Save My kids discovered air fryer donuts completely by accident one Saturday morning when I was too tired to make a real breakfast. They'd grabbed a can of biscuit dough from the fridge and somehow convinced me that punching holes in the center might create something magical. Three minutes later, the kitchen smelled like a state fair, and they were fighting over who got the first one. That chaotic moment taught me that the best kitchen discoveries often happen when you're not trying too hard.
I brought these to a potluck once and watched someone take a bite, pause, and ask with genuine confusion, "Wait, did you make these from scratch?" The look on their face when I admitted the biscuit dough shortcut was priceless. That's when I realized the best recipes aren't always the most complicated—they're the ones that taste like someone really cared enough to show up with something warm.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (1 can, 8 biscuits): This is your secret weapon—it's already seasoned and formulated to puff beautifully, so there's no guessing game with ratios or rise times.
- Nonstick cooking spray: A light mist prevents sticking without adding extra oil, keeping the basket clean and your cleanup minimal.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): The coating clings better to warm butter, so don't skip brushing the donuts while they're hot.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp): This amount hits the sweet spot—enough to taste like cinnamon donuts without overpowering the delicate dough.
- Unsalted butter, melted (4 tbsp): Melted butter soaks in faster and coats more evenly than trying to brush solid cold butter onto hot donuts.
Instructions
- Get your air fryer ready:
- Preheat to 350°F for 3 minutes—this matters because the basket needs heat to set the outside of the biscuits immediately, creating that golden crust while the inside stays fluffy.
- Transform biscuits into donut shapes:
- Separate each biscuit and use a 1-inch round cutter (a bottle cap or small glass works in a pinch) to punch a hole in the center. Save those little holes—they fry up into perfect donut bites in about 2 minutes.
- Spray and arrange:
- Give the basket a light coat of nonstick spray, then arrange your donuts in a single layer without touching. If your basket is small, work in batches rather than crowding them.
- Air fry with a flip:
- Cook for 3-4 minutes total, flipping halfway through with tongs. You're looking for golden brown and puffy—they'll puff more than you expect, which is the magic happening.
- Prepare the coating while they cook:
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl so you're ready to coat immediately after the donuts come out, when they're still warm and the butter will stick perfectly.
- Butter and coat immediately:
- Pull the donuts out, brush each one generously with melted butter on all sides, then toss them in the cinnamon sugar. Do this while they're hot—warm donuts absorb the coating instead of letting it slide off.
Save My neighbor once asked me to make a batch for her daughter's birthday sleepover, and something clicked—these donuts became the thing that made the whole night feel special. It wasn't about skill or fancy ingredients; it was about showing up with something warm and a little bit indulgent.
Variations Worth Trying
Once you nail the basic version, it's fun to experiment with coatings. A vanilla glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a splash of milk and vanilla) feels more elegant and stays on longer than sugar. Powdered sugar alone creates a classic donut shop look, while a cocoa powder mixture appeals to chocolate lovers. I've even brushed some with honey instead of butter, then tossed them in crushed granola for something nobody expected.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
These are genuinely best fresh and warm, but I've learned you can stash leftover donuts in an airtight container for a day without them going stale. Reheating them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 320°F brings them back to life better than a microwave ever could. The dough holes are even quicker to reheat and have a better texture, so I sometimes make a bigger batch specifically to have extras on hand.
Why the Air Fryer Makes Sense Here
Air frying eliminates the mess and safety concerns of deep frying, but more importantly, it delivers that exact texture—crispy outside, fluffy inside—in a fraction of the time. There's no oil spattering on your stovetop, no disposing of used oil, and no lingering fried smell in your kitchen for three days. You also get predictable results every single time, which matters when you're making something this quick.
- The hot air circulation crisps the exterior while steam inside keeps the crumb tender and open.
- You can watch them puff through the window (if your air fryer has one), which is oddly satisfying and makes timing easier.
- Cleanup is literally just wiping out the basket—no paper towels soaked in grease or burnt oil residue to scrub.
Save These donuts remind me that cooking doesn't always require hours of effort or a long list of ingredients to feel like something special. Sometimes the best moments happen in your kitchen when you stop overthinking and just let warmth and cinnamon sugar do the talking.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use homemade dough instead of biscuit dough?
Yes, homemade dough with similar consistency works well but adjust cooking time based on thickness to ensure even air frying.
- → How do I prevent donuts from sticking in the air fryer?
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray before placing the dough rounds to ensure easy removal after cooking.
- → What temperature and time are ideal for air frying?
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook donuts for about 3-4 minutes, turning halfway for golden, puffy texture.
- → Can I save leftover coated donuts?
Storing coated donuts best done in an airtight container for up to one day to maintain freshness and texture.
- → Are there alternative coatings to cinnamon sugar?
Yes, try powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for variety.