Air Fryer Glazed Biscuit Donuts 🍩✨
Fluffy, golden, and irresistibly sweet — your new favorite treat is just an air fryer away!
Introduction: The Irresistible Allure of Glazed Biscuit Donuts
Who doesn’t love donuts? That soft, fluffy interior; that golden, crisp exterior; and of course, the shiny, sweet glaze that clings to every bite like a sugary hug. Donuts are a universal comfort food, a childhood memory, a reward after a long day — or just a delicious treat because you deserve one.
But let’s be honest: traditional donuts are a labor of love. They often require yeast, rising time, and deep-frying — which means lots of oil, mess, and cleanup. Enter the ultimate game-changer: Air Fryer Glazed Biscuit Donuts.
This recipe is not only quick and simple, but it also cuts down on calories, oil, and hassle. By using canned biscuit dough, you eliminate the need for complex mixing and rising times. And with your trusty air fryer, you get that beautiful golden crust and fluffy inside without submerging anything in hot oil.
The result? Pillowy donuts with a crisp edge, dipped in a glossy vanilla glaze that crackles just slightly when you bite in. You get all the joy of a donut shop experience, right in your own kitchen — in under 15 minutes.
This article will walk you through the complete process of making Air Fryer Glazed Biscuit Donuts from start to finish. From choosing the right biscuit dough to creating the perfect glaze, plus expert tips, variations, and storage advice, you’ll soon master this quick-fix indulgence.
The Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Biscuit Donuts (Yields 8 donuts + 8 holes)
🛒 Ingredients
For the Donuts:
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1 can of large flaky-layer refrigerated biscuit dough (e.g., Pillsbury Grands)
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Cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil
For the Vanilla Glaze:
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1 ½ cups powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
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2–3 tablespoons milk (or more, depending on consistency)
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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Optional: a pinch of salt to balance sweetness
Optional Toppings & Variations:
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Sprinkles
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Cinnamon sugar
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Melted chocolate drizzle
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Maple extract for maple glaze
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Food coloring for fun hues
🧑🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Air Fryer and Ingredients
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Most air fryers take about 3 minutes to reach temperature.
Open your can of biscuit dough. Separate the biscuits and lay them on a clean surface.
Using a small round cutter (like a shot glass or bottle cap), cut a hole in the center of each biscuit to create a donut shape. Save the cut-out centers — these will be your donut holes!
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or brush with oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Air Fry the Donuts and Holes
Place 3–4 donut rings (and optionally 3–4 holes) into the air fryer basket. Be sure to leave space between each one to allow air to circulate.
Cook for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden brown and puffed.
Remove and set on a wire rack to cool slightly while you cook the remaining batches.
Repeat until all donuts and holes are cooked.
🔥 Tip: Donut holes may take slightly less time (around 4 minutes), so monitor them closely!
Step 3: Prepare the Vanilla Glaze
While the donuts are cooking, make your glaze.
In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk a teaspoon at a time until it reaches a pourable, silky consistency.
You’re aiming for a glaze that coats the back of a spoon — not too thin, not too thick.
🎨 Want a fun twist? Add a drop of food coloring to create pastel shades or swirl colors for a marbled look.
Step 4: Dip and Drip
Once the donuts are cool enough to handle (but still slightly warm), dip the top of each donut into the glaze. Let the excess drip off, then place them back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set.
Repeat with the donut holes.
You can double-dip for an extra-thick glaze if you like it rich!
Optionally, while the glaze is still wet, add sprinkles, crushed nuts, or a drizzle of chocolate.
Let the glaze firm up for about 10 minutes — and then it’s donut time!
🍩 Storage Tips
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Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They’re best fresh but still good the next day.
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Reheat: Pop them in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 1–2 minutes to restore a bit of crispness.
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Freeze: You can freeze the plain cooked donuts (before glazing). When ready, thaw, warm, and glaze.
Fun Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic glazed version, branch out and have fun with different flavors and toppings.
1. Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donuts
Instead of glaze, brush the cooked donuts with melted butter and roll them in a cinnamon-sugar mix (½ cup sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon).
2. Chocolate Glazed Donuts
Swap the vanilla glaze for chocolate by adding 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and a bit more milk.
3. Maple Glazed Donuts
Add 1 teaspoon maple extract to the glaze and sprinkle with crumbled cooked bacon for a breakfast-inspired donut.
4. Filled Donuts
Skip cutting the hole and air fry the full biscuit round. Once cooked, pipe in jam, custard, or Nutella using a piping bag.
5. Birthday Cake Donuts
Use rainbow sprinkles in the dough or on top of the glaze for festive fun!
Tips & Troubleshooting
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Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Air fryers need space between items for proper circulation. Cook in batches if needed.
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Watch for Over-Browning: Biscuit dough can darken quickly. Flip halfway and reduce time slightly if needed.
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Too Dry? Make sure you aren’t overcooking. They should be golden and puffed, not hard.
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Sticky Glaze? Let the donuts cool more before dipping or the glaze will melt and slide off.
Nutrition Estimate (Per Glazed Donut)
Nutrient | Approximate Value |
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Calories | 220–250 |
Carbohydrates | 30g |
Fat | 10g |
Sugar | 15g |
Protein | 3g |
Fiber | <1g |
Note: Nutrition varies based on the biscuit brand and glaze thickness.
Equipment You’ll Need
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Air fryer (any model, but a basket-style works best for even browning)
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Wire cooling rack (optional but recommended)
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Mixing bowl
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Whisk
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Biscuit cutter or bottle cap
Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️
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Minimal Ingredients: Just canned biscuits and pantry basics.
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Quick & Easy: Ready in 15 minutes from start to finish.
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Customizable: Endless flavor combinations.
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Kid-Friendly: Fun to make and eat — perfect for weekend mornings.
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Less Guilt: Enjoy your donut fix with less oil and mess.
This recipe is a favorite for a reason: it combines the best of convenience, fun, and flavor.
Conclusion: A Sweet Shortcut Worth Repeating
Air Fryer Glazed Biscuit Donuts are proof that sometimes the simplest things are the most delightful. With just a few ingredients and a quick spin in the air fryer, you get donuts that are warm, sweet, fluffy, and completely satisfying.
Perfect for a lazy Sunday breakfast, a spontaneous after-school snack, or impressing guests at brunch, these donuts offer all the magic of fresh pastries with none of the fuss.
Whether you stick with classic glaze, go wild with toppings, or create your own signature flavor, this recipe will become a staple in your sweet-treat repertoire.
So preheat that air fryer, pop open a can of biscuits, and let the donut magic begin. You deserve a treat — and this one is just too easy (and delicious) to pass up. 🍩💫