Biscuits in the Air Fryer
Air fryer biscuits bake in about 9 minutes, rise tall and brown evenly without heating a full oven. The method works for canned, frozen and homemade dough, as long as you keep the temperature at 350 °F and give each biscuit room to rise. Below is a from-scratch recipe with times for the other types.
- Temperature
- 350°F180 °C
- Total time
- 40min
- Prep time
- 15min
- Servings
- 6
- Per serving
- 280kcal
Why the air fryer works for biscuits
A good biscuit needs a fast burst of heat. As the butter melts, it releases steam and pushes the dough up into flaky layers. A small air fryer heats its tiny chamber quickly, and the fan sets the outside before the biscuit can spread. The result is a tall rise and a lightly crisp crust.
Because airflow is stronger than in an oven, drop the temperature slightly. Biscuits that bake at 425 °F in a standard oven do best around 350 °F here. This is also why biscuits in the air fryer should never touch the basket walls: they need space to puff up, not crowd and steam. Learn the oven conversion rules in how to convert oven recipes to the air fryer.
How to make biscuits in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix the dry ingredients Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Add the cold butter and rub it in with your fingertips until the pieces are the size of small peas.
- Add the buttermilk Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix, since overworked dough makes tough biscuits.
- Shape Pat the dough on a floured counter to 1 inch thick. Cut out 6 rounds with a 2½-inch cutter, pressing straight down without twisting, which would seal the edges and block the rise.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 350 °F for . Grease the basket or place a perforated parchment liner with the biscuits on top.
- Bake Brush the tops with melted butter. Place 3 biscuits in the basket with a little space between them. Cook for 8 to at 350 °F, until tall and golden brown. Repeat with the rest.
- Rest Cool for on a rack, then split and serve warm.
Times and temperatures
| Biscuits | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade, 2½ inch | 350 °F (180 °C) | 8–10 min |
| Canned, regular | 330 °F (170 °C) | 7–9 min |
| Canned, jumbo | 330 °F (170 °C) | 12–14 min |
| Frozen, unbakedDo not thaw | 330 °F (170 °C) | 14–16 min |
| Reheat leftover | 320 °F (160 °C) | 2–3 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Keep the butter cold. Cold butter creates steam pockets that become flaky layers. If the dough feels warm, chill it for 10 minutes.
- Cut straight down. Pull the cutter straight up. Twisting seals the edges and stops the biscuit from rising.
- Bake in batches. Most baskets hold 3 to 4 biscuits. Crowding leads to dense sides.
Canned, frozen or homemade
Canned refrigerated biscuits are the quickest, and their thin dough cooks in about 8 minutes. Frozen biscuits, whether homemade dough you froze or store-bought, need longer because the center must thaw while the crust browns. Homemade biscuits take about 15 minutes of hands-on time and give the best flavor. Self-rising flour works too: use 2 cups and skip the baking powder and salt.
What to serve with biscuits
Biscuits and gravy are a classic breakfast, and they also go with fried chicken, honey butter and jam. For dinner, serve next to chicken thighs and a side of green beans. For brunch, add scrambled eggs and sausage patties to make breakfast sandwiches. See more in the breakfast category.
Storing and reheating
Keep cooled biscuits in an airtight container for 2 days at room temperature, or freeze them for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 320 °F for 2 to 3 minutes until warm and crisp on the edges. Frozen biscuits can go straight into the basket for 4 to 5 minutes.
Variations
- Cheddar and chive: Add ½ cup shredded cheddar and 2 tbsp chopped chives to the dry mix.
- Cinnamon sugar: Brush with butter after baking and dip the tops in cinnamon sugar.
- Drop biscuits: Skip the cutter and spoon the dough into mounds for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Garlic butter: Brush with melted butter, garlic powder and parsley right after baking.
If it does not turn out right
- The biscuits are dense and flat
- The butter was warm or the dough was overworked. Keep everything cold, mix until just combined and press the cutter straight down without twisting.
- The bottoms are dark but the centers are doughy
- The basket ran hot. Lower the temperature to 330 °F, lift the biscuits slightly with a liner and add 1 to 2 minutes.
- The tops are pale
- Brush with melted butter or milk and cook an extra minute. Canned biscuits can also be brushed with butter for color.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook biscuits in the air fryer?
Homemade and canned biscuits take 8 to 10 minutes at 350 °F. Jumbo canned biscuits take 12 to 14 minutes at 330 °F.
Can you cook frozen biscuits in the air fryer?
Yes. Frozen unbaked biscuits cook straight from the freezer at 330 °F for 14 to 16 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Do not thaw them first.
Can you cook canned biscuits in the air fryer?
Yes. Separate the dough, arrange in one layer and bake at 330 °F for 7 to 9 minutes. Start checking at 6 minutes.
Can I make donuts from biscuit dough?
Yes. Cut a small hole in each canned biscuit and cook at 350 °F for 5 to 6 minutes, then roll in cinnamon sugar.
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