Air Fryer Biscuit Dough: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, and they can be used to cook biscuit dough. The answer is yes, you can put biscuit dough in the air fryer. In fact, air fryers are a quick and convenient way to make biscuits, and they can be used to cook both homemade and store-bought biscuit dough. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of air fryer, but on average, it takes about 8-12 minutes to cook biscuits in an air fryer.

How to cook biscuit dough in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to cook biscuit dough instead of using a conventional oven. The air fryer method is quicker and easier, and you can enjoy warm, fluffy biscuits in just a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook biscuit dough in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Start by lightly spraying the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the biscuits from sticking. You can also use a sheet of parchment paper for easier cleanup. Cut the parchment paper to the size of your air fryer basket and poke a few holes in it to ensure proper air circulation.

Step 2: Arrange the Biscuit Dough

Place the biscuit dough in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket. Ensure they are not stacked or touching the sides of the basket for even cooking. Leave as much space between the dough as your air fryer allows.

Step 3: Cook the Biscuit Dough

Set the air fryer temperature to 330°F to 350°F and cook the biscuit dough for 6 minutes. Then, flip and rotate them, and continue cooking for an additional 2 to 4 minutes, or until the outside of the biscuits are golden brown. The cooking time may vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer, so adjust accordingly.

Step 4: Serve the Biscuits

Once the biscuit dough is cooked to your desired doneness, serve them immediately. You can enjoy them as a side dish, a breakfast sandwich, or with butter, honey, jam, or fruit preserves.

Tips:

• If you are using frozen biscuit dough, increase the cooking time to around 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
• For homemade biscuit dough, use cold butter and buttermilk to create higher and flakier biscuits.
• It is recommended to chill the biscuit dough in the fridge for about 15 minutes before air frying to achieve a tender and flaky texture.

How to make biscuit dough from scratch for an air fryer

Yes, you can cook biscuit dough in an air fryer! In fact, it's a great alternative to using an oven as it requires little to no prep and has a shorter cooking time.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt
• 6 tablespoons of cold butter
• 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons of whole milk or buttermilk

Method:

Firstly, heat your air fryer to 425°F (218°C).

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Cut the cold butter into cubes or thin slices, then scatter it over the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Create a well in the middle of the mixture and pour in the milk or buttermilk. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and sprinkle a little flour on top. Bring the dough together with your hands, adding more flour if the dough is too sticky.

Pat the dough into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick. Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter, and then rotate the rectangle 90 degrees. Repeat this process two more times.

Pat the dough into a rectangle between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch thick. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out your biscuits. Place the cut-out biscuits into the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one.

Cook the biscuits in the air fryer at 350°F for 6 minutes. Then, flip and rotate them and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the outside of the biscuits are a golden brown color.

Serve the biscuits warm with butter, honey, or your favorite toppings!

Tips:

• For extra flaky layers, press the biscuit dough into a rough rectangle and then fold the sides into the middle, like a letter. Repeat this process two more times, rotating the dough 90 degrees each time.
• Don't stack the biscuits in the air fryer. Leave a little space between each one to ensure even cooking.
• Different air fryers may require slight adjustments in cooking time, so keep an eye on your biscuits to prevent overcooking.
• You can customize your biscuits by adding flavors and ingredients such as cheese, herbs, honey, or cinnamon sugar.

Tips for cooking biscuit dough in an air fryer

Using the air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to conventional ovens, as they require less cooking time and can cook food more efficiently. They are also a healthier option, as they require only a fraction of the oil used in traditional deep frying.

Preparing the dough

If you're making your own biscuit dough, use cold butter and buttermilk to create higher and flakier biscuits. Chilling the dough for 15 minutes before air frying will also help to achieve a tender, flaky texture.

Cooking the biscuits

When cooking biscuits in an air fryer, it's best to place them in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the biscuits in batches. For most basket-style air fryers, there is no need to flip the biscuits, but for oven-style air fryers with multiple trays, you may need to flip them to ensure even cooking on both sides.

Temperature and timing

The ideal temperature for cooking biscuits in an air fryer seems to be around 330°F/165°C or 350°F, cooking for 6-7 minutes on one side and then flipping and cooking for a further 2-4 minutes, or until golden brown. However, air fryer models vary, so you may need to adjust the temperature and timing accordingly.

Preventing sticking

To prevent the biscuits from sticking to the air fryer basket, use a light coating of cooking spray or oil. Parchment paper can also be used, but it is not necessary and may affect airflow. If you do use parchment paper, be sure to cut it to the size of your air fryer basket and poke a few holes in it to allow for proper airflow.

Storing and reheating

Leftover biscuits can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or frozen for longer storage. To reheat, place the biscuits back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 2-3 minutes.

How to cook frozen biscuit dough in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen biscuit dough in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Preparation

Lightly spray the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This will prevent the biscuits from sticking to the basket. You could also cut a sheet of parchment paper to the size of your air fryer and place it inside the basket, poking a few holes in the paper to ensure the air can still flow easily.

Cooking

Place the biscuits in a single layer on the bottom of the basket, ensuring they are not stacked or touching the sides of the basket. Leave as much space between the biscuits as your air fryer allows.

For basket-style air fryers, you can cook the biscuits all in one layer, so they will cook evenly. You may need to flip them halfway through.

For oven-style air fryers with multiple trays, cook the biscuits in a single layer on one tray at a time, using the middle rack position. You may need to flip them. If you have a small air fryer, you will need to cook the biscuits in batches.

Set the air fryer to 320–350°F and air fry the biscuits for 6 minutes. Then, flip and rotate them, and cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown.

Serving

Serve the biscuits immediately, with butter and fruit preserves, honey, or jam.

Tips

• The cooking time will be slightly longer for frozen biscuits, typically around 12 minutes.
• You can also brush the biscuits with melted butter 2 minutes before the cooking time is up.
• Every air fryer is different, so monitor the biscuits 2–3 minutes before the cooking time is up and adjust the recipe as needed in the future.

How to store leftover air-fried biscuits

Air-fried biscuits are a quick and easy snack, but what do you do when you have some leftover? Here are some tips on how to store them to keep them fresh and tasty.

Storing Air-Fried Biscuits at Room Temperature

If you only have a few biscuits left over, it is best to store them at room temperature. Ensure the biscuits are completely cooled first, then place them in an airtight container, such as a plastic bag, plastic wrap, or aluminium foil. Push out as much air as possible to prevent the biscuits from drying out, and they should stay fresh for up to two days.

Refrigerating Air-Fried Biscuits

If you have a larger quantity of biscuits, or your biscuits contain perishable ingredients such as cheese, it is best to store them in the fridge. Again, ensure they are completely cooled, then place them in an airtight container, bag, or wrap. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing Air-Fried Biscuits

If you want to keep your biscuits for longer, you can freeze them. It is best to vacuum seal them to prevent freezer burn, but if you don't have a vacuum sealer, you can use a freezer bag, container, or wrap them tightly. Frozen biscuits will stay fresh for up to three months.

Reheating Air-Fried Biscuits

When you are ready to eat your leftover biscuits, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes, or until they are warmed through. You can also reheat them in the oven, toaster oven, microwave, or on a griddle.

Frequently asked questions