Air-Fried Homemade Biscuits: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional ovens, and can be used to make homemade biscuits. The process is simple: combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, then mix in butter and buttermilk until a thick dough forms. Next, knead the dough and cut it into biscuits, before placing them in the air fryer basket and cooking at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. The result is a batch of golden brown, buttery, and flaky biscuits.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for making homemade biscuits in an air fryer depend on the type of air fryer you have, the style of the biscuit, and whether you are making them from scratch or using pre-made biscuit dough.

If you are making homemade biscuits from scratch, you will need to combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) and cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles small peas. Then, stir in the buttermilk until a thick dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it 6-7 times until the flour is fully incorporated, being careful not to overwork the dough. Form the dough into a circle that is about 1-co: 3,5>1.5 inches thick and cut out the biscuits using a 2.5-inch biscuit cutter.

For an oven-style air fryer with racks, it is recommended to cook the biscuits at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. If you are using a basket-style air fryer, you can cook the biscuits at 350°F for 6 minutes, then flip and rotate them and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the outside is golden brown.

If you are using pre-made biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, you will need to adjust the temperature and timing slightly. Coat the air fryer rack or basket with non-stick spray and place the biscuits in a single layer, leaving space between them for even cooking. For an oven-style air fryer, cook the biscuits at 330°F for 7-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For a basket-style air fryer, cook at 330°F for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until golden brown.

Biscuit dough preparation

To make homemade biscuits in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 tablespoons salted butter (cold and cubed) + 2 tablespoons for brushing
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (cold)

You will also need a large mixing bowl, a pastry cutter or fork, and a clean counter or board for kneading the dough.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 2: Cut in the Butter

Using a pastry cutter or fork, mix the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture until it resembles small peas. You may also use your hands to rub the butter into the flour mixture, but be sure to work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.

Step 3: Add Buttermilk

Stir the cold buttermilk into the flour-butter mixture until a thick dough starts to form. You may not need to use all of the buttermilk, so add it slowly and stir until you achieve the desired consistency.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Transfer the dough to a clean, floured surface and knead it 6 to 7 times, or until all the flour is incorporated. Be careful not to overwork the dough—you should still see small pieces of butter throughout, as this will make your biscuits flaky.

Step 5: Shape and Cut the Dough

Form the dough into a circle approximately 1 1/2 inches thick. Using a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out your biscuits and place them on a plate or tray. If you don't have a biscuit cutter, you can also use the top of a drinking glass or a similar round object.

At this point, you can also gather and reshape any leftover dough to cut out more biscuits.

Air Frying Your Biscuits:

Once you have prepared your biscuit dough and cut out your biscuits, you are ready for the air frying process. Here is a simple guide to follow:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Coat the basket of your air fryer with nonstick spray or cooking spray to prevent the biscuits from sticking.

Step 2: Arrange the Biscuits

Place the biscuits in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may fit 4-6 biscuits at a time.

Step 3: Air Fry

Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the biscuits for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

Step 4: Brush with Melted Butter

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and brush it on top of the hot biscuits as soon as they come out of the air fryer. This will give them a delicious glossy finish.

Your homemade air-fried biscuits are now ready to be served and enjoyed! You can serve them as a side, use them for breakfast sandwiches, or turn them into sweet treats with some cinnamon sugar or jam.

Biscuit shaping and placement

Firstly, after preparing your dough, transfer it to a floured work surface. Use your hands to gently shape the dough into a rectangle or circle, depending on the shape of your air fryer basket. The dough should be about 1-inch thick for a rectangle or 1 1/2-inch thick for a circle.

Next, use a biscuit cutter to cut out individual biscuits. A typical size is a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, but you can adjust the size as needed. If you don't have a biscuit cutter, you can also use the top of a drinking glass or a similar round object. Be sure to cut the biscuits as close together as possible to minimise waste and maximise the number of biscuits.

Once you have cut out your biscuits, it's time to place them in the air fryer. Lightly spray the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. If using parchment paper, cut it to fit the size of your basket and poke a few holes in it to allow for air circulation.

Place the biscuits in a single layer on the bottom of the basket, ensuring they do not stack or touch the sides. Leave as much space between the biscuits as your air fryer allows. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to fit 4-6 biscuits in one batch.

