First, don’t overthink your biscuit dough brand! Most refrigerated biscuits work beautifully, but I find the brands with just biscuit dough (not the flaky or layers ones) tend to give a more classic donut shape. Also, for that gorgeous golden-brown color, don’t be afraid to give them a really thorough brush of butter before they go into the sugar and then the air fryer – that fat is your friend for browning!

And for the glaze, remember it’s totally adjustable. If it’s too thick, a tiny splash more milk. Too thin? More powdered sugar! It should be thick enough to cling to the donut, but still pourable.

Ingredient Spotlight: Canned Biscuit Dough

Honestly, the star of this show has to be that trusty can of biscuit dough. It’s truly a brilliant little ‘canned biscuit hack,’ isn’t it? It fits perfectly with my whole idea of approachable elegance – taking something so simple and common and turning it into something that feels really special and indulgent. It just proves you don’t need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen to create a delightful treat. It’s about making deliciousness accessible!

Serving and Storing Your Air Fryer Donuts

These donuts are absolutely divine when they’re still a little warm, maybe with a cup of coffee or some nice cold milk. The glaze is still a bit soft then, and oh, that fluffy interior! If you happen to have any leftovers, which is rare in my house, just pop them into an airtight container. You can store them at room temperature for a day, but for longer storage, the fridge is best. If they’re a bit firm after being chilled, just pop them in the air fryer for about 30 seconds to warm them up gently. It’s like they’re freshly made all over again!

Frequently Asked Questions about Air Fryer Donuts with Biscuit Dough

I get asked about these little wonders all the time! Here are some of the most common questions I hear about making air fryer donuts with biscuit dough:

Can I use different kinds of canned biscuits?

You sure can! While the regular canned biscuits work wonderfully, you can absolutely experiment with flaky layers or even buttermilk biscuits. Just know that the texture might be a little different – the flaky ones can sometimes separate a bit more, and buttermilk biscuits might have a tangier flavor. It’s all about what you love!

How can I get my air fryer biscuit donuts extra crispy?

For that perfect crisp, make sure you’re not crowding them in the air fryer basket. Give them space to breathe and brown! A good brush of butter before the cinnamon-sugar coating helps a lot too, as it gives them something to crisp up against. You can also try air frying them for an extra minute or two, but definitely watch them closely so they don’t burn.

What are some other glaze options for these donuts?

Oh, the glaze possibilities are endless! Besides the simple powdered sugar glaze, you could melt some chocolate chips with a tiny bit of butter for a chocolate drizzle. Or, try a maple glaze by mixing powdered sugar with maple syrup instead of milk. Some people even like rolling the warm donuts in a mix of powdered sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Get creative!

Do these donuts taste just like regular donuts?

They are wonderfully close! Because they’re made from biscuit dough and are so quick to cook, they have a slightly different texture than traditional yeast-raised donuts – they’re a bit more dense and cake-like, but in the best way possible! They are seriously delicious, especially with that cinnamon-sugar coating and glaze. It’s a fantastic shortcut to donut satisfaction!

Nutritional Estimate for Air Fryer Donuts

Just a friendly heads-up that any nutritional details for these delicious air fryer donuts with biscuit dough are estimates! What you end up with can really vary depending on the specific brands of biscuits and ingredients you use, plus how much glaze you slather on. It’s all part of the fun of home baking!

Share Your Air Fryer Donut Creations

I just love seeing your baking adventures! If you give these air fryer donuts with biscuit dough a try, please tell me all about it in the comments below. Did you try a fun glaze? How did they turn out? I’d be thrilled if you shared your creations and rated the recipe too. It really helps other home cooks find their next favorite treat!

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Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts

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Quick and easy donuts made from canned biscuit dough in the air fryer. A perfect shortcut for a sweet breakfast or dessert.

  • Author: Cat
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 6 min
  • Total Time: 11 min
  • Yield: 8 donuts 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz canned biscuit dough
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 12 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Separate biscuit dough into individual biscuits.
  2. In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon.
  3. Brush each biscuit with melted butter, then coat generously with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  4. Place donuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch.
  5. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
  6. While donuts are cooking, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. Add more milk for a thinner glaze, or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
  7. Let donuts cool slightly, then dip or drizzle with the glaze.

Notes

  • For a chocolate glaze, melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips with 1 tsp butter and drizzle over donuts.
  • You can also roll the cooked donuts in powdered sugar instead of glazing.
  • Adjust air fryer cooking time based on your specific model.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 donut
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

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Catherine Valdès is the creator, recipe developer, and food photographer behind Unfold Recipes. With a rich heritage blending Spanish traditions and Californian sensibilities, she believes that every meal has a story. After leaving a successful career in public relations to pursue her passion, Catherine honed her skills in a professional culinary arts program. Her focus is on creating approachable yet elegant recipes that inspire confidence in the kitchen. She combines her expertise in recipe development with a love for wine pairing and effortless entertaining, showing her audience how to create beautiful, delicious meals to share with loved ones.

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