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Golden brown air fryer donuts made from Pillsbury biscuit dough, coated in cinnamon sugar and served on a white plate, with a soft and fluffy texture inside.

Easy Air Fryer Donuts (With Pillsbury biscuits)

Irina of DailyYum.com
Air fryer donuts made with Pillsbury biscuits are a game-changer—crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and dangerously easy to make! Whether you're a fan of classic cinnamon sugar or love experimenting with toppings, this recipe is guaranteed to be a family favorite.
Give it a try and let me know your favorite way to top them! 🍩💛
4.38 from 85 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 11 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 195 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Pillsbury grands! Flaky layers biscuits
  • 2 TBS butter melted
  • Cinnamon sugar
  • Cooking spray

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Biscuits:
    Open the can of biscuits and separate them. Use a small cookie cutter or bottle cap to cut out the center of each biscuit, creating a donut shape. (Tip: A shot glass or an apple corer works great for this!) Save the donut holes for mini donut bites—they cook up just as deliciously!
    Step-by-step process of making air fryer donuts using Pillsbury biscuits, showing the biscuits being cut into donut shapes and placed in the air fryer basket.
  • Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). (Tip: If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, let it run empty for 3 minutes.)
    Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. (Tip: I like using avocado oil spray because it prevents sticking without adding extra flavor.)
    Place the donuts in a single layer in the air fryer (do not overcrowd).
    Air fry for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
    Cook the donut holes for 3-4 minutes. (Tip: Check on them early since they cook faster!)
  • Coat the Donuts: While warm, brush the donuts with melted butter. (Tip: Brushing instead of dipping helps control how much butter you use—just enough to make the sugar stick!)In a shallow bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Roll the donuts in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated. (Tip: For an extra crunch, use coarse sugar instead of regular granulated sugar!)
  • Serve & Enjoy!
    Eat them warm for the best texture!
    Air fryer donuts dusted with cinnamon sugar

Notes

Tips

Best Biscuits to Use: I recommend Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers for the lightest, fluffiest donuts! Buttermilk biscuits also work well, but they’re a little denser.
Don’t Skip Flipping: Flipping halfway ensures even browning—otherwise, one side might be too dark!
Make Them Ahead: If you want fresh donuts in the morning without the prep, cut them into shape the night before and store them in the fridge. Air fry in the morning for fresh, warm donuts in minutes!
Leftover Donut Holes? Toss them in powdered sugar instead of cinnamon sugar for a different twist!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 4gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 398mgPotassium: 1mgSugar: 5gVitamin A: 87IUCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.001mg
Nutrition Disclaimer Nutritional information is an estimate and may change based on products used.
Keyword air fryer donuts
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