If you have any leftover dough after cutting out your biscuits, simply gather the scraps, roll them out again, and cut out more biscuits until you've used up all the dough.

Now your biscuits are ready to cook! Remember to follow the specific cooking instructions for your chosen recipe, adjusting the temperature and timing as needed for your air fryer model.

By following these steps for biscuit shaping and placement, you'll be well on your way to delicious, perfectly cooked homemade biscuits made right in your air fryer.

Reheating biscuits in an air fryer

Preparation:

Firstly, ensure your biscuits are at room temperature. If they are frozen, let them thaw first. You can also brush the biscuits with melted butter before placing them in the air fryer for an enhanced flavour.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (some sources suggest 325 degrees F or 390 degrees F) for 2-3 minutes. Place the biscuits in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for even cooking. Reheat for 2-3 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed, depending on the size of your biscuits. For frozen biscuits, the cooking time will be longer, around 10-13 minutes, and you should flip them halfway through.

Tips for Softer Biscuits:

If you prefer softer biscuits, you can place the biscuits on a large piece of aluminium foil before putting them into the air fryer basket. After brushing with butter, spritz the biscuits with a little water. Wrap the foil around the biscuits before closing the air fryer to seal in the moisture. This method may take a little longer.

Storing Leftovers:

Store any leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze them for longer storage.

Biscuit toppings and serving suggestions

Homemade biscuits can be paired with a variety of toppings and served in different ways. Here are some ideas for biscuit toppings and serving suggestions:

Savoury Toppings and Pairings:

• Bacon, egg, and cheese: For a classic breakfast biscuit, add some bacon, a fried egg, and a slice of your favourite cheese.
• Ham and cheese: Slice the biscuits in half and add a slice of ham and cheese. You can pop it back into the air fryer for a minute to melt the cheese.
• Sausage, egg, and cheddar: For a heartier breakfast sandwich, add a fried egg, a couple of slices of bacon or sausage, and a slice of cheddar cheese.
• Chicken and gravy: Try making a chicken pot pie with a biscuit topping, or simply pour some gravy over your biscuit and add some rotisserie chicken.
• Herbs and shredded cheese: Mix herbs and cheese into your biscuit dough for added flavour and texture.
• Butter and herbs: Infuse your butter with herbs like oregano or basil and spread it on your biscuit for a creamy and flavourful treat.
• Breakfast meatloaf: This chain restaurant-inspired idea includes breakfast meatloaf, a tomato slice, hash browns, and a fried egg sandwiched between two biscuit halves.
• Red-eye gravy: Pan-fry some country ham and brew a cup of coffee to make this gravy, which adds a savoury touch to your ham biscuit sandwich.
• Fried chicken: Use your favourite fried chicken recipe to make crave-worthy chicken biscuits.
• Tomato gravy: Put those extra summer tomatoes to use by making a Louisiana-style tomato gravy to pour over your biscuits.
• Gravy and sausage: This classic combination involves making a gravy with breakfast sausage and serving it over warm biscuits.

Sweet Toppings and Pairings:

• Butter and fruit preserves: This classic pairing is a perfect way to enjoy your freshly baked biscuits.
• Cinnamon sugar: Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on your biscuit along with a slab of butter.
• Whipped cream and fresh fruit: Top your biscuit with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and add some fresh berries or sliced fruit.
• Jams and jellies: Sweet jams and jellies are a great way to balance out the savouriness of your biscuit.
• Ice cream: For a dessert-style biscuit, top it with a scoop of your favourite ice cream flavour.

Biscuit-Based Dishes:

• Biscuit pot pie: Instead of using a traditional pie crust, top your pot pie with biscuits. This works great with chicken pot pie or a vegetarian option filled with vegetables like mushrooms, peas, broccoli, and carrots.
• Biscuit cups: Try making biscuit cups filled with eggs, cheese, and your choice of breakfast meat.
• Biscuit donuts: Cut a hole in the centre of your biscuit dough and air fry them. Coat them with cinnamon sugar or a sweet glaze for a tasty treat.
• Biscuit bombs: Stuff your biscuit dough with delicious fillings like cheese, bacon, or jelly.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations and get creative with your toppings and fillings!

Frequently asked questions