Air Fryer Biscuits Quick and Simple Guide

Air fryers have taken kitchens by storm, making cooking faster, healthier, and more convenient. But did you know you can make fluffy, golden, and buttery biscuits right in your air fryer? Whether you’re using store-bought dough or making them from scratch, air fryer biscuits come out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, all in a fraction of the time it takes in a conventional oven.

This guide will take you through everything you need to know about air fryer biscuits—from why they’re a game-changer to step-by-step instructions, tips for getting the perfect texture, and even serving ideas. Whether you’re making classic buttermilk biscuits or experimenting with quick three-ingredient versions, this article will help you master air fryer biscuits like a pro.

Why Air Fryer Biscuits Are a Game-Changer

The Popularity of Air Fryers for Baking

Air fryers aren’t just for crispy fries and chicken wings anymore. More and more people are using them for baking, thanks to their ability to circulate hot air evenly, creating a perfectly golden crust on baked goods. Unlike traditional ovens, air fryers require little to no preheating, making them ideal for quick breakfasts or last-minute snacks.

Biscuits, in particular, benefit from air frying because they bake evenly, quickly, and with a beautiful golden color. Plus, you won’t need to heat up your entire kitchen—something that’s especially handy in the summer.

Benefits of Using an Air Fryer for Biscuits

So, why should you ditch your oven and make biscuits in the air fryer? Here are a few key advantages:

• Faster Cooking Time: Most air fryer biscuits cook in just 8-10 minutes, compared to 15-20 minutes in an oven.
• Crispy Outside, Fluffy Inside: The rapid air circulation ensures a light, airy texture inside with a crisp, golden crust.
• Energy Efficient: Air fryers use less electricity than conventional ovens, saving both time and energy.
• No Preheating Required: Unlike traditional baking, most air fryer models don’t need preheating, so you can start cooking right away.
• Perfect for Small Batches: If you’re cooking for one or two, an air fryer allows you to make just a few biscuits without wasting oven space.

Comparison: Air Fryer vs. Oven vs. Stovetop

Clearly, air frying has its advantages. It’s quicker than an oven and delivers a crispier texture than stovetop biscuits. Plus, it’s foolproof—even if you’re new to biscuit-making.

Ingredients for the Best Air Fryer Biscuits

Essential Ingredients for Homemade Biscuits

Making air fryer biscuits from scratch doesn’t require fancy ingredients—just a handful of pantry staples. The key to soft, flaky biscuits is in the balance of flour, fat, and liquid. Here’s what you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour: The base for any classic biscuit recipe. For a lighter texture, you can use self-rising flour, which already contains baking powder and salt.
• Baking powder: Helps the biscuits rise and become fluffy. Be sure your baking powder is fresh for the best results.
• Salt: A small amount enhances the flavor of the biscuits.
• Butter: Cold, cubed butter creates those signature flaky layers. Some prefer shortening for an even softer texture.
• Buttermilk: Gives biscuits a slight tang while keeping them tender. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute.

These simple ingredients work together to create biscuits that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However, choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference in texture and flavor.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade: Which is Better?

If you’re short on time, store-bought biscuit dough can be a quick alternative. Brands like Pillsbury offer refrigerated or frozen biscuit dough that bakes well in an air fryer. While convenient, these biscuits tend to have more preservatives and may lack the homemade flakiness that makes freshly baked biscuits special.

Homemade biscuits, on the other hand, allow you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor. They take only a few extra minutes to prepare and can be made in bulk and frozen for later.

How to Choose the Best Flour, Butter, and Milk

The type of flour, fat, and liquid you use plays a major role in the texture of your air fryer biscuits.

• Flour: Self-rising flour is an easy option, but if you’re using all-purpose flour, be sure to add baking powder.
• Butter vs. Shortening: Butter adds rich flavor and helps with flakiness, while shortening produces a softer biscuit. Many bakers use a combination of both.
• Milk Alternatives: Buttermilk is ideal for traditional biscuits, but you can use regular milk, heavy cream, or even plant-based milk for a dairy-free version.

With the right ingredients, you’re already halfway to making perfectly fluffy air fryer biscuits. Next, let’s walk through the step-by-step process of making them from scratch.

How to Make Air Fryer Biscuits (Step-by-Step)

Preparing the Dough: Tips for the Perfect Texture

The secret to light and flaky biscuits lies in how you handle the dough. Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Cut in the butter: Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the cold butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the liquid: Slowly pour in buttermilk, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, or your biscuits may turn out dense.
4. Chill the dough: For extra flakiness, let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before shaping.

Shaping and Cutting: Avoiding Common Mistakes

Once your dough is ready, it’s time to shape your biscuits.

• Roll out the dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough to about ½ inch thick.
• Use a biscuit cutter: Press straight down without twisting. Twisting seals the edges and prevents biscuits from rising properly.
• Re-roll scraps carefully: When reshaping leftover dough, handle it as little as possible to keep biscuits light and airy.

Cooking Time & Temperature for Perfect Biscuits

Air fryers cook differently than ovens, so timing and temperature are crucial.

