Air Fryer Donut Tricks: Biscuits To Sugary Treats

Making donuts from biscuits in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried donuts. With just a few simple steps and a few common ingredients, you can enjoy delicious, homemade treats that will impress your family and friends. This guide will teach you how to make perfect air-fried donuts from biscuits, with a focus on achieving the ideal taste and texture.

Choosing the right biscuit dough

Type of Biscuit Dough:

• Flaky Biscuit Dough: Flaky biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands, is a popular choice for air fryer donuts. This type of dough is known for its light and airy texture, resulting in taller and flakier donuts. It is also convenient and simplifies the donut-making process as it is pre-made and already shaped into rounds.
• Homestyle Biscuit Dough: Homestyle biscuit dough can also be used for air fryer donuts. It may offer a slightly different texture than the flaky variety, but it can still be a good option. Look for refrigerated homestyle biscuit dough in a tube or can.

Flavor Variations:

• Buttermilk: Buttermilk biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers in Buttermilk, adds a tangy and creamy flavor to your donuts.
• Butter Tastin': Butter Tastin' biscuit dough, another variety offered by Pillsbury Grands, infuses your donuts with a rich, buttery flavor.
• Honey Butter: Although not mentioned as widely as the previous two, Honey Butter biscuit dough could be an interesting choice, adding a sweet and buttery twist to your donuts.

Freshness and Storage:

• Freshness: Always check the expiration date on the biscuit dough package to ensure you're using fresh dough. Fresh dough will yield better-tasting and textured donuts.
• Storage: If you're not using the entire package of biscuit dough at once, properly store the remaining dough according to the package instructions. This will help maintain its freshness for future use.

Remember, the key to choosing the right biscuit dough is considering your personal preferences for flavor and texture. Don't be afraid to experiment with different brands and varieties to find your favorite!

Preparing the glaze

The glaze is a simple combination of powdered sugar and milk. To make it, simply whisk together the two ingredients in a bowl. The amount of milk you add will depend on how thick you want your glaze to be, so feel free to add more or less to achieve your desired consistency. If you prefer a chocolate glaze, you can melt some chocolate chips with butter, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of food colouring to your glaze to give it a different look.

Once your donuts are cool enough to handle, dip their tops into the glaze and then place them on a cooling rack. The excess glaze will drip off the sides and through the rack. You can also add sprinkles, chopped chocolate, candies, or crushed cookies on top of the glaze, if desired.

Using the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, simply turn it on at 330°F and let it run for about 3-5 minutes.

Take your biscuits out of the can and separate them. Using a 1-inch circular cookie cutter, cut out the centres of each biscuit to create the classic donut shape. If you don't have a cookie cutter, you can use the back of a pastry tip or the cap of a bottle. Set the holes aside.

Lightly coat the air fryer basket with an air fryer-safe cooking spray, such as coconut oil or olive oil spray. Avoid non-stick cooking sprays, as these can damage the coating of the basket. Place the donuts in the basket, making sure they don't touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Set the air fryer timer for 5-7 minutes. Flip the donuts halfway through or two-thirds through the cooking time so that both sides cook evenly. The donuts are done when they are golden brown and puffed up.

While the donuts are cooking, prepare your glaze or topping. For a simple glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and milk. For a cinnamon-sugar topping, mix together granulated white sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. You can also melt some butter to brush onto the donuts before coating them in cinnamon sugar.

Once the donuts are done, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate or cooling rack. If you're using a glaze, dip the tops of the donuts into the glaze and let the excess drip off. If you're using cinnamon sugar, brush the warm donuts with melted butter and then sprinkle or roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

You can also air fry the donut holes. Simply roll the reserved centres into balls and place them in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F. Coat them with sugar or cinnamon sugar as well.

Melting butter and adding toppings

Melting Butter:

First, melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. You can simply place the desired amount of butter in the bowl and heat it in the microwave until it is completely melted. Alternatively, you can melt butter on the stovetop using a saucepan or pot.

Adding Toppings:

Once you have melted butter, it's time to add some delicious toppings to your donuts! Here are a few options to choose from:

Cinnamon Sugar:

Combine ground cinnamon and granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. You can adjust the ratio of cinnamon to sugar according to your taste preferences. After coating your donuts with melted butter, simply dip or roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are evenly coated. This classic topping adds a warm, spicy flavour to your donuts.

Powdered Sugar:

If you prefer a simpler approach, you can opt for powdered sugar (also known as confectioner's sugar). After brushing your donuts with melted butter, dip them into a bowl of powdered sugar until they are completely coated. This option gives your donuts a delicate, sweet finish.

Chocolate Glaze:

For a decadent treat, try dipping your butter-brushed donuts in melted chocolate. You can melt chocolate chips or use a chocolate glaze recipe that includes ingredients like butter, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. This option is perfect for chocolate lovers!

Sprinkles, Nuts, and Coconut:

Take your donuts to the next level by adding some extra toppings after the glaze or cinnamon-sugar coating. Sprinkle chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or colourful sprinkles on top of the chocolate glaze for a fun and tasty finish. You can also add sprinkles to your cinnamon-sugar or powdered sugar donuts for a festive touch.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of toppings to find your favourite! You can also offer a variety of options when serving donuts to guests, allowing them to choose their preferred toppings.

Storing the donuts

Storing your homemade donuts properly is key to keeping them fresh and tasty for as long as possible. Here are some detailed tips and tricks for storing your air-fried donuts:

Short-Term Storage (1-2 Days):

Place the donuts in a paper bag, and then put that bag inside a plastic storage bag or airtight container. This helps to absorb any excess oil or moisture, preventing the donuts from becoming soggy. Keep the bag in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Avoid sealing the donuts directly in a plastic bag without the paper bag, as this can trap humidity and make them soggy.

Refrigerating:

It is best to avoid storing donuts in the refrigerator, as this can cause them to become stale and dry out more quickly due to the cool, circulating air. If you must refrigerate them because of a perishable filling, it is recommended that you consume them as quickly as possible or consider reheating them before eating.

Longer-Term Storage (Beyond 2 Days):

If you want to keep your donuts for more than a couple of days, freezing is the best option. First, individually wrap each donut in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. Then, place the wrapped donuts in a zip-top freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the bag with the date and type of donut for future reference. Store the donuts in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy them again, simply allow them to thaw at room temperature or reheat them in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.

Pro Tips For Storing Donuts:

• Any cream-filled or dairy-topped donuts should be consumed quickly or stored in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. However, remember that refrigeration can affect the texture of the donuts, making them drier.
• Always check for mold: If you're storing donuts for more than a day or two, inspect them for any signs of mold or spoilage before consuming them.
• Reheating can be beneficial: Donuts can often benefit from being reheated, especially those that have been stored in the freezer or refrigerator. Reheating methods such as microwaving for a few seconds or using an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer can help refresh the texture and warmth of the donut.

Frequently asked questions