Air Fryer Donuts with Canned Biscuits, Cinnamon Sugar

Air Fryer Donuts with Canned Biscuits

What I like about this air fryer method is how quickly the biscuit rings puff and brown, but I rely on the color more than the clock here. Air fryers vary, and these donuts need a little space in the basket plus a halfway flip so the bottoms do not stay pale.

This version keeps things simple with refrigerated jumbo flaky biscuits, a light oil coating, and a warm cinnamon-sugar finish with a little ginger and cloves. The donuts and holes cook fast, and the butter-and-sugar coating goes on after frying so it stays flavorful instead of scorching.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Donuts with Canned Biscuits

• 1 can refrigerated flaky jumbo biscuits (16.3 ounces/460g), such as Grand-size style
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cassia cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (55g)
• 1 to 2 teaspoons coconut or olive oil spray, non-propellant, or brush-on oil

Spice note: The cinnamon, ginger, and cloves give these shortcut donuts a warmer flavor than plain cinnamon sugar. If you want a more classic finish, use just cinnamon and sugar.

Jumbo flaky biscuits work especially well here because the layered dough puffs nicely in the air fryer. If you use smaller biscuits, start checking earlier since they can finish faster.

For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter or melted coconut oil for the coating.

How to Make Air Fryer Donuts with Canned Biscuits

1. Preheat the air fryer: Heat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes. I find preheating helps these biscuit donuts brown more evenly, especially on the bottom.
2. Mix the sugar coating: In a shallow bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt until evenly combined.
3. Cut the donuts: Open the biscuit can and separate the biscuits. Use a small 1-inch round cutter, bottle cap, or large piping tip to cut a hole from the center of each biscuit. Set the centers aside to cook as donut holes.
4. Lightly oil the basket and dough: Spray or brush the air fryer basket with a light layer of oil. Lightly spray or brush the tops of the biscuit rings too. Avoid propellant aerosol sprays directly on a nonstick basket.
5. Arrange in a single layer: Place the biscuit rings in the basket with a little space between them. Cook in batches if needed so they can puff and brown instead of pressing into each other.
6. Air fry the rings: Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway through. Start checking around 5 minutes. The donuts should look deep golden, puffed, and set in the center, with no raw dough visible.
7. Cook the holes: Arrange the biscuit centers in a single layer and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking or turning once halfway through. They should be browned outside and set in the middle.
8. Coat while warm: Dip each warm donut ring and hole lightly in melted butter, letting any excess drip off. Roll in the spiced sugar until evenly coated. A light butter dip works better than soaking; too much butter can make the sugar patchy or wet.
9. Serve: Serve warm for the best texture. If you want to glaze them instead, let the donuts cool for 2 to 3 minutes first.

Air Fryer Time and Temperature for Biscuit Donuts

Cook the donuts at 350°F (175°C). Jumbo biscuit rings usually take 5 to 7 minutes, and the holes usually take 3 to 4 minutes.

Flip the rings halfway through, and start checking early if your air fryer runs hot. I pay more attention to browned edges and a fully set center than an exact minute mark.

For oven-style air fryers, use the middle rack and rotate the tray halfway through for more even browning.

Why Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts Turn Pale or Doughy

• Pale bottoms: Preheat the air fryer and flip the donuts halfway through so both sides brown.
• Raw centers: Jumbo biscuits may need the full 7 minutes. Do not coat them until the center looks set.
• Uneven browning: Leave space between the donuts and cook in batches if needed.
• Patchy sugar coating: Dip lightly in butter and let the excess drip off before rolling in sugar.
• Sticking: Use a light layer of oil on the basket, or use perforated parchment only if your air fryer manual allows it.

Variations

Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donuts

For a more classic coating, leave out the ginger and cloves and use only cinnamon and sugar.

Powdered Sugar Donuts

Skip the melted butter and spiced sugar. Let the donuts cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then toss them in powdered sugar so it does not melt into the surface too quickly.

Air Fryer Donut Holes with Biscuits

Instead of cutting rings, cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and roll them into balls. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for about 3 to 5 minutes, shaking or turning once. Start checking at 3 minutes since the smaller pieces brown quickly.

Want a frosted finish instead of cinnamon sugar? Try these Air Fryer Chocolate Frosted Donuts (From Canned Biscuits).

For bite-size treats, check out these Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes with Cinnamon Sugar.

How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Donuts

These donuts are best the day they are made and still slightly warm. If you have leftovers, keep them at room temperature in a loosely covered container for up to 1 day.

To reheat, warm them in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for 2 to 3 minutes. The cinnamon sugar can melt a bit during storage, so add a fresh light dusting if needed.

For longer storage, freeze the donuts uncoated once fully cool in an airtight bag for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen at 320°F (160°C) until warm, then dip in butter and coat.

If you want a from-scratch version next time, these Air Fryer Jelly Donuts from Scratch are a good follow-up.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per serving, based on 1 donut plus 1 hole from 8 servings: 260 calories, 4g protein, 11g fat, 36g carbohydrates.

Approximate nutrition per 100g: 330 calories, 5g protein, 14g fat, 46g carbohydrates.

Nutrition is an estimate and will vary by biscuit brand, how much butter you use, and how much sugar sticks to each donut.