Air Fryer Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar

These air fryer donuts turn refrigerated biscuit dough into a warm, lightly crisp breakfast treat in about 15 minutes. A quick dip in melted butter and cinnamon sugar gives each donut a classic finish without deep frying. They are especially useful when you want a small weekend batch without heating a pot of oil, and the simple method is easy enough for a relaxed family breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donuts

This shortcut recipe is fast, uses a short ingredient list, and keeps cleanup simple. Cook the donuts in batches so the air can circulate around every piece.

What you need

• 16 ounces refrigerated flaky jumbo biscuits
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• Olive or coconut oil spray

How to Make Air Fryer Donuts

Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl and set it aside.

Separate the biscuits and cut a 1-inch hole from the center of each one.

Lightly coat the air fryer basket with olive or coconut oil spray.

Arrange four donuts in a single layer without touching. Air fry at 360°F for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned; repeat with the remaining donuts.

Dip the warm donuts in melted butter, roll them in the cinnamon sugar, and serve immediately.

Serving Tips

Optional variation

For an optional variation, replace part of the cinnamon sugar with a light vanilla glaze after the donuts cool slightly. Keep the primary cinnamon-sugar batch as written for the classic finish.

Storage

These donuts are best served warm. Store leftovers in a covered container for up to one day and warm them briefly before serving.

Choosing the biscuit dough

Refrigerated flaky jumbo biscuits are a practical shortcut because they already have layers that puff as they cook. Keep the dough cold until you are ready to shape it, and separate the biscuits gently so the layers stay intact. A one-inch cutter makes a neat center hole, while a small bottle cap can work if it is clean and sharp enough to press through the dough. Save the cut centers and cook them alongside the donuts for small donut holes.

Getting the basket ready

A light coating of olive or coconut oil spray helps prevent sticking. Do not saturate the basket, since excess oil can smoke or make the surface greasy. Arrange the pieces in one layer with a little room between them. The hot air needs a clear path around the sides and top, and two smaller batches usually brown more evenly than one crowded batch.

Timing and doneness

Five minutes at 360°F is a useful starting point, but air fryers differ in basket shape and heating speed. Begin checking near the end of the cooking time. The donuts should look lightly golden and feel set at the edges. If they need another minute, cook them briefly and check again. Avoid overcooking because biscuit dough can dry quickly once it has browned.

Making the cinnamon sugar coating

Mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon thoroughly before the donuts cook so the spice is evenly distributed. Dip each warm donut in melted butter, turning it to coat the outside, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar. A shallow bowl gives enough room to turn the donuts without pressing down on their delicate surface. Work in small batches so the butter remains fluid and the donuts are coated while warm.

Serving the donuts

Serve the donuts as soon as they are coated, with coffee, tea, or cold milk. They are also a fun breakfast-table project because the final coating takes only a few minutes. For a brunch spread, place the donuts on a lined platter and add a small bowl of extra cinnamon sugar. If you want a less sweet finish, dust only the tops rather than rolling the whole donut.

Making a larger batch

When serving a group, prepare the cinnamon sugar and melted butter before the first batch finishes. Cook in batches without stacking the raw dough. Keep the cooked donuts on a rack rather than sealing them in a container immediately, which helps prevent steam from softening the coating. Coat each batch just before serving so the texture stays at its best.

Air Fryer Donut FAQs

Can I cook more than four at once? Only if the basket allows a single uncrowded layer. Why do they need space? Air circulation helps the dough brown evenly. Can I skip the butter? Butter helps the cinnamon sugar adhere, so use it for the best coating.

A little planning makes this quick recipe especially dependable. Set out the shallow bowl, melted butter, and cooling rack before you start cooking. That way each golden donut can move directly from the basket to the butter and cinnamon sugar without waiting. The result is a warm, nostalgic treat with crisp edges, a fluffy center, and a fragrant coating that tastes freshly made.

FAQs about air fryer donuts

Serve these donuts immediately while they are warm. Keep the finished batch loosely covered and rewarm briefly if needed.

Air Fryer Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar

Make quick air fryer donuts from flaky biscuit dough, then coat them in melted butter and cinnamon sugar for a warm homemade treat.

Prep : 10 Total : 25 minutes

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Ingredients

  

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Ingredients

• 16 ounces refrigerated flaky jumbo biscuits
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons butter melted
• as needed olive or coconut oil spray for the basket

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl and set it aside.
• Separate the biscuits and cut a 1-inch hole from the center of each one.
• Lightly coat the air fryer basket with olive or coconut oil spray.
• Arrange four donuts in a single layer without touching. Air fry at 360°F for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned; repeat with the remaining donuts.
• Dip the warm donuts in melted butter, roll them in the cinnamon sugar, and serve immediately.