How to Make Easy Canned Biscuit Donuts + Glazes

Name: How to Make Easy Canned Biscuit Donuts + Glazes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 can of Pillsbury Grands Biscuits; 2 tbsp butter; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 2-3 tbsp milk; 3/4 cup powdered sugar; 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1–2 tbsp milk; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Published OnApril 18, 2016March 12, 2024 Updated onMarch 12, 2024

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Grab a can of large biscuits and learn how to make easy canned biscuit donuts with vanilla and chocolate glaze and delicious biscuit donut holes with cinnamon sugar. Deep fry, bake, or air fry them in just a few minutes time!

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How to Make Easy Canned Biscuit Donuts + Glazes

Love donuts? Love biscuits?

Then hold onto your hats for today’s simple and delicious recipe – Easy Canned Biscuit Donuts.

Canned biscuit donuts are pretty much one of the greatest food inventions ever, and they’re incredibly easy to make.

Made with a can of biscuits, biscuit donuts feature a light and crispy golden outside with a pillowy soft and fluffy texture on the inside that is oh so delicious.

Best of all, you can make these delightfully delicious biscuit donuts in just a few minutes time and just like my very popular Cake Mix Donuts, you can decorate and flavor them so many different ways.

Today I’m sharing how to make these easy canned biscuit donuts and sharing my three favorite donut glazes/toppings including original, chocolate icing, and a simple cinnamon sugar coating.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make donuts from biscuits in a can, then keep reading and add this biscuit donut recipe to your to-do list ASAP.

You can also watch my complete Youtube video tutorial over here.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube Channel for weekly recipe videos!

Popular Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love:

Mouthwatering Canned Biscuit Donuts

These canned biscuit donuts really couldn’t be more simple to make!

You only need one main ingredient- canned biscuit donuts, and the rest is up to you depending on how you want to dress them up.

These canned biscuit donuts are also great because you can deep fry them, bake them in the oven, or use an air fryer to make them.

I’ve personally made them all three ways and find them all equally delicious!

Ingredients for Canned Biscuit Donuts

Below I’ve included a list of all the ingredients you’ll need to make these canned biscuit donuts.

I prepared these biscuit donuts with an original glaze, chocolate icing, and a cinnamon sugar mixture for my donut holes, but you can use whatever glaze, icing, or coating you want.

Be sure to check out some of my recommended topping and glaze ideas in the FAQ’s section below.

Biscuit Donuts Ingredients:

1 Can of Large Refrigerated Biscuits (will make 8 donuts and 8 donut holes)

Original Glaze Ingredients:

Chocolate Icing Ingredients:

Cinnamon Sugar Ingredients (for donut holes):

Recommended Equipment for Canned Biscuit Donuts

The main item you’ll need to make these donuts is a set of biscuit cutters.

This set is my absolute favorite because of the different sizes and I also love using it to make homemade cookies!

Our Favorite

Biscuit Cutter Set 5 Piece Set

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Below, I’ve included the rest of the items you’ll need to prepare your canned biscuit donuts.

Deep Frying Method – To make these canned biscuit donuts you’ll need either a Deep Fryer or Dutch Oven Pot. I also recommend using a thermometer and spider strainer.

Best Deep Fryer

Cuisinart CDF-200P1 Deep Fryer, 4 Quart, Stainless Steel

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Best for Multi-Purpose

Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Blue

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Air Frying Method – Prefer air frying? These canned biscuit donuts are easy to make with this Air Fryer.

COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE 5-Qt Airfryer

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Oven Method – Want to bake your biscuit donuts? All you need is a Large Baking Sheet and Parchment Paper

Nordic Ware Naturals Big Sheet, Silver

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Other equipment needed:

Canned Biscuit Donuts FAQ’s

Are biscuit donuts good?

YES! Biscuit donuts are so yummy!

The outside is crispy and golden and the inside texture is soft, fluffy, and chewy just like buttery biscuits.

What kind of biscuits are best for donut biscuits?

Large or “Grands” sized canned refrigerated biscuit donuts are best, and each can will make 8 donuts and 8 donut holes.

Look for regular, Southern Homestyle, or buttermilk biscuits, and avoid the layered ones.

They’ll still taste good, but won’t be as fluffy and soft in texture.

What’s the best oil to fry biscuit donuts?

I recommend using a neutral flavored cooking oil that has a high smoke point.

Canola oil, vegetable oil, corn oil, grapeseed oil, or safflower oil.

I prefer using vegetable oil to fry biscuit donuts since they heat up quickly and will make your donuts nice and crispy.

What temperature do I fry biscuit donuts at?

I recommend frying your biscuit donuts between 350°F–375°F for best results.

Can I make donuts without a thermometer?

I highly recommend buying a thermometer like this since they’re so helpful in the kitchen, but you can still make these donuts if you don’t have a thermometer.

Simply heat the oil until it bubbles when you place the handle of a wooden spoon in it.

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Test Method:

You can also use one donut as your tester to see if your oil is too hot or not warm enough.

Fry your donut until both sides are a golden brown and then cut the donut in half. If it’s fully cooked (with no raw dough showing), then your oil is heated to a good temperature.

If it’s still raw, then you will need to lower your oil, wait a few minutes, and then re-test another donut until the donuts are frying evenly through.

How to Store Biscuit Donuts

When fried, these biscuit donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or sealed storage bag for up to 2 days.

I recommend cooling your donuts completely before storing, and when ready to eat, I recommend warming them in the microwave for 15 seconds.

