Can You Cook Biscuits in an Air Fryer

Can You Cook Biscuits in an Air Fryer? A Complete Guide to Perfectly Fluffy Biscuits

Air fryers have become a kitchen staple for many, offering a quick and convenient way to cook everything from fries to chicken wings. But can you cook biscuits in an air fryer? The answer is a resounding yes! Whether you’re working with canned, frozen, or homemade dough, an air fryer can produce golden-brown, flaky, and fluffy biscuits in a fraction of the time it takes to bake them in a traditional oven. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make delicious biscuits in your air fryer, including tips for perfect results, cooking times, and creative ways to serve them.

Why Use an Air Fryer for Biscuits?

The air fryer’s magic lies in its ability to circulate hot air around food, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and moist. For biscuits, this means a beautifully golden crust with a soft, fluffy center—often in less time than an oven. Plus, air fryers don’t heat up your entire kitchen, making them a great choice for quick weeknight dinners or hot summer days when you’d rather not crank up the oven. Another bonus? You can cook smaller batches without wasting energy, perfect for solo meals or small households.

Cooking Canned Biscuits in an Air Fryer

Canned biscuits, like Pillsbury Grands, are a go-to for many because they’re quick, reliable, and require zero prep. Here’s how to cook them in your air fryer for perfect results every time:

• Prep the Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. You can use parchment paper with holes poked in it for airflow, but it’s not necessary unless your basket tends to stick.
• Arrange the Biscuits: Place the biscuits in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don’t touch or overlap. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly, giving you that golden crust. Depending on your air fryer’s size, you may need to cook in batches—most baskets fit 4-6 biscuits comfortably.
• Set the Temperature and Time: Cook at 330°F (165°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping the biscuits halfway through to ensure even browning. Check them around the 8-minute mark, as air fryer models vary. The biscuits are done when they’re golden brown on top and cooked through.
• Finishing Touch: Brush with melted butter for extra flavor and a glossy finish. Serve warm with jam, honey, or gravy.

Pro Tip: If your biscuits are browning too quickly but still doughy inside, lower the temperature to 320°F and extend the cooking time by a minute or two. This ensures the interior cooks fully without burning the exterior.

Cooking Frozen Biscuits in an Air Fryer

Frozen biscuits, like Pillsbury Grands Frozen Buttermilk Biscuits, are another convenient option, especially if you only want to cook one or two at a time. The process is similar to canned biscuits, with a few tweaks:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat to 325°F (163°C) for 5 minutes to help the biscuits rise properly.
• Arrange and Cook: Place frozen biscuits in a single layer, leaving space between each one. Cook for 11-14 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check for a golden-brown exterior and a fluffy interior.
• Reheating Tip: If you’re reheating previously cooked frozen biscuits, set the air fryer to 300°F and heat for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

Frozen biscuits take slightly longer than canned ones due to their denser, colder state, but the air fryer still cuts cooking time compared to an oven, which can take 22-30 minutes.

Making Homemade Biscuits in an Air Fryer

For those who love the from-scratch approach, homemade biscuits in the air fryer are a game-changer. They’re surprisingly simple and deliver that buttery, flaky texture you crave. Here’s a basic recipe adapted for the air fryer, inspired by trusted sources like AllRecipes:

• Ingredients (makes 6-8 biscuits):
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup cold butter (grated or cubed)
  • ¾ cup cold buttermilk
• Instructions:
  1. Sift flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt into a bowl.
  2. Grate cold butter into the dry ingredients or cut it in with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Cold butter is key for flaky layers!
  3. Add buttermilk and stir gently until just combined—don’t overmix, or the biscuits will be tough.
  4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, fold it over a few times, and pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle.
  5. Cut out biscuits with a 2 ½-inch biscuit cutter, reworking scraps as needed without overhandling.
  6. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (195°C). Place biscuits in a single layer, about 2 inches apart, and cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Brush with melted butter before serving.

Pro Tip: Keep all ingredients cold to maximize flakiness. Freeze your butter for 15 minutes before grating, and chill the dough for 10 minutes before cutting if it starts to soften.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Air fryers can vary, so here are solutions to common biscuit-cooking problems:

• Biscuits are raw in the middle: Lower the temperature to 320°F and cook for an extra 2-3 minutes. Flipping halfway helps, too.
• Biscuits are too dark on top: Reduce the temperature by 10-20°F or cover the biscuits loosely with foil halfway through cooking.
• Biscuits stick to the basket: Use a light spray of oil or parchment with holes for airflow. Avoid canned nonstick sprays, as they can damage the basket.
• Biscuits don’t rise: Ensure your baking powder is fresh (for homemade dough) and preheat the air fryer to help with lift.

Creative Ways to Serve Air Fryer Biscuits

Biscuits are incredibly versatile, and the air fryer’s quick cooking time makes them perfect for experimenting. Here are a few ideas to elevate your biscuits:

• Breakfast Sandwiches: Split a biscuit and add a fried egg, bacon, and cheese for a hearty start to the day.
• Biscuit Donuts: Cut a hole in the center of canned biscuit dough, air fry at 350°F for 5-6 minutes, and coat with cinnamon sugar or glaze for a sweet treat.
• Biscuits and Gravy: Pair with sausage or cream gravy for a classic Southern comfort dish.
• Herb-Infused Biscuits: Brush with melted butter mixed with garlic, rosemary, or thyme before or after air frying for a savory twist.

Storing and Reheating Biscuits

Leftover biscuits? No problem. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for 5-7 days. For longer storage, wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop them in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes (or 5-7 minutes if frozen) until warm and crispy. Avoid the microwave if you want to maintain that perfect crust.

Why Air Fryer Biscuits Are a Game-Changer

Cooking biscuits in an air fryer is a revelation for busy cooks. They’re faster than oven-baked biscuits, deliver consistent results, and let you enjoy that fresh-baked taste without heating up the whole house. Whether you’re using canned dough for convenience, frozen biscuits for a quick snack, or homemade dough for a special occasion, the air fryer makes it easy to achieve fluffy, golden perfection. So next time you’re craving biscuits, skip the oven and give your air fryer a whirl—you’ll be amazed at the results!

For more air fryer inspiration, check out The Kitchn’s collection of air fryer recipes to explore other dishes you can whip up in minutes.