Air Fryer Drop Biscuits: Can You Make Them?

Air fryers are a handy tool for baking drop biscuits, which are crispy on the outside and fluffy and moist in the centre. They are also a great way to avoid heating up your kitchen with a traditional oven. Drop biscuits are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients, such as flour, butter, milk, and leavening agents. The biscuits are formed by dropping spoonfuls of the sticky dough onto a parchment-lined air fryer rack or into a PAM-sprayed ramekin. After air frying for around 10 minutes, the biscuits are ready to be brushed with melted butter and served.

Air Fryer Temperature and Timing

The ideal temperature for cooking drop biscuits in an air fryer is 400°F. Depending on the air fryer model, the biscuits should be cooked for 7 to 10 minutes. It is recommended to cook the biscuits for 6 minutes, then flip and rotate them, and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. This ensures even cooking and a golden brown colour on the outside.

It is important to note that the air fryer should be preheated to the desired temperature before placing the biscuits inside. Additionally, the biscuits should be placed in a single layer, with space between them, to ensure even cooking.

For frozen biscuits, the cooking time will be slightly longer, typically around 12 minutes, and they should be flipped halfway through the cooking time.

When reheating biscuits, place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are thoroughly warmed.

It is worth mentioning that cooking times may vary slightly between different air fryer models and sizes, so it is always a good idea to start with a lower time and adjust as needed.

Ingredients and Preparation

Ingredients

The ingredients for air fryer drop biscuits are simple and you probably already have them in your pantry! Here's what you'll need:

• Flour – Use all-purpose flour (self-rising or regular). You can also add a pinch of salt if using regular flour.
• Baking Powder – This is the leavening agent that will make your biscuits fluffy.
• Sugar – A small amount of sugar (around 1 teaspoon) is usually added to balance the flavors, but you can adjust this to your taste.
• Butter – Use unsalted or salted butter, depending on your preference. Just remember to adjust the amount of salt you add accordingly. Make sure your butter is very cold, even frozen, as this will help create flaky biscuits.
• Milk – Whole milk, 2% milk, or buttermilk will work. Again, ensure your milk is very cold.
• Optional add-ins – For a savory twist, add shredded cheddar and garlic powder to the mix. You can also brush the tops of your biscuits with garlic butter after they're done cooking.

Preparation

Now that you have your ingredients, it's time to make your biscuits! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F. Some air fryers don't need preheating, so check your manual.
• Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix your flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt (if using) together.
• Add Fat: Grate your cold butter using a box grater or cut it into small cubes, then cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or fork. You can also use a food processor for this step if you're short on time.
• Add Liquid: Pour in your cold milk and stir gently with a fork until just combined. The dough will look shaggy and lumpy.
• Fold Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and use your hands to press it together into a rectangle. Fold the dough over a few times and flatten it with your hands to get it to a thickness of about 1 inch.
• Cut Biscuits: Use a round biscuit cutter (2 3/4" to 3" in diameter) to cut out your biscuits. Press the scraps together to use up all the dough. Don't twist the biscuit cutter as you press down, just push it straight down. This helps the biscuits rise and get extra flaky.
• Air Fry: Place the biscuits in your air fryer basket. You don't need to grease it or use parchment paper, but you can if you prefer. Air fry at 390-400°F for 9-11 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
• Brush with Butter: Melt some butter and brush it on top of your hot biscuits for an extra rich flavor.

Tips and Tricks

• Keep your ingredients cold! This is crucial for flaky biscuits that rise nicely.
• Don't over-handle the dough. Over-mixing and over-handling can increase gluten development, resulting in tough and dense biscuits.
• You want to see some butter pieces in the dough. During baking, these will melt and create little pockets of flakiness.
• Don't use a rolling pin to flatten the dough. Use your hands to flatten it after folding.
• Don't open the air fryer for at least half of the baking time. This helps the biscuits rise nicely.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these biscuits in the oven at 425°F for about 14 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
• You can also cook canned or refrigerated biscuits in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F and cook the biscuits for 11-13 minutes.

Biscuit Dough Consistency

When making the dough, it is important to mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Over-mixing the dough can lead to tough and dense biscuits. The dough should have a thick and sticky consistency. For drop biscuits, the consistency will be a little sticky, and there is no need to roll out the dough or cut out perfect rounds.

When adding the butter, it is important to use cold butter and mix it until it is about the size of small peas. This will create a flaky texture in the biscuits. You don't want to over-mix the dough at this stage either.

After mixing the ingredients, you will need to turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and gently press it together. You can use your hands to flatten the dough and get it to the desired thickness.

For cut-out biscuits, use a biscuit cutter to cut out the dough, and place the biscuits on a parchment-lined air fryer rack or basket. Make sure the biscuits are not touching each other to allow for even cooking.

The key to getting flaky biscuits is to keep the ingredients cold and to handle the dough as little as possible to minimise gluten development. This will ensure that your air fryer biscuits turn out tender, fluffy, and flaky.

Biscuit Shape and Arrangement

The shape of your biscuits will depend on the type of dough you are using. For drop biscuits, you can simply scoop the batter onto the air fryer rack or parchment paper. You can use the same spoon you mixed the batter with to create a rustic look. For a more traditional biscuit shape, you will need to roll out the dough and use a biscuit cutter. You can use a 2-inch biscuit cutter to cut out your biscuits, or a 2 3/4-inch cutter if you prefer a larger size.

When arranging the biscuits in the air fryer, it is important to leave some space between them. Place the biscuits about 1 inch apart, or 2 inches apart if your air fryer is large enough. This will allow for even cooking and browning on all sides. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to fit 4-6 biscuits in a single layer. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the biscuits in batches.

Reheating and Storing Biscuits

Air fryer biscuits are best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can also store them in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the biscuits in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 30 days.

To reheat, place the biscuits in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for about 2-3 minutes or until thoroughly warmed. Reheating in the air fryer will help them return to their crispy glory.

Frequently asked questions