• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Milk Free Mom logo
  • Recipes
  • Products
  • My Kitchen Favorites
  • About
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Products
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Products
    • Shop
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Easy Air Fryer Donuts

    Published: May 17, 2022 by Lyndsay Homme Modified: Jun 20, 2025
    This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Fresh, hot, sugary donuts made right in your own kitchen in under 20 minutes! I'm using canned biscuit dough to make these easy air fryer donuts, and you won't believe how tasty they are. You'll just need to cut the holes out of your biscuits, air fry them for about 8 minutes, then smother them with your melted butter of choice (dairy free options below) and cinnamon sugar. So simple and absolutely delicious.

    And if you don't have an air fryer, try my cinnamon sugar mini donut muffins.

    air fryer donuts without milk

    What do I need to make these air fryer donuts?

    To make these donuts you'll need:

    • 1 can of biscuit dough (see below for dairy free suggestions)
    • butter of your choice
    • sugar
    • cinnamon
    • air fryer
    • donut cutter (a shot glass or small cookie cutter work too)
    • nonstick spray
    • donut pan

    easy dairy free air fryer donut
    Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

    If you don't have a donut pan, you can place your cut dough onto a small baking sheet that will fit into your air fryer. If your air fryer has a small slotted basket like this one, you can place the dough directly on the rack but be sure to spray it with nonstick spray first. The donuts fried up just as good for me on a baking sheet in comparison to the donuts that I fried in the donut pan. The donuts that were fried in the donut pan did retain their shape slightly better.

    What if my donut pan only makes 6 donuts?

    My donut pan only has 6 wells, so I bake my first batch in the donut pan then bake the remaining two donuts and the donut holes on a small baking sheet.

    easy air fryer donuts

    How can I make these dairy free?

    While most canned biscuit dough does contain butter and milk, there are a few dairy free options that are available. Here are some brands that make dairy free biscuit dough as of 5/16/22:

    • Annie's Organic Flaky Biscuits
    • Immaculate Baking Company Organic Flaky Biscuits (may contain milk)
    • Great Value Buttermilk Biscuits (may contain trace amounts of milk)
    • Hy-vee buttermilk biscuits
    • Value Corner Homestyle Biscuits
    • Pillsbury Grands Homestyle Original Biscuits (may contain milk)
    • Pillsbury Grands Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits (may contain milk ingredients)
    • Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits (may contain milk ingredients)

    I am including brands with the "may contain milk" allergen statement in this list because some readers can tolerate trace amounts of dairy. Note: Always read the food labels of these products before purchasing because manufacturers often change ingredients. Please be sure to choose the right brand for you based on your individual health status and any potential food allergies.

    Dairy free butter options:

    • Earth Balance
    • Country Crock Plant Butter
    • It's Vegan by I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
    • Kite Hill plant based butter
    • Melt Organic
    • Miyoko's Creamery vegan butter
    • Nutiva Vegan Ghee
    • Trader Joe's Vegan Buttery Spread

    air fryer donuts with biscuit dough

    Are air fryer donuts healthy?

    These donuts are healthier than most store bought or drive thru options, however I would not classify these as "healthy". Typical donuts are fried in oils, which make them higher in calories and fat when compared to these air fried donuts. However, we're still using processed biscuit dough and smothering them in melted butter and sugar. They are high in calories and carbohydrates. But, I believe part of being healthy includes enjoying life and the occasional naughty food in moderation.

    simple air fryer donuts

    Tips for making these easy air fryer donuts:

    • you'll want to cut holes out of the center of your biscuits using a donut cutter. If you don't have a donut cutter, you can use a small shot glass or cookie cutter.
    • if you don't have an air fryer that can fit your donut pan, you can set the biscuit dough right on the rack of your air fryer. A small greased cookie sheet will work too.
    • the donut holes cook much quicker than the donuts. Keep an eye on them so they don't get too brown. You can cook these directly on your air fryer rack.
    • don't let your donuts brown too much or they'll be crunchy on the outside.
    • these are best when enjoyed hot out of the fyer. If you do have leftovers, you can pop them in the air fryer for a minute or microwave for 20 seconds to warm and soften them up.

