Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Introduction

Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts offer a quick and easy way to enjoy classic fall flavors without firing up the oven. These light, fluffy donuts are coated in cinnamon sugar and brushed with reduced apple cider for a cozy, sweet finish. Perfect for a seasonal treat or a weekend breakfast.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 16.3 ounce can flaky biscuits
• 1 cup apple cider

Instructions

1. Step 1: Line a tray with parchment paper or set out a wire rack to hold the finished donuts.
2. Step 2: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon and set aside as the cinnamon sugar coating.
3. Step 3: Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat until it reduces slightly. Set aside to cool.
4. Step 4: Open the biscuit dough and separate the biscuits. Use a small round cutter, like a water bottle cap, to punch out the centers, creating donut shapes.
5. Step 5: Line your air fryer basket with a parchment round or lightly spray with oil to prevent sticking.
6. Step 6: Place four donuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they have space to puff up and cook evenly.
7. Step 7: Air fry at 350°F for 3 minutes, then flip the donuts and cook for another 3 minutes.
8. Step 8: Transfer the hot donuts to the prepared tray or wire rack and repeat the process with the remaining dough.
9. Step 9: While still warm, brush both sides of each donut with the reduced apple cider, then toss them in the cinnamon sugar to coat thoroughly.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately and enjoy your warm, flavorful air fryer apple cider donuts.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Use gluten-free biscuit dough to make the recipe gluten-free.
• Brush with melted butter before coating in cinnamon sugar for an even richer taste.

Storage

Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in the air fryer at 300°F for 1-2 minutes to restore crispness before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake these donuts instead of air frying?

Yes, bake the donuts at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.

What can I use if I don’t have biscuit dough?

You can use pre-made donut dough or a simple homemade biscuit recipe as a substitute, adjusting cooking times as needed.

Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 105 reviews

These Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts are a quick and delicious treat combining fluffy biscuit dough with a warm cinnamon-sugar coating enhanced by a reduced apple cider glaze. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a light texture and bursting with cozy fall flavors.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 8 donuts 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Donuts

• 16.3 ounce can flaky biscuits
• 1 cup apple cider

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare Serving Area: Line a tray with parchment paper or set out a wire rack to place the finished donuts on once they are cooked. This will help them cool properly and maintain texture.
2. Make Cinnamon Sugar Mix: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon thoroughly. Set this mixture aside as it will be used to coat the donuts after air frying.
3. Reduce Apple Cider: Pour apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer it over medium-high heat for several minutes until it reduces slightly. This concentrates the flavor and creates a glaze for the donuts. Once reduced, set it aside to cool slightly.
4. Shape Donuts: Open the biscuit dough can and separate the individual biscuits. Using the cap from a water bottle or any small round object, punch out the center of each biscuit to create the classic donut shape with a hole in the middle.
5. Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Line the air fryer basket with a parchment paper round or spray it lightly with oil to prevent sticking during cooking.
6. Air Fry Donuts – First Batch: Place four donuts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching to allow even cooking and puffing. If donuts are too close, remove one to maintain spacing. Cook at 350°F for 3 minutes.
7. Flip Donuts: Flip each donut carefully using tongs or a spatula to ensure even browning. Continue air frying at 350°F for an additional 3 minutes.
8. Repeat for Remaining Dough: Transfer cooked donuts to the prepared rack or tray and repeat the air frying process with the remaining biscuit dough, working in batches of four.
9. Glaze and Coat Donuts: While the donuts are still warm, brush both sides of each donut generously with the reduced apple cider glaze. Immediately toss them into the prepared cinnamon sugar mix, coating every inch to add that signature sweet and spicy cider donut flavor.
10. Serve: Enjoy your donuts fresh and warm for the best taste and texture. They pair wonderfully with coffee or tea for a cozy snack or breakfast treat.

Notes

• Ensure donuts have enough space in the air fryer basket to puff up properly for a light texture.
• Reducing the apple cider intensifies the sweetness and adds a delicious glaze—don’t skip this step.
• Use parchment paper rounds in the air fryer to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• For a crispier donut, you can increase air frying time by a minute per side, but watch for browning.
• Serve donuts immediately for the best flavor and texture; they may become less crisp when cooled.

Keywords: air fryer donuts, apple cider donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, quick dessert, fall recipe, easy donuts, biscuit dough donuts