Ninja Foodi air fryer biscuit donuts are a game-changer for anyone craving a warm, sweet treat without the hassle of traditional deep frying. Using simple refrigerated Grands biscuits, you can create fluffy, golden donuts in under 10 minutes. This method not only saves time but also significantly reduces the amount of oil, offering a lighter, guilt-free indulgence that your entire family will adore. Forget the messy stovetop frying; your air fryer transforms these humble biscuits into a delightful dessert or a fantastic breakfast item with minimal effort.
These versatile air fryer biscuit donuts can be prepared in various models, including popular brands like Cosori, Foodi, or AirWave. While deep frying remains an option for those who prefer it, harnessing the power of hot air in your air fryer delivers a remarkably similar texture with significantly less fat and fewer calories. It’s truly the best way to elevate refrigerated biscuits into something extraordinary, making them an instant hit for any meal or snack. (Affiliate links may be present in this content, providing links to helpful products.)
Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts: Your Ultimate Guide to Easy Homemade Treats
Making donuts at home has never been simpler, thanks to the air fryer. This comprehensive guide will walk you through crafting perfect biscuit donuts using an air fryer, highlighting why this method stands out from traditional stovetop frying. Many people, myself included, are not fond of submerging food in excessive oil. Beyond the health considerations like cholesterol, deep-fried foods often leave an undesirable aftertaste that can detract from the overall experience. The air fryer, however, crisps the exterior beautifully while keeping the interior wonderfully soft and fluffy, without any greasy residue.
Beyond these classic biscuit donuts, the air fryer opens up a world of possibilities for other delicious treats. For example, we also love making air fryer apple fritters. While those require a homemade batter, making them a slightly longer process to prepare, the “baking” method in the air fryer is just as simple and efficient. We highly recommend trying both recipes to discover your personal favorite, as each offers a unique and delightful flavor profile.
Pro Tip: Optimal Air Frying for Perfect Donuts
To ensure your biscuit donuts achieve that coveted golden-brown crispness, it’s crucial to preheat your air fryer. Placing food into a hot basket ensures even cooking and helps create a perfectly crispy texture. This is how to properly preheat your air fryer before adding your culinary creations. For even more air frying wisdom, consider downloading our printable free air fryer cooking time chart, a handy reference for your kitchen.
Crafting the Perfect Biscuit Donuts in Your Air Fryer
For these air fryer biscuit donuts, we opt for the classic donut shape with a hole in the center, which helps ensure even cooking. However, you have creative freedom! You could also break the biscuits in half, roll them into small balls, and cook them as delightful donut holes. If you absolutely prefer the traditional deep-fried method, you can certainly do so. For deep frying, a cast iron pan and a reliable thermometer are essential. Aim for an optimal oil temperature of 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to achieve that beautiful golden crispness when you drop in your biscuits.
What are the best canned biscuits for making donuts?
Pillsbury Grands are widely considered the top choice for their superior size, flaky texture, and ability to puff up beautifully. Annie’s Organic Flaky Biscuits are another excellent option, especially if you prefer an organic alternative. Both varieties are typically found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, usually near the dairy products.
What kind of oil is best for deep frying donuts (if you choose this method)?
If you decide to deep fry your biscuit doughnuts, Canola oil is highly recommended. It possesses a high smoke point, which is crucial for frying, and has a neutral flavor that won’t overpower the delicate taste of your donuts. Vegetable oil is also a suitable alternative.
Elevating Canned Biscuits Beyond the Ordinary
Canned biscuits are incredibly versatile, and we’ve explored many creative ways to transform them into extraordinary dishes! Beyond these fantastic donuts, we’ve also made peanut butter and jelly donuts, a fun and unique twist. Another must-try is our refrigerated biscuit pull-apart bread, perfect for sharing.
When selecting biscuits for your donuts, always opt for the larger “Grands” style over smaller versions. Their generous size ensures a fluffier, more substantial donut, reminiscent of what you’d find at a popular donut shop like Krispy Kreme or Dunkin’ Donuts. As for toppings, the possibilities are truly endless—your imagination is the only limit! Embrace your creativity and experiment with various flavors and textures to customize your perfect donut.
Creative Variations: Can You Make Biscuit Donuts with Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls?
For a delightful alternative or to create smaller “donut bites,” you can certainly use refrigerated cinnamon rolls. Simply cut each roll into quarters and air fry them. However, for the classic, generously sized donut shape and that signature flaky, buttery taste we all love, Grands biscuits are truly superior. I vividly remember making these with my Girl Scout troop years ago – they were always a hit because they were easy to teach, incredibly fun to make, and super budget-friendly. This recipe brings back a flood of happy memories, and I’m sure they will create new ones for you!
While you can absolutely use homemade dough, like our recipe for Biscuit Donut Holes, using refrigerated biscuits makes this process incredibly convenient. It’s the perfect fuss-free treat for a Christmas brunch menu or a special Sunday breakfast. The ease and speed make it an ideal choice for busy mornings or spontaneous cravings.
Below you’ll find simple, step-by-step directions, followed by a detailed recipe card for your convenience. Get ready to create some magic in your kitchen!
