Fluffy Air Fryer Donuts with Vanilla Glaze
Quick and fluffy donuts made from Pillsbury biscuits, cooked in an air fryer and glazed with a sweet vanilla coating.
Steps
- 1
Spray the Air Fryer basket with grape seed oil.
- 2
Place biscuits on a work surface. Use a small round cutter to remove the center of each biscuit, creating donut shapes.
- 3
Arrange 4 donuts in the Air Fryer basket (or as many as fit). Add the holes in the empty spaces.
- 4
Cook at 180°C (360°F) for 4 minutes. Carefully flip and cook for another 4 minutes.
- 5
Carefully remove donuts and let them cool. Repeat with remaining biscuits.
- 6
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and water (or cream/buttermilk) until smooth and glossy.
- 7
Dip each donut and each hole into the glaze, then decorate with sprinkles if desired. Serve immediately.
Shopping list
1 package Canned Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers Biscuits, Grapeseed Oil Spray (for air fryer), 1 cup Powdered Sugar, 1 tsp Vanilla Extract, 2 tbsp Water/sour cream/buttermilk, optional Sprinkles
Recipe story
Donuts originated in Northern Europe, where they were fried in fat and served at festivals. In the Netherlands, they are known as 'oliebollen' and eaten on New Year's. In Germany, 'Berliner Pfannkuchen' are filled with jam. In France, 'beignets' are popular in New Orleans. In the US, ring-shaped donuts became iconic due to mass production.
Ingredient Secrets
Vanilla
Vanilla, native to Mexico, was discovered by Spanish conquistadors who brought it to Europe in the 16th century. In Aztec culture, vanilla was used to flavor a royal cocoa drink. For centuries, hand-pollination was a closely guarded secret, and it wasn't until 1841 that a 12-year-old slave on Réunion discovered the method that allowed widespread cultivation.
