Warning: These pumpkin spice-glazed air fryer donuts are addictive. Welcome to autumn where pumpkin spice recipes usher in a new season. If you love donuts and you love pumpkin spice, this combo is going to rock your world.
Wanting another fall recipe that I think you’ll love? Check out my easy and delicious pumpkin spice walnut muffins.
Pumpkin Spice Glazed Air Fryer Donuts
I love the change of the season. There is much anticipation when it comes to fall. The clothing, coziness, traditions, holidays and the flavors bring so much joy.
For Bible Study yesterday I was in charge of bringing a breakfast item. As it was the first day of autumn, I chose to make my tasty pumpkin spice scones. After making them, I realized I had made way too much glaze, but I didn’t want to just throw it away.
As I was contemplating what I should do with the extra pumpkin spice glaze, donuts were the first thing to come to mind. Knowing how much my family has enjoyed air fryer donuts using Pillsbury biscuits, I thought adapting them for the fall season was a perfect idea and a great way to use my extra glaze. A new recipe was born.
I am not disappointed.
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Ingredients Needed to Make Pumpkin Spice Donuts (makes 8)
- 1 can of Pillsbury Flaky Layer Biscuits – Butter Flavor (other flavors would work also)
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/8 cup sugar
- 1/16 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/16 tsp cinnamon
- 1/16 tsp nutmeg
- 1/16 tsp cloves
- 1/16 tsp ginger
- small amount of oil
Ingredients Needed to Make Pumpkin Spice Glaze
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1-3 Tbsp heavy cream, depending on the thickness desired
- 1 Tbsp pumpkin puree
- 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Donuts
- Open up your biscuit container and separate the biscuits.
- Stir together 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree, 1/8 cup sugar, and a pinch (about 1/16 tsp) of each: pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
- Pull apart the biscuit so you have two halves – like a hamburger bun.
- In the center of the biscuit, add a teaspoon of the pumpkin puree mix. Put the two pieces back together so you have a puree mix sandwich. No need to press down the sides.
- Using a 1 1/4 inch circle cutter, cut a hole in the middle of your donut.
- Repeat with all of your biscuits.
- Make the pumpkin spice glaze by combining all glaze ingredients in a bowl and whisking until smooth.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360.
- Brush a little bit of vegetable oil on the bottom of the biscuit to prevent it from sticking.
- Place in the air fryer and air fry for 4 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly, and then remove from the fryer with a metal spatula.
* Note: As a baker, I am a huge proponent of buying good vanilla
. I have linked to vanilla that has been verified as a top contender because of the proven quality of depth, quality of ingredients, flavors, and complexity. It will make a difference in your recipes! Trust me.
What should I do with the donut holes?
Air fry them and eat them up. They are just as good. You can dip them in the pumpkin spice glaze, or you can dip them in butter and cover them with cinnamon and sugar. They are a small bonus treat.
What are some other flavors of air fryer biscuit donuts could I do?
Your creativity is the only limiting factor. Our favorite is a classic air fryer donut dipped in butter and a cinnamon/sugar mixture. You could also make classic chocolate, maple, orange, vanilla, or raspberry glaze. Don’t forget the sprinkles. Brushing with butter and dipping in powdered sugar is another tasty option. A fun idea would be to do a chocolate or vanilla glaze and then sprinkle with Oreo crumbs or your favorite sugared breakfast cereal. Just writing out all of these ideas makes me want to have an air fryer donut party.
Are air fryer donuts better than fried donuts?
My husband and I definitely prefer the air fryer donuts. They are lite, tasty, fresh, buttery, flaky, and healthier than traditional donuts. I only didn’t add my kids as liking these better because they are not home to interview at the moment. That said, I do know they absolutely love them. The air fryer donuts disappear when they are around.
Could I make this recipe easier by not doing the inner pumpkin puree mix?
You could absolutely do just the pumpkin glaze without the sandwiched pumpkin puree mix, and you would get a similar effect. I like adding the mix in the center of the donut because I believe it carries the flavor through the entire donut.
How long do pumpkin spice air fryer biscuit donuts last?
These will last in a sealed container on the countertop for 2 days. You might be concerned because you see cream and half & half in the recipe. Sugar acts as a preservative, which prolongs the shelf life of glazes or buttercreams with a small amount of dairy.
What is the best way to eat biscuit donuts?
I prefer to eat them warm yet slightly cooled out of the air fryer. They are good after resting for a while too, but popping them in the microwave for 5 seconds will warm them up if you prefer them warm also.
Video Tutorial For Pumpkin Spice Air Fryer Donuts
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE PUMPKIN SPICE DONUTS (MAKES 8)
Ingredients
- 1 can of Pillsbury Flaky Layer Biscuits – Butter Flavor other flavors would work also
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/8 cup sugar
- 1/16 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/16 tsp cinnamon
- 1/16 tsp nutmeg
- 1/16 tsp cloves
- 1/16 tsp ginger
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1-3 Tbsp heavy cream depending on the thickness desired
- 1 Tbsp pumpkin puree
- 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Open up your biscuit container and separate the biscuits.
- Stir together 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree, 1/8 cup sugar, and a pinch (about 1/16 tsp) of each: pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
- Pull apart the biscuit so you have two halves – like a hamburger bun.
- In the center of the biscuit, add a teaspoon of the pumpkin puree mix. Put the two pieces back together so you have a puree mix sandwich. No need to press down the sides.
- Using a 1 1/4 inch circle cutter, cut a hole in the middle of your donut.
- Repeat with all of your biscuits.
- Make the pumpkin spice glaze by combining all glaze ingredients in a bowl and whisking until smooth.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360.
- Brush a little bit of vegetable oil on the bottom of the biscuit to prevent it from sticking.
- Place in the air fryer and air fry for 5 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly, and then remove from the fryer with a metal spatula.
Want More Great Recipes for the Fall?
Salty and Sweet Pumpkin Spice Harvest Mix
