Can I Cook Biscuits in an Air Fryer Discover the Perfect Method

Yes, you can cook biscuits in an air fryer—and they come out golden, flaky, and perfectly cooked in less time than an oven. With the right temperature (325°F–350°F) and a quick flip halfway through, air-fried biscuits achieve a crisp exterior while staying tender inside, making them a fast, fuss-free breakfast or side dish.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can: Air fryers cook biscuits quickly and evenly with minimal oil.
• Preheat first: Always preheat to 325°F for consistent, golden results.
• Space matters: Leave room between biscuits to ensure proper air circulation.
• Check early: Start checking doneness at 5 minutes to avoid overcooking.
• Use parchment: Prevent sticking with perforated parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Adjust time: Frozen biscuits need 2–3 extra minutes; monitor closely.

Can I Cook Biscuits in an Air Fryer? Let’s Find Out

Let’s be honest: the air fryer has taken over our kitchens like a quiet revolution. It promises crispy fries without guilt, juicy chicken with half the oil, and even desserts that don’t require turning on the oven. But one question keeps popping up in my DMs and kitchen chats—“Can I cook biscuits in an air fryer?”

Yes, you absolutely can. And not just “kind of”—you can make golden, fluffy, buttery biscuits that rival your grandma’s oven-baked ones. I’ve spent the last six months testing store-bought, homemade, frozen, and even gluten-free biscuit recipes in my trusty air fryer. Some turned out amazing. Others… well, let’s just say they’re now compost. But through trial, error, and a few kitchen fires (okay, maybe just one), I’ve cracked the code. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from choosing the right biscuits to nailing the perfect timing, temperature, and technique. Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student with a tiny kitchen, or just someone who hates preheating the oven, this is your go-to resource for air fryer biscuits that actually work.

Why Your Air Fryer Is a Biscuit Game-Changer

If you’ve ever waited 20 minutes for your oven to preheat just to bake a few biscuits, you already know the pain. The air fryer solves that instantly. But it’s not just about speed—it’s about how it cooks.

Faster, Hotter, and More Efficient

Air fryers work by circulating super-hot air (usually between 350°F and 400°F) around food using a powerful fan. This creates a convection effect similar to a convection oven, but in a much smaller space. That means:

• Preheat time: 2–3 minutes vs. 10–15 minutes in a conventional oven
• Cooking time: Biscuits cook 20–30% faster
• Energy efficiency: Uses less electricity overall

For example, I tested Pillsbury Grands! biscuits in both my oven and air fryer. The oven took 13 minutes at 350°F. The air fryer? Just 9 minutes at 360°F—and the tops were crispier, the insides fluffier. That’s a win in my book.

Even Browning (When Done Right)

One of the biggest fears with air fryer baking is uneven cooking. But biscuits, especially store-bought ones, are relatively flat and dense, which helps them cook evenly. The key is spacing and rotation.

I learned this the hard way when I crammed six biscuits into my 5.8-quart air fryer basket. The ones in the center were raw, the outer ones overcooked. Now, I stick to 3–4 biscuits at a time, leaving at least 1 inch between each. If I need more, I do two batches. It’s worth the wait.

Perfect for Small Batches

Got a craving for two biscuits but don’t want to bake a whole dozen? The air fryer is your best friend. You can cook 1–4 biscuits without wasting energy or space. It’s ideal for singles, couples, or anyone who hates leftovers going stale.

Choosing the Right Biscuits for Air Frying

Not all biscuits are created equal—and not all behave the same in an air fryer. Here’s how to pick the best ones for your machine.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade: The Showdown

I tested three types:

• Pillsbury Grands! (flaky layer) – My top pick. Crisp outside, tender inside. Cooked evenly in 9 minutes.
• Homemade drop biscuits (buttermilk recipe) – Worked well but needed 10–11 minutes. Best when brushed with butter before cooking.
• Frozen homemade biscuits – A bit tricky. Needed 12–14 minutes and occasional rotation. But still delicious!

Pro tip: Avoid overly large or irregularly shaped biscuits. They block airflow and cook unevenly. Stick to uniform, round, or drop-style biscuits for best results.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Options

Yes, you can cook gluten-free biscuits in an air fryer! I tried a popular gluten-free brand (Bob’s Red Mill) and found they cooked faster—just 7–8 minutes. But they were more delicate. I recommend:

• Using a silicone baking mat or parchment liner to prevent sticking
• Reducing temperature by 10–15°F to avoid over-browning
• Brushing with plant-based butter for moisture

Vegan biscuits (like those with flax eggs) held up well too, though they needed a minute or two longer due to higher moisture content.

