Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts

These cinnamon sugar air fryer biscuit donuts are the easiest donuts you will ever make — and yes, they actually taste like donuts, not biscuits. That’s the secret: a butter bath before air frying and a generous double-coat of cinnamon sugar right when they come out hot. The result is a fluffy, golden ring with a sweet, crackly cinnamon crust that is completely irresistible.

The best part? You only need 4 ingredients and about 5 minutes of active time. No deep fryer, no hot oil splatter, no yeast, no rising time. Just open a can of refrigerated biscuit dough and let your air fryer do the magic.

Whether you’re making a quick weekday breakfast, a fun weekend treat with the kids, or a last-minute dessert that looks totally impressive — this recipe delivers every single time.

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

Why These Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts Are So Good

• Ready in 5 minutes: Faster than a drive-through donut run
• Only 4 ingredients: Biscuits, butter, sugar, and cinnamon
• No deep frying: No hot oil, no mess, no grease
• Actually taste like donuts: The butter bath is the game-changer
• Kid-friendly and fun: A great recipe to make together
• Works in any air fryer: Ninja Foodi, Cosori, Philips, PowerXL, and more
• Completely customizable: Roll in powdered sugar, drizzle with glaze, add sprinkles

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Refrigerated biscuit dough (Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers or Buttermilk, see tips below)

• Butter: Melted butter coats the donuts after air frying, helping the cinnamon sugar mixture adhere perfectly to the donuts.
• Granulated Sugar: Forms the sweet base of the coating, giving the donuts their classic sugary crust.
• Ground Cinnamon: Mixed with sugar, cinnamon adds a warm, spiced flavor that is quintessential to these donuts, making them irresistibly aromatic.
• Optional: Nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice add flavor boost

Variations to Try

• Powdered sugar donuts. Skip the cinnamon sugar entirely and roll warm donuts in sifted powdered sugar for a classic sugar-coated donut.
• Pumpkin spice donuts. Replace the cinnamon with 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice for a cozy fall version. Perfect for autumn mornings.
• Apple cinnamon donuts. Add ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice to the cinnamon sugar coating and serve with warm apple cider for dipping.
• Cinnamon sugar with vanilla glaze. After the cinnamon sugar coat, drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tablespoons milk + ½ teaspoon vanilla) for extra sweetness.
• Churro-style donut holes. Roll the donut holes in cinnamon sugar and serve with a side of chocolate dipping sauce or warm caramel for a churro-inspired treat.
• Brown butter cinnamon donuts. Brown the butter in a saucepan before dipping — it adds a deep, nutty flavor that takes these to the next level.

Equipment Needed

• Air fryer (any model)
• 1-inch round cookie cutter, bottle cap, or large frosting tip
• Two shallow bowls (one for butter, one for cinnamon sugar)
• Pastry brush (optional)
• Cooling rack

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts — Step by Step

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer. Set your air fryer to 360°F and preheat for 2–3 minutes. Preheating helps the donuts cook evenly and get that golden puff right from the start.

Step 2: Cut the biscuits. Open the can and separate each biscuit onto a clean cutting board. Use a 1-inch round cookie cutter, bottle cap, or large frosting piping tip to punch a hole in the center of each biscuit. Set the holes aside — you’ll air fry those too! You’ll have 8 donuts and 8 donut holes.

Step 3: Butter-coat the raw dough. Pour the melted butter into a shallow bowl. Dip both sides of each raw biscuit donut into the butter, letting any excess drip off. This is the secret step that makes these taste like real donuts instead of biscuits — don’t skip it.

Step 4: Air fry the donuts. Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place 3–4 butter-coated donuts in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch each other. Air fry at 360°F for 4–5 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for another 3–4 minutes until golden brown and puffed up. Cook in batches as needed.

Step 5: Air fry the donut holes. Once the donuts are done, place the donut holes in the basket. Air fry at 360°F for 3–4 minutes, flipping once, until golden.

Step 6: Mix the cinnamon sugar. While the donuts cook, stir together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl until well combined.

Step 7: Double-coat while hot. As each donut comes out of the air fryer, immediately roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. Then, while still warm, roll it again for a second coat. The double-coat is what gives you that gorgeous, crackly cinnamon crust. Place on a cooling rack and repeat with each batch.

Step 8: Serve warm. These cinnamon sugar air fryer biscuit donuts are best served immediately while still warm. Pair with coffee, apple cider, or hot chocolate.

