INTRODUCTION
Easter Donuts in the Air Fryer are a fun and quick treat for spring. They use store‑bought jumbo biscuits and cook fast in the air fryer. They look bright and festive with green glaze, sprinkles, and mini eggs. This recipe makes a fresh batch in less time than baking. If you enjoy quick holiday sweets, you might also like these festive holiday desserts for another easy celebration idea.
This guide shows you simple steps, the tools you need, and tips to keep the donuts soft and pretty. I use plain language and clear directions so you can make these donuts with little effort. They are great for family fun, small parties, or a bright breakfast treat.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will love these Easter Donuts in the Air Fryer because they are fast, easy, and festive. The air fryer gives them a light, golden outside and a soft inside. You do not need to fry in oil or heat a large oven. This lowers mess and keeps the kitchen calm.
The recipe uses just a few store items and simple pantry staples. Kids can help with cutting the holes, mixing the glaze, and placing sprinkles. The green glaze and Cadbury mini eggs make the donuts look like a spring treat. If you like simple holiday baking with small steps, you might also enjoy making these classic Rudolph sugar cookies for another fun activity.
The final donuts are easy to share. You can make many in one day and serve warm or at room temperature. The glaze gives them a sweet showy finish that looks like a bakery treat.
HOW TO MAKE Easter Donuts in the Air Fryer
This recipe is short and direct. You will cut holes in jumbo biscuits, air fry them, and dip the tops in a green glaze. Half get sprinkles and mini eggs. Read the step list below and gather your tools and ingredients. Work in small batches to keep the air fryer space and heat even.
Preheat the air fryer if your model requires preheating. Use a small round cutter for the donut holes. Mix the glaze while the donuts cook so it is ready for dipping. Keep the glaze thick so it sticks to the donut tops. If the glaze runs, add a little more powdered sugar or cool it for a few minutes.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Air fryer (basket style or oven style that fits small items)
- Small round cookie cutter (for the donut center)
- Small bowl for glaze
- Whisk or fork for mixing glaze
- Cooling rack or plate for cooling donuts
- Shallow plate for glaze dipping
- Tongs or small spatula to move donuts in and out of the air fryer
Ingredients You’ll Need :
- 1 package jumbo buttermilk biscuits dough
- 1 package Easter sprinkles
- 1/2 cup Cadbury mini eggs
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3 teaspoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 drops green food coloring
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS :
Using a small circle cookie cutter, cut out the centers of all the biscuits. Depending on your air fryer’s size, place 3-4 biscuits into the air fryer’s basket, leaving about 1/2 inch around each one. Turn the air fryer on to 360F for 7 minutes. Remove the donuts from the air fryer onto a cooling rack. Reduce the time by one minute for the next batch of donuts since it is preheated. Repeat this until all your donuts and donut holes are cooked. While the donuts are cooking, combine the powdered sugar, two teaspoons of milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until you have a smooth glaze. Add in the food coloring until you have a desired shade of green. Ensure the glaze is thick enough to not run off the donuts, and if it is too thick, add more milk. Pour your glaze onto a shallow plate. Dip the tops of the donuts into the glaze, lift each donut straight up from the glaze to allow the excess to drip off. Add sprinkles to half of the donuts so you still see half the glaze. Place three mini eggs on half of the donuts with the sprinkles.
HOW TO SERVE Easter Donuts in the Air Fryer
Serve these donuts warm or at room temperature. Warm donuts feel soft and fresh. If you plan to serve them warm, place the donuts in a low oven (about 200F) for a few minutes to keep them soft while you finish the batch.
Place donuts on a platter with extra mini eggs and sprinkles around them. Use a paper plate or a pretty tray. Pair them with coffee, tea, or cold milk for a simple serving. If you are making them for kids, set up a small table with napkins and plates so they can pick their favorite donut.
STORAGE & FREEZING : Easter Donuts in the Air Fryer
Short-term storage:
- Keep donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between layers so the glaze does not stick.
Long-term freezing:
- Freeze plain cooked donuts (no glaze) in a single layer on a tray for 1 hour.
