These Air Fryer Donuts with Biscuit Dough are one of the easiest ways to make warm, fluffy donuts at home without deep frying. They are made with refrigerated biscuit dough, cooked in the air fryer until golden and puffed, then brushed with melted butter and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. The result is a quick, soft, delicious donut that tastes cozy and homemade, but takes only a few minutes to prepare.

This recipe is perfect when you want a sweet treat without making dough from scratch. Traditional donuts can take a lot of time because they often require yeast, kneading, rising, cutting, frying, and glazing. These air fryer biscuit donuts skip all of that. You start with store-bought refrigerated biscuits, cut a small hole in the center, air fry them, and coat them while warm. It is simple, fast, and very beginner-friendly.

One of the reasons this recipe is so popular is that it feels like a clever kitchen shortcut. Refrigerated biscuit dough turns into soft, fluffy donuts in the air fryer with very little effort. The outside becomes lightly golden, while the inside stays tender and soft. When the warm donuts are brushed with melted butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar, they taste like a classic fair-style or bakery-style treat.

The air fryer is perfect for this recipe because it gives the donuts a golden finish without using a large pot of oil. You still get a delicious donut texture, but the process is cleaner, faster, and easier. There is no deep frying, no oil splatter, and much less mess in the kitchen. This makes the recipe great for busy mornings, weekend treats, brunch, holidays, or a quick dessert after dinner.

For the best results, use large refrigerated biscuits. They puff up nicely in the air fryer and create a soft, fluffy center. Smaller biscuits can also work, but the donuts will be thinner and may cook faster. It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket because the donuts need space to expand and cook evenly. If your air fryer is small, cook them in batches.

The donut holes are a fun bonus. After cutting the centers out of the biscuits, do not throw them away. Air fry them separately for a few minutes and coat them in the same melted butter and cinnamon sugar. They make perfect little bites for kids, parties, or snacking while the rest of the donuts cool.

These air fryer biscuit donuts are best served warm, right after coating. That is when they are softest, fluffiest, and most delicious. You can enjoy them plain, with coffee, with a glass of milk, or as part of a weekend breakfast spread. If you want to make them even more special, drizzle them with vanilla glaze, chocolate glaze, caramel sauce, or powdered sugar icing.

You can also customize the coating. Cinnamon sugar is the classic version, but powdered sugar, vanilla glaze, chocolate glaze, maple glaze, or pumpkin spice sugar would also be delicious. For a fall-inspired version, add a little nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to the cinnamon sugar mixture.

If you are looking for a quick air fryer dessert, these Air Fryer Donuts with Biscuit Dough are a recipe to save. They are easy, fun, fast, and perfect for anyone who loves warm homemade donuts but does not want to deep fry or make dough from scratch.

Notes

Use large refrigerated biscuits for the fluffiest donuts.

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.

Check the donuts after 5 minutes because air fryer models can vary.

Coat the donuts while they are still warm so the cinnamon sugar sticks well.

You can also glaze the donuts instead of coating them in cinnamon sugar.

The donut holes cook faster than the full-size donuts, so check them early.

FAQ

Can you make donuts in the air fryer with biscuit dough?

Yes, refrigerated biscuit dough works very well for air fryer donuts. The biscuits puff up and become soft, golden, and fluffy.

What temperature do you cook biscuit donuts in the air fryer?

Cook biscuit donuts at 350°F / 175°C for 5–6 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.

Do I need oil to make air fryer donuts?

You do not need deep frying oil. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then brush the cooked donuts with melted butter before coating them in cinnamon sugar.

Can I make donut holes too?

Yes. Save the centers after cutting the donut holes and air fry them separately for 3–4 minutes.

Can I glaze these air fryer donuts?

Yes. You can coat them in cinnamon sugar or drizzle them with vanilla glaze, chocolate glaze, maple glaze, or powdered sugar icing.

How do I store leftover donuts?

These donuts are best fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day. Reheat them in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes before serving.

Can I use Pillsbury biscuits?

Yes. Pillsbury Grands or any similar refrigerated biscuit dough works well for this recipe.