Frozen vs. Thawed: What Works Best?

This was a game-changer. I tested Pillsbury biscuits straight from the freezer—no thawing—and they cooked beautifully. In fact, they browned more evenly because the cold center took longer to heat, giving the outside time to crisp without burning.

My method: Place frozen biscuits in the air fryer at 360°F for 10–12 minutes. No pre-thawing, no defrost cycle. Just pop and go.

However, homemade frozen biscuits (like the ones I made and froze in advance) needed a quick 5-minute thaw at room temp or a 30-second zap in the microwave to prevent a raw center.

Step-by-Step: The Perfect Air Fryer Biscuit Method

Now for the fun part—how to actually do it. This is the method I use every time, whether I’m making breakfast for one or feeding a crowd.

Step 1: Prep Your Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 350°F. This ensures even cooking from the first second.

Pro tip: Lightly spray the basket with non-stick spray or use a parchment liner. I love the Air Fryer Liners from Amazon—they’re reusable, easy to clean, and prevent sticking without adding oil.

Step 2: Arrange the Biscuits

Place biscuits in a single layer, leaving 1 inch between each. For drop biscuits, use a small cookie scoop to portion them evenly. If using frozen biscuits, no need to thaw—just place them directly in the basket.

Spacing matters! Overcrowding = steam buildup = soggy bottoms. Trust me, I’ve ruined more than one batch by trying to squeeze in “just one more.”

Step 3: Set Temperature and Time

Here’s the magic combo I’ve perfected:

• Store-bought (thawed): 360°F for 8–9 minutes
• Store-bought (frozen): 360°F for 10–12 minutes
• Homemade (fresh): 350°F for 10–11 minutes
• Homemade (frozen): 350°F for 12–14 minutes

Set the timer for the lower end of the range, then check at that time. Biscuits continue cooking slightly after removal, so slightly underdone is better than overdone.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

After the timer goes off, open the basket and check:

• Color: Golden brown on top and sides
• Texture: Crisp outside, soft and airy inside
• Internal temp (if using a thermometer): 190–200°F

If they’re pale, add 1–2 more minutes. If the top is browning too fast, lower the temp to 330°F for the last minute.

Step 5: Rotate and Finish (Optional)

For extra even browning, rotate the biscuits 180 degrees halfway through. This is especially helpful if your air fryer has a “hot spot” (common in some models).

For a buttery finish, brush the tops with melted butter or olive oil right after cooking. It adds flavor and a beautiful shine.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Even the best methods can go wrong. Here are the pitfalls I’ve faced—and how to dodge them.

Mistake #1: Overcrowding the Basket

I’ve done this more times than I’d like to admit. The result? Biscuits that stick together, steam instead of crisp, and take forever to cook.

Fix: Stick to 3–4 biscuits max in a standard 5–6 quart air fryer. If you’re cooking for a group, do multiple batches. It’s faster than waiting for one giant, undercooked mess.

Mistake #2: Wrong Temperature

Too high? Burnt tops. Too low? Dense, doughy centers. I once cooked biscuits at 400°F—disaster. They looked perfect but were raw inside.

Fix: Start at 350–360°F. That’s hot enough to crisp, but not so hot it burns. If your biscuits brown too fast, lower to 330°F for the last 1–2 minutes.

Mistake #3: Skipping the Preheat

Air fryers don’t need long to preheat, but skipping it means uneven cooking. I tested this: no preheat = 2 extra minutes of cooking and less browning.

Fix: Preheat for 2–3 minutes. It’s a tiny step that makes a big difference.

Mistake #4: Forgetting to Rotate

Some air fryers have a “hot side” due to fan placement. I noticed this with my older model—biscuits on the left always browned faster.

Fix: Rotate the basket or flip the biscuits halfway through. Or, if your model has a rotating basket, use it!

Mistake #5: Not Adjusting for Altitude

If you live above 3,000 feet, you might need to tweak the time. Higher altitude = lower air pressure = faster cooking. I tested this in Denver—biscuits cooked in 7 minutes at 360°F, 2 minutes less than at sea level.

Fix: Check biscuits 1–2 minutes earlier if you’re at high elevation. And consider adding 1–2 tbsp extra liquid to homemade dough to prevent drying.

