Soft, golden, and covered in cinnamon sugar, these little treats are proof you don’t need a deep fryer for magic.
Some mornings just call for something sweet — but without the time, mess, or oil splatter that usually comes with it. Enter these 5-Ingredient Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts: soft, fluffy, and coated in warm cinnamon sugar. They’re the perfect mix of shortcut and homemade, using everyday ingredients to create a bakery-level treat in minutes.
They’re ideal for lazy weekends, after-school snacks, or those afternoons when you just need a warm bite of comfort (with coffee, obviously).
5-Ingredient Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (8-count, such as Pillsbury Grands)
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt (optional, to balance sweetness)
Method
Preheat the air fryer.
- Set your air fryer to 350°F and let it preheat for a few minutes while you prepare the dough.
Shape the donuts.
- Open the biscuit dough and separate each round. Use a small cookie cutter or bottle cap to punch a hole in the center of each one (save the cutouts — they make perfect donut holes).
Air fry.
- Lightly spray the basket with nonstick spray or brush with a bit of melted butter. Place a few donuts in a single layer, leaving space between each. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and puffed. Repeat with remaining dough.
Make the cinnamon sugar.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
Coat and serve.
- Brush warm donuts with melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated. Serve immediately — ideally warm enough that the sugar melts just slightly into the surface.
Notes
Helpful Tips
- Mini donut holes: Air fry the centers for 3–4 minutes, then toss them in cinnamon sugar for bite-sized sweetness.
- Add a drizzle: Dip or drizzle with vanilla glaze for a bakery-style upgrade.
- Next-level flavor: Swap cinnamon for pumpkin spice during fall or add a hint of nutmeg for warmth.
- Best when fresh: These are at their peak within an hour, but you can reheat them in the air fryer for 2 minutes the next day.
