These Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts are super easy to make, and even more fun to decorate! They are sure to bring a smile this year when you serve them for Easter brunch.
Donuts are, by far, one of my favorite treats.
I grew up making these biscuit donuts with my family, but we always fried them in a pan of oil. Save some calories, time, and mess, by using an air fryer instead!
This recipe works because it’s:
- Healthier than regular donuts. There’s no added fat or calories from the oil, because these donuts crisp up perfectly in your air fryer.
- Only 2 ingredients. It can’t get much easier!
- Great for kids. Your kids can help create the fun designs below, or let them come up with their own personalized donuts.
- Pefect for Easter brunch! Nothing is better than a festive treat on Easter Sunday.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Remove 8 refrigerated biscuits from the can and place on a cutting board.
Using a small round cookie cutter, punch a circle in each of the biscuits. Remove the circle of dough and set aside.
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees. Cook a test donut first to see how long it will take in your specific air fryer.
Cook the remaining donuts 4 at a time until they are golden brown and the centers no longer feel doughy (anywhere from 5-15 minutes).
Add donut holes to the air fryer and cook for half the time of the donuts.
Allow donuts to cool. Decorate with melted candy melts, sprinkles, candy, frosting, etc.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
I didn’t realize that Pillsbury made two types of biscuits, so if you don’t want the flaky layered look, you’ll want to buy the Southern-style biscuits. Those will look like a traditional donut when cooked.
It’s very important to do a test biscuit first to see how long your air fryer takes to cook. I saw all sorts of time suggestions for cooking ranging from 5 minutes in a traditional air-fryer to 8 minutes in an oven air fryer. I have an air fryer setting on my toaster oven and it took 15 minutes for my donuts to cook.
I chose to use candy melts because I had some leftover from the Easter popcorn I made, but other topping ideas include:
- Donut icing
- Powdered sugar glaze
- Fudge
- Candy coated eggs
- Shredded coconut
- Peeps
- Jelly beans
- Chopped nuts
To make the chick donuts: dip the tops of the donuts in melted yellow candy melts. Sprinkle immediately with orange sprinkles.
To make the bunny donuts: dip the tops of the donuts in melted white chocolate. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Drizzle with melted pink candy melts.
To make robin’s egg donuts: dip the tops of donuts in melted blue candy melts mixed with white chocolate. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Dip a paintbrush in brown food coloring and hold it horizontally over the donut. Flick the bristles over the donut so it creates the speckled look.
The robin’s egg donut is pretty messy to create. You’ll want to make sure the donuts are on a piece of parchment paper and you’re away from anything that can get stained. Food coloring cleans off of countertops and skin pretty easily, but it doesn’t come out of paper.
If you can’t find any candy melts or don’t like the flavor, try one of these candy melts substitutes.
More Like This
Looking for more fun Easter treats? You’ll love these!
FAQs
Instead of using a cookie cutter, you can poke a hole in the biscuit with your finger and form it into a donut shape with your hands.
If you can’t find brown food coloring, you can make it by combining blue, yellow, and red food coloring.
Yes! These donuts are best served warm, so you can reheat them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds for best results.
I hope your family loves these Easter air fryer biscuit donuts! If you make them, be sure to take a picture and tag me on Instagram with @ashcroftfamilytable and use the hashtag #ashcroftfamilytable!
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Easter Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
Ingredients
- 8 refrigerated biscuits, 1 can
- ½ cup yellow candy melts
- Orange sprinkles
- ½ cup white chocolate melts
- ¼ cup light pink candy melts
- ½ cup light blue candy melts
- Brown food coloring
Instructions
- Remove 8 refrigerated biscuits from the can and place on a cutting board.
- Using a small round cookie cutter, punch a circle in each of the biscuits. Remove the circle of dough and set aside.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees. Cook a test donut first to see how long it will take in your specific air fryer. Cook the remaining donuts 4 at a time until they are golden brown and the centers no longer feel doughy (anywhere from 5-15 minutes).
- Add donut holes to the air fryer and cook for half the time of the donuts.
- Allow donuts to cool. Decorate following directions below.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
To make the chick donuts:
- Dip the tops of the donuts/roll donut holes in melted yellow candy melts. Sprinkle immediately with orange sprinkles.
To make the bunny donuts:
- Dip the tops of the donuts/roll donut holes in melted white chocolate. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Drizzle with melted pink candy melts.
To make robin's egg donuts:
- Dip the tops of donuts/roll donut holes in melted blue candy melts mixed with remaining white chocolate. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Dip a paintbrush in brown food coloring and hold it horizontally over the donut. Flick the bristles over the donut so it creates the speckled look.