Warm, Delicious Biscuits: Air Fryer Timing Tips

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to cook biscuits, with many recipes suggesting that they can be cooked in under 10 minutes. This is much faster than using a conventional oven, which can take upwards of 15 minutes. Air-fried biscuits are also said to have a crispier outside and softer inside than oven-baked biscuits.

Air fryer biscuits from scratch

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup butter, frozen
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 180C/350F.
• Sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Using a box grater, grate the frozen butter into the bowl.
• Using your hands, gently mix the butter with the flour. Make a well in the centre of the mixing bowl and add the buttermilk. Mix everything together.
• Lightly flour a kitchen surface. Transfer the dough onto it. Gently knead it several times, then roll it flat. Knead and roll out several more times.
• Using a biscuit cutter or large cookie cutter, push down on the dough to shape the biscuits.
• Grease an air fryer basket generously. Add 4 biscuits, ensuring the sides are lightly touching.
• Air fry the biscuits for 9-10 minutes, or until golden.
• Remove the biscuits from the air fryer and repeat the process with the remaining biscuit dough.

Storage Instructions:

• To store: Place leftover biscuits in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for three days or up to one week in the fridge.
• To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled biscuits in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Tips:

• Flip the biscuits halfway through cooking to avoid burning and ensure even cooking.
• Grate the butter from a frozen state so it doesn't soften by the time it goes into the air fryer.
• Don't use a food processor or hand mixer for this recipe, as they can overmix the batter.
• If using frozen biscuits, increase the cooking time by 6 minutes.
• If using refrigerated biscuit dough, the cooking time will remain the same.
• Add a layer of parchment paper for easy biscuit removal.
• Cook in batches to ensure each biscuit cooks evenly and completely.

Warming Biscuits in the Air Fryer:

• If you're warming up frozen biscuits, it takes about 14 minutes to cook 8 biscuits. Cook them for 8 minutes on one side, then flip them over and cook for another 6 minutes.
• The temperature should be set to 330 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You don't need to use parchment paper, but you can spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.

Air fryer frozen biscuits

How to Make Frozen Biscuits in an Air Fryer

Firstly, you do not need to defrost the biscuit dough. Keep it frozen until you are ready to cook. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F for three minutes. Lightly spray the basket with oil, and place the biscuits inside in a single layer, leaving a little space between them. Air fry for 12 minutes at 320°F, flipping the biscuits halfway through. For an extra treat, brush the biscuits with melted butter two minutes before they are done.

The cooking time will depend on the number of biscuits you are cooking, and the type of air fryer you are using. For eight biscuits, it will take about 14 minutes to cook, with eight minutes on one side and six minutes on the other. For five or six biscuits, the cooking time is around 11 to 12 minutes.

Air fryers vary, but a temperature of 330°F is recommended. This will ensure the biscuits are cooked on the inside, with a nice golden-brown exterior.

Tips

• You do not need to use parchment paper. The hot air needs to circulate all around the biscuits.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to fit eight biscuits in the basket. If you have an oven-style air fryer, you may be able to fit more.
• You do not need to preheat the air fryer, but subsequent batches may cook faster as the air fryer will already be warmed up.
• If your biscuits are browning too much on the outside and are still raw in the middle, lower the heat and cooking time.
• If your biscuits are sticking to the basket, spray a little oil into the basket before cooking. Do not use canned non-stick cooking spray.
• If you are using aluminium foil or parchment paper, poke a few holes in it to allow the air to circulate.
• If your biscuits are not cooked through, turn them over and air fry for a few more minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your air fryer biscuits warm with butter, jelly, or cream cheese. They are great for breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, and meat, or with soups or stews. For a classic Southern-style breakfast, serve with sausage gravy.

Air fryer refrigerated biscuits

Air-Fryer Refrigerated Biscuits

Overview

Air-frying refrigerated biscuits is a quick and easy way to enjoy fluffy, golden-brown biscuits. The air fryer method is perfect for achieving a nice crispy texture without drying out the inside.

Ingredients and Tools

• Refrigerated biscuits (canned)
• Cooking spray or oil sprayer
• Air fryer
• Tongs (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

• Spray the air fryer basket: Lightly coat the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. You can also use a sheet of perforated parchment paper, but this is not necessary and may impact cooking results.
• Arrange the biscuits: 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 them as possible to allow for even cooking and expansion during baking.
• Cook the biscuits: Set the air fryer temperature to between 330-350°F and cook for 6 minutes. Then, flip and rotate the biscuits and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The total cooking time will be around 8-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer model.
• Serve: For a classic pairing, serve the biscuits warm with butter and fruit preserves, or try one of the variations listed below.

