Air Fryer Donuts Two Ways

Whip up these quality treats without heating up your entire kitchen.

By Nicole Papantoniou and Samantha MacAvoyPublished: Oct 11, 2020

mike garten

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Yields:

8 serving(s)

Total Time:

30 mins

Cal/Serv:

235

Jump to recipe

Skip the spattering hot oil and make air fryer donuts instead! That’s right — your new favorite kitchen appliance is a star at baking these sweet treats. Not only does the air fryer avoid excess oil, but it also takes just about 6 minutes to cook the donuts, so a warm, buttery dessert (or irresistible brunch recipe) is not far away. What’s more, these air fryer donuts without yeast are made with store-bought puff pastry, so you don’t even have to worry about whipping up homemade dough. You just need three ingredients to make these crisp, fluffy, and tasty treats, plus your amazing air fryer. Need some buying tips? Check out the top-performing air fryers picked by our Kitchen Appliances Lab pros.

Find this recipe and more in Air Fryer Magic: 75 Easy Recipes for Frying, Roasting & Baking.

How to Make Donuts in the Air Fryer

The air fryer’s high-powered fan and top-down heat source work together to circulate hot air to quickly and evenly cook all your favorites with little to no oil (try wings, fries or even veggies!). In the air fryer, donuts made with puff pastry rise to impressive heights and turn deliciously golden brown.

First, prepare your preferred sugar topping. We love classic cinnamon sugar, fruity strawberry sugar, or spicy orange-cardamom sugar. Next, unfold your puff pastry and cut it into your desired shapes. Cutting strips of puff pastry on a bias to make parallelograms creates bite-sized pieces with the ideal amount of crispy edges. Then, set the air fryer to 350°F and air-fry the donuts for about 3 minutes per side (yep, that’s it!), then immediately toss with your sugar combo. If the coating doesn’t stick, lightly brush with melted butter, then toss again. More of a glazed donut person? That’s great! You can toss the air-fried donuts in whatever you like, even adding sprinkles or other toppings like your own personal donut shop.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

For donuts

1
16-oz can refrigerated biscuit dough
Melted unsalted butter, for brushing

For raspberry sugar

1/2 cup
freeze-dried raspberries
1/4 cup
sugar

For chai-spiced sugar

1/4 cup
sugar
1/4
to 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp.
ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp.
ground ginger
1/8 tsp.
ground allspice
Pinch of ground cloves

Directions

1. Step 1Make donuts: Heat air fryer to 350°F. Separate biscuits onto parchment-lined baking sheet. Using 1 1/4-inch round cutter, cut out hole from center of each biscuit. Set aside donut holes.
2. Step 2Brush air fryer basket with melted butter. Working in batches if needed, arrange donuts in basket, spacing apart. Air-fry, flipping donuts halfway through, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to wire rack.
3. Step 3Arrange donut holes in basket, spacing apart. Air-fry, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Step 4While donuts are cooking, prepare raspberry sugar: In mini food processor, pulse freeze-dried raspberries with sugar until finely ground. Using sieve, sift out any seeds and discard.
5. Step 5Prepare chai-spiced sugar: In small bowl, using fingers, combine sugar with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves until mixture is uniform.
6. Step 6After removing donuts and donut holes from air fryer, immediately brush with melted butter and toss in your choice of sugar coating.

More Sugar Mixtures:

Classic Cinnamon Sugar: In bowl, combine 2 Tbsp sugar with 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon.

Strawberry Sugar: In mini food processor or spice grinder, pulse ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries with ¼ cup sugar until finely ground.

Orange-Cardamom Sugar: In bowl, using fingers, combine ¼ cup sugar, 1 tsp finely grated orange zest and ¼ tsp ground cardamom until mixture reaches consistency of brown sugar.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (For 1 donut and1 donut hole): About 235 calories, 11 g fat (5 g saturated), 4 g protein, 640 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber

Did you make this recipe? Comment below!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below