Air-Fryer Canned Biscuits: Quick, Crispy Comfort Food

Making canned biscuits in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to prepare a meal. This method is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekend breakfasts when you want something quick, easy, and delicious. Using premade biscuit dough, you can have warm, fluffy biscuits ready in just a few minutes. The air fryer ensures even cooking, resulting in biscuits with a crispy, golden brown exterior and a soft, fluffy interior.

To make canned biscuits in an air fryer, start by spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray or coating it with nonstick spray. Then, place the biscuits in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between them to allow for expansion. Set the air fryer temperature to between 330-350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the biscuits for 6-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. For larger biscuits, you may need to cook them for a few minutes longer.

You can serve these air fryer biscuits as a side dish or turn them into a sweet or savoury treat. Top them with butter, honey, jam, or fruit preserves for a sweet option, or try biscuits and gravy, ham and cheese biscuits, or breakfast sandwiches for a savoury meal.

Cooking spray and temperature

The cooking spray is an essential component when making canned biscuits in an air fryer. It is used to prevent the biscuits from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can use any cooking spray you have on hand, such as canola spray, olive oil, or vegetable oil. Lightly coat the inside of the air fryer basket before placing the biscuits inside.

The ideal temperature for cooking canned biscuits in an air fryer is around 330°F to 350°F. Cooking at a lower temperature, such as 330°F, helps ensure that the inside of the biscuits is cooked through and not doughy or raw. A higher temperature may result in burnt outsides and undercooked insides.

The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the biscuits and your air fryer model. For large biscuits, cook for 6-7 minutes at 330°F, then flip them over and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes until they are golden brown. For smaller biscuits, cook at the same temperature for 5-6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes.

It is important to note that different air fryers may cook at different intensities, so you may need to adjust the temperature and timing accordingly. It is recommended to test with two biscuits first to determine the optimal temperature and timing for your air fryer.

Additionally, it is best to cook the biscuits in a single layer to ensure even cooking. If you are using an oven-style air fryer with multiple trays, cook one tray at a time in the middle position to ensure even cooking.

Single layer of biscuits

To make canned biscuits in an air fryer, start by spraying the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This will prevent the biscuits from sticking to the basket. You could also use a sheet of parchment paper, cut to the size of your air fryer, with a few holes poked in it to ensure the air can still flow easily.

Next, place your biscuits in a single layer on the bottom of the basket. Leave as much space between the biscuits as your air fryer allows, but if the sides of the biscuits are touching, that's okay—you'll be rotating them during the cooking process.

Cook the biscuits at 330–350°F for 6–7 minutes. Then, flip and rotate them, and cook for another 2–4 minutes, or until the outsides are a golden brown colour. Different air fryers may require slight adjustments in cooking time and temperature, so keep an eye on your biscuits.

If your biscuits are golden brown but still slightly doughy in the middle, leave them in the turned-off air fryer for 2–3 minutes to continue cooking in the residual heat.

Flip biscuits

Flipping the biscuits is an important step in the air fryer cooking process. Depending on the style of your air fryer, you may need to flip the biscuits to ensure they cook evenly on both sides. For example, if you have a basket-style air fryer, you may not need to flip them at all, while for an oven-style air fryer with multiple trays, it is recommended to cook one tray at a time and flip the biscuits.

When cooking canned biscuits in the air fryer, it is generally recommended to flip them halfway through the cooking process. This helps to ensure an even cook and prevent the biscuits from burning. For instance, if your total cooking time is 10 minutes, you would flip the biscuits after 5 minutes.

It is also important to note that different air fryers may require slight adjustments in cooking time and temperature. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your biscuits to ensure they don't burn or undercook.

Additionally, when flipping the biscuits, it is suggested to use tongs with a silicone coating to avoid scratching the air fryer basket.

Reheating instructions

To reheat your air-fried biscuits, simply place them back into the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. This will ensure they return to their crispy glory!

If you are reheating from frozen, place the biscuits in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for about 2-3 minutes or until thoroughly warmed.

You can also reheat in the microwave for 15-30 seconds if you are short on time, but the air fryer will ensure they are crisp and golden again.

If you are reheating a larger batch of biscuits, you may need to cook them for a little longer. It is best to check on them regularly to avoid overcooking.

The beauty of the air fryer is that it is so quick and easy to use, and you can have warm, fluffy biscuits on demand.

Biscuit serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve canned biscuits cooked in an air fryer. They can be a side dish, a dessert, or the main part of a meal.

For a savoury option, biscuits can be served with sausage gravy, or with bacon and eggs. They also go well with soups and stews, such as tomato basil soup, or classic beef stew. Biscuits can also be used to make a breakfast sandwich, with egg, bacon, and cheese.

For a sweet option, biscuits can be topped with cinnamon sugar, jam, or fruit preserves. They can also be served with honey-glazed ham, or with fresh fruit and yogurt.

If you're feeling creative, you could try making air fryer biscuit donuts by cutting a hole in the centre of the biscuit and coating with cinnamon sugar or glaze.

Frequently asked questions