The Secret to Making Biscuit Donuts Taste Like Real Donuts

Here’s the honest answer to the question everyone has: will these taste like biscuits? Without the right technique — yes, they can. With it — absolutely not. Here’s what makes the difference:

• The butter dip before frying. Coating the raw dough in melted butter before it goes into the air fryer changes everything. The butter creates a rich, slightly crisp outer layer that mimics the texture of a fried donut shell. This single step is what separates “biscuit-y” results from bakery-style results.
• The double cinnamon sugar coat. Rolling the donut in cinnamon sugar once while it’s hot, then rolling it again — this creates a thicker, crunchier coating that clings to every surface. One dip gives you a light dusting; two gives you that beautiful sugary crust.
• Don’t overcook. Golden brown, not dark brown. Overbaked biscuit donuts turn chewy and dense. Pull them the moment they’re puffed and golden.

Tips for the Best Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts

• Choose the right biscuits. Pillsbury Grands Buttermilk or Flaky Layers both work beautifully. Buttermilk biscuits create a slightly denser, chewier donut. Flaky Layers create a lighter, more pull-apart texture. Both are great — it comes down to preference. Avoid “smaller” regular-size biscuits; they cook too quickly and are too thin.
• Don’t skip the preheat. A cold air fryer basket produces uneven results. Two to three minutes of preheat time makes a real difference.
• Leave space between donuts. Air needs to circulate around every surface of the donut. Crowding the basket means steaming instead of crisping — you’ll end up with pale, soft donuts instead of golden ones.
• Use a neutral, high-heat spray. Olive oil spray or coconut oil spray work perfectly. Avoid any cooking spray containing soy lecithin (like standard Pam) — at air fryer temperatures, it can damage nonstick basket coatings over time.
• Roll while hot. The cinnamon sugar only sticks properly when the donuts are still hot from the air fryer. Don’t let them cool first.
• Use coarse sugar for extra crunch. Swap standard granulated sugar for turbinado (raw) sugar in the coating for a crunchier, more caramelized crust.

How to Store and Reheat

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The cinnamon sugar coating will soften slightly over time — this is normal.
• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Let come to room temperature or reheat before serving.
• Reheating: Warm in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes to refresh the texture. You can also microwave for 10–15 seconds. After reheating, give them a quick roll in a little extra cinnamon sugar to refresh the coating.
• Freezing: Freeze cooled donuts (without the cinnamon sugar coating) in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, reheat in the air fryer, then roll in fresh cinnamon sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these actually taste like donuts or like biscuits? With the butter dip before air frying and the double cinnamon sugar coat while hot, these taste remarkably like real donuts — not biscuits. The key steps are the butter bath and rolling them twice in cinnamon sugar while they’re still hot.

What’s the best biscuit brand for air fryer donuts? Pillsbury Grands is the top pick, available at virtually every grocery store. The Flaky Layers variety gives you a lighter, more pull-apart texture. The Buttermilk variety is slightly denser and chewier. Store-brand Grands-size biscuits also work well. Avoid the small “regular” size biscuits.

Can I make these without cutting a hole in the middle? Yes! Simply air fry the whole biscuit. It won’t look like a traditional ring donut, but it will taste just as good. Cut it in half after cooking and stuff with jam, Nutella, or cream for a filled donut variation.

Why are my donuts pale instead of golden? This usually means the basket was overcrowded, the air fryer wasn’t preheated, or the temperature was too low. Make sure donuts aren’t touching, preheat to 360°F, and cook in batches.

Can I make these ahead of time for a party? They’re best fresh, but you can prep a few hours ahead. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes and re-roll in cinnamon sugar right before serving.

How many donuts does one can of biscuits make? One standard 16.3 oz can of Pillsbury Grands biscuits yields 8 donuts plus 8 donut holes — 16 total treats.

Can I use crescent roll dough instead? Yes! Crescent roll dough works, though it’s a bit thinner and more delicate. Shape into rings and cook at the same temperature, checking at 3 minutes as they may cook faster.

What air fryer brand works best for this recipe? This recipe works in any air fryer — Ninja Foodi, Cosori, PowerXL, Philips, Gourmia, GoWISE, Instant Vortex, and more. The temperature and timing may vary slightly by model, so check your first batch at the 4-minute mark.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

• AIR FRYER APPLE PIE BOMBS
• AIR FRYER BANANA DONUTS
• AIR FRYER CINNAMON ROLL BITES
• AIR FRYER EASY FUNFETTI CAKE MIX DONUTS
• EASY AIR FRYER RASPBERRY LEMON DONUTS
• AIR FRYER COPYCAT KRISPY KREME DONUTS

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