19 Air Fryer Biscuit Donut Recipes That Taste Like a Bakery Treat

Let’s be honest. Sometimes you want a fresh donut, but you definitely don’t want to mess with a pot of hot oil, yeast, or waiting hours for dough to rise.

That is where the humble can of refrigerated biscuit dough saves the day. It’s affordable, fast, and when you pop it in the air fryer, it transforms into something flaky and golden that tastes way better than it has any right to.

I suggest these whenever we need a quick weekend treat or when the kids have friends over. There is no deep frying smell lingering in the house, and the clean-up is basically non-existent. You just pop the can, shape the dough, and let the air fryer do the heavy lifting.

Before we get to the toppings, here are a few tips to make your “faux-nuts” turn out great:

• Pick the Right Dough: “Flaky Layers” or “Grand” style biscuits work best. The cheaper, smaller biscuits can be a bit dense.
• Don’t Toss the Holes: The little centers cook in half the time and are perfect for snacking while you glaze the big ones.
• Butter is Better: For toppings like cinnamon sugar to stick, dipping the hot donut in melted butter works better than oil spray.
• Eat Fresh: These are best right out of the basket. They tend to get a bit chewy if they sit out for too long.
• Space Them Out: Air needs to circulate to puff them up. Cook in batches of 3 or 4 so they don’t stick together.

Let’s know About Your 19 Air Fryer Biscuit Donut Recipes

This list covers everything from the classic cinnamon sugar coating to fun, stuffed variations.

The base for almost all of these is a standard tube of refrigerated biscuits, but the toppings change everything.

Grab a small cookie cutter (or a bottle cap) to punch out the centers, and let’s get cooking.

Classic Cinnamon Sugar

This is the standard for a reason. It tastes very similar to a churro or a cider mill donut. It’s simple, sweet, and impossible to mess up.

Ingredients: 1 can flaky biscuits, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 tbsp cinnamon.
Method: Cut holes in biscuits. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes. Dip hot donuts in butter, then toss in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Simple Vanilla Glaze

If you prefer a sticky, sweet finish like a Krispy Kreme, this is the one. The glaze sets up slightly as it cools, giving you that nice sugary crackle.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Method: Air fry donuts at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes. Whisk sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip warm donuts into glaze and let set on a wire rack.

Chocolate Frosted with Sprinkles

The kids usually vote for this one. A simple ganache or thick icing holds onto colorful sprinkles perfectly. It looks just like a bakery donut.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 2 tbsp heavy cream (or butter), sprinkles.
Method: Air fry donuts. Melt chocolate and cream together in the microwave. Dip the tops of cooled donuts into chocolate and immediately add sprinkles.

Powdered Sugar “Beignets”

While not technically a beignet, these hit the same spot. The trick is to toss them in powdered sugar while they are still warm so it creates a second melting layer, then toss them again.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, 1 cup powdered sugar, melted butter.
Method: Air fry donuts. Brush lightly with butter. Toss in a bag filled with powdered sugar. Shake until coated.

Maple Bacon Donuts

Salty and sweet is always a winner. The savory bacon cuts through the sweetness of the maple glaze. It feels like a fancy brunch item.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp maple syrup, splash of milk, cooked crumbled bacon.
Method: Air fry donuts. Whisk sugar, syrup, and milk to make a thick glaze. Dip donuts and top with bacon bits before the glaze hardens.

Jelly Filled “Bismarks”

Skip the hole for this one! You air fry the whole biscuit, then pipe jelly inside. It’s a bit messy but worth it.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, 1/2 cup strawberry or raspberry jam, powdered sugar.
Method: Air fry whole biscuits (no hole) at 330°F (165°C) for 6-8 minutes. Use a knife to poke a slot in the side. Pipe jam into the center using a piping bag. Dust with sugar.

Nutella Stuffed

Similar to the jelly version, but for chocolate lovers. You can also flatten two thin layers of biscuit, put Nutella in the middle, seal the edges, and air fry.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, Nutella, cinnamon sugar.
Method: Flatten a biscuit, add a teaspoon of Nutella, fold over and pinch tight to seal. Air fry at 330°F (165°C) for 6-7 minutes. Roll in sugar.

Lemon Glaze

Bright and zesty, this is great for spring. Fresh lemon juice in the glaze makes a huge difference compared to the bottled stuff.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, lemon zest.
Method: Air fry donuts. Whisk sugar and lemon juice. Dip warm donuts. Top with zest.

Boston Cream

This is a cheat version. Air fry the whole biscuit, split it in half, fill with vanilla pudding, and top with chocolate ganache.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, 1 cup vanilla pudding (prepared), chocolate frosting.
Method: Air fry whole biscuits. Let cool completely. Slice in half horizontally. Spoon pudding on bottom half. Replace top. Spread chocolate frosting on top.

Strawberry Shortcake

Use a strawberry glaze and top with a crumb mixture. It tastes just like the ice cream bar.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, strawberry jam, powdered sugar, crushed Golden Oreos, dried strawberries.
Method: Air fry donuts. Mix jam and powdered sugar for a pink glaze. Dip donut, then dip into crushed cookie/berry mix.

