Orange Glazed Air Fryer Donuts

These Orange Glazed Air Fryer Donuts are so easy to make they almost cook themselves. They are topped with a sweet tangy orange glaze made from fresh OJ.

I was skeptical the first time I read that you can make “donuts” from refrigerator biscuit dough using the air fryer. I’ve made “baked” donuts, like my Cinnamon Sugar Sour Cream Doughnuts, but never donuts in the air fryer So, of course, I had to give it a try. 

My Review of Orange Glazed Air Fryer Donuts

If you follow me, you know that I usually rave about the flavors, the ingredients, and the seasoning I use in all my recipes…because I like how they turn out. 

For this recipe, I’ll be honest, I am a bit hesitant in calling this a “donut” other than they look like donuts and donut holes. They taste like sweet biscuits because that’s what they are; sweet biscuits dipped in a sweet and tangy orange glaze. And the good news is that they taste really good! 

I am sharing this because you need to try this recipe if you have an air fryer. I’ve actually made it several times myself because it’s easy, super-fast, and everyone loves them. 

Three Ingredients

1. Refrigerator Biscuit Dough – I recommend using the Sweet Hawaiian Role flavor of refrigerator biscuits. Sweet and delicious and it’s perfect for this recipe. 
2. Confectioners Sugar – I know it may sound like extra work, but I always sift my powdered sugar before mixing it. The reason I sift it is that powdered sugar absorbs moisture which creates small hard pieces of sugar. When you sift it, it leaves behind those small pieces and allows you to work with the fluffy sugar particles which create a smoother consistency.
3. Fresh Oranges – you will need both the juice and the zest for this recipe. 

Equipment Needed

1. Air Fryer – I own two types of air fryers, one that looks like a traditional air fryer with a large basket and the other that is part of my countertop convection toaster oven. For this recipe, I used the countertop oven because it has a larger basket and I can see the biscuits/donuts cooking.
2. Cookie Sheet to place the biscuits on when cutting the holes and after they are glazed
3. 1-inch round cookie cutter to make them look like donuts.
4. A Microplane to zest the oranges.
5. Fork to flip the donuts – The air fryer gets really hot so I use a fork instead of burning my fingers when it’s time to flop them. You could also use a chopstick.
6. A dish and whisk to mix the glaze.

Let’s Make Air Fryer Orange Glazed Donuts

1. After opening the biscuit tube, separate the individual biscuits and place them on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. 
2. Use a small round cookie cutter to cut the donut holes. 
3. Cook the donuts and the holes for 2-3 minutes on each side in a 350° air fryer.
4. Mix the confectioners’ sugar, orange juice, and orange zest.
5. Dip each donut and donut hole into the glaze. 
6. Let them dry for 20 minutes and then dip them each into the glaze a second time. 

Krazy Kitchen Mom Tips

1. Be sure to preheat the air fryer before using it. For this recipe, I preheated it for about 5 minutes. 
2. Be very careful when flipping the donuts. The air fryer gets really hot which is why I use a fork to flip them. You can also use chopsticks to flip them. 
3. Make sure that the donuts are completely cooled before you dip them into the glaze. 
4. Store the donuts on a plate, covered with plastic wrap for up to three days. 
5. I do not recommend freezing the cooked donuts. 

More KKM Air Fryer Recipes

1. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites – Crispy little pieces of cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce. Healthy and delicious!
2. Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls – perfect on salads, on a cheese board, or as a snack.
3. Air Fryer Salmon Patties – no need to pan-fry salmon patties in oil when you can air fry them – a much healthier version.
4.  Air Fryer French Toast Sticks – your family is going to love this easy and convenient way to eat French Toast.
5. Air Fryer Asian-Style Pork Wontons – just like carry-out.