How to Make Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
- Begin by carefully separating the individual pieces of buttermilk biscuit dough. Lay them out on a clean cutting board.
- To achieve the classic donut shape, use an apple corer or a small round cookie cutter to create a hole in the center of each biscuit. Save the centers to make delightful donut holes!
- Preheat your air fryer to 330 degrees F (165 degrees C). If you prefer to deep fry, heat about 2 inches of oil in a large skillet until it reaches 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Carefully place 4 biscuit donuts into the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Close the basket.
- Cook in the air fryer at 330 degrees F for 4-7 minutes, or until the outsides are beautifully golden brown and the donuts are cooked through. If deep frying, drop into the hot oil and flip after approximately 2 minutes, cooking until both sides are golden.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the donuts and allow them to cool on a wire rack lined with paper towels for about 5 minutes. This helps absorb any residual moisture and prevents them from becoming soggy.
- For topping, brush melted butter generously over both sides of each warm donut. Then, gently dip each side into a shallow bowl of cinnamon and sugar mixture (or simply fine granulated sugar) to coat, ensuring the topping adheres well. Alternatively, you could melt a tub of frosting or some chocolate Wilton melts for a richer, more indulgent glaze.
These semi-homemade donuts are truly phenomenal! They’re so simple that your kids will love helping with the process, especially when it comes to customizing their own donuts with various toppings.
Mastering the Art of Dipping Donuts
Whether you’re aiming for a simple sugar coating, a rich chocolate drizzle, or a smooth glaze, the dipping method remains largely the same. Gently hold the donut with three fingers, upside down, and carefully dip it into your chosen donut frosting, glaze, or sugar mixture. Twist and turn the donut right side up, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the freshly dipped donuts on a wire rack to allow the coating to dry and set. Once you have a buttery base or a sticky glaze, the creative possibilities for additional toppings are truly limitless!
Endless Topping Ideas for Your Homemade Donuts
Get creative with your donut toppings to suit any preference or occasion. Here are some fantastic ideas to get you started, perfect for individual small bowls for easy dipping and decorating:
- Crushed Peanuts: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Colorful Sprinkles: A classic choice for a festive and fun appearance, especially popular with kids.
- Gummy Bears: For a surprisingly chewy and fruity twist that adds vibrant color.
- Chocolate Chips: Mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate pieces for a rich, melty touch when the donut is warm.
- Powdered Sugar: A simple, elegant dusting of confectioners’ sugar for a subtle sweetness.
- Nerds Candy: Offers a unique, tart, and fruity crunch for an unexpected burst of flavor.
- Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: The quintessential donut topping, offering a warm, sweet, and comforting spice blend sprinkled generously all over.
Set up a “donut bar” with these options in small bowls, allowing everyone to customize their perfect donut experience!
Pillsbury Biscuit Donuts: The Healthier, Easier Way
When it comes to making delicious donuts at home, Pillsbury Grands biscuits truly shine, especially when prepared in an air fryer. As mentioned, I personally avoid deep frying whenever possible. The heavy, oily aftertaste and the unnecessary added fat are simply not appealing when there’s a healthier and equally delicious alternative. The air fryer delivers that satisfying crispy exterior and soft interior without the guilt or the mess, making it my preferred method for these delightful treats.
Are you looking for more incredibly easy dessert recipes or quick breakfast ideas to whip up at home? We have a fantastic collection! Our easy monkey bread recipe and delectable donut muffins are consistently among the top favorites. Don’t stop there – we encourage you to explore even more recipes to find your next go-to family favorite. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter below, as we share exciting new recipes every week, ensuring your culinary adventures never get stale!
Other Easy Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love
Expand your repertoire of quick and satisfying breakfast ideas with these other fantastic recipes:
- Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread: We used refrigerated biscuits to create this amazing cinnamon pull-apart bread. When filled with tender apple pieces, it becomes an irresistible treat.
- Fresh Apple Monkey Bread: For another fruit-filled delight, our fresh apple monkey bread is absolutely fabulous and always a crowd-pleaser.
- Air Fryer Frozen Biscuits: If you’re short on time and simply want to prepare air fryer frozen biscuits, we also have detailed instructions for achieving perfect results every time.
Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts Recipe
10 mins
6 mins
8
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 1 shallow dish (for toppings)
Ingredients
- 1 pkg refrigerated biscuits, Grands
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 c sugar (or cinnamon sugar mixture, or melted frosting)
Instructions
- Separate the biscuits and lay them on a cutting board.
- Use an apple corer or a small round cutter to make a hole in the center of each biscuit to create the donut shape.
- Preheat your air fryer to 330 degrees F (165°C). (Alternatively, heat oil to 350 degrees F/175°C for deep frying).
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Place 4 biscuit donuts into the air fryer basket in a single layer and close the basket.
- Cook at 330 F for 4-7 minutes, or until the outsides are golden brown and cooked through. Remove and allow to cool on paper towels for 5 minutes.
- Brush melted butter on both sides of each warm donut, then dip into a small bowl of sugar (or cinnamon sugar, or desired melted frosting) to coat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Tried this recipe? Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!
