Introduction
Oh, friends, do you remember those crisp autumn days, the smell of fallen leaves, and the irresistible allure of freshly made donuts? There’s something so wonderfully comforting about a warm, spiced treat, isn’t there? Today, I’m bringing back those cozy memories with a recipe that’s practically magic: Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts! Forget all the fuss of traditional donut making; this recipe uses a simple shortcut that will have you whipping up a batch of pure happiness in your air fryer in no time. Seriously, these are so easy, you might just make them every weekend!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready in under 15 minutes, from start to finish!
- Easy: Minimal ingredients and incredibly simple steps.
- Giftable: Package them up for a delightful homemade treat for friends and family.
- Crowd-pleasing: Everyone, young and old, will adore these warm, cinnamon-sugar delights.
Ingredients
Gather ’round, and let’s see what we need for these delightful little treats:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: The base for that classic sweet coating.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: The warm, spicy star of the show!
- 16.3 ounce can flaky biscuits: Our little secret! These flaky biscuits are the perfect shortcut to donut dough.
- 1 cup apple cider: This brings that authentic apple cider flavor and moisture.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get our aprons on and head into the kitchen! It’s going to be so much fun.
- Get your cinnamon-sugar ready: In a shallow bowl, go ahead and mix together your granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Give it a good stir so they’re perfectly blended. This is going to be our delicious coating later!
- Biscuit prep: Open up that can of flaky biscuits. Oh, the anticipation! Gently separate them from each other.
- Flatten them out: Now, take each biscuit and gently press it down with your hands to flatten it slightly. We want them to be a little more disc-like.
- Make the donut holes: This is where the magic happens! Using a donut cutter if you have one, or even a small round cookie cutter or the cap from a bottle, carefully press a hole right in the center of each flattened biscuit. Ta-da! You’ve got donuts!
- Preheat your air fryer: Get your air fryer nice and warm. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C).
- Air fry those beauties: Carefully place your donut-shaped biscuits into the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re in a single layer, and give them a little space – they don’t want to be best friends touching each other in there.
- Watch them turn golden: Air fry for about 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You’re looking for that perfect golden brown hue.
- Warm up the cider: While your donuts are doing their thing, pour your apple cider into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat until it’s nice and warm. Be careful not to let it boil; we just want it gently heated.
- Dip and soak: Once the donuts are beautifully golden, carefully remove them from the air fryer. Immediately dip each donut into the warm apple cider. Let it soak for just a few seconds to absorb all that deliciousness.
- Coat them up: Now, roll those cider-dipped donuts in your prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are completely and wonderfully coated.
- Serve and enjoy: The best part! Serve these warm, cozy Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts immediately. They are truly a taste of autumn heaven!
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling a little creative? I love that about you! Here are a few ideas to jazz up your donuts:
- For a richer flavor: Instead of just apple cider, you could try a blend of apple cider and a splash of apple juice.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to your cinnamon-sugar mixture for an extra layer of warmth.
- Glazed goodness: Skip the cinnamon-sugar and whisk together some powdered sugar with a tablespoon or two of apple cider for a simple glaze.
- Butter bath: For an extra indulgent treat, you could briefly melt some butter and dip the donuts in that before rolling them in the cinnamon sugar.
Tips for Success
Let’s make sure your donuts turn out absolutely perfect every single time. Here are a few of my favorite tips:
- Don’t Overcrowd: This is key! If you overcrowd the air fryer basket, your donuts won’t cook evenly or get that nice golden crisp. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Watch the Time: Air fryers can vary slightly. My first batch is usually a good indicator of how long your specific machine takes. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.
- Prep Ahead: You can mix your cinnamon-sugar mixture and warm your apple cider while the biscuits are chilling in the fridge or before you start the air frying process.
- Biscuit Quality Matters: Using a good quality canned biscuit will make a difference in texture.
How to Store It
These are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but if you happen to have any leftovers (which I doubt!), here’s how to store them:
Once completely cooled, store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They won’t be quite as crispy as when they’re fresh, but they’ll still be delicious! You can gently reheat them in the air fryer for a minute or two to bring back some of that warmth.
FAQs
Are these donuts like traditional fried donuts?
They’re similar in flavor and texture, but they’re made in the air fryer, which makes them much lighter and quicker to prepare! They have a lovely tender interior with a slightly crisp exterior.
Can I use a different kind of biscuit?
Flaky biscuits work best for that airy texture. Refrigerated crescent roll dough could be an option, but the texture might be a bit different.
How do I make them without a donut cutter?
No worries at all! You can use the mouth of a small glass or a bottle cap to cut the center hole. Just make sure it’s clean!
Can I make the cinnamon-sugar coating ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! You can mix your cinnamon and sugar together a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Just give it a quick stir before you use it.
Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- shallow bowl
- Small saucepan
- Donut cutter Optional, can use other round cutters or bottle caps.
- Airtight container For storage.
Ingredients
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar The base for that classic sweet coating.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon The warm, spicy star of the show!
Donuts
- 1 16.3 ounce can flaky biscuits Our little secret! These flaky biscuits are the perfect shortcut to donut dough.
- 1 cup apple cider This brings that authentic apple cider flavor and moisture.
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, mix together granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Stir well to combine.
- Open the can of flaky biscuits and separate them.
- Gently flatten each biscuit slightly with your hands to create a disc shape.
- Use a donut cutter, small round cookie cutter, or bottle cap to press a hole in the center of each flattened biscuit.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully place the donut-shaped biscuits into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they have some space between them.
- Air fry for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep a close eye on them.
- While the donuts are air frying, pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until warm. Do not boil.
- Once golden, carefully remove the donuts from the air fryer and immediately dip each one into the warm apple cider for a few seconds.
- Roll the cider-dipped donuts in the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Serve warm and enjoy!