Easy Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Donuts

If you’re craving donuts but don’t want the mess of deep frying, these easy air fryer chocolate glazed donuts are exactly what you need. Made with refrigerated biscuit dough and a simple 3-ingredient chocolate glaze, they come together in just 5 minutes from basket to plate. No yeast, no rising time, no hot oil — just soft, fluffy donuts dipped in rich, glossy chocolate.

These are the kind of recipe that makes everyone in the house wander into the kitchen. Whether you’re making breakfast on a Saturday morning, surprising the kids after school, or just treating yourself to something sweet, these air fryer chocolate glazed donuts will become your new go-to.

Looking for more easy air fryer donut recipes? Check out our Air Fryer Glazed Biscuit Donuts, Air Fryer Powdered Sugar Donuts, and Air Fryer Red Velvet Donuts.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Donuts

• Ready in 5 minutes: From air fryer basket to plate faster than a drive-through
• No deep frying: No hot oil, no splatter, no mess
• Simple ingredients: Just biscuits, cocoa, powdered sugar, and milk
• Kid-friendly: A fun recipe to make together
• Less guilt: Air frying uses a fraction of the oil of traditional donuts
• Fully customizable: Add sprinkles, drizzle white chocolate, or try different glazes

Ingredients Needed

• Refrigerated biscuit dough (Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers recommended)
• Powdered Sugar: This is the base of the sweet chocolate glaze.
• Unsweetened Baking Cocoa: This is an essential ingredient if you want your glaze to have a chocolate flavor.
• Butter: This makes the glaze rich; use salted butter for the best flavor.
• Milk: Any type of milk will taste delicious in the glaze.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: This rounds out the flavors in the glaze.
• Optional toppings: Chocolate sprinkles, Rainbow sprinkles, Crushed Oreos, or Sea salt flakes.

Variations & Fun Flavor Ideas

• Vanilla glazed: Swap the cocoa powder for ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and skip the cocoa.
• Cinnamon sugar: Skip the glaze entirely. Brush warm donuts with melted butter and roll in a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Double chocolate: Add ½ teaspoon of espresso powder to the chocolate glaze to deepen the chocolate flavor.
• Maple chocolate: Replace 1 tablespoon of milk in the glaze with maple syrup.
• Nutella drizzle: Warm 2 tablespoons of Nutella in the microwave for 15 seconds, then drizzle over glazed donuts.

Equipment Needed

• Air fryer (any brand)
• 1-inch round cookie cutter or bottle cap (to cut donut holes)
• Shallow bowl (for dipping in glaze)
• Cooling rack

How to Make Easy Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Donuts — Step by Step

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer. Set your air fryer to 350°F and let it preheat for 2–3 minutes. Preheating ensures even cooking and a golden exterior.

Step 2: Cut the biscuits into donut shapes. Open the can of biscuit dough and separate each biscuit. Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter (or the cap of a water bottle), press a hole in the center of each biscuit. Save those little dough circles — those are your donut holes! You’ll have 8 donuts and 8 donut holes.

Step 3: Air fry the donuts. Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place 3–4 donuts in a single layer, making sure they are not touching (air needs to circulate for even cooking). Air fry at 350°F for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the donuts are golden brown. Cook in batches as needed.

Step 4: Air fry the donut holes. Place the saved dough circles in the basket. Air fry at 350°F for 3–4 minutes, flipping once, until golden.

Step 5: Make the chocolate glaze. While the donuts cook, whisk together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and milk in a shallow bowl. Start with 3 tablespoons of milk and add more until the glaze is smooth and thick enough to coat a spoon.

Step 6: Dip and glaze. While the donuts are still warm, dip the top of each donut into the chocolate glaze. Let any excess drip off, then place on a cooling rack. Add sprinkles immediately while the glaze is still wet. Let sit 5 minutes for the glaze to set.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy! These easy air fryer chocolate glazed donuts are best served warm. Pair with coffee, milk, or hot chocolate.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Donuts

• Use Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers. The flaky layers give you the lightest, most donut-like texture. Regular buttermilk biscuits also work but will be slightly denser.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave at least 1 inch between each donut so the hot air can circulate. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and soggy spots.
• Glaze while warm. The chocolate glaze adheres best and sets with a beautiful shine when donuts are still slightly warm from the air fryer.
• Avoid nonstick cooking sprays with soy lecithin (like Pam). At high temperatures, these can damage the nonstick coating of your air fryer basket. Use an olive oil or coconut oil spray instead.
• Don’t dip — drizzle if using flaky biscuits. Because flaky layer biscuits are made up of multiple layers, dipping can cause them to pull apart. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the top instead for cleaner results.
• Watch your first batch closely. Every air fryer brand cooks slightly differently. Check at the 4-minute mark on your first batch and adjust time as needed.

How to Store Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Donuts

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature or reheat before serving.
• Reheating: Warm in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes. You can also microwave for 10–15 seconds.
• Freezing: Freeze unglazed donuts in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze fresh before serving.

Easy Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Donuts Recipe Faqs

Can I make these without a donut cutter? Yes! Use the cap from a water bottle or soda bottle to cut the holes. You can also use the back of a large frosting piping tip — it’s the perfect size.

What’s the best biscuit brand for air fryer donuts? Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers creates the lightest, most donut-like texture. Pillsbury Grands Original is a reliable backup. Budget store brands also work — just avoid the smaller “regular” size biscuits, as they cook too quickly.

Can I make the glaze thicker? Yes. Add powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time to thicken it. For a thinner glaze, add milk one teaspoon at a time.

Why are my donuts not golden brown? Make sure you’re preheating your air fryer and not overcrowding the basket. Also flip halfway through — both sides need air exposure to brown evenly.

Can I use homemade dough instead of canned biscuits? Absolutely! You can use any yeast donut dough or even crescent roll dough. The cooking time may vary slightly, so check at 4 minutes and adjust.

Are air fryer donuts healthier than deep-fried donuts? They use significantly less oil — just a light spray compared to cups of hot oil — making them a lighter option without sacrificing that satisfying donut texture.

Can I make these ahead of time? These are best fresh and warm. If you need to prep ahead, cut and store the raw biscuit shapes in the fridge (covered) for up to 1 day, then air fry right before serving.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

• Air Fryer Pumpkin Donut Holes
• Air Fryer Chocolate Cake Mix Donuts
• Easy Air Fryer Baked Chocolate Donuts
• Air Fryer Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
• Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
• Air Fryer Puff Pastry Donuts
• Air Fryer Homemade Yeast Donuts

Did you make these easy air fryer chocolate glazed donuts? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe! Tag @forktospoon on Instagram so we can see your creation.