Air-Fryer Donuts: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a fantastic way to make delicious donuts from the comfort of your own home, without the mess and smell of deep-frying. Using store-bought biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands, you can make light and fluffy donuts with a crispy exterior and a tender interior in under 10 minutes. This simple recipe is a fun weekend activity to do with kids and a great treat for the whole family.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The air fryer temperature and timing are crucial factors in achieving the perfect donuts. Here are the detailed instructions for your air fryer donuts:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. This can be done by turning it on at a lower temperature, around 330 degrees Fahrenheit, and letting it run for about 3-5 minutes. This step ensures that your air fryer is ready to cook the donuts evenly.

Next, prepare your biscuit dough. Remove the biscuits from the can and separate the individual biscuits. You can use any brand of canned biscuits, such as Pillsbury Grands, but it is recommended to use a flaky variety for a taller, flakier donut.

Once you have your biscuits ready, it's time to cut out the classic donut shape. Use a small round cookie cutter or the back of a pastry tip to cut out the centers of each biscuit. You can save the centers for making donut holes later.

Now, it's time to place the donuts in the air fryer. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray, such as coconut oil or olive oil spray, to prevent sticking. Avoid using non-stick cooking sprays as they can damage the coating of the basket. Place 3 to 4 donuts in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don't touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Close the air fryer and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting is essential for getting the perfect crispy exterior and tender interior of your donuts. Cook the donuts for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping them halfway or two-thirds through to ensure even cooking on both sides. The donuts are done when they are golden brown and puffed up.

While the donuts are cooking, you can prepare your glaze or topping. A simple glaze can be made by whisking together powdered sugar and milk. Alternatively, you can melt butter and brush it on the warm donuts before coating them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. You can also get creative and add sprinkles, chopped chocolate, or other toppings of your choice.

Finally, once the donuts are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before dipping them into your prepared glaze or coating. Place the glazed donuts on a cooling rack, where any excess glaze can drip off. If you want to cook the donut holes, set your air fryer to the same temperature and cook them for about 3 minutes.

By following these temperature and timing instructions, you will be able to make delicious air fryer donuts from Grands biscuits that are golden brown, fluffy, and ready to enjoy!

Biscuit dough preparation

To prepare biscuit dough for air fryer donuts, you can use either canned biscuit dough or make your own dough from scratch. Here's a step-by-step guide for both methods:

Using Canned Biscuit Dough:

• Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• Open a can of refrigerated biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Biscuits.
• Separate the individual biscuits and lay them out on a clean surface or cutting board.
• Using a small round cookie cutter or the back of a pastry tip, cut out the centers of each biscuit to create the classic donut shape. You can also use a bottle cap for this step.
• Lightly coat the air fryer basket with olive oil or coconut oil spray. Avoid using non-stick cooking sprays as they can damage the coating of the basket.
• Carefully place the donuts in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Making Biscuit Dough from Scratch:

• Gather your ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, butter, and milk. You can also use buttermilk or a combination of milk and buttermilk for extra flavour and tenderness.
• Freeze your butter and keep your milk refrigerated until you are ready to use them. This ensures that the butter and milk are as cold as possible, which is crucial for fluffy and soft biscuits.
• In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk them together until well combined.
• Grate the frozen butter using a box grater. Then, add the grated butter to the dry ingredients and mix it in using a fork or a pastry cutter.
• Pour in the milk or buttermilk and use a fork to stir until a dough forms. It's okay if there are a few bits of flour not yet incorporated. If the dough seems dry, add a little more milk.
• Transfer the biscuit dough to a lightly floured surface and gently work it with your hands. If the dough is too sticky, add small amounts of flour until it becomes manageable.
• Fold the dough over itself multiple times (4-6 times) to create flaky layers. Gently press and flatten the dough each time you fold it.
• Use your hands to flatten the dough to your desired thickness (usually around 1 inch).
• Cut out the biscuits using a biscuit cutter or a small glass. Press it straight down into the dough without twisting to avoid sealing off the edges, which can affect the rise of the biscuits.
• Place the cut biscuits on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or directly into the air fryer basket if you're baking them immediately.

Now that your biscuit dough is prepared, you can proceed to cook your donuts in the air fryer following the timing and temperature guidelines provided in the recipes. Enjoy your freshly made air fryer donuts!

Air fryer basket preparation

Preparing the air fryer basket is a crucial step in ensuring your donuts turn out perfectly. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, it is important to note that you should avoid using non-stick cooking sprays like Pam, as these can damage the coating on your air fryer basket. Instead, opt for olive oil or coconut oil spray. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with your chosen oil spray. This will help prevent the dough from sticking and make it easier to remove the donuts once they're cooked.

When placing the donuts in the basket, make sure they don't touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches. Place 3 to 4 donuts in a single layer in the basket, leaving enough space for air to circulate and ensure even cooking.

If you're making donut holes, you can place them in the basket along with the donuts. However, keep in mind that they will take less time to cook, usually around 3 minutes.

Once the donuts are in the basket, you're ready to set the temperature and cooking time. For most air fryers, a temperature of 350°F (175°C) is recommended. As for cooking time, it can vary from 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness. Some recipes suggest flipping the donuts halfway through the cooking process, while others recommend waiting until two-thirds of the way through, as the donuts might be too soft to flip earlier.

Keep in mind that air frying times and temperatures can vary depending on your particular air fryer model, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your donuts to ensure they don't overcook.

With these steps, your air fryer basket will be ready to go, and you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, golden-brown donuts!

Biscuit cooking time

The cooking time for biscuits in an air fryer varies depending on the desired level of browning and crispness, but generally ranges from 5 to 10 minutes. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the cooking process and timings:

Preparation

Before placing the biscuits in the air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 330 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3-5 minutes. This ensures a consistent cooking temperature when the biscuits are added.

Cooking Donuts

To cook donuts, place the biscuits in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Set the temperature to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping them halfway or two-thirds through to ensure even cooking on both sides. The donuts are done when they are golden brown and puffed up.

Cooking Donut Holes

The smaller donut holes will take less time to cook. Place them in the air fryer and set the timer for about 3 minutes.

Customization

The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the desired level of customization. For example, if you are adding a glaze or coating to your donuts, you may need to allow additional time for preparation and cooling before adding the final touches.

Cooling and Serving

It is important to let the donuts cool down enough to handle before adding any glazes or toppings. Once they are cool enough to touch, they can be dipped, glazed, or coated as desired.

Storing Leftovers

Air fryer donuts can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 days. To warm up leftover donuts, place them in the microwave for about 30 seconds on medium power or in a toaster oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 minutes.

Glaze and toppings

There are many ways to glaze and top your air fryer donuts. Here are some ideas:

Cinnamon sugar

Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. Brush the warm donuts with melted butter and sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Powdered sugar

Dip the donuts in a bowl of confectioner's sugar or dust the donuts with powdered sugar.

Chocolate glaze

Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips, butter, corn syrup, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring. Dip the donuts in the chocolate glaze or spread the glaze on top of the donuts using a knife.

Glazed

Mix together powdered sugar and milk. Dip the tops of the donuts into the glaze and place them on a cooling rack.

Sprinkles

Add sprinkles on top of the glaze or chocolate glaze.

Food colouring

Add a few drops of food colouring to the glaze, like pink, for a different look.

Chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or crushed cookies

Sprinkle on top of the glaze or chocolate glaze.

Frequently asked questions