Golden Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts

Fall baking is something I get excited about every year. There’s nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon and apples filling up the kitchen on a crisp autumn morning. But let’s be honest – making donuts from scratch can be a real pain. All that oil, the mess, the worry about getting the temperature just right.

That’s where my air fryer comes to the rescue. These apple cider donuts come together so much easier than the traditional way, and cleanup is a breeze. I can have warm donuts ready in about fifteen minutes, and the kids think I’m some kind of kitchen wizard.

The best part? They taste just as good as the ones from the apple orchard, but I don’t have to drive thirty minutes and wait in line. I make a batch on Sunday mornings, and they disappear before I can even get my second cup of coffee.

What Kind of Biscuit Dough Should I Use?

Any standard can of refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough from the grocery store will work perfectly for these donuts. I usually grab whatever brand is on sale – Pillsbury, Great Value, or store brands all give great results. The key is making sure you get the regular buttermilk biscuits rather than the flaky layers kind, since those tend to fall apart more easily when you’re shaping them into donuts. If you can only find the jumbo size biscuits, that’s fine too – you’ll just end up with fewer but larger donuts.

Options for Substitutions

This easy donut recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:

• Buttermilk biscuit dough: Regular refrigerated biscuit dough works just fine if you can’t find buttermilk. You can also use flaky layers biscuits, though they’ll have a slightly different texture.
• Mulling spices syrup: No mulling spices syrup? Mix 1/2 cup apple cider with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Heat it up until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool before using.
• Granulated sugar: You can use brown sugar for a deeper flavor, or try a mix of half granulated and half brown sugar. Coconut sugar also works if that’s what you have on hand.
• Cinnamon: Feel free to add other warm spices to your cinnamon coating – try mixing in a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice for extra fall flavor.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making air fryer donuts is overcrowding the basket, which prevents proper air circulation and leads to unevenly cooked donuts – cook them in batches with space between each one for the best results. Another common error is not preheating your air fryer for 2-3 minutes before adding the donuts, which can cause them to cook unevenly or stick to the basket. Don’t skip brushing or spraying your air fryer basket with oil, even if it’s nonstick, as the biscuit dough can still stick and tear when you try to remove the donuts. Finally, watch your timing closely since air fryers cook faster than traditional ovens – start checking your donuts at the 6-minute mark to avoid overcooking them into hard, dry rings instead of fluffy treats.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts?

These warm, cinnamon-sugar donuts are perfect alongside a hot cup of coffee or apple cider for the ultimate cozy fall treat. I love serving them at weekend brunches with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon – the sweet and savory combo is really satisfying. They also make a great dessert after a hearty fall dinner, especially when paired with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a fun breakfast spread, try them with fresh apple slices and a drizzle of maple syrup for dipping.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The cinnamon sugar coating might lose some of its crunch after the first day, but they’ll still taste great with your morning coffee.

Freeze: You can freeze these donuts for up to a month in a freezer-safe container or bag. I like to freeze them before adding the cinnamon sugar coating, then roll them in the mixture after thawing for the best texture.

Warm Up: To bring back that fresh-from-the-air-fryer taste, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or back in the air fryer at 300°F for 1-2 minutes. If they seem a bit dry, you can brush them with a little melted butter before warming.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1750-2000
• Protein: 18-22 g
• Fat: 40-48 g
• Carbohydrates: 350-400 g

Ingredients

• 8-count can of buttermilk biscuit dough
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup mulling spice syrup or apple cider concentrate

Step 1: Preheat Air Fryer and Prepare Coating Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup mulling spice syrup or apple cider concentrate

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for about five minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon with the white sugar, mixing well with a spoon or fork to create your cinnamon sugar coating.

In a separate small bowl, pour the mulling spice syrup or apple cider concentrate.

Set both bowls aside for later use.

Step 2: Shape the Biscuits into Donuts and Donut Holes

• 8-count can of buttermilk biscuit dough

Open the can of buttermilk biscuit dough and separate the biscuits.

For each biscuit, use a biscuit cutter or bottle cap to press a hole in the center, creating a classic donut shape.

Take the removed center pieces and roll them in your hands to form small donut holes.

Carefully reshape the donuts if needed to make them even and round.

Step 3: Coat Raw Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar

• cinnamon sugar mixture from Step 1
• shaped donuts and donut holes from Step 2

Hold each shaped raw donut over the bowl of cinnamon sugar, and using a spoon, pour the cinnamon sugar mixture over the entire donut to coat it thoroughly.

Make sure all sides are covered, then set each donut and donut hole aside, ready for air frying.

Repeat this process for all pieces.

Step 4: Air Fry the Donuts and Donut Holes

• coated donuts and donut holes from Step 3

Reduce the air fryer temperature to 350°F.

Place the coated donuts and donut holes in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between each one to allow for proper air circulation and rising.

Air fry for 10 minutes.

You may need to cook in batches so the donuts have room to cook evenly.

I like to peek halfway through to ensure they’re not overcrowding and adjust if needed.

Step 5: Dip and Coat Air Fried Donuts

• air fried donuts and donut holes from Step 4
• mulling spice syrup or apple cider concentrate from Step 1
• remaining cinnamon sugar mixture from Step 1

After air frying, while the donuts and holes are still warm, dip each one into the mulling spice syrup (or apple cider concentrate) from Step 1, ensuring all sides are coated.

Then, dip each donut again into the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture, covering all sides.

This double-coating gives the donuts a sweet, spiced exterior that’s especially tasty.

Step 6: Serve the Donuts Warm

Serve the freshly coated donuts and donut holes while they are still warm.

Enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor!

For an extra treat, I like to serve these with a cup of hot apple cider during the colder months.

Golden Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts

Delicious Golden Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 7 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 1875 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 8-count can of buttermilk biscuit dough
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup mulling spice syrup or apple cider concentrate

Instructions

 

• Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for about five minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon with the white sugar, mixing well with a spoon or fork to create your cinnamon sugar coating. In a separate small bowl, pour the mulling spice syrup or apple cider concentrate. Set both bowls aside for later use.
• Open the can of buttermilk biscuit dough and separate the biscuits. For each biscuit, use a biscuit cutter or bottle cap to press a hole in the center, creating a classic donut shape. Take the removed center pieces and roll them in your hands to form small donut holes. Carefully reshape the donuts if needed to make them even and round.
• Hold each shaped raw donut over the bowl of cinnamon sugar, and using a spoon, pour the cinnamon sugar mixture over the entire donut to coat it thoroughly. Make sure all sides are covered, then set each donut and donut hole aside, ready for air frying. Repeat this process for all pieces.
• Reduce the air fryer temperature to 350°F. Place the coated donuts and donut holes in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between each one to allow for proper air circulation and rising. Air fry for 10 minutes. You may need to cook in batches so the donuts have room to cook evenly. I like to peek halfway through to ensure they're not overcrowding and adjust if needed.
• After air frying, while the donuts and holes are still warm, dip each one into the mulling spice syrup (or apple cider concentrate) from Step 1, ensuring all sides are coated. Then, dip each donut again into the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture, covering all sides. This double-coating gives the donuts a sweet, spiced exterior that's especially tasty.
• Serve the freshly coated donuts and donut holes while they are still warm. Enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor! For an extra treat, I like to serve these with a cup of hot apple cider during the colder months.