Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
These Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts are a quick and delightful treat that combines the warm flavors of cinnamon and apple cider with a light, fluffy texture. Using canned biscuit dough and an air fryer, this recipe makes perfectly shaped, soft donuts coated in a spiced sugar blend, delivering cozy autumn vibes with minimal effort and time.
- Author: Grace
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
Dough
- 16.3 ounce can flaky biscuits
- Prepare the Donut Station: Line a tray with parchment paper or set out a wire rack to place finished donuts on for cooling and coating.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon; set aside as the coating for the donuts.
- Reduce Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat for a few minutes until slightly reduced to concentrate the flavor. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Shape the Donuts: Open the biscuit dough can and separate each biscuit. Use a small round object like a water bottle cap to punch out the centers of each biscuit, creating the traditional donut shape.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Line the air fryer basket with a parchment paper round or lightly spray it with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry Donuts in Batches: Place four donuts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch so that they can puff and brown evenly. Remove any excess donuts if space is tight.
- Cook Donuts: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes, then flip the donuts over and cook for another 3 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Cool Donuts: Transfer the hot donuts to the prepared tray or wire rack and repeat the air frying process with remaining dough.
- Brush and Coat: While still warm, brush both sides of each donut with the reduced apple cider, then immediately toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to completely coat every surface.
- Serve: Enjoy the donuts while warm and fresh for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Using parchment paper or a wire rack allows the donuts to cool evenly without sogginess.
- The reduced apple cider adds a concentrated, tangy sweetness that complements the cinnamon sugar perfectly.
- For best results, ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow even cooking and browning.
- You can substitute the small round cutter with a bottle cap, knife, or any small circular object to make donut holes.
- These donuts are best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated briefly in the air fryer.
- This recipe uses canned biscuit dough for convenience; homemade dough can be substituted if preferred but may alter cooking time.
Keywords: apple cider donuts, air fryer donut recipe, cinnamon sugar donuts, quick donut recipe, fall desserts, easy homemade donuts