Air Fryer Donuts: Crescent Rolls Make The Perfect Donuts

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying, and they can be used to make delicious section sign, fluffy donuts. With an air fryer, you can achieve a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the interior soft and tender. Air fryer donuts are also a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the hassle of deep-frying. In this article, we will discuss how to make air fryer donuts using crescent rolls. This recipe is easy to follow and will result in delicious, golden-brown donuts that you can enjoy as a dessert or a sweet snack.

Choosing the right oil for your air fryer

When it comes to choosing an oil for your air fryer, you have a lot of options. Each type of oil has its own specific characteristics, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs. Here are some factors to consider when selecting an oil for your air fryer:

Temperature

The temperature you are cooking at is an important factor when choosing an oil for your air fryer. Oils have different smoke points, which is the temperature at which they start to smoke and break down. If you use an oil with a low smoke point at a high temperature, it will burn and affect the taste of your food. So, make sure to choose an oil with a higher smoke point than the temperature you are cooking at.

Food Type

The type of food you are cooking will also determine the best oil to use. Some oils are neutral in flavour, meaning they won't change the taste of your food. These oils are great for spicy or strong-flavoured dishes. Examples of neutral oils include deodorized avocado oil, organic virgin sesame oil, and grapeseed oil. Other oils, like extra virgin olive oil and organic cooking sunflower oil, have a stronger taste that can enhance the flavour of milder dishes.

Health Benefits

If you're looking for a heart-healthy option, olive oil is a great choice. Just make sure to use a refined olive oil, also known as light or extra light olive oil, as it has a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil. Avocado oil is another healthy option, as it is rich in unsaturated fats.

Moisture

If you're cooking food that tends to dry out, like breaded chicken, you'll want to use an oil that helps retain moisture. Oils with a high smoke point, like avocado oil or sunflower oil, are great for this purpose.

Convenience

If you're looking for convenience, you may want to use an oil spray or an oil that comes in a spray bottle. This allows you to easily and evenly coat your food with a small amount of oil. However, avoid using nonstick cooking sprays like PAM, as they can damage the coating of your air fryer basket. Instead, opt for a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray or a refillable oil sprayer that you can fill with your chosen oil.

Amount

When using an air fryer, you only need a fraction of the amount of oil that you would use for deep frying or sautéing. A light coat of oil on your food is usually enough. For frozen foods like chicken nuggets and french fries, you may not need to add any oil at all, as they already contain oil from the manufacturing process.

Preparing the crescent roll dough

To start, you'll need to unroll the crescent roll dough and lay it out on a flat surface. Most recipes suggest using a package of refrigerated crescent roll dough, which you can easily find at your local grocery store. Once you've unrolled the dough, use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut it into an 8x12-inch rectangle. This will give you a good base to work with and ensure that your donuts are a uniform size.

Next, you'll want to cut the dough into strips. Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise, and then cut each piece crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide strips. This will give you the classic donut shape. If you're making donut holes, you can simply cut the dough into small pieces instead of strips.

Once your dough is cut, it's time to prepare it for frying. Dip each strip of dough into melted butter and make sure to coat it evenly. This step will give your donuts a rich, buttery flavor and help them achieve a golden-brown color when cooked.

After dipping the dough in butter, it's time to add some sweetness. In a shallow bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. The exact amount of each ingredient may vary depending on your taste preferences, but a common ratio is 2 teaspoons of cinnamon to 1/2 a cup of sugar. Gently roll each strip of dough in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring it's evenly coated.

Now your crescent roll dough is almost ready for the air fryer. Working in batches, carefully place the strips of dough into the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the donuts in multiple batches.

With the dough prepared and placed in the air fryer, you're almost ready to start cooking. Just remember to preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 350°F to 380°F, and you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious air fryer donuts with crescent roll dough!

Cutting the dough into the right shape

To cut the dough into the right shape, you'll need to separate your dough into individual biscuits. Most recipes suggest using 8 biscuits, but this will depend on the size of your air fryer. You can cut the dough into the right shape by using a 1-inch round cookie cutter or the cap of a bottle. Place the biscuits on a flat surface or cutting board and cut a hole in the centre of each. You can also use the other end of a piping tip or simply cut a hole with a knife. If you want to make the classic doughnut shape, cut each biscuit into quarters.

If you want to make doughnut sticks, unroll the crescent roll dough and press it into an 8x12-inch rectangle. Then, cut the dough in half lengthwise with a pizza cutter and cut each piece crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide strips.

Air-frying the donuts

Next, prepare your crescent roll dough. Unroll the dough and cut it into strips or use a biscuit cutter or bottle cap to cut out holes for the classic donut shape. You can also make donut holes with the excess dough. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the donuts in batches. Place 3 to 4 donuts in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not touching. Set your air fryer between 350°F and 380°F and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip the donuts halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Once the donuts are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and brush with melted butter. In a separate bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar, then roll the donuts in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are thoroughly coated. You can also coat them with a simple powdered-sugar glaze and sprinkles. Serve warm and enjoy!

Glazing or coating the donuts

There are several ways to glaze or coat your crescent roll donuts. For a simple glaze, mix powdered sugar with vanilla and milk. You can also add food colouring to make it more fun. If you want a thicker glaze, add more sugar. For a thinner glaze, add a few drops of water or milk. You can also make a chocolate glaze by melting chocolate chips with butter, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract.

For a cinnamon-sugar coating, mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. You can also add a bit of butter to the mixture for a richer flavour. Roll the warm donuts in the mixture until they are thoroughly coated. You can also brush the donuts with butter and then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

If you want a more indulgent treat, you can make a cream or custard filling for the donuts. Simply whip together some heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until you reach your desired consistency. You can also add a bit of chocolate or fruit puree to the mixture for a flavoured filling.

There are endless possibilities for glazing and coating your air fryer crescent roll donuts, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavours and combinations.

Frequently asked questions