Easy Air Fryer Biscuits Recipe

The familiar scent of baking often signals comfort and togetherness, and for me, that scent frequently comes from a batch of warm, fluffy biscuits. There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when simple ingredients transform into golden, tender mouthfuls, especially when they come together with the speed and convenience of modern cooking.

These Air Fryer Biscuits are a testament to that magic. Imagine flaky layers and a buttery taste, achieved in a fraction of the time it normally takes in a conventional oven. They are a game-changer for busy mornings, a delightful accompaniment to a cozy dinner, or even a surprisingly simple treat to whip up when a craving strikes.

Growing up, biscuit-making was practically a weekend ritual, a skill passed down and cherished. Adapting that cherished tradition to the air fryer felt like uncovering a brilliant secret. It’s that same beloved, classic taste, just reimagined for our faster-paced lives without sacrificing any of the homemade goodness. These Air Fryer Biscuits are perfect for everything from a hearty breakfast sandwich to sopping up gravy with Sunday dinner, and they bring a touch of warmth to any meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Fast: Forget waiting for the oven to preheat! These Air Fryer Biscuits cook up beautifully in minutes, making them ideal for quick breakfasts or last-minute additions to dinner.
• Perfectly Fluffy & Golden: The air fryer circulates heat so efficiently, resulting in biscuits that are wonderfully fluffy on the inside with an irresistible golden-brown crust.
• Minimal Clean-Up: Using the air fryer means fewer dishes and a simpler cleanup process compared to traditional oven baking – a big win for any home cook!
• Versatile Staple: Whether you’re serving them with sweet jam, savory gravy, or using them as a base for breakfast creations, these biscuits are wonderfully adaptable.
• Great for Small Batches: Need just a few biscuits? The air fryer is perfect for making smaller quantities without heating up the whole kitchen.

This recipe is a lifesaver for busy parents needing a quick breakfast solution, a delight for anyone who loves classic comfort food without the fuss, and a fantastic starting point for new bakers looking for a rewarding and straightforward recipe.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Biscuits

Core Ingredients

• 2 cups self-rising flour: This is key for that classic biscuit rise and fluffy texture. Self-rising flour already contains a leavening agent (baking powder) and salt. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own by whisking together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
• 1 cup buttermilk: Buttermilk provides a tangy flavor and helps create a tender crumb. Its acidity reacts with the leavening agents for a better rise.
• 1/2 cup butter, frozen: Freezing the butter is crucial. Grating frozen butter into the flour creates small pockets of butter that melt during cooking, resulting in those desirable flaky layers.

Substitutions and Tips

• No buttermilk? You can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles slightly. Alternatively, plain yogurt or sour cream thinned with a little milk can also work in a pinch.
• For extra richness: You can use heavy cream instead of buttermilk, though the flavor will be less tangy and the texture might be slightly denser.
• Cheese Biscuits: Add 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the flour mixture for a savory twist.
• Herb Biscuits: Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or rosemary with the dry ingredients for an aromatic touch.
• Vegan Option: Use a plant-based buttermilk alternative (like almond milk with lemon juice) and a good quality vegan butter substitute that is very cold or frozen. Ensure the vegan butter is suitable for baking.

Best Type of Butter to Use

For these Air Fryer Biscuits, unsalted butter is generally preferred as it allows you to control the overall saltiness of the recipe, especially since self-rising flour already contains some salt. However, if you only have salted butter, you can use it but may want to slightly reduce any added salt if you were making your own self-rising flour.

The most important factor is that the butter must be frozen solid. This allows you to grate it into the flour, creating small, distinct pieces. When these cold butter pieces melt in the heat of the air fryer, they release steam, which helps to create the flaky layers that are the hallmark of a great biscuit.

If you don’t have a grater, you can also cut the frozen butter into very small cubes, but grating distributes it more evenly.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Must-Have Tools

• Air Fryer: Any model will work, though cooking times may vary slightly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: For combining your ingredients.
• Box Grater: For grating the frozen butter. This is the easiest way to incorporate it.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Biscuit Cutter or a Round Glass: For cutting out the biscuits. A 2.5 to 3-inch cutter is ideal.
• Pastry Brush (optional but recommended): For brushing the tops with melted butter.

Nice-to-Have Extras

• Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper Liners (Air Fryer Safe): To prevent sticking and make cleanup even easier. Ensure any parchment paper is weighed down by the food or specifically designed for air fryers to prevent it from flying into the heating element.
• Bench Scraper: Useful for folding the dough and cleaning your work surface.
• Rolling Pin (optional): You can pat the dough out by hand, but a rolling pin can help achieve a more even thickness.

How to Make Air Fryer Biscuits

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, add the 2 cups of self-rising flour. Grate the 1/2 cup of frozen butter directly into the flour using the large holes of a box grater. Gently toss the butter shreds with the flour using your fingertips or a pastry blender until the butter is well coated and distributed. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Avoid overmixing or letting the butter soften; you want to keep those butter pieces distinct.

