Choosing the Right Air Fryer & Essential Tips

To embark on your air fryer donut journey, you’ll naturally need an air fryer! While most models will generally work, for consistent results and ease of use, I personally use, love, and recommend this Air Fryer (affiliate link). Keep in mind that air fryers can vary slightly in wattage, capacity, and overall design from brand to brand. Factors like the size of the basket, the strength of the heating element, and how evenly the hot air circulates can all influence cooking times.

This means the exact cooking times and temperatures for your donuts might need a small adjustment based on your specific appliance. Always monitor your donuts closely, especially the first time you make them in your air fryer. Look for a beautiful golden-brown color and a puffed-up appearance, and feel free to adjust the time by 1-2 minutes as needed to achieve perfect results for your model.

Pro Tip for Air Fryer Consistency: For best results and to ensure your donuts cook evenly and puff up beautifully, I highly recommend preheating your air fryer. Just like a conventional oven, a preheated air fryer helps maintain a consistent internal temperature, leading to more uniform cooking and that desirable fluffy texture from the moment your food enters the basket. A quick 5-minute preheat at the specified temperature can make all the difference!

Don’t Forget the Donut Holes!

Those adorable little centers you cut out from the biscuits are too good to waste! They make fantastic air fryer donut holes. To prepare them, simply place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to do this in a separate batch after your main donuts). Air fry them for approximately 3 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until they are beautifully golden brown and cooked through. Once cooked, just like the full-sized donuts, toss them in melted butter and then coat them generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. They’re a delightful, bite-sized bonus treat that everyone will love!

Creative Variations: Change ‘Em Up & Make Them Your Own!

While the classic cinnamon sugar coating is undeniably delicious and a true crowd-pleaser, these air fryer donuts are incredibly versatile. Feel free to get creative and customize them to your liking with these exciting variations, transforming them into a whole new experience:

Beyond Cinnamon Sugar: Endless Donut Possibilities

• From-Scratch Donut Dough: If you’re an experienced baker and prefer the satisfaction of using a homemade, yeasted donut dough, you absolutely can adapt this recipe! Simply use your favorite from-scratch donut recipe, allowing the dough to rise as directed. Once shaped into rings, instead of deep frying, air fry them at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden brown and cooked through. Keep in mind that the timing might vary slightly depending on the thickness and type of your homemade dough.
• Classic Glazed Air Fryer Donuts: For those who adore a traditional vanilla glaze, it’s incredibly easy to achieve. Whisk the following ingredients together in a small bowl until the mixture is completely smooth. Add the milk slowly, drop by drop, until you reach your desired pouring consistency – a thinner glaze will require a little more milk:
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar)
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons whole milk (start with 1 tablespoon and add more very slowly if a thinner glaze is desired)
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for the best, authentic flavor)
  • A teeny, tiny pinch of salt (this small addition remarkably enhances the sweetness and overall flavor of the glaze!)

  For an extra layer of deliciousness, you can even dip the hot donuts in white granulated sugar right out of the air fryer, then drizzle or dip them in this classic vanilla glaze once they’ve slightly cooled.

• Decadent Chocolate Glaze: To transform your donuts into a chocolate lover’s dream, simply add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the vanilla glaze recipe above. Whisk thoroughly to combine, ensuring no lumps. Adjust the milk as needed to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency for your rich chocolate glaze.
• Healthier Twist with PB2 Glaze: Looking for a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor? Skip the cinnamon-sugar coating and rich glazes entirely! Instead, create a simple and surprisingly delicious glaze using equal parts powdered peanut butter (such as PB2 or a similar brand) and water. Whisk until smooth. This provides a satisfying, protein-packed topping that’s lower in sugar. You can find inspiration for a similar glaze and its uses here!
• Powdered Sugar Donuts: A timeless, elegant classic that’s incredibly simple. Immediately after air frying, once the donuts are slightly cooled but still warm, dust them generously with powdered sugar using a sifter or a fine-mesh sieve. This creates a beautiful, soft white coating.
• Sugar & Spice Donuts (Beyond Cinnamon): If cinnamon isn’t your favorite, or you’re looking for something different, try mixing other warm spices into your sugar coating! Ground nutmeg, cardamom, or a pre-made pumpkin pie spice blend can offer unique and equally delicious aromatic flavors.
• Maple Glaze Donuts: Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup, and 1-2 tablespoons milk. Whisk until smooth for a delightful fall-inspired flavor.
• Chocolate Chip Donuts: After air frying, and while the donuts are still warm and the melted butter is slightly tacky, gently press mini chocolate chips onto the surface of the donuts. The residual heat will slightly melt them, creating a delightful and gooey treat.
• Fruity Drizzle: For a fresh and vibrant twist, make a simple fruit glaze. Puree fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries work wonderfully) with a little powdered sugar and a touch of lemon juice. Strain the puree for a smoother glaze, then drizzle over cooled donuts for a burst of fruity flavor.

