Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer Boston cream donuts! I still remember the first time I made them – I was skeptical that biscuit dough could transform into something so light and pillowy, but wow was I wrong. The air fryer gives them this gorgeous golden crust while keeping the inside fluffy as a cloud. And that moment when you bite into one and the rich vanilla custard oozes out? Absolute magic.
My kids actually prefer these over bakery donuts now (crazy, right?). The best part? No messy deep frying or hours of dough rising. Just pop open a can of biscuits, and you’re minutes away from warm, custard-filled perfection. The chocolate drizzle on top makes them look fancy, but trust me, they couldn’t be easier. I love how the air fryer gives them that perfect bakery-style texture without all the oil. These have become our Saturday morning treat – one batch disappears faster than I can make them!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donuts Boston Cream
Let me tell you why these beauties will become your new obsession:
- No frying mess – Skip the oil splatters and greasy cleanup (your kitchen will thank you)
- Ready in minutes – From can to custard-filled in under 20 minutes (breakfast emergencies solved!)
- Foolproof texture – The air fryer gives that perfect crisp outside while keeping them cloud-soft inside
- Custard surprise – That first bite revealing the creamy center never gets old (trust me on this)
- Chocolate magic – The drizzle hardens just enough to give that satisfying snap
Seriously, they’re so good my neighbors start “dropping by” when they smell them cooking!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Donuts Boston Cream
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these dreamy donuts – and yes, I’ve learned the hard way that these specific ingredients matter:
- 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough – the regular kind, not flaky or grands (more on why below!)
- 1/2 cup vanilla custard or pudding – chilled until it’s nice and thick (you’ll thank me when piping)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – my secret for that perfect drizzle consistency
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or butter – melted (this makes the chocolate glossy and sets beautifully)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Listen, I’ve tried every shortcut and swap imaginable – here’s what works: Standard biscuit dough is crucial (the grands puff up too much and become bready). For the custard, instant pudding works in a pinch, but make sure it’s chilled stiff or it’ll leak everywhere. Chocolate chips can be dark or milk – I actually love mixing both! Butter works if you don’t have coconut oil, but the oil gives that perfect snap when the chocolate sets.
Equipment You’ll Need
You won’t need anything fancy here—just grab your air fryer (of course!), a small cookie cutter or bottle cap for the donut holes, and either a piping bag or ziplock bag with the corner snipped off for that luscious custard filling. That’s it—easy as can be!
How to Make Air Fryer Donuts Boston Cream
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – transforming those humble biscuits into glorious Boston cream masterpieces! I’ll walk you through each step so you get that perfect golden exterior, fluffy interior, and gooey custard center every single time.
Step 1: Prep the Dough
First, pop open that can of biscuits (that sound never gets old, does it?). Separate them and lay them out on a clean surface. Now grab your small cookie cutter or bottle cap – press right into the center of each biscuit to create your donut shape. Don’t toss those little centers! They make adorable “donut holes” that cook in half the time – the kids love them. Just space everything out in your air fryer basket so they’re not touching – they need room to puff up beautifully.
Step 2: Air Fry the Donuts
Preheat that air fryer to 350°F – this is crucial for even cooking. When it’s ready, arrange your donuts in a single layer (I can usually fit about 4 at a time). Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway if your air fryer doesn’t have a rotating basket. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Warning: don’t overcrowd the basket or they’ll steam instead of crisp! The donut holes take just 3-4 minutes – pull them out when they’re lightly golden.
Step 3: Fill & Drizzle
Here comes the magic! Let your donuts cool completely – I know it’s hard to wait, but piping hot donuts will melt your custard into a mess. Once cooled, use your piping bag to inject the custard into the side of each donut until you feel just a slight resistance (that means it’s perfectly filled!). For the chocolate, melt your chips with the coconut oil in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each. Pro tip: let it cool slightly before drizzling so it doesn’t just run off. Use a fork to create those beautiful zig-zags across the top – the chocolate will set into that perfect bakery-style shell in minutes.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donuts Boston Cream
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), here are my hard-won secrets for donut perfection:
- Chill that custard! Room temp pudding turns into a runny disaster – fridge it until it’s thick like frosting
- Don’t overstuff – Fill just until you feel slight resistance (about 1 tbsp per donut) or they’ll burst
- Let chocolate semi-set before serving – 10 minutes gives that satisfying snap without being rock-hard
- Work in batches – Overcrowding leads to pale, doughy donuts (patience = crispy golden perfection)
- Save donut holes for last-minute filling – They’re perfect for taste-testing your custard!
Serving & Storing Air Fryer Donuts Boston Cream
Here’s the best way to enjoy these beauties: serve them immediately while the chocolate’s still slightly shiny and the custard is cool and creamy. If you must wait (who has that kind of willpower?), they’ll stay perfect for about 2 hours at room temperature. If you are looking for other donut recipes, check out this link.
For storing, here’s my trick: keep unfilled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Only fill them right before serving – this keeps the texture perfect. The chocolate drizzle stays nice and crisp this way too!
Air Fryer Donuts Boston Cream FAQs
I get asked these questions all the time – here’s what I’ve learned after making countless batches:
Can I use homemade dough? Oh honey, I tried – it’s way too dense! The canned biscuits have just the right lift to stay fluffy in the air fryer. Trust me on this one. If you enjoy quick breakfast treats, you might like this French toast recipe.
Can I freeze them? Absolutely! But only freeze the unfilled donuts. Thaw at room temp, then fill and drizzle when you’re ready to serve.
Custard alternatives? If you’re feeling fancy, homemade pastry cream is divine. Just make sure it’s thick enough to pipe – runny filling equals messy disaster! Understanding the science behind custard consistency can help ensure success.
Why coconut oil in the chocolate? It gives that perfect glossy finish and helps it set with a satisfying snap. Butter works, but the texture isn’t quite as magical.
Nutritional Information
Just so you know, these numbers are estimates – your exact nutrition will vary based on brands used. Per donut, you’re looking at about 210 calories, with 12g sugar and 10g fat. Not bad for such an indulgent-tasting treat! The biscuit dough keeps them lighter than traditional fried donuts while still satisfying that sweet craving.
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Donuts Boston Cream in 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 16 mins
- Yield: 8 donuts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make delicious Boston cream donuts in your air fryer. They are light, fluffy, and filled with creamy custard.
Ingredients
- 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1/2 cup vanilla custard or pudding
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or butter
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Separate biscuit dough into individual pieces.
- Use a small cookie cutter to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit.
- Air fry for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
- Let donuts cool, then fill with custard using a piping bag.
- Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil, then drizzle over donuts.
Notes
- Use a toothpick to check if donuts are fully cooked.
- Let chocolate set before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 6 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American