Step 2: Add Buttermilk
Make a well in the center of the flour and butter mixture. Pour in the 1 cup of buttermilk all at once. Stir with a fork until the dough just comes together. It will be a bit sticky, and that’s okay. Do not overmix; a shaggy dough is perfect for tender biscuits.

Step 3: Turn Out and Fold Dough
Lightly flour a clean work surface. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a rectangle about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Fold the dough in half, then pat it out again. Repeat this folding and patting process 2-3 more times. This laminating step helps create those lovely flaky layers. Be gentle and avoid overworking the dough, as this can make the biscuits tough.

Step 4: Cut the Biscuits
Using a floured 2.5 or 3-inch biscuit cutter (or the rim of a floured glass), cut out the biscuits. Press the cutter straight down without twisting. Twisting can seal the edges and prevent the biscuits from rising as much. Gather any scraps, gently re-pat, and cut more biscuits until all the dough is used. You should get about 8-10 biscuits, depending on the thickness and cutter size.

Step 5: Air Fry the Biscuits
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3-5 minutes if your model requires it. Carefully place the biscuits in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Leaving a little space between them allows the hot air to circulate for even cooking and browning. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Step 6: Cook and Serve
Air fry for 8-12 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top and cooked through. Cooking time can vary based on your air fryer model and the thickness of your biscuits. Check for doneness around the 8-minute mark. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re beautifully risen and a light tap on top sounds hollow.

Optional: Once cooked, you can brush the tops of the hot biscuits with a little melted butter for extra flavor and shine. Serve your warm Air Fryer Biscuits immediately!

Tips for Success

1. Keep Ingredients Cold: This is the golden rule for flaky biscuits. Ensure your butter is frozen and your buttermilk is chilled. Cold fats create steam when they hit the heat, leading to tender, layered results.
2. Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the dough only until it just comes together. A few lumps and a slightly shaggy texture are perfectly fine. Overmixing develops gluten, which can result in tough biscuits.
3. Proper Cutting Technique: When cutting your biscuits, press the cutter straight down without twisting. Twisting the cutter seals the edges and can inhibit the rise.
4. Avoid Overcrowding the Air Fryer Basket: Cook the biscuits in a single layer with space between them. This ensures proper air circulation, leading to evenly cooked and beautifully browned Air Fryer Biscuits. Cook in batches if necessary.
5. Know Your Air Fryer: Air fryer models can vary in temperature and cooking time. The first time you make these, keep a close eye on them towards the end of the cooking time to prevent burning and note the perfect timing for your specific machine.

How to Store Air Fryer Biscuits

Room Temperature

Freshly baked Air Fryer Biscuits are best enjoyed the day they are made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat them briefly in the air fryer or microwave to refresh.

In the Refrigerator

While biscuits can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days, they tend to dry out more quickly. It’s best to reheat them before serving. A few minutes in a warm air fryer (around 300°F or 150°C) will help restore some of their texture.

Freezing Tips

Air Fryer Biscuits freeze beautifully!

• Freezing Cooked Biscuits: Allow the baked biscuits to cool completely. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap or foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
• Reheating Frozen Cooked Biscuits: Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer at 300-325°F (150-160°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until warmed through and slightly crisp. You can also thaw them at room temperature for about an hour and then reheat.
• Freezing Unbaked Biscuits: Prepare the dough and cut out the biscuits as directed. Place the unbaked biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored for up to 1-2 months. Bake directly from frozen in the air fryer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did my Air Fryer Biscuits not rise much?

This could be due to a few reasons: your self-rising flour might be old (check the expiration date, as leavening power diminishes over time), the dough was overmixed, or the edges were sealed by twisting the biscuit cutter. Ensure you use fresh flour and a gentle hand when mixing and cutting.

Can I make these Air Fryer Biscuits without a biscuit cutter?

Absolutely! You can use the rim of a sturdy drinking glass (dip it in flour first) or even cut the dough into squares or wedges with a knife or bench scraper. The shape might be different, but they’ll still taste delicious.

How do I get my Air Fryer Biscuits to be extra flaky?

The key to flaky Air Fryer Biscuits is very cold, grated butter and the folding technique (lamination). Ensure your butter is frozen, and don’t skip the step of gently folding the dough a few times before cutting.

Can I add sugar for sweeter Air Fryer Biscuits?

Yes, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of granulated sugar to the dry ingredients if you prefer a slightly sweeter biscuit, especially if you plan to serve them with fruit or sweet toppings. Adjust to your taste.

My air fryer cooks very quickly; how do I prevent burning the tops of my biscuits?

If your air fryer tends to brown things rapidly, you can try reducing the temperature slightly (e.g., to 370°F or 188°C) and checking the biscuits a few minutes earlier than the recipe states. Some air fryers also benefit from a parchment liner (if safe for your model) to diffuse heat a bit.

Conclusion

There you have it – a simple path to wonderfully fluffy, golden, and delicious Air Fryer Biscuits. This recipe proves that you don’t need a lot of time or fuss to enjoy a batch of homemade goodness. Whether it’s for a quick weekday breakfast, a comforting side to your favorite meal, or a base for creative culinary adventures, these Air Fryer Biscuits are sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy the ease and delightful results of making biscuits in your air fryer!