Air Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe

Imagine biting into a pillowy-soft, sugar-coated treat bursting with sweet, tangy raspberry goodness — that’s exactly what you get with these Air Fryer Jelly Donuts! This recipe is proof that you don’t need a deep fryer or elaborate dough-making skills to enjoy bakery-quality donuts at home. With a handful of simple ingredients and just a few minutes, you can whip up a batch of irresistible, golden delights that taste like childhood and weekend mornings rolled into one.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Air Fryer Jelly Donuts lies in a handful of humble ingredients. Each element has a role to play, from the fluffy dough to the shimmery sugar shell, ensuring your donuts are as irresistible as can be. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

• Refrigerated biscuit dough: This shortcut delivers instant pillowy texture and mild sweetness, making flawless donuts in minutes.
• Melted butter: Helps the sugar coat stick, and adds that rich, bakery-style flavor to every bite.
• Granulated sugar: Classic sweetness and crunch for the perfect coating — don’t skip this finishing touch!
• Raspberry jelly: Brings bright, fruity flavor and nostalgic cafe vibes right into the heart of your donut.
• Oil spray: Essential for getting that golden-brown finish and ensuring nothing sticks in your air fryer.

How to Make Air Fryer Jelly Donuts

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Air Fryer

To start, set your air fryer to 350 degrees so it’s ready to create that perfect golden-brown exterior. Give the basket a light spritz of oil spray to prevent sticking and to help the donuts develop their crave-worthy crust.

Step 2: Arrange the Biscuits

Pop open your can of refrigerated biscuit dough and separate the rounds. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there’s space between each one for air to circulate freely. This ensures every donut cooks evenly. If you can’t fit them all at once, don’t worry: work in batches for the best texture.

Step 3: Spray the Dough

Give the tops of the biscuit dough rounds a gentle mist of oil spray. This extra step helps them become perfectly crispy and turn that tempting shade of bakery gold.

Step 4: Air Fry Until Golden

Air fry the biscuits for 5 to 6 minutes, or until they’re beautifully puffed and golden brown. You want them cooked through but still soft inside, like a classic donut. Each air fryer heats a little differently, so keep an eye on them during the last minute or so.

Step 5: Prepare the Filling

While your donuts are cooking, spoon the raspberry jelly into a piping bag fitted with a long tip, such as a Bismarck tip. This setup is the secret to easily filling your donuts right down the center.

Step 6: Dunk in Butter

Once the donuts are hot out of the air fryer, quickly dip each one in melted butter. This doesn’t just add flavor — it turns the outside decadent, and it gets the donuts ready for their sugar coat.

Step 7: Toss in Sugar

Right after the butter bath, roll each donut in granulated sugar until evenly coated. The heat will help the sugar stick, and you’ll get that irresistible sparkle and crunch in every bite.

Step 8: Fill with Jelly

Gently insert the tip of your piping bag into the middle of a donut and squeeze in a generous amount of raspberry jelly. Be careful not to overfill — a moderate center of sweet fruit is perfect.

Step 9: Serve Warm

Place your finished Air Fryer Jelly Donuts on a serving platter and enjoy them while still warm and fluffy. They’re at their absolute best fresh, but trust me, nobody will mind if you leave them out for a few minutes.

How to Serve Air Fryer Jelly Donuts

Garnishes

Upgrade your Air Fryer Jelly Donuts with a dusting of powdered sugar or a handful of fresh raspberries on the side. A sprig of mint adds a pop of color and freshness, making your snack look like it came straight from a bakery window.

Side Dishes

Create a cozy brunch plate by pairing jelly donuts with creamy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a bowl of fresh fruit. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, serve alongside a mug of hot chocolate, chai, or your favorite coffee for mornings that feel extra special.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, arrange donuts on a tiered cake stand at brunch, or pack them in a pretty basket lined with parchment as a picnic treat. You can even drizzle them with melted chocolate or add a dollop of whipped cream right before serving — party-worthy and endlessly customizable!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any Air Fryer Jelly Donuts left (and that’s a big if!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. The sugar coating may get a bit tacky, but the flavor is just as dreamy.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to a month — just allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving, and re-dust with sugar if you like.

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked warmth, pop your Air Fryer Jelly Donuts back in the air fryer at 300 degrees for about 2 minutes. Alternatively, a quick stint in the microwave (10-15 seconds) will bring them back to pillowy perfection, though the air fryer will help maintain their crispy edges.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of jelly or jam?

Absolutely! Any fruit jelly or jam you love will work beautifully — try strawberry, blackberry, or even lemon curd for an elegant twist on classic Air Fryer Jelly Donuts.

Do I have to use biscuit dough, or can I make my own?

You can definitely use homemade dough if you prefer, but biscuit dough is the ultimate shortcut without sacrificing fluffiness or flavor. It’s what makes these donuts ready in a flash!

How do I prevent the donuts from sticking to the air fryer basket?

A generous but even spritz of oil spray on the air fryer basket and the tops of the biscuits keeps everything from sticking and helps achieve that gorgeous golden crust on each Air Fryer Jelly Donut.

What tip should I use for filling the donuts?

A long, narrow piping tip like a Bismarck tip is perfect for this job. If you don’t have one, you can carefully poke a hole and use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off for filling.

Can I make mini versions of these donuts?

Yes! Cut the biscuit rounds with a small cookie cutter, reduce the cooking time by a couple of minutes, and fill with less jelly for adorable, poppable Air Fryer Jelly Donuts that are perfect for parties or snacking.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about making Air Fryer Jelly Donuts at home — they’re warm, nostalgic, and impossible to resist. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, this recipe guarantees smiles at every table. Give them a try and let your kitchen fill with the scent of fresh, sugary donuts. You’ll be amazed at how easy (and delicious) homemade can be!

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