    Looking for more dairy free recipes? Try these:

    Dairy Free Apple Cider Donut Bites
    These delicious little donut bites are full of warm apple cider flavor, with a sweet coating of cinnamon sugar. The perfect autumn treat!
    Check out this recipe
    Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars (gluten free, dairy-free)
    In this recipe, we take the classic frosted sugar cookie and make it much easier by baking them into bars! These are soft, sweet, and fun to make for any occasion.
    Check out this recipe
    gluten free dairy free sugar cookies
    Baked Blueberry French Toast Casserole
    An easy french toast casserole for 1 that can be made gluten free and/or vegan! It's easy to make with lots of fresh blueberries and bright lemon.
    Check out this recipe
    vegan single serve french toast bake

    dairy free air fryer donuts

    Easy Dairy Free Air Fryer Donuts

    Hot, fresh, sugary donuts in just 15 minutes using canned bicuit dough. These easy air fryer donuts will be your whole family's new favorite!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Servings 8 donuts

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 can large biscuits dairy free (suggestions above in the post)
    • ¼ cup nondairy butter melted
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and grease or spray a donut pan. See notes above if you don't have one.
    • Open up your biscuit can and lay each biscuit out on a cutting board.
    • Use a small round cookie cutter or a donut cutter to cut a hole out of the middle of each biscuit. Place each donut-shaped biscuit into your pan. Use your fingers to shape the biscuits in the pan if needed. You can put your donut holes on your air fryer rack or a small greased cookie sheet that fits in your fryer.
    • Air fry your donuts for about 4 minutes. Watch them closely so the tops don't get too brown. Flip over each donut and fry them for about another 4 minutes, until they're lightly golden and cooked through. The donut holes take about 2-3 minutes per side, so be sure to pull those out sooner.
    • While your donuts are cooking, add your melted butter into a bowl large enough to fit one donut. In a separate bowl, mix together your cinnamon and sugar.
    • Remove the donuts from the fryer and immediately dip them in the melted butter then in to the cinnamon sugar.
    • Donuts are best served hot from the fryer. See above for tips for any leftovers.

    Video

    Notes

    Need these to be dairy free?
    See the post above for dairy free biscuit dough options.
    Can't fit your donut pan in your air fryer?
    See the post above for suggestions.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 308kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 588mgPotassium: 133mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword dairy free breakfast, dairy free donuts, donuts
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    More Dairy-Free Breakfast Recipes

    • mango chia pudding with honey and lime
      Easy Mango Chia Pudding
    • wild blueberry steel cut oats
      Wild Blueberry Steel Cut Oats
    • healthy blueberry banana muffins sugar free
      Healthy Refined Sugar Free Blueberry Banana Muffins
    • breakfast recipes without eggs
      25+ Breakfast Recipes Without Eggs

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Lyndsay Homme

    Hi, I'm Lyndsay! I'm a certified nutrition coach who loves food and studying its effects on our bodies. I started a dairy-free journey when my son was diagnosed with milk intolerance in 2009. He grew out of his intolerance when he was 7, and a few years later I grew into one.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Dairy Free Breakfast Casserole
      Dairy-Free Egg Casserole
    • lemon coconut custard pie
      Easy Lemon Coconut Custard Pie
    • Dairy Free Chicken and Dumplings
      Dairy-Free Chicken and Dumplings
    • meatless chili with sweet potato quinoa and black beans
      Meatless Chili with Black Beans, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa
    150+ dairy free snack list

    Dairy-Free Summer Recipes

    • shredded slow cooker beef barbacoa inspired
      Slow Cooker Barbacoa-Inspired Shredded Beef
    • healthier homemade peanut butter chocolate easter eggs
      Healthier Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs
    • mango salad recipe
      Easy Mango Salad
    • chocolate strawberry frozen yogurt bars
      Chocolate Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Bars
    See more Dairy-Free Summer Recipes →

    list of over 100 dairy free chocolates
    7-day dairy free meal plan

    Lyndsay Homme

    Hi, I'm Lyndsay! I'm a certified nutrition coach who loves food and studying its effects on our bodies. I started a dairy-free journey when my son was diagnosed with milk intolerance in 2009. He grew out of his intolerance when he was 7, and a few years later I grew into one.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Dairy Free Breakfast Casserole
      Dairy-Free Egg Casserole
    • lemon coconut custard pie
      Easy Lemon Coconut Custard Pie
    • Dairy Free Chicken and Dumplings
      Dairy-Free Chicken and Dumplings
    • meatless chili with sweet potato quinoa and black beans
      Meatless Chili with Black Beans, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa
    150+ dairy free snack list

    Dairy-Free Summer Recipes

    • raspberry simple syrup with honey
      Honey Raspberry Simple Syrup
    • italian salad with chickpeas and salami
      Italian Salad with Chickpeas and Salami
    • healthy frozen snickers banana bites
      Healthy Frozen Snickers Bananas
    • summer strawberry mojito spritzer
      Summer Strawberry Spritzer
    See more Dairy-Free Summer Recipes →

    list of over 100 dairy free chocolates
    7-day dairy free meal plan

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Recipes

    • Breakfast
    • Entrée
    • Dessert
    • Drinks

    Newsletter

    • Sign up

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Disclosure / Privacy Policy

    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    © 2024 Milkfreemom.com. All rights reserved.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.