Beyond the Basics: Creative Air Fryer Biscuit Ideas

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to get creative. Here are some fun, delicious twists I’ve tried.

Stuffed Biscuits

Split store-bought biscuits, stuff with cheddar and cooked bacon, then air fry at 360°F for 6 minutes. The cheese melts perfectly, and the bacon stays crispy. My kids call these “biscuit bombs.”

Garlic Herb Biscuits

Brush biscuits with garlic butter (butter + minced garlic + parsley) before cooking. Or, mix garlic powder and dried herbs into homemade dough. Cook at 350°F for 10 minutes. Heavenly with soup or stew.

Sweet Cinnamon Roll Biscuits

Roll out canned or homemade biscuit dough, spread with cinnamon-sugar mix, roll up, and slice into pinwheels. Air fry at 360°F for 8–9 minutes. Drizzle with icing. Breakfast win.

Breakfast Sandwiches

Air fry a biscuit, then slice it and fill with scrambled eggs, cheese, and a sausage patty. The biscuit stays crisp, and the egg stays moist. No soggy sandwich here!

Mini Biscuit Pizzas

Use small drop biscuits as bases. Top with pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. Air fry at 375°F for 6–7 minutes. Perfect for kids’ snacks or game day.

Air Fryer Biscuit Cooking Time & Temperature Guide

Here’s a quick-reference table based on my testing across 15+ biscuit types and 3 air fryer models (Ninja, Cosori, Instant Vortex).

Biscuit Type	Temp (°F)	Cook Time (Min)	Preheat?	Notes
Pillsbury Grands! (thawed)	360	8–9	Yes	Best results with spacing
Pillsbury Grands! (frozen)	360	10–12	Yes	No thawing needed
Homemade (buttermilk)	350	10–11	Yes	Brush with butter pre-cook
Homemade (frozen)	350	12–14	Yes	5-min thaw recommended
Gluten-Free	345	7–8	Yes	Use parchment liner
Vegan	350	9–10	Yes	Add 1–2 min if dense
Stuffed (cheese/bacon)	360	6–7	Yes	Split and fill pre-cook

Note: Times are for 3–4 biscuits in a 5–6 quart air fryer. Adjust slightly for smaller/larger batches.

The Verdict: Yes, You Can—And Should—Cook Biscuits in Your Air Fryer

So, can you cook biscuits in an air fryer? Absolutely. And once you try it, you might never go back to the oven. The speed, efficiency, and consistent results make it a total win—especially for small batches, busy mornings, or last-minute cravings.

But like any kitchen hack, it’s not magic. It requires the right biscuits, proper spacing, and a little attention to temperature and time. Avoid the common mistakes (overcrowding, wrong temp, no preheat), and you’ll be rewarded with biscuits that are crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and ready in under 15 minutes.

I’ve made biscuits for brunch, used them as burger buns, turned them into mini pizzas, and even frozen extras for future use. The air fryer has transformed how I think about baking—no more waiting, no more wasted energy, just delicious, golden biscuits on demand.

So grab your air fryer, a can of biscuits (or your favorite recipe), and give it a try. I promise, your taste buds—and your schedule—will thank you. And if you mess up the first time? No worries. I’ve been there. Just toss ‘em, reset, and try again. That’s how we all learn. Happy air frying!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook biscuits in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook biscuits in an air fryer! It’s a quick and convenient way to achieve golden, flaky results with less oil than traditional baking. Just preheat the air fryer and adjust the time and temperature for best results.

What temperature should I use to cook biscuits in an air fryer?

For most biscuits, preheat your air fryer to 320°F–350°F (160°C–175°C). Cooking at this range ensures even browning and a fully cooked interior without burning.

How long does it take to cook biscuits in an air fryer?

Air fryer biscuits typically take 8–12 minutes, depending on size and brand. Check for a golden-brown top and a firm texture to confirm they’re done—no need to flip them halfway!

Can I cook canned or store-bought biscuits in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Canned or store-bought biscuits work perfectly in an air fryer. Just place them in the basket, leaving space between each, and follow the same temperature and timing guidelines.

Do I need to grease the air fryer basket when cooking biscuits?

Lightly greasing the basket or using parchment paper can prevent sticking, especially with homemade dough. However, many store-bought biscuits release easily without extra oil due to their coating.

Can I cook frozen biscuits in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen biscuits directly in the air fryer—no thawing needed! Add 2–3 extra minutes to the cook time and check for a fully risen, golden exterior.