📝 About This Recipe
These golden, pull-apart treasures take the classic American comfort dessert and transform it into a quick, air-fried masterpiece. Each bite-sized dough ball is drenched in melted butter and rolled in a fragrant cinnamon-sugar blend, resulting in a caramelized exterior and a pillowy, soft center. Perfect for a cozy brunch or a late-night sweet craving, these bites deliver all the gooey nostalgia of the oven-baked original in half the time.
🥗 Ingredients
The Dough Base
- 1 can Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuit Dough (16 oz size, such as Grands! or similar)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon (High-quality Ceylon or Saigon cinnamon recommended)
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (Freshly grated adds the best aroma)
- 1 pinch Salt (To balance the sweetness)
The Butter Glaze
- 6 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (Melted)
- 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar (Packed)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Pure extract for best flavor)
Vanilla Drizzle (Optional)
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar (Sifted)
- 1-2 tablespoons Heavy Cream (Adjust for desired consistency)
- 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup (For a hint of autumnal depth)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Preheat your air fryer to 330°F (165°C). Lightly grease a 6-inch cake pan or a heat-safe dish that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket with butter or non-stick spray.
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2
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
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3
In a separate small microwave-safe bowl, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, whisk in the light brown sugar and vanilla extract until the sugar begins to dissolve.
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4
Open the biscuit dough can and separate the individual biscuits. Use a knife or kitchen shears to cut each biscuit into 4 equal-sized quarters.
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5
Roll each dough piece gently between your palms to form a small ball. You should end up with approximately 32 small dough spheres.
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6
Dip 5-6 dough balls at a time into the melted butter mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
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7
Transfer the buttered balls into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Toss them gently until they are thickly coated in the spiced sugar.
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8
Place the coated balls into the prepared pan. Arrange them in two layers, but do not pack them too tightly; they need a little room to expand as they cook.
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9
Drizzle any remaining butter-sugar mixture from the bowls over the top of the dough balls in the pan.
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10
Place the pan into the air fryer basket. Cook for 12-15 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, check for browning; if the top is getting too dark, cover loosely with a small piece of foil.
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11
The bites are done when they have puffed up significantly and the sugar has turned into a bubbling, dark amber syrup. A toothpick inserted into a center dough ball should come out clean.
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12
While the bread cooks, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and maple syrup in a small bowl to create the optional glaze.
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13
Carefully remove the pan from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the caramel to set slightly so it clings to the bread.
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14
Invert the pan onto a serving plate or simply pull the bites directly from the pan. Drizzle with the vanilla icing while still warm and serve immediately.
💡 Chef's Tips
Don't overcrowd the pan; leave a few millimeters between the dough balls to ensure the hot air can circulate and cook the centers evenly. If you don't have a cake pan that fits, you can use a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil to create a makeshift 'bowl' with 2-inch sides. To prevent the sugar from burning, keep the temperature at 330°F; air fryers run hotter than conventional ovens and sugar can scorch quickly. For a savory-sweet twist, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the sugar mixture for a bright, citrusy aroma. Use kitchen shears to cut the dough—it’s much faster and cleaner than using a knife on sticky dough.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of warm cream cheese frosting for dipping. Pair with a strong dark roast coffee or a hot latte to cut through the sweetness. Top with toasted pecans or walnuts for an added crunchy texture. Serve alongside fresh sliced strawberries or tart green apples to refresh the palate. For a decadent dessert, serve a warm cluster of bites with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream.