Air Fryer Biscuits: Baking Perfection?

Yes, you can bake biscuits in an air fryer! This method is quicker than using a conventional oven, and you don't need to preheat the air fryer. You can use either refrigerated or frozen biscuits, and the cooking time will be around 10 minutes, depending on the brand and style of biscuit. For best results, arrange the biscuits in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and flip them halfway through the cooking time.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature and timing for baking biscuits in an air fryer will depend on the type of biscuits you are cooking, the brand of air fryer you are using, and your personal preferences for doneness.

Canned Biscuits

For canned biscuits, preheat your air fryer to between 330°F and 350°F. Place the biscuits in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them if possible. Cook for 6-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The biscuits are done when the outside is golden brown.

Frozen Biscuits

Frozen biscuits will take slightly longer to cook than canned biscuits. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook the biscuits for 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Homemade Biscuits

When making biscuits from scratch, preheat your air fryer to 390°F or 400°F. Cut the biscuits into the desired shape and place them in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Adjustments

The temperature and timing guidelines provided here are general recommendations. You may need to adjust the temperature or cooking time slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size of your biscuits. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect settings for your air fryer.

Biscuit arrangement

When arranging biscuits in the air fryer, it is important to ensure they are placed in a single layer at the bottom of the basket. This is to allow for even cooking and to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking or burning. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the biscuits in batches.

For optimal results, it is recommended to leave as much space as possible between the biscuits. However, if the sides of the biscuits touch, it is not a significant issue as long as you rotate them during the cooking process. It is also crucial to ensure that the biscuits are not stacked and that they do not touch the sides of the basket.

Additionally, you can use a sheet of parchment paper cut to the size of your air fryer to make cleanup easier. Just remember to poke a few holes in the parchment paper to ensure proper airflow. Alternatively, you can use a light coating of cooking spray to prevent the biscuits from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Biscuit ingredients

The ingredients you will need to make biscuits in an air fryer will depend on whether you are making them from scratch or using pre-made dough.

From Scratch

If you are making your biscuits from scratch, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 6 tablespoons of salted butter, cold and cubed (plus an additional 2 tablespoons to brush on top of the hot biscuits)
• 3/4 cup of buttermilk, cold

Pre-made Dough

If you are using pre-made biscuit dough, you can use either:

• Refrigerated canned biscuits (e.g. Pillsbury Grands Biscuits)
• Frozen biscuits (e.g. Mary B's)

Other Ingredients

Regardless of whether you are making your biscuits from scratch or using pre-made dough, you will also need:

Cooking spray or non-stick cooking spray to coat the air fryer basket

Biscuit toppings

There are endless ways to top a biscuit, whether you're looking for something sweet or savoury. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Savoury Toppings

For a savoury breakfast option, top your biscuit with bacon, egg, and cheese. Alternatively, you can keep it simple with just a pat of butter and some fresh fruit preserves. If you're feeling adventurous, try making biscuit bombs by stuffing your biscuit with cheese, bacon, or jelly. You can also turn your biscuit into a breakfast sandwich by adding an egg, bacon, and cheddar cheese.

For a classic Southern dish, pair your biscuit with gravy. You can make traditional sausage gravy or mix things up with a Louisiana-style tomato gravy. If you're a fan of coffee, try making red-eye gravy with pan-fried country ham drippings and brewed coffee.

If you're looking for a heartier option, use your biscuit as a bun for a fried chicken sandwich. You can also add a slice of ham and cheese to your biscuit and heat it in the air fryer for a minute to make a delicious ham and cheese biscuit.

Sweet Toppings

For a sweet treat, top your biscuit with cinnamon sugar, jelly, honey, or a sweet glaze and sprinkles. You can also turn your biscuit into a dessert by adding melted butter and cinnamon sugar, or go for a classic combination of butter and jam. If you're feeling indulgent, spread some Nutella on your biscuit and top it with M&Ms.

For a fruity option, add a dollop of homemade whipped cream and fresh fruit to your biscuit. You can also make a biscuit bar with your favourite fried chicken recipe and a variety of sweet toppings, such as jams, jellies, and fruits.

If you're feeling creative, try infusing your own butter with herbs like oregano or basil for a flavourful and creamy biscuit topper.

Reheating biscuits

Preparing the Air Fryer and Biscuits:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) for 2-3 minutes.
• While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your biscuits. Slice them in half and spread a generous amount of butter on each half.
• If you prefer softer biscuits, place the biscuits on a large piece of aluminium foil and spritz them with a little water after buttering.

Reheating the Biscuits:

• Place the biscuits in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to ensure proper air circulation.
• If you want softer biscuits, wrap the foil around and over the top of the biscuits to seal them before placing them in the air fryer.
• Reheat the biscuits for 2-3 minutes, depending on their size and the desired level of warmth.
• If you're reheating frozen biscuits, increase the cooking time to 10-13 minutes, and remember to flip them halfway through.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• For the best results, start with room temperature biscuits. If your biscuits are frozen, let them thaw first.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Reheating biscuits in an air fryer is ideal for a small batch, but you can always reheat in batches if you have more biscuits.
• If you're in a hurry or only have a few biscuits to reheat, the air fryer method is a great option.

Alternative Reheating Methods:

While the air fryer method is recommended, there are a few other ways to reheat biscuits:

• Microwave: Wrap the biscuit in a damp paper towel and heat for short intervals until warm. Be cautious, as microwaves can make biscuits dry and rubbery.
• Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Place the buttered biscuits on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes.

Frequently asked questions