Tips and Tricks

• Avoid overcrowding: For best results, cook the biscuits in batches if needed to ensure they are not crowded in the air fryer. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the hot air from circulating properly.
• Flip and rotate: To ensure even cooking and browning, flip the biscuits halfway through the cooking process, and consider rotating their positions in the air fryer basket.
• Adjust timing as needed: Different air fryer models may require slight adjustments in cooking time and temperature. Always keep an eye on your biscuits to avoid overcooking, and adjust the timing as needed for subsequent batches.

Variations and Substitutions

• Homemade buttermilk biscuits: If you have more time, you can make homemade biscuits from scratch using simple ingredients like flour, cold butter, and buttermilk.
• Air fryer biscuit donuts: For a sweet treat, turn your biscuits into donuts by cutting a hole in the centre and air-frying as usual. Coat with cinnamon sugar or a sweet glaze after cooking.
• Air fryer biscuit bombs: Get creative and stuff the inside of the biscuit with delicious fillings like cheese, bacon, or jelly.
• Gluten-free option: Look for gluten-free options of canned biscuit dough if needed.

Serving Suggestions

• Biscuits and gravy: A classic and comforting combination, perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast.
• 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: Fill your biscuit with an egg, bacon, and cheddar for a hearty breakfast on the go.
• Sweet treats: Top with butter, cinnamon sugar, honey, or your favourite fruit preserves for a quick and easy dessert.

Storage and Reheating

• Storing: Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or freeze for longer storage.
• Reheating: To reheat, place the biscuits back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their crispy texture.

Troubleshooting

Burnt on the outside, undercooked inside: This is usually due to cooking at too high a temperature. Try lowering the temperature and increasing the cooking time slightly. Also, ensure proper air circulation by not overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Enjoy your warm, fluffy biscuits straight from your air fryer!

Air fryer biscuits: parchment paper or no?

Air fryer biscuits are a quick and easy way to make golden brown, fluffy, and delicious biscuits. But what about using parchment paper? Is it necessary or even a good idea?

The short answer is yes, you can use parchment paper in an air fryer. However, there are some important safety precautions to keep in mind. Parchment paper is safe to use in an air fryer as long as it is food-grade and the temperature does not exceed the maximum restriction indicated on the box. It is also important to cut the paper to fit the bottom of the air fryer basket, with a bit of space for air to circulate.

Benefits of Using Parchment Paper

Parchment paper offers a non-stick surface, making cleanup easier, especially when cooking foods that may stick to the basket, like chicken wings. It is also useful for breaded or dough-based foods, preventing them from sticking to the mesh or perforated holes of the air fryer. Additionally, it is non-reactive, making it a better choice than aluminum foil for acidic foods like tomatoes.

Drawbacks and Alternatives

The main drawback of using parchment paper in an air fryer is that it can block airflow, which is crucial for effective air frying. This can be mitigated by cutting the paper to size and perforating it to allow for better air circulation and grease drainage. However, even with these measures, parchment paper may still pose a fire risk if it blows towards the heating element.

As an alternative to parchment paper, a reusable silicone liner can be used. This option provides the same non-stick benefits, cuts down on waste, and is dishwasher-safe.

So, Parchment Paper or No?

When it comes to air fryer biscuits, the use of parchment paper is not necessary. In fact, some recipes specifically state that it is not needed. The biscuit dough is typically sturdy enough to hold its shape and not drip through the rack of the air fryer. However, if you prefer to use parchment paper for easier cleanup or to prevent sticking, it can be used as long as the necessary safety precautions are followed.

Reheating air fryer biscuits

Air fryer biscuits are a great, quick and easy option for a side dish or a snack. They can be made from scratch or using a store-bought mix, and they cook in half the time it takes in a conventional oven.

Reheating

Once you've cooked your air fryer biscuits, you can easily reheat them the next day. Place the biscuits on the rack in the air fryer. You can use a little cooking spray if you're concerned about sticking, but this shouldn't be necessary if you're just reheating. Reheat at 350°F for 2-3 minutes.

Storage

Store your air fryer biscuits in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze biscuits. Place them in an airtight container and store them for up to 30 days. Allow them to thaw at room temperature, and then reheat them in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions