Craving warm, fluffy donuts but don’t want the mess and oil of deep-frying? Look no further! These Air Fryer Donuts are a game-changer, delivering soft, golden perfection with minimal effort. Whether you opt for the lightning-fast convenience of biscuit dough or prefer to bake up a batch of classic yeast donuts from scratch, both methods result in delightful, homemade treats that are bursting with flavor. Forget about greasy hands and smoky kitchens; with your air fryer, you can enjoy irresistibly delicious donuts that are lighter and incredibly easy to prepare.

“These air fryer donuts are everything you love about donuts, made easier and lighter!”

-Becky

There’s a good reason why soft, pillowy donuts are a beloved breakfast staple or a delightful anytime treat. This guide explores two fantastic ways to make them in your air fryer: using convenient canned biscuit dough for a lightning-fast option, or crafting traditional yeast dough for that authentic bakery-style taste and texture. Both methods promise golden, delicious results that will satisfy your sweet cravings without the fuss of traditional deep-frying.

Beyond these incredible air fryer donut recipes, you might be looking for more easy and delicious breakfast ideas for your air fryer. Don’t miss out on other crispy and fluffy favorites like our Air Fryer Turkey Bacon, savory Air Fryer Egg Bites, perfectly golden Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes, classic Air Fryer Hash Browns, and sweet Air Fryer French Toast Sticks.

Why Choose Air Fryer Donuts? The Healthier, Easier Alternative

Making donuts in an air fryer offers several significant advantages over traditional deep-frying. First and foremost, it drastically reduces the amount of oil needed, making these homemade treats a much lighter option. You still achieve that satisfying golden-brown crust and a wonderfully tender interior, but without the excessive grease. Beyond the health benefits, the air fryer method is incredibly convenient. There’s no splattering oil to clean up, no need for large pots of hot oil, and the cooking process is quick and simple. This means you can whip up a batch of fresh donuts on a whim, perfect for a spontaneous weekend breakfast or a special morning treat without the usual hassle.

Biscuit Dough vs. Yeast Dough: A Donut Dilemma

When it comes to making air fryer donuts, you have two primary paths: using refrigerated biscuit dough for speed or crafting yeast dough from scratch for a more traditional texture. Both yield fantastic results, but they offer distinct experiences:

• Biscuit Dough Donuts: The Quick & Easy Option
  These are ideal for busy mornings or when a sudden donut craving strikes. Canned biscuit dough is pre-made, so you skip the kneading and rising process entirely. The resulting donuts are slightly denser, with a buttery, biscuit-like crumb that’s incredibly satisfying. They cook up in minutes and are perfect for a fast, delicious treat.
• Yeast Dough Donuts: The Classic Bakery Experience
  If you have a bit more time and enjoy the process of baking, making donuts from scratch with yeast dough is incredibly rewarding. These donuts boast that characteristic light, airy, and fluffy texture found in your favorite bakery. The yeast provides a subtle tang and a wonderfully soft crumb that melts in your mouth. While they require a bit more patience for rising, the authentic flavor and superior texture are well worth the effort.

Simple Ingredients for Quick Biscuit Donuts

Creating delicious air fryer donuts from canned biscuit dough requires just a handful of pantry staples. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and speed, making it perfect for a spontaneous breakfast or a last-minute sweet treat. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 can of flaky refrigerated biscuit dough: Opt for your favorite brand. Honey butter or butter-flavored biscuits work exceptionally well, adding an extra layer of richness to your donuts. This is your base for speed and convenience!
• Butter (melted): Essential for brushing onto the warm donuts. This helps the coatings adhere beautifully and adds a delicious, moist finish.
• Granulated sugar + cinnamon: The quintessential donut coating! This simple yet classic combination provides a perfectly balanced sweetness and aromatic spice. Adjust the cinnamon to your preference.

A complete list of ingredients with precise measurements for the biscuit dough version can be found in the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Delicious Donut Variations & Topping Ideas

One of the best parts about making homemade air fryer donuts is the endless possibilities for customization! Once your donuts are perfectly golden and fluffy, you can get creative with a variety of toppings and fillings. Here are some popular and easy variations to inspire your donut artistry:

• Classic Glazed: For a timeless treat, dip warm donuts into a simple yet luscious glaze made from powdered sugar, a touch of milk (or cream), and a splash of vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth, and submerge each donut for a shiny, sweet coating.
• Rich Chocolate Coated: Indulge your chocolate cravings by melting chocolate chips with a small amount of heavy cream (or coconut oil) until smooth. Dip cooled donuts into the melted chocolate for a decadent finish. Add sprinkles before the chocolate sets for a festive look!
• Delightful Filled Donuts: If you’re feeling adventurous, skip cutting the hole in the center of the biscuit dough. After air frying, let the donuts cool slightly, then use a piping bag with a long, thin tip to inject your favorite jam, fruit curd, lemon custard, or even Nutella directly into the donut.
• Irresistible Mini Donut Holes: Don’t let those cut-out centers go to waste! Air fry the leftover biscuit dough centers for just 2-3 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until golden. Once warm, toss them in cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or dip them in glaze for adorable, bite-sized treats.
• Powdered Sugar Perfection: A simple dusting of powdered sugar over warm donuts is always a crowd-pleaser, offering a delicate sweetness and elegant appearance.
• Maple Bacon Bliss: For a savory-sweet twist, drizzle a maple glaze (powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk) over your donuts and sprinkle with crumbled, crispy bacon bits.
• Fruity & Fresh: Top a basic glaze with finely chopped fresh berries or citrus zest for a burst of fresh flavor.

