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These adorable Air Fryer Christmas Donuts make holiday mornings extra cheerful and are one of my easiest festive treats. Using canned biscuit dough and colorful toppings means you can create a fun breakfast or party snack without any fuss. You get all the magic of homemade donuts in under fifteen minutes—no fancy equipment or deep frying needed.
I started making these on Christmas morning to distract my kids while presents waited under the tree. Now it is a family tradition everyone looks forward to and the decorating has become the best part.
Ingredients
- Grands Homestyle Biscuits: using a quality refrigerated biscuit keeps the donuts fluffy and soft inside
- Salted Butter: brushed on top for golden color and rich flavor I find real butter delivers the best taste
- Red Icing: festive and eye catching use a gel-based for vibrant color
- Green Icing: classic Christmas tone choose a brand that melts smoothly
- White Icing: gives snowy contrast opt for a thick variety for spreading
- Chocolate Icing: adds rich depth and acts as a tasty base for toppings
- Whole Milk: a splash helps make the icing just loose enough for dipping I recommend whole for a creamy finish
- Sprinkles: brings sparkle and crunch go for assorted shapes and sizes
- Candy Cane Crumbles: add minty crunch crush fresh for bold flavor
- Sugar Pearls: wintry touch with a lovely sheen perfect for a holiday look
- White Icing as a drizzle: ties it all together in a snowy effect
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make Donut Shapes:
- Use a bottle cap large piping tip or a small knife to cut the centers out of each biscuit creating classic donut rings and keep the edges even so the donuts puff up evenly when they cook
- Prep the Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to three hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit and spray the basket lightly with nonstick spray this helps prevent sticking
- Brush and Arrange:
- Brush melted salted butter over the tops of the raw biscuit donuts then place them in the basket two inches apart work in batches if needed so each donut has room to rise and brown
- Cook the Donuts:
- Air fry for six minutes until the donuts are golden and puffed the kitchen will smell incredible set aside on parchment for cooling
- Prepare the Icings:
- Scoop each color icing into a separate microwave safe bowl heat in thirty second bursts stirring until smooth then mix in a tablespoon of milk to melt and thin it for dipping
- Dip and Decorate:
- Dip the top of each cooled donut into your icing color of choice set back on parchment and quickly add sprinkles candy cane crumbles sugar pearls or more white icing before the base sets
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My favorite part is always the decorating I love watching little hands pile on candy cane bits and colorful sugar It reminds me of how food can bring people together no matter your age
Storage Tips
These donuts are best enjoyed fresh for that perfect fluffy bite but if you have extras store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to twenty four hours If you want to make ahead air fry the donuts first and decorate right before serving for the best results The icing may soften if left overnight but a quick chill helps set it again
Ingredient Substitutions
If you cannot find Grands Homestyle Biscuits any store brand or variety of canned biscuit dough works in this recipe For a dairy free version use plant based butter and non dairy milk For colorful icing swap in melted white chocolate or tinted cream cheese frosting
Serving Suggestions
Pile these on a festive platter for Christmas breakfast a brunch buffet or even as a surprise treat in lunchboxes They also work beautifully as a make your own donut bar with everyone choosing their own toppings To take them over the top serve with hot cocoa or spiced cider
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Cultural Context
Transforming humble ingredients into a show stopping treat is a classic holiday tradition in many homes These donuts deliver all the bakery joy of classic Christmas morning but in a modern creative way The tradition of sharing sweet pastries on special occasions goes back centuries and donut decorating is now a treasured ritual in our family too
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use other biscuit dough brands?
Yes, any refrigerated biscuit dough will work. Just watch the cook time, as thickness can vary by brand.
- → How do I prevent donuts from sticking to the basket?
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray before adding the biscuit rounds to avoid sticking.
- → What if I don’t have colored icing?
You can use plain white icing or tint your own with food coloring for festive red and green shades.
- → How can I achieve even cooking?
Place donuts about 2 inches apart in the basket and cook in batches to allow air circulation and even browning.
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
They’re best enjoyed fresh, but you can air fry ahead and decorate just before serving for best texture and look.