- Move frozen donuts to a freezer bag or airtight container. They keep for up to 3 months.
- To serve, thaw at room temperature and warm in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 300F. Then dip in glaze.
Note: Glaze and sprinkles do not freeze well. For best look, add glaze and decorations after thawing and warming.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve the donuts with simple drinks like coffee, hot chocolate, or cold milk. For a brunch table, add fresh fruit, yogurt cups, and scrambled eggs. For a kids’ party, offer a small bowl of extra sprinkles and mini eggs so kids can decorate one donut each.
If you want a sweet dip idea, serve a side of warmed chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping. You can also pair with a light fruit sauce. For a playful contrast, try a nontraditional pairing like a small jar of sweet and tangy sauce or a dessert sauce inspired by savory recipes like spicy chili sauce for those who like bold flavors.
VARIATIONS
- Lemon glaze: Use lemon juice instead of milk and add lemon zest. This makes a bright, tart glaze.
- Chocolate glaze: Mix 2 tablespoons cocoa powder into the powdered sugar before adding milk.
- Cinnamon sugar: Skip the glaze and toss warm donuts in a mix of cinnamon and sugar.
- Filled donuts: Use the cut‑out holes as small donut holes and fill the larger donuts with jam or cream after cooking.
- Colored glazes: Use different food coloring to make pink, yellow, or blue glazes for a varied tray.
- Mini egg top: Instead of three mini eggs, try one larger candy or a marshmallow chick for a different look.
FAQs
Q: Can I use regular biscuits instead of jumbo size?
A: Yes. Regular biscuits will make smaller donuts. You may need to cook for less time, so check after 5 minutes.
Q: Do I have to preheat the air fryer?
A: Not always. Some air fryers heat fast. Preheating helps keep cook time steady. If you skip preheat, add about 1 minute to the first batch.
Q: Can I bake these in the oven instead?
A: Yes. Bake on a sheet at 375F for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden. Check often so they do not overcook.
Q: How do I stop the glaze from running off?
A: Make the glaze thicker by adding powdered sugar or chilling it slightly. A thicker glaze will stick better.
Q: Can I use a spray or nonstick liner in the air fryer?
A: Use liners made for air fryers or parchment with holes. Do not use full parchment without holes, as it can block air flow.
Q: Are the donut holes cooked the same way?
A: Yes. Air fry donut holes for about 5-6 minutes at 360F. Check for golden color.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Easter Donuts in the Air Fryer
- Prepare glaze and store in a covered bowl for up to 24 hours in the fridge. Re-stir before using.
- Cut out the donut centers and store the raw cut biscuits in the fridge for a few hours. Let them come to room temperature before air frying.
- Cook the donuts ahead of time, cool, and store plain donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Add glaze and decorations just before serving.
- Freeze plain cooked donuts on a sheet, then bag them for later. Thaw and reheat, then glaze fresh.
Make these donuts when you want a fast, bright treat for the season. The air fryer gives you a soft donut with less oil and less time. Follow the simple steps above and enjoy a happy spring dessert.
Easter Donuts in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
Method
- Using a small circle cookie cutter, cut out the centers of all the biscuits.
- Place 3-4 biscuits into the air fryer’s basket, leaving about 1/2 inch around each one.
- Turn the air fryer on to 360F for 7 minutes.
- Remove the donuts from the air fryer onto a cooling rack.
- For the next batch, reduce the time by one minute.
- Repeat until all your donuts and donut holes are cooked.
- While the donuts are cooking, combine the powdered sugar, two teaspoons of milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
- Whisk until you have a smooth glaze.
- Add in the food coloring until you achieve the desired shade of green.
- Ensure the glaze is thick enough to not run off the donuts.
- If the glaze is too thick, add more milk to adjust the consistency.
- Pour your glaze onto a shallow plate.
- Dip the tops of the donuts into the glaze, then lift each donut straight up to allow excess glaze to drip off.
- Add sprinkles to half of the donuts and place three mini eggs on half of the donuts with the sprinkles.