Air Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe
If you’re dreaming of a bakery-style treat without the fuss and mess of deep-frying, these Air Fryer Jelly Donuts will become your new obsession. With a few clever shortcuts and that unbeatable classic jelly-filled center, you get pillowy-soft donuts boasting a golden, sugar-dusted exterior—all with a tiny fraction of the effort. Trust me, once you try this delightfully easy recipe, “homemade” will forever trump the bakery case!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Air Fryer Jelly Donuts lies in their simplicity—you only need a few kitchen staples, and each plays an essential role in flavor and texture. Here’s what makes these donuts sing:
- Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: The ultimate shortcut! It puffs beautifully and turns irresistibly fluffy in the air fryer, making it perfect for donut hacking.
- Melted Butter: A quick dunk brings that classic, buttery richness and helps the sugar coating stick perfectly.
- Granulated Sugar: Essential for that classic sparkly finish and a delightful crunch with each bite.
- Raspberry Jelly: The soul of a jelly donut! Its tangy, sweet punch balances every fluffy, buttery morsel. Opt for seedless for a smooth filling, or keep the seeds for a pop of texture.
- Oil Spray: Just a touch to keep things nonstick and encourage that golden coloring without any greasy residue.
How to Make Air Fryer Jelly Donuts
Step 1: Prep the Air Fryer
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350 degrees, which ensures a crisp, evenly golden result. While it heats, lightly spritz the basket with oil spray, setting the stage for perfect nonstick donuts and easy cleanup after the fun.
Step 2: Arrange the Biscuits
Pop open your can of refrigerated biscuit dough (always a little thrill) and arrange the biscuits in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Be sure to leave some space between each—not only does this help them puff into individual beauties, but it also lets the hot air do all the magic. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, don’t sweat it. Simply work in batches so every donut gets its turn.
Step 3: Spray for Golden Goodness
Now, go ahead and give the tops of the biscuits a light mist of oil spray. This tiny amount helps them brown to perfection in the air fryer without turning greasy, and helps add that bakery-shop appeal to each bite.
Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection
Set your timer for 5-6 minutes and let the air fryer work its wonders. You’re looking for donuts with a gorgeous golden brown exterior and a pillowy soft inside. They’ll puff right up in this short time, filling your kitchen with tantalizing aromas.
Step 5: Get the Jelly Ready
While your donuts are puffing and browning, scoop your raspberry jelly into a piping bag fitted with a long tip—if you have a Bismarck tip, this is its moment! It makes filling the donuts a breeze, ensuring a generous bit of jelly in every bite. If you don’t have one, improvise with a zip-top bag with a corner snipped and gently poke a hole with a straw or chopstick first.
Step 6: Dunk in Butter
As soon as your donuts come out of the air fryer, give each one a quick dunk in melted butter. This helps lock in moisture, delivers that signature rich flavor, and preps them for their sweet coating.
Step 7: Coat with Sugar
Toss those buttered donuts in granulated sugar while they’re still warm. This ensures the sugar sticks beautifully, giving you a sparkly, blissful finish and a hint of sweet crunch with every bite.
Step 8: Fill with Jelly
Grab your prepared piping bag and gently press the tip into the soft center of each donut. Squeeze in the raspberry jelly until you feel just enough resistance—meaning they’re delightfully filled—but not so much that it bursts out. This step turns your fluffy biscuit rounds into true Air Fryer Jelly Donuts.
Step 9: Serve Warm
These donuts are pure magic when served fresh and warm, oozing jelly and sparkling with sugar. Arrange them on a pretty platter and watch them disappear in minutes!
How to Serve Air Fryer Jelly Donuts
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, dust your Air Fryer Jelly Donuts with a shower of powdered sugar, a gentle drizzle of melted chocolate, or even a tiny pinch of freeze-dried raspberry crumbs. These simple touches make each bite look (and taste) bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair these dreamy donuts with a steamy cup of coffee, a glass of cold milk, or a creamy hot chocolate for the ultimate treat-yourself moment. For brunch spreads, some fresh fruit or a simple citrus salad balances the sweetness and keeps things feeling bright and fancy.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking your donuts on a cake stand for a centerpiece-worthy display, box them up for neighborly gifting, or thread them onto wooden skewers with berries for a whimsical donut kebab. However you present them, these Air Fryer Jelly Donuts always steal the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have donuts leftover, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. They stay surprisingly soft, but for best taste and texture, enjoy them as soon as possible.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted, unfilled donuts for up to two months. Simply let them cool, wrap each donut individually, and pop into a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature, then fill with jelly and coat with sugar just before serving for best freshness.
Reheating
Bring Air Fryer Jelly Donuts back to life by warming them in the air fryer at 300 degrees for 1-2 minutes. This gently restores their fluffy texture without drying them out. If they’re already filled and coated, let them sit at room temp for 10 minutes after reheating before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite recipe for fluffy biscuits, you can swap it in for an even more personal touch. Just be sure to portion the dough into evenly-sized rounds so each bakes up light and airy in the air fryer.
Which type of jelly works best in Air Fryer Jelly Donuts?
Raspberry is traditional and bright, but feel free to experiment with strawberry, grape, or even lemon curd for a twist. The key is to use a jelly that’s thick enough to pipe, so it won’t ooze out too easily.
What if I don’t have a piping bag or Bismarck tip?
No worries at all! Use a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off, and poke a hole in the donut with a skewer or straw before filling. It’s a simple fix that works like a charm for getting the jelly just where you want it.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
If you need a gluten-free option, look for a biscuit dough that fits your needs in the refrigerated section, or make your own gluten-free dough at home. The process of air frying and filling remains the same, so everyone can join the donut party!
Why are my donuts not browning evenly?
This usually happens if the air fryer basket is too crowded or hasn’t been preheated fully. Try air frying in smaller batches and turning your donuts halfway through for that magazine-worthy golden glow.
Final Thoughts
Homemade donuts have never been this easy or fun, and these Air Fryer Jelly Donuts deliver bakery taste in under 20 minutes. Share them warm with loved ones, get creative with the fillings, and don’t be surprised when they disappear before you can blink. Trust me, one bite is all it takes to make these a household favorite!
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Air Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Jelly Donuts are a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious treat at home. Fluffy biscuit dough is air-fried to golden perfection, filled with sweet raspberry jelly, and coated in butter and sugar for a delightful finish.
Ingredients
Biscuit Donuts:
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
Coating and Filling:
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup raspberry jelly
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees. Spritz basket with oil spray.
- Prepare Biscuits: Arrange biscuits in a single layer in the air fryer, ensuring airflow. Lightly spray with oil.
- Air Fry: Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
- Prepare Filling: Fill piping bag with jelly.
- Coat Donuts: Dunk cooked biscuits in melted butter, coat with sugar.
- Fill Donuts: Pipe jelly into the center of each donut.
- Serve: Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Ensure the biscuits are well sealed to prevent leaking during frying.
- Experiment with different jelly flavors for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Air Fryer Donuts, Jelly Donuts, Easy Dessert Recipe
