If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into soft, fluffy donuts bursting with sweet jelly, then this Air Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe is your new go-to treat. It’s a brilliant twist on a classic favorite that uses refrigerated biscuit dough to make your donut-making life so much easier and faster. Thanks to the magic of the air fryer, you get perfectly golden, pillowy donuts with a lightly crisp exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth center, all filled with luscious raspberry jelly. These donuts feel indulgent but come together with surprisingly minimal fuss, making them the ultimate homemade delight to share with friends and family—or just to savor all by yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s great about this Air Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe is how straightforward and friendly the ingredient list is. Each component plays a vital role, from creating the tender, flaky donut base to coating each bite in irresistible sweetness and making sure the jelly filling shines.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough: Using biscuit dough guarantees a soft, airy texture without the need for yeast or long rising times.
- Melted butter: Brushing the donuts with melted butter adds richness and helps the sugar stick while promoting a golden color.
- Granulated sugar: This gives the donuts a delectably sweet, slightly crunchy coating for perfect contrast.
- Raspberry jelly: Choose a smooth jelly to ensure easy filling and a bright fruity burst in every bite.
How to Make Air Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350 degrees and generously spritz the basket with oil spray. This is crucial to prevent sticking and ensure even browning, setting the stage for donut perfection.
Step 2: Arrange the Biscuit Dough
Open the can of refrigerated biscuits and place them in a single layer inside the basket, making sure there’s a little breathing room around each biscuit. This spacing lets hot air circulate, helping each donut cook evenly with that signature air fryer crispness.
Step 3: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Lightly spray the top of the biscuits with oil and air fry for 5 to 6 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a gorgeous golden crust forms on top—soft and fluffy inside but with a slight crunch outside.
Step 4: Prepare the Jelly Filling
While the donuts cook, spoon the raspberry jelly into a piping bag fitted with a long, narrow tip like a Bismarck tip. This makes filling the donuts a breeze and keeps the jelly contained where it belongs: right inside each fluffy treat.
Step 5: Butter Dip and Sugar Coating
Once the donuts are golden and puffed, quickly dunk each one into melted butter to infuse them with a buttery richness. Then, roll the buttered donuts in granulated sugar—this coating not only tastes heavenly but also adds a lovely texture.
Step 6: Inject the Jelly
Take your prepared piping bag and insert the tip into the center of each donut. Gently squeeze so the delicious raspberry jelly fills the donut’s heart. Serve immediately—warm, gooey, and utterly irresistible.
How to Serve Air Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to add an extra touch of charm, dust the donuts lightly with powdered sugar or a cinnamon-sugar blend for a warming, aromatic finish. Fresh berries alongside can add a lovely pop of color and freshness that pairs beautifully with the jelly filling.
Side Dishes
These donuts shine on their own but also pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk. For a playful brunch setup, consider serving them with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate the experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few donuts on a pretty cake stand or arrange them neatly on a vintage platter to impress guests visually. You might also serve them with small ramekins of extra jelly or melted chocolate for dipping—because who wouldn’t want a little extra indulgence?
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This helps maintain the softness of the donuts while keeping the jelly fresh and delightful.
Freezing
To enjoy these donuts later, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet and then transfer to a sealed freezer-safe bag. They can last up to 2 months this way without losing much of their goodness—making this Air Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe perfect for prepping ahead.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen donuts, simply warm them in your air fryer for a few minutes at 320 degrees. This quick reheat brings back their fresh-baked texture and gooey jelly filling beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of refrigerated?
Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough works just as well and can give your donuts a lovely personal touch. Just be sure your dough is slightly chilled so it holds together when air frying.
What are some other jelly flavors I can use?
The recipe is versatile—nothing’s stopping you from using grape, strawberry, apricot, or even exotic flavors like mango or passionfruit jelly. Pick your favorite for a delicious twist.
Do I have to use butter for dipping?
Butter adds wonderful richness and helps the sugar stick nicely, but you can brush the donuts lightly instead if you prefer a lighter option. Another alternative is using a neutral oil spray, though butter definitely enhances flavor.
Will the donuts be greasy from the butter and sugar coating?
They do have a lovely buttery glaze, but the air fryer minimizes excessive oil absorption, making the coating perfectly balanced—sweet, slightly crisp, and not overly greasy.
Can this recipe be made without an air fryer?
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the donuts in a traditional oven at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or fry them in hot oil, but the air fryer is by far the quickest and easiest method with less mess.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyful about making homemade donuts, and this Air Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe brings that happiness to your kitchen in a flash. With simple ingredients and an easy process, you get soft, warm, and sugary treats filled with luscious jelly that feel like a celebration in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and fall in love with your new favorite homemade donut method!
PrintAir Fryer Jelly Donuts Recipe
These Air Fryer Jelly Donuts are a quick and easy homemade treat featuring flaky biscuit dough air fried to golden perfection, coated in melted butter and sugar, and filled with your favorite raspberry jelly. Perfect for a warm, indulgent snack or breakfast that mimics classic donuts without the deep frying.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 6 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (flaky layers or buttermilk biscuits preferred)
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup raspberry jelly (use jelly without fruit chunks for easier piping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spritz the basket with oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the Biscuits: Open the can of refrigerated biscuit dough and place the biscuits in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure there is space between each biscuit to allow air to circulate. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Spray and Air Fry: Lightly spray the tops of the biscuits with oil spray. Air fry the biscuits for 5 to 6 minutes or until they turn a golden brown color.
- Prepare the Jelly Filling: While the donuts cook, transfer the raspberry jelly into a piping bag fitted with a long tip, such as a Bismarck tip, to facilitate easy filling.
- Butter and Sugar Coating: Remove the cooked biscuits from the air fryer and quickly dunk each one into the melted butter. Then toss them in granulated sugar to coat evenly. For a lighter option, use a pastry brush to apply the butter and sprinkle sugar instead of dunking.
- Fill the Donuts: Insert the tip of the piping bag into the center of each donut and gently squeeze to fill with raspberry jelly.
- Serve Warm: Serve the jelly donuts warm for the best taste and texture.
- Enjoy and Share: Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment to help other readers discover this delicious recipe!
Notes
- Biscuit Dough: Use flaky layers biscuits for better texture, but buttermilk biscuits are easier to fill as they hold together better.
- Jelly Choice: Choose jelly made from fruit juices rather than jam with fruit chunks for smoother piping and filling.
- Topping Options: Dunking in butter and sugar creates a thicker coating with more fat and calories, while brushing with butter and sprinkling sugar is a lighter alternative.
