Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: Easy 15-Minute Recipe
Golden air fryer cinnamon sugar donuts ready in 15 minutes — made from biscuit dough, no deep frying needed. Crispy outside, fluffy inside, coated in buttery cinnamon sugar. 8 servings, easy weeknight dessert.
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Aug 17, 2026
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Method
Preheat and Prep
Preheat your air fryer to 350F (175C) for 3 minutes. Line a small tray with parchment paper. While it heats, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow bowl and set it aside. Melt the butter and keep it close — you'll need it fast once the donuts come out.
Shape the Donuts
Open the biscuit can and separate each biscuit onto the parchment-lined tray. Use a 1-inch round biscuit cutter, a bottle cap, or a shot glass to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit. Press firmly and twist slightly for a clean cut. Set the holes aside — those go in the air fryer too, just for less time. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with coconut or olive oil spray. Skip the nonstick sprays like Pam; they can damage the basket coating over time.
Air Fry the Donuts
Place 3 to 4 donuts in a single layer in the basket — they should not touch each other, since the hot air needs room to circulate around each one. Air fry at 350F for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until both sides are golden brown and the centers feel set when pressed gently with a finger. Cook in batches. Donut holes take about 3 minutes total — pull them at 2 minutes and check, since they brown faster than the full rings.
Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
Work fast here — hot donuts absorb the butter and hold the sugar; cool ones don't. The moment each batch comes out, brush both sides generously with melted butter using a silicone pastry brush. Then dip each donut into the cinnamon-sugar mixture and flip to coat both sides fully. The butter is the glue — if you wait more than a minute, the coating will start sliding off instead of sticking.
Serve Warm
Plate them immediately and serve within 10 minutes of coating, while the sugar is still slightly crystallized and warm. Leftovers keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. To refresh them, air fry at 300F for 2 minutes — they won't be quite as good as fresh, but close enough. Skip the microwave; it turns them dense and rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?
This recipe is built around canned refrigerated flaky biscuit dough for the quick 15-minute timeline. Homemade dough would change the texture and timing.
Why do the donuts need to be coated in butter and sugar right away?
Hot donuts absorb the butter and hold the sugar. If you wait even a minute after they cool, the coating starts sliding off instead of sticking.
What do I do with the donut holes?
Air fry them too. They just need less time, about 3 minutes total since they brown faster than the full rings.
How do I reheat leftover donuts?
Air fry at 300°F for 2 minutes. They will not be quite as good as fresh, but it is close. Skip the microwave, it makes them dense and rubbery.
