easy air fryer apple cider donuts

the cutest winter weekend treat. everything I used is from Trader Joe's!
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easy air fryer apple cider donuts

Making donuts from scratch may not ever be in the cards for me (I have little interest in deep-frying). But air fryer donuts are right up my alley — especially when canned biscuits are involved.

While I’m sure this technique would work with homemade dough, I’m a big fan of Trader Joe’s Organic Biscuits. They have a shorter ingredient list than most other brands and cook up impressively tall and flaky. In fact, you can find all the ingredients used here at TJ’s, although I believe the cider and sprinkles are seasonal items.

If you don’t own a donut cutter (I don’t!) simply sort through your condiments to find a long cap about 1 1/4 inches wide (mine was from a Sriracha bottle) and use it to cut out holes from the center of each biscuit.

Lastly — you’ll notice I glaze the air fryer donuts twice. The first round melts into the warm donuts, while the second round gives you that beloved crackly finish.

see it in action…

easy air fryer apple cider donuts

makes 8 donuts
glazed air fryer donuts sitting on wire rack.

Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) can biscuits, such as Trader Joe's Organic Biscuits
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • sprinkles!

Instructions

  • Pop open the can of biscuits and separate them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sort through your condiments to find a long cap about 1 1/4 inches wide (mine was from a Sriracha bottle).
  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Use the cap to cut out holes from the center of each biscuit. (Be gentle so you don’t squish the biscuits).
  • Coat the air fryer basket with olive oil or coconut oil spray. Air fry the biscuits in a single layer (I did two batches of four), flipping halfway through, until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes total. Donut holes will take ~3 minutes total. Transfer cooked donuts back to the baking sheet.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple cider, and salt. Place a cooling rack over a second parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • When the donuts are cool enough to handle, dip them in the glaze, letting excess drip off before placing them on the cooling rack. Then, dip them a second time, immediately topping with sprinkles as you go before the glaze sets. Enjoy warm!
Recipe adapted from my air fryer donuts on The Kitchn; glazing tip from Sarah Kieffer.

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