We have all had that craving. It’s Saturday morning (or let’s be real, Tuesday night), and you want a hot, fresh donut. But the idea of driving to the bakery is exhausting, and the idea of making yeast dough from scratch, letting it rise for hours, and heating up a pot of oil is simply not happening.
Welcome back to The Crispy Basket. Today, we are making magic happen with a can of biscuits.
If you haven’t tried the “Air Fryer Biscuit Donut” hack yet, you are truly missing out. Because the air fryer circulates hot air so efficiently, it puffs up the layers of the biscuit dough rapidly, creating a texture that is shockingly similar to a cronut (croissant-donut hybrid). They are crispy and golden on the outside, soft and flaky on the inside, and they take exactly 5 minutes to cook.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Fast: From popping the can to taking the first bite, it takes less than 10 minutes.
- No Yeast, No Waiting: No kneading, no proofing, no rising. The dough is ready to go.
- Kid-Friendly: This is the perfect recipe to let kids help with. They love punching out the donut holes and dipping the finished donuts.
“The Crispy Basket” Secret: The Butter Bath
Since we aren’t deep frying these in oil, we need to add that richness back in after cooking.
The secret to making these taste like a bakery treat rather than just “hot bread” is dipping them in melted butter immediately after they come out of the air fryer, before rolling them in sugar or dipping them in glaze. The butter seeps into the flaky layers and helps the toppings stick.
Ingredients Needed
The Dough:
- 1 can Jumbo Flaky Layers Biscuits: (Pillsbury Grands or similar store brand). It is crucial that you get the “Flaky Layers” kind, not the “Homestyle” or “Southern” kind. The flaky layers are what create the donut texture.
- Cooking Spray: Coconut oil spray or butter spray works best here.
Option 1: Cinnamon Sugar Coating (The Churro Style)
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar.
- 1 Tbsp Cinnamon.
- 4 Tbsp Butter, melted.
Option 2: Classic Vanilla Glaze (The Krispy Kreme Style)
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar.
- 2 Tbsp Milk: Plus more if needed to thin.
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Donuts
Open the can of biscuits and separate the 8 biscuits. Place them on a cutting board or clean counter. Using a small 1-inch round cutter (or the cap of a soda bottle/vegetable oil bottle if you don’t have a cutter), cut a hole out of the absolute center of each biscuit. Save the holes! We will cook those too. You now have 8 donut rings and 8 donut holes.
Step 2: The Air Fry
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Note: Do not cook these at 400°F or they will burn on the outside before they puff up inside.
- Lightly spray the basket with oil.
- Place the donuts in the basket in a single layer. You will likely need to do two batches (4 donuts per batch). Make sure they aren’t touching, as they will expand significantly.
- Air fry at 350°F for 4–5 minutes.
- Flip them over at the 3-minute mark to ensure even browning.
- They are done when they are tall, puffed, and golden brown.
Step 3: The Donut Holes
Once the rings are done, throw all the donut holes in the basket. Air fry at 350°F for 2–3 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through. These cook very fast!
Step 4: The Dip (While Hot!)
Method A: Cinnamon Sugar
- Melt the butter in a small bowl.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a separate shallow bowl.
- While the donut is still hot, dip it quickly into the melted butter (coat both sides), then immediately toss it in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Method B: Vanilla Glaze
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Dip the warm donut (not piping hot, or the glaze will melt off) into the glaze. Place on a wire rack to let the glaze set and harden slightly.
“The Crispy Basket” Pro-Tips
- Don’t Overcrowd: I know I say this for every recipe, but biscuits expand outward. If they touch, you’ll get doughy, undercooked sides. Give them room to grow.
- Eat Fresh: These are definitely best eaten within an hour of making them. Since it’s biscuit dough, they can get a bit stale if left out overnight. If you do have leftovers, pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds to soften them up.
- Chocolate Lover? Make a simple chocolate ganache by melting chocolate chips with a splash of heavy cream and dipping the tops.
FAQ
Why are my donuts raw in the middle? You likely had the heat too high (400°F) or didn’t cut the center hole big enough. The hole allows hot air to circulate through the center, cooking it from the inside out.
Can I fill them? Yes! Skip cutting the hole. Air fry the whole biscuit round. Once cooked and cooled slightly, use a piping bag to inject jelly or custard into the side.
Enjoy your “homemade” bakery treat!