Biscuit Donut Glaze and Topping Ideas

Original Glaze
Chocolate Icing
Vanilla Icing
Caramel Icing
Maple Icing
Cinnamon Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Sprinkles (add fun colors on top of glazes/icing for holidays and special occasions)
Chopped Nuts
Shredded Coconut
Chopped Fruit (Vanilla Icing + Chopped Strawberries is my favorite!)
Chopped Bacon (Maple Bacon = Heaven!)

Canned Biscuit Donuts Alternate Cooking Methods

The great thing about canned biscuit donuts is you can prepare them several different ways. You can fry them, bake them in the oven, or use an air fryer to make them.

Below I’ve included helpful instructions on how to make biscuit donuts in the oven and how to make biscuit donuts in an air fryer.

Oven

If you don’t want to fry your donuts, these biscuit donuts can also be made in the oven.

They won’t have as crispy as an outside texture, but will still be soft and delicious.

Tools Needed: You will need a small biscuit/cookie cutter, a large baking sheet, and parchment paper.

How to Make Biscuit Donuts in Oven:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F, cut your donuts, and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake for 10-15 minutes or until your donuts are a light golden brown.

If making donut holes, bake for 8-10 minutes or until they are a light golden brown.

Glaze and add toppings as desired.

Air Fryer

Another popular method to make these biscuit donuts is using an air fryer.

Air fryer donuts give you a similar texture to fried donuts without having to use oil, and they end up tasting delicious.

*Do keep in mind, this method can be a little more time-consuming than the other methods.

Tools Needed: You will need a small biscuit/cookie cutter, parchment paper, and of course an air fryer.

How to Make Biscuit Donuts in Air Fryer:

First, cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the air fryer basket and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.

If size allows, place 2 donuts and 2 donut holes in a single layer in your fryer basket.

Cook for 2- 2 ½ minutes, flip, and cook an additional 2-2 ½ minutes until both sides are evenly golden brown.

Repeat the process until all your donuts and donut holes are baked.

Glaze and add toppings as desired.

How to Make Biscuit Donuts and Biscuit Donut Holes in a Deep Fryer

Below I’ve included all the recommended kitchen supplies you’ll need to make these easy biscuit donuts, and step-by-step instructions on how to make them.

For a complete video tutorial, watch my Youtube video over here.

Recommended Kitchen Supplies:

Step 1

Begin warming oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you like to deep fry foods a lot, I recommend this affordable fryer which is super easy to use and mess-free.

Another great option is using a deep dutch oven pot like this, which is what I use for making my ultra popular Fried Apple Pies.

Step 2

Using a small round biscuit/cookie cutter, cut out the center of each canned biscuit to form your donuts.

The round shapes you cut out will be used for your donut holes.

Step 3:

In a microwavable bowl, begin making the biscuit donuts glaze by warming 2 tbsp butter until melted.

I prefer using my tried and true Pyrex mixing bowls, because I can mix, microwave, and throw it in the dishwasher afterwards.

Add in sugar, vanilla, and milk, stirring well until you have reached the desired smooth consistency. Set aside.

Step 4:

In a separate bowl, prepare your chocolate glaze by combining cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, and whisking together until smooth. Set aside.

Step 5:

In another small bowl combine the sugar and cinnamon you will use to coat the canned biscuit donut holes. Set aside.

Step 6:

Once oil has reached 375 degrees, begin frying your canned biscuit donuts in the oil two at a time, 1 minute per side.

Repeat until all large biscuit donuts have been fried. Once completed, add in all the biscuit donut holes at once and fry for 1 minute total, turning halfway through.

Step 7:

Place fried biscuit donuts on paper towel or cooling rack with a pan underneath to drain any excess oil.

Step 8:

Place large canned biscuit donuts into glazed icing one at a time, coating both sides well.

Using a tong, carefully place donut on cooling rack. Repeat until all donuts have been glazed.

Toss the small canned biscuit donut holes in cinnamon sugar mixture, coating well.

Step 9:

Enjoy your delicious and easy canned biscuit donuts with your family or friends!

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How to Make Easy Canned Biscuit Donuts + Glazes

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Author: Cara Owens
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 8 donuts and 8 donut holes 1x
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 can of Pillsbury Grands Biscuits

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Instructions

Begin warming oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. If you like to deep fry foods a lot, I recommend this affordable fryer which is super easy to use and mess-free. Another great option is using a deep dutch oven pot like this, which is what I use for making my ultra popular Fried Apple Pies.
Using a small round biscuit/cookie cutter, cut out the center of each canned biscuit to form your donuts. The round shapes you cut out will be used for your donut holes.
In a microwavable bowl, begin making the biscuit donuts glaze icing by warming 2 tbsp butter until melted. Add in sugar, vanilla, and milk, stirring well until you have reached the desired smooth consistency. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, prepare your chocolate glaze by combining cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, and whisking together until smooth. Set aside.
In a small bowl combine the sugar and cinnamon you will use to coat the canned biscuit donut holes.
Once oil has reached 375 degrees, begin frying your canned biscuit donuts in the oil two at a time, 1 minute per side. Repeat until all large donuts have been fried. Once completed, add in all the donut holes at once and fry for 1 minute total, turning halfway through.
Place fried canned biscuit donuts on paper towel or cooling rack with a pan underneath to drain any excess oil.
Place large donuts into glazed icing one at a time, coating both sides well. Using a tong, carefully place donut on cooling rack. Repeat until all donuts have been glazed. If glazing with chocolate icing, dip one side into the glaze. Toss canned biscuit donut holes in cinnamon sugar mixture, coating well.
Enjoy your delicious and easy canned biscuit donuts with your family or friends!