The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to customizing your air fryer donuts. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings, glazes, and flavor combinations to find your perfect, signature donut!

Donut Storage & Reheating Tips

Storing and Enjoying Your Air Fryer Donuts

Like most homemade donuts, these air fryer delights are absolutely best enjoyed fresh, warm, and right out of the air fryer. This is when their texture is at its peak – light, fluffy, and tender, with a perfect crispness on the outside and a soft interior. As they cool, they tend to lose some of their initial quality, becoming slightly less soft, the coating might not adhere as perfectly, and they can potentially dry out a bit. We highly recommend making only what you plan to consume immediately for the ultimate fresh donut experience.

However, if you do find yourself with the rare leftover (and that’s a big “if” for these delicious treats!), you can certainly rewarm them to bring back some of their appeal. To reheat air fryer donuts, simply place them in the microwave for a very brief 5-10 seconds. Be careful not to overheat, as this can make them tough or rubbery. While rewarming will bring back some warmth and a semblance of freshness, the texture might not be quite as perfect as when they were freshly made.

Maximizing Freshness with Uncooked Dough: A smart strategy to ensure you always have perfectly fresh donuts is to prepare all the donut rings and donut holes from your biscuit dough, but only air fry the amount you want to eat right away. Store any leftover (uncooked) biscuit dough rings and holes in an airtight container or covered tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. They will keep well for 2-3 days, allowing you to air fry a fresh, warm batch whenever a craving strikes!

Q: Can I use any brand of refrigerated biscuit dough?

A: Yes, most brands of refrigerated flaky or jumbo biscuit dough will work well for this recipe. Pillsbury Grands Flaky Jumbo Biscuits are specifically recommended for their consistent texture and size, which yields a good “donut” feel. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite brand. Just ensure they are the larger “jumbo” size (typically 8 biscuits per can) for proper donut dimensions and to prevent them from becoming too small or thin.

Q: My donuts aren’t getting golden brown. What am I doing wrong?

A: Several factors could be at play if your donuts aren’t browning properly. First, ensure your air fryer is fully preheated to the correct temperature before adding the donuts. Second, make sure you’re not overcrowding the basket, as this restricts hot air circulation and prevents even cooking and browning. Cook in batches if necessary. Air fryer models also vary in their heating intensity, so you might need to increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes or adjust the temperature slightly for your specific appliance. A light spray of oil on the donuts also aids in browning.

Q: Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

A: This recipe is built around traditional refrigerated biscuit dough. However, with the increasing availability of specialty products, some brands now offer gluten-free biscuit dough alternatives. If you can find a suitable gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough, you can certainly try adapting this recipe. Always check the specific product labels for any unique cooking instructions and adjust air frying time as needed, as gluten-free doughs can sometimes behave differently.

Q: What’s the best way to get an even cinnamon sugar coating?

A: The trick to a perfect cinnamon sugar coating is timing and technique. You want to coat the donuts immediately after brushing them with melted butter, while they are still hot and fresh out of the air fryer. The warmth and butter help the cinnamon sugar adhere perfectly. You can either gently roll the donut in the mixture, ensuring all sides are covered, or sprinkle it generously over the donut, turning it to coat, then gently shaking off any excess. Don’t let them cool completely before coating!

Q: Can I use oil other than coconut or olive oil spray?

A: Yes, you can use any neutral cooking oil spray that is safe for high heat in your air fryer. Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or canola oil sprays are all good alternatives. However, it’s crucial to avoid traditional aerosol non-stick sprays like PAM, as they often contain ingredients that can leave a sticky, gummy residue on the air fryer basket that is difficult to clean and can potentially damage the non-stick coating over time. A pump-style oil mister filled with your preferred cooking oil is a great, safe, and reusable alternative.