There’s something about a warm donut on a slow morning that just feels like a treat. The good news? You don’t need a deep fryer, a pot of hot oil, or a trip to the donut shop to get one. Jodie at Fork To Spoon has a whole collection of air fryer donut recipes, and I picked six favorites to share with you — from five-minute biscuit shortcuts to a from-scratch yeast donut for when you want a weekend project.
Each one links straight to the full recipe on forktospoon.com, so you’ll get the exact measurements, step-by-step photos, and her tips.
1. Air Fryer Maple Bar Donuts
If you want donuts on the table in under 20 minutes, start here. This one uses a can of refrigerated Grands biscuits — you just punch out the centers, air fry them at 360°F for about 5–6 minutes, and dip them in a simple glaze made with powdered sugar, milk, maple syrup, and a little maple extract. Sweet, cozy, and perfect for fall mornings.
Total time: about 16 minutes · Makes: 8
👉 Get the recipe: Air Fryer Maple Bar Donuts
2. Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts
A bakery classic made easy. Biscuit dough cooks at 330°F for about 4 minutes, then each donut gets split and filled with vanilla pudding and topped with a homemade chocolate glaze (powdered sugar, cocoa, butter, milk, and vanilla). Jodie’s tip: give the donuts space in the basket so they cook evenly all the way around.
Total time: about 20 minutes · Makes: 8
👉 Get the recipe: Air Fryer Boston Cream Donuts
3. Air Fryer Bavarian Cream Donuts
If Boston cream is your thing, you’ll want to try its richer cousin. The filling is a thick whipped cream made from vanilla bean pudding mix and heavy cream, tucked right inside the biscuit dough before it goes into the air fryer at 390°F. Finish them with a dip in melted semi-sweet chocolate and you’ve got a filled donut that tastes like it came from a bakery case.
Total time: about 28 minutes · Makes: 8
👉 Get the recipe: Air Fryer Bavarian Cream Donuts
4. Foolproof Air Fryer Sourdough Discard Donuts
Attention, sourdough bakers! This is a great way to use up half a cup of that discard instead of tossing it. It’s a quick cake-style batter — no rising time — that you spoon into donut molds and air fry at 320°F for 10–14 minutes. The discard gives them a soft texture with a light tang. Top them with glaze, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar. No air fryer? The recipe includes oven directions too.
Total time: about 24 minutes · Makes: 6
👉 Get the recipe: Foolproof Air Fryer Sourdough Discard Donuts
5. Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts
The holidays are right around the corner, and these are pure Christmas morning in donut form. The from-scratch batter is spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, then gets its deep flavor from molasses and a little brightness from lemon zest. You’ll bake them in silicone donut molds at 320°F for about 9 minutes, checking for doneness.
Makes: 8
👉 Get the recipe: Air Fryer Gingerbread Donuts
6. Air Fryer Cherry Pie Donuts
Save this one for a lazy weekend. It’s a true homemade yeast dough — milk, yeast, flour, egg, butter, and vanilla — that gets two short rises before cooking at 350°F for just a few minutes. While they’re still warm, you pipe in mashed cherry pie filling and finish with a dusting of powdered sugar. It takes a little more time, but the soft, pillowy result is worth it.
Total time: about 1 hour 15 minutes · Makes: 12
👉 Get the recipe: Air Fryer Cherry Pie Donuts
A Few Tips for Air Fryer Donut Success
- Don’t crowd the basket. Donuts that touch won’t cook through where they meet, so work in batches.
- Flip if needed. If your air fryer browns unevenly, turn the donuts halfway through.
- Check early. Every air fryer runs a little different, so peek a minute or two before the timer goes off.
- Eat them fresh. Air fryer donuts are best warm, the same day. A quick reheat in the air fryer brings leftovers back to life.
Which one are you making first? Let me know in the comments — I’m starting with the maple bars!
All recipes and recipe credit belong to Fork To Spoon (forktospoon.com).
