Air Fryer Chocolate Frosted Donuts (From Canned Biscuits)

Air Fryer Chocolate Frosted Donuts

What I like about this air fryer method is how quickly biscuit donuts puff and brown, but the part I pay attention to is spacing. If they go in crowded or never get flipped, the outside colors too fast while the centers stay doughy.

This version keeps things simple with large flaky canned biscuits, quick-cooking donut holes, and a chocolate glaze that sets on top instead of sliding off. They are especially good for a fast brunch or an easy dessert, and they are best the day you make them.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Chocolate Frosted Donuts

• 1 tube large flaky canned biscuits, 16.3 ounces, 8 biscuits
• Neutral oil spray, for a light coating
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (170g)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g), plus 1 extra tablespoon if needed for the glaze
• 1 to 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, or 1 to 2 tablespoons honey powder reconstituted with a little water
• 2 to 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup powdered sugar (120g)
• Sprinkles, optional

Large flaky biscuits give the lightest, most layered shortcut donuts here. Standard buttermilk biscuits will work, but the texture is a little less airy.

If you do not have a small round cutter, use a bottle cap or a large round piping tip to cut out the centers.

For the glaze, corn syrup helps with shine and gives the frosting a cleaner set. Honey can replace it, but the glaze will be softer and a little less glossy.

How to Make Chocolate Frosted Donuts in the Air Fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes, unless your model preheats automatically. Lightly spray the basket or tray with neutral oil so the dough releases cleanly.
2. Shape the donuts: Separate the 8 biscuits. Cut a 1-inch hole from the center of each one and save those centers for donut holes. Gently stretch each ring a little so the middle does not close up too much as it puffs.
3. Arrange in a single layer: Place 3 to 4 donuts in the basket with at least 1 inch between them. Lightly mist the tops with oil. A light coat helps browning; too much can leave greasy spots or cause smoking.
4. Air fry the donuts: Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 4 minutes, then flip and cook 2 to 4 minutes more. I rely on the visual cue more than the clock here because air fryer models vary. The donuts should look puffed to about 1 1/2 times their original height, lightly golden around the edges and underneath, and dry on the surface.
5. Cook the donut holes: Arrange the centers in a single layer and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking or turning once halfway through. They brown faster than the full donuts, so start checking early.
6. Cool before glazing: Transfer the donuts and holes to a wire rack and let them cool until just warm or room temperature, about 10 to 15 minutes. This is what keeps the glaze from turning thin and streaky.
7. Make the chocolate glaze: In a heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate chips, butter, and 1 tablespoon corn syrup. Melt over a double boiler or microwave in 15- to 20-second bursts, stirring between each one, until smooth. Whisk in 2 tablespoons milk and the powdered sugar until glossy. Add more milk a little at a time if needed. If the glaze gets too thin, whisk in a bit more powdered sugar. It should ribbon off the spoon but still cling to the donut.
8. Dip and decorate: Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the glaze, let the excess drip off, and return them to the rack. Add sprinkles right away while the glaze is still tacky. Let the glaze set for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Air Fryer Time and Temperature for Biscuit Donuts

Use 350°F (175°C) for this recipe. Full-size biscuit donuts usually take 6 to 8 minutes total with a flip halfway through, while donut holes take 3 to 5 minutes with a shake or turn once.

Start checking a minute or two early if your air fryer runs hot. The best doneness cue is a donut that looks puffed and lightly golden with a surface that no longer looks shiny or damp.

Basket-style air fryers often brown a little faster. Oven-style air fryers may need the rack rotated halfway through for more even color.

Why Air Fryer Donuts Turn Out Doughy

This usually comes down to crowding, skipping the flip, or pulling them too early. Hot air needs room to move around the sides, so keep the donuts in a single layer and cook in batches if needed.

Preheating helps the biscuit dough puff more evenly. If a donut still looks damp in the center ring after the usual cook time, give it another 1 to 2 minutes and check again.

How to Get a Shiny Chocolate Glaze

The glaze works because each ingredient has a job. Chocolate chips give the base, butter smooths it out, powdered sugar thickens and sweetens, milk adjusts the consistency, and corn syrup adds gloss and helps the glaze set more neatly.

I find this works best when the donuts are fully cooled before dipping. Warm donuts give off steam, which can make the glaze slide. If the glaze thickens as it sits, stir in a small splash of milk. If it loosens too much, whisk in a little more powdered sugar until it is pourable but not runny.

Other Ways to Finish These Donuts

Cinnamon Sugar

Skip the chocolate glaze and toss the warm donuts or donut holes in 1/2 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 to 2 teaspoons cinnamon. The coating sticks best while the donuts are still warm.

Powdered Sugar

For a lighter finish, let the donuts cool and dust them with powdered sugar. This also works well for the donut holes.

Serving Ideas for Chocolate Frosted Donuts

Serve these with coffee or a cold glass of milk. If you want a little contrast, add colorful sprinkles or a pinch of flaky sea salt over the chocolate before it sets.

They also fit well on a brunch spread with softer baked treats. For brunch, add a batch of Air Fryer Banana Muffins alongside the donuts.

How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Chocolate Frosted Donuts

These are best eaten the day they are made. Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.

If you want to make them ahead, cook the donuts, cool them completely, and glaze them just before serving. Unglazed donuts can be frozen for up to 1 month. Wrap them well and thaw at room temperature before glazing.

To refresh unglazed donuts, reheat them in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 1 to 2 minutes. Glazed donuts are better left at room temperature, since reheating can soften the frosting. If needed, warm glazed donuts very briefly at 280°F (140°C) for 30 to 60 seconds.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition, based on 1 glazed donut out of 8 total, without optional sprinkles. Actual values will vary depending on the biscuit brand and how much glaze you use.

• Serving size: 1 glazed donut
• Calories: about 300
• Protein: about 3g
• Fat: about 13g
• Carbohydrates: about 43g

• Per 100g: about 390 calories, 4g protein, 17g fat, 56g carbohydrates