Air-Fryer Biscuits: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking biscuits in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, golden-brown, crispy, and fluffy biscuits. Whether you're making them from scratch or using canned biscuit dough, the air fryer's hot circulating air will give your biscuits a perfect, even crispiness on the outside while keeping the inside soft, moist, and tender. You can use any type of biscuit dough, from frozen to canned to homemade, and cook them at temperatures ranging from 330°F to 400°F for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on the size and type of biscuit.

Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Biscuits in an Air Fryer

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking biscuits in an air fryer depend on the type of biscuits you are cooking. For instance, the timing for frozen biscuits will differ from that of canned biscuits. The size of the biscuits also matters, as larger biscuits will take longer to cook.

If you are using frozen biscuits, it is recommended to use cold, refrigerated dough rather than frozen dough. This is because frozen dough may cook on the outside while remaining raw on the inside. For frozen biscuits, preheat your air fryer to 330°F (165°C) and cook for 5 minutes. Then, flip the biscuits and cook for another 4 minutes or until they turn golden brown. The total cooking time for frozen biscuits is around 9 minutes.

For canned biscuits, preheat your air fryer to 330°F (165°C) and place 4 biscuits in the air fryer basket, giving them adequate space for expansion and air circulation. You can give them a milk wash if you like. Cook the biscuits for 5 minutes, then flip them and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the outside is golden brown. The total cooking time for canned biscuits is around 8-10 minutes, depending on the size.

If you are making homemade biscuits, you can follow a similar process as for canned biscuits. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time. It is recommended to do a test bake with 1-2 biscuits to determine the ideal cooking time and temperature for your air fryer.

Additionally, it is important to note that different air fryers may vary in terms of cooking time and temperature. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect settings for your specific air fryer model.

Biscuit placement in the air fryer

When placing biscuits in the air fryer, it's important to ensure they have enough space to cook evenly and achieve the desired golden brown colour. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can typically fit 4-6 biscuits in a single layer on the basket or rack. It's best to leave about 2 inches of space between each biscuit to allow for proper air circulation and expansion during cooking.

If you're using an oven-style air fryer with multiple racks, it's recommended to only use one rack for this recipe to achieve the most even cooking results. Place the biscuits on the middle rack to prevent the tops from burning on the heating element. For basket-style air fryers, you can place the biscuits directly in the basket, ensuring they are not stacked and have sufficient space around them.

To prevent sticking, you can lightly coat the basket or rack with cooking spray before placing the biscuits. Alternatively, you can use parchment paper, cutting it to the size of your air fryer and poking a few holes to ensure proper air circulation. However, some sources advise against using parchment paper, as it may interfere with the air circulation necessary for achieving crispy biscuits.

When cooking biscuits in an air fryer, it's essential to monitor them closely, as different air fryer models may require slight adjustments in cooking time and temperature. By following these placement guidelines and paying attention to your biscuits during cooking, you can ensure evenly cooked, golden brown biscuits with a buttery, crisp edge and a tender, flaky interior.

Biscuit type and size

The type and size of biscuit you choose to cook in your air fryer can vary depending on your preferences. You can cook small or jumbo biscuits, and they can be frozen, refrigerated, canned, or homemade.

Frozen biscuits are a convenient option, and you can find them in various brands such as Mary B's, Mama's, Pillsbury Grands, Baked House, and Great Value. If you're using frozen biscuit dough, it's important to note that the outside might cook faster than the inside, resulting in raw dough inside. To avoid this, consider using cold refrigerated dough instead.

Canned biscuits are another popular choice for air fryer cooking. You can use refrigerated canned biscuit dough, such as Buttermilk Pillsbury Biscuits, which can be found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. Using pre-made dough saves time and ensures fluffy and flaky biscuits. Before placing them in the air fryer, separate the canned biscuits and give them a milk wash if desired.

If you prefer to make your own biscuit dough, you can create homemade biscuits with simple ingredients like flour, cold butter, and buttermilk. Using a pastry cutter to blend the butter into the dry ingredients will give you that perfect flaky texture. You can also try substituting buttermilk by mixing milk with vinegar if you don't have any on hand.

The size of the biscuits you choose will impact the cooking time and temperature. For instance, if you're making smaller biscuits, you'll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Larger biscuits, such as jumbo biscuits, will take longer to cook, requiring a longer cooking time than smaller or medium-sized biscuits.

Biscuit texture

The texture of biscuits cooked in an air fryer is described as flaky, fluffy, and tender. The hot circulating air in the air fryer gives the biscuits a crisp texture on the outside, while the inside remains soft, moist, and fluffy.

To achieve the perfect texture, it is important to ensure even cooking by placing the biscuits in a single layer on the rack or basket of the air fryer, with adequate space between them for air circulation. Depending on the size of the air fryer, you can fit around 4 to 6 biscuits in a single layer.

Additionally, the type of butter used and its temperature play a crucial role in determining the texture of the biscuits. Using cold butter and cutting it into pea-sized bits throughout the dough will give the biscuits a flaky texture. If you prefer a crispier edge, you can use salted butter, which provides a salty, buttery flavor.

The cooking time and temperature also impact the texture of the biscuits. Air fryers cook biscuits faster than traditional ovens, and you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature based on the model of your air fryer. Overcrowding the air fryer or cooking at too high a temperature can result in burnt exteriors and undercooked interiors. Therefore, it is recommended to cook the biscuits in batches if necessary and monitor them closely to achieve the desired texture.

Storing and reheating biscuits

Storing your biscuits in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature is a good way to keep them fresh for up to two days. You can also store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them in a freezer bag for up to three months.

When you're ready to enjoy your biscuits again, there are several ways to reheat them so they taste freshly baked. One way is to use an air fryer, which only takes a couple of minutes and preserves the perfect texture of the biscuits. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 320°F) and place the biscuits on the rack. You can use a little cooking spray if you're worried about sticking. Reheat for 2-3 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed.

You can also reheat biscuits in the oven or microwave. For the oven, preheat to 350°F and lay the biscuits on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush them with butter for a crisp exterior or wait until after reheating for a softer texture. Bake for 5-7 minutes. For the microwave, wrap each biscuit in a damp paper towel and heat for 45 seconds. If they're not warm enough, continue to heat in 15-second intervals.

Frequently asked questions