Salted Caramel

You can make your own caramel, but a jar of store-bought sauce works perfectly fine here. The sea salt is essential.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, caramel sauce (thick), flaky sea salt.
Method: Air fry donuts. Drizzle or dip in warmed caramel sauce. Sprinkle immediately with sea salt.

Blueberry Glazed

If you can find the blueberry flavored biscuits, use those! If not, mash fresh blueberries into your glaze for a purple tint and fruity flavor.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tbsp water.
Method: Air fry donuts. Mash berries and mix with sugar and water to make a glaze. Dip donuts.

Pumpkin Spice

Perfect for fall. Add pumpkin pie spice to your sugar coating. It warms up the flavor profile.
Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, melted butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice.
Method: Air fry donuts. Dip in butter. Roll in the spiced sugar mix.

Churro Style

This is slightly different from cinnamon sugar because you use a darker brown sugar mix and maybe serve with chocolate dipping sauce on the side.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon.
Method: Cut donuts or sticks. Air fry. Roll heavily in brown sugar and cinnamon.

Apple Fritter Hack

Chop the biscuit dough into small pieces, mix with diced apples and cinnamon, press it back into a messy patty, and air fry.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits (chopped), 1 apple (diced small), cinnamon, glaze.
Method: Mix dough pieces and apples with cinnamon. Press into lumps. Air fry at 330°F (165°C) for 8-10 minutes. Drizzle with glaze.

Coconut Cream

A white vanilla glaze topped with shredded sweetened coconut. It’s got a great texture contrast.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, vanilla glaze (sugar + milk), 1 cup shredded coconut.
Method: Air fry donuts. Dip in glaze. Press face-down into coconut flakes.

Peanut Butter Drizzle

Melt peanut butter and drizzle it over a chocolate glazed donut. It’s like a Reese’s cup in donut form.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, chocolate frosting, 2 tbsp peanut butter (melted).
Method: Air fry donuts. Frost with chocolate. Drizzle melted peanut butter over the top with a fork.

S’mores Donuts

Glaze with marshmallow fluff (warmed slightly so it spreads) and top with chocolate chips and graham cracker crumbs.

Ingredients: 1 can biscuits, marshmallow fluff, mini chocolate chips, crushed graham crackers.
Method: Air fry donuts. Spread fluff on top. Sprinkle with chips and crumbs. Pop back in air fryer for 30 seconds to melt slightly if needed.

Donut Holes

Don’t forget the centers! These cook fast and are great for tossing in any of the sugar mixtures.

Ingredients: The centers from all the previous recipes.
Method: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes. Shake basket halfway. Coat with desired topping.

Beyond the Plate: Your Biscuit Donut Game Plan

You have the list, now here are the practical moves to make sure these turn out right every time.

• The Bottle Cap Trick: If you don’t have a small round cookie cutter, the cap from a vegetable oil bottle or a soda bottle is the perfect size for cutting donut holes.
• Cooling Racks: If you glaze a hot donut on a plate, the bottom gets soggy. Put them on a wire rack so the air can circulate and the glaze sets properly.
• Reheating: These really are best fresh, but if you have leftovers, 10-15 seconds in the microwave brings them back to life.
• Get the Kids Involved: This is the safest way to let kids “cook” donuts. Let them cut the holes or be in charge of the sprinkle station.

Your Biscuit Donut Qs Answered: Parent FAQs

Since this isn’t traditional baking, things can get a little confusing regarding which dough works and how to store them.

Here is what you need to know to avoid raw centers or burnt tops.

Grand vs. Regular biscuits?

Go with the “Grands” or “Flaky Layers” large biscuits. The small, cheap tubes (often 4 for $1) tend to result in tougher, flatter donuts.

The larger biscuits have the fat content needed to puff up and mimic a yeast donut.

Can I save them for later?

You can, but the texture changes. They are flaky and soft when warm but can get a bit dense once they cool down fully.

If you must save them, keep them in an airtight container for 1-2 days max.

Why are they raw inside?

The air fryer was likely too hot. If the outside browns instantly but the middle is doughy, lower the temp to 330°F or 340°F and cook a minute longer.

Also, make sure you aren’t stacking them on top of each other in the basket.

Butter or oil spray?

For flavor, butter wins every time. However, if you want to cut calories, a quick spritz of coconut oil spray will help the sugar stick, though it won’t be as rich.

Lets Enjoy!

So, there you have it – 19 creative ways to turn a can of biscuits into a bakery-worthy treat.

From the messy fun of a Boston Cream to the simplicity of cinnamon sugar, these recipes prove you don’t need a deep fryer to enjoy a donut. It’s all about speed, ease, and enjoying a sweet moment without the massive cleanup.

Now, I’m eager to hear from you! Which flavor combo are you grabbing first?

Do you have a different topping hack that we missed? Share your tips and maybe a photo of your Sunday morning stack in the comments below.

Let’s help each other make weekends a little sweeter! Happy air frying!