Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts are easy to make using canned biscuits and there is no oil frying needed! These donuts are perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or an easy fall treat.
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Why I Love This Recipe
Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts are the perfect fall treat and can be made in under 30 minutes. Made from canned biscuits, this is an easy and inexpensive way to celebrate Thanksgiving, like my Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys, Halloween, or just a lovely fall day.
Air-fried donuts are also healthier than regular donuts so you can indulge without as much guilt. If you are looking for more pumpkin recipes, check out my Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Icing and my Pumpkin Spice Whipped Coffee!
How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Step 1: Place the biscuits on a non-stick surface like a silicone mat, wax paper, or cutting board. Cut out a pumpkin on each of the biscuit rounds.
Step 2: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 2-3 minutes and spray the basket. Add pumpkins without crowding, spray tops, cook for 3 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook for 3 more minutes.
Step 3: Place the powdered sugar in a mixing bowl along with the milk, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice and whisk until smooth.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 2-3 minutes and spray the basket. Add pumpkins without crowding, spray tops, cook for 3 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook for 3 more minutes.
What to do with the Excess Biscuit Dough
If you choose to cut out pumpkin shapes, you will have some extra biscuit dough. But don't throw it away! You can make donut holes or, if your dough is in the right shape, make some donut twists in your air fryer as well.
Just twist the dough in long spirals and bake the same way the pumpkin donuts are baked. I decided to coat my twists with melted butter and coated them in a mixture of 4 tbs sugar, ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Delicious!
Tools Needed to Make Air-Fried Donuts
If you are going to make your donuts pumpkin-shaped, you will need a pumpkin cookie cutter. Here is a set of 5 and I used the size that is 2.7" wide for these donuts.
And to be ultra-festive, you will need some fall-inspired sprinkles like these below. I've also found similar sprinkles at my local grocery store during the right time of year!
Different Types of Air Fryers
There are so many different types of air fryers out there now, and each one is slightly different. There are countertop air fryers, air fryer ovens, and air fryer attachments to name a few.
I use a Cosor Air Fryer and I love it! The only downside is it takes up a lot of counter space so you have to make sure you have room for it.
Expert Tips For This Recipe
- You can make these donuts in a pumpkin shape or just as a circle. Either way, these donuts are delicious!
- Dipping the top of the donuts in the icing at a 90º angle gets a nice coating all over the top. You may find that you want to dip the donut 2-3 times to get a thick layer of icing. Just make sure you put on the sprinkles right away after the last dip so they dry in the icing.
- Preheating the air fryer can make a difference. Preheating will help with even cooking and less wait time in the beginning. If you don't preheat, the first batch will cook differently than the next, etc.
- The non-stick spray makes all the difference when air frying! Make sure you spray the basket and biscuits before air frying so that nothing sticks to the basket and the outside of the donut gets nice and crispy.
- Use tongs when flipping the donuts in the basket. The air fryer gets hot and tongs are the perfect tool to stay safe.
- These Pumpkin Spice Donuts are best when enjoyed right away. However, if you do have leftovers you can place them in a sealed container in the fridge for an additional day.
If you get a chance to make these Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Equipment
- pumpkin cookie cutter (mine is 2.7 inch wide)
Ingredients
- 1 can large flaky biscuits
- 1 cup confectioners powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- fall inspired sprinkles
Instructions
Air Fried Donuts
- Place the biscuits on a non-stick surface like a silicone mat, wax paper, or cutting board.
- Cut out a pumpkin on each of the biscuit rounds. Depending on the size of your cookie cutter, you may need to gently stretch out the biscuits to fit the pumpkin shape. You can make donut holes or donut twists with the excess biscuit dough (see notes).
- Preheat the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F. Once preheated, spray the basket with non-stick spray. Place 4 pumpkins in the basket (or however many will fit in your basket so they are not touching) and spray the top of them with the non-stick spray as well.
- Cook for 3 minutes, flip, spray the other side, and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Remove the donuts from the air fryer and allow them to cool. Repeat with the remaining pumpkins.
Pumpkin Spice Icing
- Place the powdered sugar in a mixing bowl along with the milk, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice and whisk until smooth.
- Once the donuts have cooled, dip the top of each donut into the icing and immediately place sprinkles on top. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can make these donuts in a pumpkin shape or just as a circle. Either way, these donuts are delicious!
- Dipping the top of the donuts in the icing at a 90º angle gets a nice coating all over the top. You may find that you want to dip the donut 2-3 times to get a thick layer of icing. Just make sure you put on the sprinkles right away so they dry in the icing.
- Preheating the air fryer can make a difference. Preheating will help with even cooking and less wait time in the beginning. If you don't preheat, the first batch will cook differently than the next, etc.
- The non-stick spray makes all the difference when air frying! Make sure you spray the basket and biscuits before air frying so that nothing sticks to the basket and the outside of the donut gets nice and crispy.
- Use tongs when flipping the donuts in the basket. The air fryer gets hot and tongs are the perfect tool to stay safe.
- These Pumpkin Spice Donuts are best when enjoyed right away. However, if you do have leftovers you can place them in a sealed container in the fridge for an additional day.
What to do with the excess dough
If you choose to cut out pumpkin shapes, you will have some extra biscuit dough. But don't throw it away! You can make donut holes or, if your dough is in the right shape, make some donut twists in your air fryer as well.
- Always read the instruction manual that came with your Air Fryer and follow all safety guidelines.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Shilpa says
These are super cute. What a lovely idea to shape them like a pumpkin
Emily says
Thanks, Shilpa! I try to put those cute cookie cutters to use as much as I can😁
michele says
Pumpkin and spice are my fave flavours!
Emily says
Me too! I'm one of those crazy people who can't wait for PSL season! LOL
Jeri Walker says
These are super cute donuts! I love that it calls for biscuit dough; makes it really easy!
Emily says
These will be some of the easiest donuts you will ever make. Enjoy!
Tawnie Kroll says
Made these with my nephew and was so fun to make (and so yummy too!) thank you!!
Emily says
Oh, how fun! I'm glad you guys enjoyed them.😊
Giangi Townsend says
Easy and fun and wonderful idea to make with the little one. They sound amazing and will make them next weekend for a Halloween party, Thank you for sharing
Emily says
Thanks, Giangi. I know you will have so much fun making these for a party. Enjoy! 😁
Matt says
Love that these are healthier than regular donuts and not fried in oil. They come out great in the air fryer!
Emily says
Air fryers are seriously the best. I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Jess says
I love the idea to do these as twists. So fun and yummy!
Emily says
The twists were just as good as the donuts. Thanks for checking out the recipe!
veenaazmanov says
This is such a lovely idea. Looks very creative and perfect for a kids party.
Emily says
I can safely say kids will love these. My son asks for them all the time 🤣
Amanda Dixon says
Love that you can make these donuts in the air fryer! Makes it really simple and they're so perfect for fall.
Emily says
Thanks, Amanda. Air fryers are such a game-changer in the kitchen. Enjoy!
Catherine says
These were amazing!
Emily says
So glad to hear it, thanks for giving them a try!
Katelyn Theofanis says
Looks delicious! Excited to try these quick and easy donuts in the air fryer. And the clean up will be just as quick.
Emily says
I know you will love them, enjoy!
Will says
These are just perfect for this fall. Thanks!
Emily says
You are so welcome, Will!
Michelle says
Love how quickly these came together! The pumpkin spice really adds so much warmth and flavour!
Emily says
I agree! Pumpkin pie spice is like magic in a can. LOL! I'm glad you liked this recipe.
Amanda Scarlati says
The perfect treat for Fall!