Making Donut Biscuits In An Air Fryer: Easy, Quick Treats

Canned biscuit donuts are a quick and easy treat to make in an air fryer. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried donuts and can be made in just 10 minutes. The air fryer's convection technology circulates hot air around the biscuits, creating a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender and fluffy interior. The secret to making fluffy donuts is using canned biscuit dough, a simple chocolate or vanilla frosting, and sprinkles.

Biscuit donut recipe ingredients

Biscuit donuts are a quick and easy treat to make in an air fryer, and the perfect snack to satisfy your sweet tooth. The ingredients are simple, and you can be as creative as you like with toppings.

The main ingredient is, of course, biscuit dough. For the best results, opt for a tube of pre-made, refrigerated, flaky biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands. This will give your donuts that light, flaky texture. You will also need a small amount of oil to grease your air fryer basket—coconut or olive oil spray is best.

For the topping, you will need granulated white sugar and cinnamon. You can mix these together in a bowl to create a delicious cinnamon-sugar coating for your donuts. You can also add ground ginger and cloves for a more complex flavour. Melted butter is also required, as this will help the cinnamon-sugar mixture stick to the donuts.

If you prefer a glaze, you can mix powdered sugar with a splash of milk, or you can try a chocolate glaze by melting chocolate chips with butter, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract. For a fun twist, add some food colouring to your glaze.

For a simple, classic donut, you only need four ingredients: biscuit dough, sugar, cinnamon, and butter. However, if you want to experiment with different toppings, the world is your oyster!

Air fryer temperature and duration

The air fryer temperature and duration for making biscuit donuts vary slightly depending on the recipe and the desired level of browning. However, here is a comprehensive guide to help you achieve the perfect biscuit donuts in your air fryer.

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Different recipes suggest different temperatures for preheating. Some recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 360°F, while others suggest 330°F, letting it run for about 3-5 minutes. One recipe even suggests preheating to 400°F.

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook your donuts. Place the donuts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches. Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. It is recommended to flip the donuts halfway through or two-thirds through the cooking process to ensure even browning on both sides.

For the donut holes, set the air fryer timer for 3 minutes. You can follow the same process as the donuts, dipping them in butter and then coating them with cinnamon sugar or another desired topping.

It's important to note that air fryer models may vary, so adjust the temperature and duration slightly based on your air fryer's performance. Always keep an eye on your donuts to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

Additionally, some recipes suggest brushing the donuts with melted butter while they are still warm, which adds richness and flavor. This step is optional but can enhance the taste and texture of your biscuit donuts.

Donut glaze and toppings

Glaze

There are many different types of glaze that you can make to top your air-fried biscuit donuts. A simple glaze can be made using just powdered sugar and milk, but you can also add vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or food colouring to create different flavours and colours. For a thicker glaze, you can dunk your donuts more than once, and for a thinner glaze, you can add a little extra milk.

• Vanilla glaze: confectioners' sugar, light corn syrup, butter, milk or water, and vanilla extract.
• Chocolate glaze: confectioners' sugar, semisweet chocolate, butter, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, and heavy cream.
• Apple cider glaze: confectioners' sugar, boiled cider, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.
• Strawberry glaze: fresh strawberries, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and strawberry jam or preserves.

Toppings

As well as glaze, you can add other toppings to your donuts. Cinnamon sugar is a popular choice—simply brush your donuts with melted butter and toss them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. You can also add sprinkles, crushed Oreos or graham crackers, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, freeze-dried berries, or mini chocolate chips.

How to store biscuit donuts

Biscuit donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have any leftovers, you can store them for later. Here's how to store biscuit donuts:

Storing at Room Temperature

First, allow your donuts to cool completely. Then, place them in airtight storage bags or containers. Ensure that the storage bags or containers are tightly sealed; otherwise, your donuts will become stale. Store them in a cool, dry area. They should last for at least 1 to 2 days. Leaving them in direct sunlight, even if they're in a bag or container, can cause them to become stale faster.

When you're ready to eat them, simply place the donuts on a plate and warm them in the microwave for around 15 seconds. This will help soften them up, so they taste as good as freshly baked donuts.

Storing in the Fridge

If you've added your own icing or glaze to the donuts, storing them in the fridge can help prevent the icing or glaze from melting off. Place the donuts in an airtight container or bag and store them in the fridge. They should last up to 1 week before they start to become stale. When you're ready to enjoy them, let them thaw to room temperature, and then warm them up in the microwave for about 15 seconds.

Air fryer alternatives

Air fryers are popular kitchen appliances that use convection to circulate hot air around food, creating a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender and fluffy interior. They are touted for their ability to cook food faster and more healthily than traditional frying methods. However, some people are now seeking cheaper alternatives to air fryers, such as halogen ovens, which use a halogen lightbulb to cook food in a small glass bowl.

If you are looking for alternatives to air fryers, here are some options to consider:

• Halogen Oven: This appliance uses a halogen lightbulb to cook food in a small glass bowl. It is said to be cheaper and healthier than air fryers, with some models offering a similar temperature range.
• Traditional Oven: If you already have an oven, you may not need an additional appliance like an air fryer. Ovens can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including baking, roasting, and frying.
• Deep Fryer: While deep fryers use more oil and can be less healthy, they do not have the same concerns as air fryers regarding non-stick coatings.
• Stovetop Cooking: Depending on the type of food you are preparing, you may be able to use a stovetop pan or pot as an alternative to an air fryer. This method allows for more control over the cooking process.

Additionally, some air fryers may have non-stick coatings like Teflon, which can contain 'forever chemicals' and pose health risks if ingested. To address this concern, you can consider air fryers with stainless steel or ceramic coatings, such as those offered by brands like Ninja, Instant, and KitchenAid. These alternatives provide non-toxic and durable options for your cooking needs.

Frequently asked questions