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

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens for baking biscuits. They are quicker, produce fluffier and crispier biscuits, and free up oven space. The biscuits can be made from scratch or using canned biscuit dough. The ingredients typically include flour, butter, milk or buttermilk, and baking powder. The biscuits are placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cooked for around 8-10 minutes at temperatures ranging from 330°F to 400°F, depending on the recipe and air fryer model.

Biscuit recipes from scratch

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 2 tablespoons for brushing
• 3/4 cup of buttermilk, cold

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Using a pastry cutter or fork, mix in the butter until combined and butter is about the size of small peas.
• Stir in the buttermilk until a thick dough forms.
• Transfer the dough to a clean counter and knead 6 to 7 times until the flour is all incorporated. Don't overwork the dough. You want to see butter pieces throughout, as this makes the biscuits flaky.
• Form the dough into a 1 1/2-inch circle and cut the biscuits using a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter.
• Coat the basket of your air fryer with nonstick spray. Place the biscuits 2 inches apart in a single layer on the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will be able to fit 4–6 biscuits in the basket.
• Cook at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Melt the remaining butter in a small microwave-safe bowl and brush the melted butter on the hot biscuits.

Tips

• Make sure your ingredients are very cold. This is key to flaky biscuits that bake up tall.
• Don't over-handle the dough. Biscuits get their flakiness and texture by reducing the amount of gluten that develops during handling of the dough.
• Don't use a food processor or stand mixer for this recipe. They make it too easy to over-mix the dough, which results in tough, dense biscuits.
• Don't use a rolling pin to flatten the dough. After folding the dough, use your hands to flatten it.
• Don't open the air fryer for at least half the baking time, as this helps the biscuits rise.
• You can bake these biscuits in the oven if you don't have an air fryer. Preheat the oven to 425°F and bake the biscuits on a lined baking sheet for 10–15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Biscuit recipes using canned dough

Canned biscuits are a convenient alternative to making biscuits from scratch. The air fryer method is quicker than the regular oven method and can produce super fluffy biscuits with a perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust.

Basic Method:

• Lightly spray the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
• Place the biscuits in a single layer on the bottom of the basket, ensuring they are not stacked or touching the sides.
• Cook at 330°F for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through.

Variations:

• Biscuit donuts: Cut a hole in the centre of the biscuits before air frying and coat with cinnamon sugar or a glaze after cooking.
• Biscuit bombs: Stuff the biscuits with cheese, bacon, jelly, or anything else that sounds delicious.
• Ham and cheese biscuits: Slice the baked biscuits in half, add a slice of ham and cheese, and heat for one minute longer in the air fryer.
• Breakfast sandwiches: Add an egg, bacon, and cheddar to your biscuit for a hearty breakfast.
• Sweet treats: Top with butter, cinnamon sugar, jam, or honey for a quick and satisfying dessert.

Tips:

• If you are cooking frozen biscuits, the cooking time will be slightly longer, around 12 minutes, and you should flip them halfway through.
• To reheat biscuits, place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 2-3 minutes.
• You can use parchment paper in the air fryer, but be sure to cut it to size and poke holes in it to allow the air to circulate.
• If you are making biscuits from scratch, remember to keep your ingredients cold and not to overwork the dough.

Brands:

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits are a popular choice for air fryer biscuits, but other brands will work too.

Biscuit recipes using frozen dough

There are a few simple steps to follow when making biscuits using frozen dough in an air fryer. Here is a recipe with additional tips to help you get started:

Ingredients:

• 4-6 frozen biscuits ( Pillsbury Grands or your preferred brand)
• Butter (optional)
• Non-stick cooking spray or oil

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 320-340°F for 3-5 minutes. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for frozen biscuits to ensure they rise properly.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or oil. This will prevent the biscuits from sticking to the basket. Avoid using canned non-stick cooking spray.
• Place the frozen biscuits in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between them. Do not overcrowd the basket, as this will allow the hot air to circulate and cook the biscuits evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may fit around 5-8 biscuits. If you need to cook more, do it in batches.
• Set the temperature to 330-340°F and air fry for about 10-12 minutes. Flip the biscuits halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• For an extra crispy and golden finish, brush the biscuits with melted butter 2 minutes before the cooking time ends. You can also sprinkle them with herbs like basil or oregano, or cinnamon and brown sugar for a sweet twist.
• Transfer the cooked biscuits to a serving platter and serve immediately.

Tips:

• There is no need to defrost the biscuit dough before air frying. Keep it frozen until you are ready to cook.
• Different air fryer models may vary in terms of cooking time and temperature. Monitor the biscuits during the first batch to adjust the settings as needed.
• If your biscuits are browning too quickly or burning, reduce the temperature by about 20 degrees.
• For oven-style air fryers with multiple racks, cook the biscuits on the middle rack only to ensure even cooking.
• If using an oven-style air fryer with multiple racks and cooking in batches, subsequent batches may cook a little faster since the air fryer will already be warmed up.
• Serve the biscuits with honey, jam, or sausage gravy for a classic Southern-style breakfast.

How to store and reheat biscuits

Storing your biscuits in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature is ideal if you plan on eating them within a day or two. They will keep in the pantry for up to two days or in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze biscuits in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 30 days.

When you're ready to enjoy your biscuits again, there are several reheating methods you can use, depending on the equipment you have available:

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Place your biscuits on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and brush with melted butter. Bake for 3-5 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.
• Microwave: Wrap each biscuit in a damp—but not soaking—paper towel. Place on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 45-60 seconds, or until warm.
• Stovetop pan: Preheat a pan on medium heat. Brush the biscuits with butter and wrap them in aluminum foil. Place them in the pan, cover, and cook on low heat for 2 minutes, flipping every 30 seconds.
• Toaster oven: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (176°C). Brush the biscuits with butter and place them on a parchment-lined sheet. Bake for about 3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
• Air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Brush the biscuits with melted butter and wrap them in aluminum foil. Place in the air fryer basket and cook for 2-3 minutes.

No matter which method you choose, always be careful when handling hot biscuits and enjoy them with your favorite toppings, such as butter, jam, or gravy!

How to get the best texture

To get the best texture from your air fryer biscuits, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure that all your ingredients are cold before you start. This will help your biscuits to rise and give them a fluffy texture. When mixing your dough, avoid over-mixing or over-handling it, as this can lead to tough and dense biscuits. You should still be able to see some butter pieces in the dough before you bake.

When it comes to shaping your biscuits, avoid twisting the biscuit cutter as you push it down into the dough. Twisting can fuse the layers together, preventing your biscuits from rising as much as they should. Instead, simply push the cutter straight down into the dough and then lift it straight back up. If you're re-rolling your dough scraps, try to minimise handling the dough as much as possible. Overworking the dough can also affect the texture of your biscuits.

When it comes to cooking your biscuits in the air fryer, avoid opening the air fryer during the first half of the baking time. This will help your biscuits to rise. Depending on your air fryer, you may or may not need to flip your biscuits during cooking to ensure even browning.

Frequently asked questions