These Air Fryer Biscuits are soft, flaky, and utterly delicious. Golden on the outside and tender inside, they’re easy to make from scratch with basic pantry ingredients and an air fryer that speeds up baking while keeping the texture perfect.
Made with all-purpose flour, cold butter, baking powder, a little sugar, and milk, these biscuits come together quickly. The air fryer gives them an evenly browned top and tender crumb without heating the whole oven, making them an ideal choice for busy weeknights or a weekend brunch.
Canned biscuits are convenient, but homemade biscuits offer a superior taste and texture. Once you try this method, you’ll see how easy it is to get bakery-style results at home.
Ingredients
Scroll to the printable recipe card for exact measurements.
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder – helps the biscuits rise and become tender.
- Sugar – a touch of sweetness to aid browning and moisture retention.
- Salted butter – use cold butter for flaky layers and a rich flavor.
- Milk – brings the dough together and keeps it soft.
How to Make Biscuits in the Air Fryer
Scroll down for the complete printable recipe card with ingredient measurements and yields.
Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until evenly distributed.
Add cold butter: Grate or finely cube cold butter and toss it into the flour mixture. Grated butter blends quickly and helps create flaky layers.
Mix until crumbly: Work the butter into the flour with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Some pea-sized pieces of butter are fine and actually help the biscuit rise.
Add milk: Pour in the milk gradually and stir just until a loose dough forms. Avoid overmixing – you want the dough cohesive but not dense.
Shape and cut: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Press it into a rectangle, fold it over twice, then press or roll to about 1½ inches thick. Use a biscuit cutter to cut the biscuits, re-rolling scraps as needed to form additional biscuits.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat to 380°F (about 2 minutes). This brief preheat helps the biscuits rise quickly and form a golden top.
Air fry: Arrange biscuits in a single layer in the air fryer basket—do not overcrowd. Cook at 380°F for 8–10 minutes, or until they have risen and the tops are golden brown. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook in batches.
Finish with butter: Brush the hot biscuits with melted butter for shine and extra flavor. Serve warm.
Recipe Tips
- Use cold butter: Keep the butter cold so it creates steam pockets while baking, giving you flaky layers.
- Handle the dough gently: Mix and fold just until combined. Overworking causes tough biscuits.
- Flour the cutter: Lightly dust the biscuit cutter and work surface to prevent sticking and preserve the biscuit rise.
- Cook in single layers: Air fry in batches so each biscuit has room to expand and brown evenly.
- Brush after baking: Melted butter brushed on hot biscuits gives a glossy, flavorful finish.
How To Serve
Air fryer biscuits are versatile—serve them many ways:
- With soup: Perfect for dipping into creamy tomato or roasted vegetable soups.
- With chili or gravy: Use as a hearty side to sop up sauces and gravies.
- As a sweet treat: Spread butter and honey or jam, or slice and fill with cream and fruit for a quick dessert.
How to Reheat Biscuits in the Air Fryer
Leftover biscuits rebound nicely in the air fryer. Heat at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to restore warmth and a fresh-baked texture—much better than microwaving.
How To Cook Canned Biscuits in the Air Fryer
Canned or refrigerated biscuits cook well in the air fryer. Preheat to 380°F and cook for about 7–8 minutes until golden and puffed. Give them space to rise for best results.
Troubleshooting: Why Aren’t My Biscuits Fluffy?
Flat or dense biscuits are usually a result of overmixing or old baking powder. Mix the dough only until it comes together and check that your baking powder is fresh—most brands work best within six months after opening.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Biscuits
Farwin Simaak
15 mins
8 mins
23 mins
8 biscuits
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 stick salted butter (½ cup or 4 oz), cold
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup milk, cold
- Melted butter, for brushing
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Grate or cube the cold butter and add it to the flour mixture. Toss to coat the butter.
- Work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Slowly add the milk and stir until a loose dough forms. Do not overmix; small butter pieces are fine.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Press into a rectangle, fold twice, then press or roll to 1½-inch thickness.
- Cut out biscuits with a cutter. Re-roll scraps to make additional biscuits.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Arrange biscuits in a single layer and air fry 8–10 minutes, until risen and golden. Work in batches if necessary.
- Brush hot biscuits with melted butter and serve warm.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 biscuit | Calories: 233 kcal | Total Carbs: 26 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 12 g | Saturated Fat: 8 g | Sodium: 404 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 2 g