Colin FosterBy Colin Foster

Updated November 2026

Air fryer doughnut recipes let you make warm, golden doughnuts in about 8 minutes per batch with little more than a bowl, a few basic ingredients and your basket. The method works with refrigerated biscuit dough, a simple cake batter or a yeasted dough, and each one produces a slightly different texture. This guide covers the methods, the settings and the mistakes that most often lead to dense or greasy results.

Choose the Right Dough for Your Air Fryer

The dough you start with decides most of the outcome. Refrigerated biscuit dough is the fastest option and gives a soft, tender ring that puffs nicely in the basket. A cake-style batter made with flour, sugar, egg, milk, melted butter and baking powder produces a denser, muffin-like doughnut. Yeasted dough takes longer but gives the closest result to a traditional fried doughnut, with an airy crumb and chewy edges.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 65 Air Fryer Beginner Recipes Review (2026): Pros, Cons & Who Should Buy.

Shape, Prep and Cook: The Core Method

Whichever dough you use, the steps follow the same pattern. Shape the dough, rest it briefly if needed, lightly oil the basket and cook at a moderate temperature so the center sets before the outside browns too quickly.

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
  2. Roll or pat the dough to about ½ inch thick. Cut rings with a 3-inch cutter and a 1-inch center cutter, or use a glass and a bottle cap.
  3. Lightly spray the basket and the doughnuts with cooking oil. Arrange them in a single layer with at least half an inch between pieces.
  4. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway, until the tops are golden and the center springs back when pressed.
  5. Brush with melted butter while warm and toss in cinnamon sugar or glaze once cooled slightly.

Five Doughnut Methods Compared

Method Temperature Time Texture
Refrigerated biscuit dough 340°F (170°C) 6 to 7 minutes Soft, pillowy, quick
Cake batter (baked in silicone molds) 325°F (160°C) 7 to 9 minutes Dense, moist, cake-like
Yeasted dough 330°F (165°C) 8 to 10 minutes Airy, chewy, closest to fried
Cinnamon roll-style dough 340°F (170°C) 6 to 8 minutes Layered, sticky, sweet
Mini doughnut holes 350°F (175°C) 4 to 5 minutes Bite-sized, crisp edges

Start with biscuit dough if you want a reliable first batch. Move to yeasted dough once you are comfortable with the basket and timing. For more ideas on sweet and savory air fryer cooking, see Air Fryer Toast Recipes: 6 Easy Ways to Get Crispy, Golden Slices and Air Fryer Toaster Recipes: 7 Easy Meals for a Crispy Countertop Oven.

Glazes, Toppings and Serving Ideas

Coatings are best added after cooking, while the doughnuts are still warm but not hot enough to melt the glaze off. A simple glaze of powdered sugar, milk and vanilla works well. Cinnamon sugar, melted butter and a light dusting of powdered sugar are the easiest toppings to keep on hand. Serve within a few hours, since air fryer doughnuts lose their crispness and dry out if stored uncovered.

  • Silicone doughnut mold set: Useful for cake-batter doughnuts because the shapes release cleanly and need little oil. View on Amazon
  • Round cookie or biscuit cutter set: Gives clean, even rings and makes it easy to cut the center hole without tearing the dough. View on Amazon
  • Parchment liners for air fryer baskets: Keep sticky glaze and dough from sticking to the basket and make cleanup faster. View on Amazon

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overcrowding the basket, which steams the dough instead of crisping it. Cook in batches.
  • Skipping the preheat, which can make the outside set before the inside rises.
  • Cooking too hot. Above 360°F the outside browns before the center cooks through.
  • Glazing while the doughnuts are piping hot, which makes the coating run and turn thin.
  • Rolling the dough too thin. About ½ inch keeps the doughnuts tender.

FAQ

Can I make doughnuts from scratch in an air fryer?

Yes. A basic cake batter or yeasted dough works well, though yeasted dough needs a proofing period before cooking. Start with a tested recipe written for air fryers, since oven recipes often need a lower temperature.

How do I keep air fryer doughnuts from drying out?

Cook only until the center springs back, then brush with butter while warm. Store them in an airtight container for up to a day, and reheat for 1 to 2 minutes at 300°F if needed.

Do I need to flip doughnuts in the air fryer?

Flipping halfway through cooking gives even browning on both sides. If your model has a strong top heating element, you can skip the flip, but check the color more closely near the end.

Conclusion

Air fryer doughnut recipes are a practical way to get warm, freshly cooked doughnuts without deep frying. Pick a dough that fits your time, cook at a moderate temperature and glaze once they have cooled slightly. Start with biscuit dough, then try a yeasted version when you want a closer match to a traditional doughnut.

Ready to choose one?

Colin Foster

About Colin Foster

Colin Foster is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our home cooking with appliances guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.