1. Preheat your air fryer (if required by your model) to 350°F (175°C).
2. Arrange the biscuits in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air to circulate.
3. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through if necessary. The biscuits should be golden brown with a crispy exterior.
4. Brush with butter after cooking for extra flavor.

For more sweet inspirations, check out this recipe on chocolate chip walnut cookies to expand your cookie-baking repertoire!

Air Fryer Biscuit Recipes for Every Occasion

Classic Buttermilk Air Fryer Biscuits

Nothing beats a batch of fluffy, homemade air fryer biscuits. This classic buttermilk version is perfect for breakfast or a side dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• ¾ cup cold buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in buttermilk until just combined.
4. Roll out dough and cut biscuits using a round cutter.
5. Arrange in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.

3-Ingredient Quick Biscuits for Beginners

Short on time? These biscuits require only three ingredients and come together in minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• ½ cup cold butter
• ¾ cup heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour and butter until crumbly.
2. Stir in the heavy cream until a dough forms.
3. Shape into biscuits and cook in the air fryer at 350°F for 8 minutes.

Flaky and Buttery Southern-Style Biscuits

If you love extra buttery, layered biscuits, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cold butter
• ¾ cup whole milk

Instructions:

1. Mix dry ingredients, then cut in butter.
2. Add milk and stir until just combined.
3. Fold the dough over itself 3-4 times for layers.
4. Cut biscuits and air fry at 375°F for 9 minutes.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Alternatives

For a dairy-free or gluten-free option, substitute:

• Butter: Use coconut oil or vegan butter.
• Milk: Swap with almond or oat milk.
• Flour: Use a gluten-free baking blend.

In the next section, we’ll explore expert tips for getting perfect air fryer biscuits every time.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Biscuits

How to Get the Fluffiest Biscuits Every Time

Achieving soft, fluffy biscuits isn’t just about the recipe—it’s also about technique. Here are key tips:

• Use cold butter: This helps create steam pockets, leading to flakier biscuits.
• Don’t overmix: Stir the dough just until combined. Overworking leads to dense biscuits.
• Chill the dough before cooking: This prevents the butter from melting too soon.

What to Do if Your Biscuits Are Too Dry or Dense

If your air fryer biscuits turn out dry or too heavy, check these common mistakes:

• Not enough fat: Butter or shortening is key for a soft texture.
• Too much flour: Scoop flour lightly to avoid packing too much.
• Overbaking: Check a couple of minutes early to prevent drying out.

Storing and Reheating: Keeping Biscuits Fresh

• Storage: Keep biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Reheating in Air Fryer: Heat at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness.
• Freezing: Wrap biscuits individually and freeze for up to 3 months.

Serving Ideas & Pairings for Air Fryer Biscuits

Air fryer biscuits are incredibly versatile. Whether you prefer them sweet or savory, there are countless ways to enjoy them. Here are some of the best serving ideas to elevate your biscuits.

Breakfast Combinations: Eggs, Bacon, and More

Biscuits make a perfect addition to any breakfast plate. Try these delicious pairings:

• Classic Biscuit Sandwich: Slice a biscuit in half and add scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and melted cheese.
• Biscuits and Gravy: Smother warm biscuits with homemade sausage gravy for a Southern favorite.
• Sweet Breakfast Biscuits: Drizzle with honey or spread with fruit preserves for a light and satisfying start to the day.

For a protein-packed breakfast, pair your biscuits with a side of scrambled eggs and turkey sausage. This combination keeps you full and energized throughout the morning.

Sweet vs. Savory: Creative Toppings and Fillings

Biscuits aren’t just for breakfast—they can be transformed into a sweet or savory treat.

Savory Ideas:

• Brush biscuits with garlic butter and serve with soup or chili.
• Use them as mini slider buns for pulled pork or fried chicken sandwiches.
• Top with avocado, tomato, and cheese for a fresh, open-faced snack.

Sweet Ideas:

• Spread Nutella or peanut butter inside for a quick dessert.
• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on warm biscuits for a sweet, crunchy topping.
• Serve with whipped cream and strawberries for a biscuit-based shortcake.

Using Air Fryer Biscuits for Sliders and Sandwiches

Because air fryer biscuits have a slightly crisp exterior, they hold up well as sandwich bread. Try these ideas:

• Southern-style BBQ Sliders: Fill biscuits with pulled pork and coleslaw.
• Chicken Biscuit Sliders: Add crispy chicken tenders and honey mustard.
• Breakfast Sliders: Stuff biscuits with sausage patties, eggs, and cheese for a grab-and-go meal.

FAQs

Conclusion

Air fryer biscuits are a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy homemade or store-bought biscuits with minimal effort. Whether you’re making classic buttermilk biscuits, experimenting with three-ingredient recipes, or trying out gluten-free alternatives, the air fryer delivers perfectly golden, flaky results every time.

By following the right techniques—using cold butter, not overworking the dough, and setting the right temperature—you can achieve biscuits that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Plus, with endless serving possibilities, from breakfast sandwiches to savory sliders and sweet treats, these biscuits are a versatile addition to any meal.