When you want a nostalgically delightful and surprisingly simple treat, air fryer jelly donuts are ideal! In minutes, you can enjoy fresh donuts oozing with your favorite jelly and coated in sugar.
These desserts are made with just 4 simple ingredients, so there is no complicated recipe or rolling out dough. And since these donuts aren’t deep fried, they offer a healthier twist on classic jelly-filled donuts.
Keep reading to learn how to turn a humble can of biscuit dough into a batch of homemade donuts, whether you are making Sufganiyah for Hannukah or want a simple and delicious dessert.
In this post, I’ll guide you step-by-step through how to make these easy treats. Plus, I’ll give you my best tips and answer all your burning questions.
Looking for more air fryer desserts? Try air fryer strawberry shortcake, air fryer apple crisp, and air fryer chocolate chip cookies!
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Southern homestyle biscuits: The star of the show, this pre-made biscuit dough is a time-saver that’ll give you fluffy, golden donuts without the hassle of making dough from scratch. I use Pillsbury Grands, but I’m sure other brands work, too.
- Jelly: For that burst of fruity goodness in every bite. Use any jelly flavor you love.
- Butter
- Sugar
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Jelly Donuts
- Prep your air fryer: Spray the basket with cooking spray or line it with a parchment paper liner to prevent sticking.
- Biscuit time: Pop open that can of biscuit dough and place four biscuits in the air fryer basket. Make sure they have a little room to expand.
- Bake: Set your air fryer to “Bake” or 330 degrees, and let those doughy rounds cook for 6 minutes until they’re beautifully golden.
- Butter and sugar setup: Melt the butter while your biscuits are cooking. Then, get your sugar ready in a shallow dish.
- Jelly prep: Fit a long pastry tip or star tip onto your pastry bag, spoon in the jelly, and set aside.
- Donut Assembly: Once the biscuits are done, carefully remove them and repeat with the remaining dough. Use a knife and gently make a hole for the jelly – be careful not to poke through the other side!
- Fill and coat: Fill the cooked donuts with your chosen jelly, dip them into the melted butter, and roll them in sugar. It’s okay to be generous; it’s what makes them irresistible.
🍴Serving Ideas
Whether breakfast in bed or a whimsical dessert, these jelly-filled donuts are versatile enough to fit any occasion.
- Breakfast Bonanza: Serve them warm for a morning treat alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. They’re sure to start anyone’s day off with a smile.
- Tea Time: Pair these donuts with a pot of your favorite tea for a delightful afternoon snack. The sweetness of the donuts complements the subtle flavors of tea beautifully.
- Fresh Berries: A bowl of fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries adds a fruity contrast.
- Party Platter: Arrange them on a platter with other air-fried pastries like chocolate glazed air fryer donuts or churros for a party spread that guests will rave about.
💭How to Store
These air fryer jelly donuts taste best when fresh and warm. So I’d suggest only making as many as you plan to eat.
But if you have leftovers, put them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh at room temperature for a day or in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Give them a quick zap in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or a warm-up in the air fryer for a minute or two at 330 degrees to bring back that just-made warmth.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Dough Thickness: You need thick biscuits to stuff the jelly inside. So, homestyle biscuits work best.
- Filling Technique: When filling the biscuits with jelly, gently insert the pastry tip into the side of the donut. Squeeze the bag until you feel a slight resistance, indicating it is full. They should take 1-2 tablespoons of jelly.
- Use Jelly: Filling these with jelly, not jam, will be more straightforward. Jam is thicker and can get stuck in the piping tip.
- Sugar Coating: For a super-even sugar coat, put the sugar in a zip-top bag. After dipping the donut in butter, toss it in the bag and give it a gentle shake. You will get perfectly sugared doughnuts!
- Other Fillings: You can use this same basic recipe with different fillings! Try filling the donuts with lemon curd, vanilla custard, or pumpkin puree.
📝Reader Questions
If you make these in the oven, they taste more like warm biscuits with jelly. This isn’t bad, but they won’t have the fluffy texture you get from using the air fryer.
Be sure not to overfill the donuts, and create a deep enough pocket for the jelly. If the jelly starts to leak, it’s a sign you’ve gone too far with the filling.
Absolutely! If you’re up for it, homemade dough can be used. Just roll it out and use a biscuit cutter to make it into round shapes before air frying. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times may vary.
⭐Make this Recipe? Give it a Rating
Air Fryer Jelly Donuts: A Healthier Twist on a Classic Treat
Ingredients
- 1 package of homestyle biscuits like Pillsbury Grands!
- ½ cup raspberry jelly or your favorite jelly flavor
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil or use a parchment paper liner.
- Open biscuit can. Place four biscuits in a single layer into the air fryer in two batches.1 package of homestyle biscuits
- Cook on the “Bake” setting or at 330 degrees for 6 minutes.
- While biscuits are cooking, melt the butter and carefully pour it into a bowl. Then, pour sugar into a shallow dish or a zippered bag.½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Place a long pastry tip or a star tip onto the pastry bag, add jelly, and set it aside.½ cup raspberry jelly
- Carefully remove biscuits from the air fryer once they are golden brown. Repeat the cooking method with the four remaining biscuit dough.
- Use a knife to pierce the biscuit and create a hole for the jelly, making sure not to go through the donut. Put the pastry tip in the hole and fill it using medium pressure while, at the same time, drawing the pastry tip out. It should take 1-2 tablespoons of jelly.
- Then dip the filled donut into melted butter, coat both sides, and then toss it into sugar.
- Repeat steps 6-8 with the remaining biscuits.
Notes
- You need nice, thick biscuits to stuff the jelly inside. So, homestyle biscuits work best.
- You can coat the donuts in powdered sugar if you prefer.
- When filling the donuts with jelly, gently insert the pastry tip into the side of the donut. Squeeze the bag until you feel a slight resistance, indicating the donut is full. They should take 1-2 tablespoons of jelly each.
- It will be easier to fill these with jelly, not jam. Jam is thicker and can get stuck in the piping tip.
- For a super-even sugar coat, put the sugar in a zip-top bag. After dipping the donut in butter, toss it in the bag and give it a gentle shake.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