Essential Ingredients for Homemade Yeast Donuts

For those who love the classic, fluffy texture of bakery-style donuts, making them from scratch with yeast dough in your air fryer is incredibly rewarding. This recipe, inspired by our cookbook Air Fryer All Day, yields about 12 perfectly soft donuts. Gather these ingredients to begin your homemade donut journey:

• 1 cup whole milk: Provides moisture and flavor, helping to activate the yeast and create a tender dough.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness to the dough itself.
• 2¼ teaspoons (or 1 packet) instant yeast: The leavening agent that gives donuts their signature light and airy texture. Instant yeast is convenient as it can be mixed directly with dry ingredients.
• ¼ teaspoon kosher or sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the donut.
• 3 cups all-purpose flour: The structural base of your dough. Measure accurately for best results.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness, tenderness, and a lovely buttery flavor to the dough.
• 1 large egg, beaten: Contributes to the dough’s structure, richness, and golden color.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A key flavoring agent that elevates the overall taste of the donuts.
• Olive oil cooking spray: For greasing the bowl during rising and the air fryer basket for cooking.

How to Make Air Fryer Yeast Donuts from Scratch

Crafting yeast donuts at home is a delightful process, and cooking them in the air fryer makes them much lighter than their fried counterparts. Here’s how to create these fluffy treats:

1. **Activate the Yeast:** Begin by gently warming the whole milk in the microwave or on the stovetop until it’s just warm to the touch (around 105-115°F or 40-46°C). Be careful not to overheat it, as hot milk can kill the yeast. In a medium bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Stir gently and let this mixture “bloom” for 3-5 minutes. You’ll know the yeast is active when it becomes foamy and fragrant.
2. **Prepare the Dough:** Once the yeast has bloomed, stir in the all-purpose flour, melted unsalted butter, beaten large egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until a soft, shaggy dough forms.
3. **Knead and Rise:** Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for approximately 5 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size. This usually takes about 45-60 minutes, depending on the warmth of your environment.
4. **Shape the Donuts:** Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release the air. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ½-inch thickness. Use a 3-inch donut cutter to cut out 12 donuts, along with their centers. You can gently re-roll scraps to get more donuts, but avoid overworking the dough.
5. **Air Fry:** Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees F (160 degrees C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray or line it with perforated parchment paper. Place 2-3 donuts (or as many as fit in a single layer without crowding) into the basket. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, then carefully flip the donuts and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until both sides are beautifully golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with remaining donuts and donut holes.
6. **Cool and Top:** Transfer the cooked donuts to a wire rack to cool slightly. While still warm, you can brush them with melted butter and dip them in cinnamon sugar, or let them cool completely before glazing or frosting with your favorite toppings (see “Donut Variations” above for ideas).

For even more delightful breakfast ideas to elevate your mornings, consider trying an Air Fryer Omelette for a quick and protein-packed meal, or homemade Air Fryer English Muffins. If you prefer something crunchy and wholesome, our Air Fryer Granola is a must-try, and for a perfectly cooked egg every time, master the Air Fryer Soft Boiled Eggs!

Expert Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts

Achieving perfectly cooked and delicious air fryer donuts is easy with a few insider tips. Whether you’re using biscuit dough or making yeast donuts from scratch, these pointers will help ensure your treats turn out beautifully every time:

• **Don’t Waste the Donut Holes:** The little centers you cut out from your biscuit dough or yeast dough make delightful mini donut holes! Air fry them for a shorter time (2-3 minutes for biscuit holes, 4-5 minutes for yeast holes) until golden. They are perfect for testing your glaze or just enjoying as a bite-sized snack.
• Ensure Proper Yeast Activation (for yeast donuts): The key to fluffy yeast donuts is active yeast. Make sure your milk is *warm* (105-115°F / 40-46°C), not hot. If the milk is too hot, it will kill the yeast, and your dough won’t rise. If it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate properly. Look for a foamy layer to confirm activation before adding other ingredients.
• Spray, Don’t Over-Brush (for air frying): For the most even, golden finish in the air fryer, use an olive oil spray or other air fryer-safe cooking spray. A light, even mist is much better than brushing on oil, which can create streaks or uneven browning. This minimal oil helps achieve a crispy exterior without making the donuts greasy.
• Avoid Crowding the Basket: Always arrange your donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece. Overcrowding can steam the donuts instead of crisping them, leading to a less desirable texture and uneven cooking. Work in batches if necessary.
• Check for Doneness: Air fryer cooking times can vary by model. For biscuit donuts, they should be visibly golden brown. For yeast donuts, they should be golden on both sides and feel light and springy. A quick peek inside (if you dare!) should show a cooked, not raw, interior.
• Coat While Warm: For best results, coat your donuts with cinnamon sugar or a glaze while they are still warm (but not piping hot). This allows the coating to adhere better and slightly melt into the donut, creating a more cohesive and delicious experience.

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