Donuts in the air fryer? Why not? These strawberry glazed air fryer donuts are the quickest and easiest donut recipe you will ever find!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect texture. I think I might like my donuts done in the air fryer better than deep fried! They are crispy and flaky without being heavy and oily. Bonus: No burn risk! It’s a win-win.
- So easy. These air fryer donuts are done cooking within 10 minutes, making them a great choice for a quick breakfast treat.
- Customizable. Once the donuts are done, you can frost them, dust them with powdered sugar, etc. There are so many ways to decorate.
- Kid-approved. Fluffy donuts with strawberry glaze are a guaranteed hit with the kiddos. They were with mine, anyway!
Why Use Canned Biscuits for the Donut Dough?
Well, why not?!? Canned biscuits give these donuts a perfect flaky texture, meaning you don’t have to go through the labors of making your own dough. You don’t have to waste the center of the biscuit that you pop out, either. Once you are done with your donuts, throw the holes into the air fryer, too, for your own homemade donut holes.
Ingredient Notes
This is the simplest donut recipe. Seriously, you won’t believe how few ingredients you need! If you’re looking for exact amounts, check out the recipe card below.
For the Donuts
- Canned biscuits – Use your favorite brand of refrigerated flaky biscuits (like Pillsbury, etc.).
- Vegetable oil – This will keep your donuts from sticking to the air fryer. Canola oil also works.
For the Strawberry Glaze
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Strawberry extract – You can also use red food coloring if you don’t care about the strawberry flavor, or add vanilla extract instead.
- Sprinkles (optional)
How to Make Donuts in the Air Fryer
Air fryer biscuit donuts come together in a snap – read through the brief steps below to see just how easy it is! Or, scroll on down to the recipe card for the full set of detailed instructions.
- Form the donuts. Lay the biscuits out on a cutting board and use a round 1-inch cookie cutter or donut cutter to remove the centers.
- Prepare the air fryer. Brush oil on the bottom of the air fryer basket, and lay 3-4 biscuits in it.
- Air fry. Cook the donuts at 350°F for 5 to 6 minutes, until the donuts are lightly browned.
- Make the glaze. While the donuts cook, you can make the icing. In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the powdered sugar, milk, and strawberry extract.
- Glaze the donuts. As soon as the donuts come out of the air fryer, dip the tops into the glaze. (Use tongs, the donuts will be hot!) Turn them over and shake them gently to evenly spread the glaze, then set them on a cooling rack. Add sprinkles and enjoy!
Watch How Air Frying Donuts Works
Here’s a quick tutorial on how to air fry donuts:
Tips for Success
- Make biscuit dough from scratch, if needed. If you don’t have canned biscuits but you have loads of baking supplies you can, of course, make your own biscuit dough.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. You don’t want your donuts to touch at all. You will likely only be able to fit 3-4 donuts at a time so you might need to do 2-3 batches.
- Strawberry extract substitute. If you use food coloring instead of strawberry extract for the glaze, the glaze will be pink but it won’t have strawberry flavor. To add that flavor, you could puree a few strawberries to add into the glaze.
- Eat these donuts day of! Air fryer donuts are best served fresh and warm. They do not keep well. I give you permission to eat them all on the spot!
Topping Variations
I love my air fryer donuts topped with this sweet strawberry glaze, but you can also use the same glaze recipe with some flavor swaps. Simply swap the strawberry extract for any of the following:
- Vanilla extract – Or orange extract, etc.
- Almond extract – Add sliced almonds instead of sprinkles.
- Coconut extract – Add shredded coconut instead of sprinkles.
- Chocolate sauce – Perfect for dunking donuts in for yummy chocolate glazed donuts.
These donuts are also great tossed in powdered sugar or a cinnamon and sugar mixture. For the latter, just quickly dunk each in butter after they’re done baking, and toss them in the cinnamon and sugar.
More Donut Recipes
Air Fryer Donuts
Ingredients
Donuts:
- 16 ounce tube refrigerated flaky biscuits
- oil, vegetable or canola oil
Strawberry Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon strawberry extract, or red food coloring
- Sprinkles, optional
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Instructions
- Open biscuits and lay on a cutting board. Using a round 1-inch cookie cutter or donut cuter, cut the centers out of each biscuit.
- Brush oil on the bottom of air fryer basket using a pastry brush or a paper towel. Lay 3-4 biscuits in the basket.
- Cook at 350°F for 5 to 6 minutes, until lightly browned.
- While donuts cook, make the icing. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk and strawberry extract – until smooth. Start with 1 tablespoon of milk add more as needed to get a smooth, but still thick icing. You don’t want it too thin or it won’t coat the donut well.
- As soon as donuts come out of air fryer, dip top of doughnuts into glaze. I do this using tongs, as the donuts will be hot!
- Turn over and shake gently to evenly spread glaze, set on a cooling rack. Top with sprinkles, if desired and serve warm!
Video
Notes
- These donuts are best served fresh and warm. They do not keep well.
- Also great tossed in powdered sugar. Or for cinnamon sugar donuts – quickly dunk the donuts in butter after baking and toss immediately in cinnamon sugar.
Nutrition
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