Air Fryer Buttermilk Biscuits
Equipment
- Round Biscuit Cutter, 2-Inch
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Silicone spatula
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 cup Buttermilk chilled
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
- 8 tablespoons Unsalted Butter chilled and cut into small cubes
Instructions
- Whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chilled butter cubes to the flour mixture.
- Work the butter into the flour with your fingertips until pea-sized pieces remain.
- Pour the chilled buttermilk over the flour mixture.
- Mix gently with a silicone spatula until the dough is just combined.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface.
- Pat the dough into a disk approximately ½ inch thick.
- Cut out 16 biscuits with a 2-inch round biscuit cutter.
- Gather and gently reshape the scraps when necessary.
- Preheat the air fryer to 325°F (163°C).
- Arrange 8 biscuits in a single layer in the air fryer basket with their edges just touching.
- Air fry for approximately 18 minutes until golden brown and fluffy.
- Transfer the cooked biscuits to a serving basket.
- Repeat with the remaining biscuits.
- Serve the biscuits warm.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the biscuits warm with butter, honey, fruit preserves, or sausage gravy. They also work well alongside fried chicken, soup, stew, or scrambled eggs. For a generous brunch, pair them with our Caramel Apple Raisin Strata.Recipe Notes
Keep the butter and buttermilk thoroughly chilled until needed. Mix the dough only until it holds together because overmixing can make the biscuits dense. Press the cutter straight down without twisting so the edges can rise evenly.Variations
Add grated cheddar, chopped chives, cracked black pepper, or dried herbs to the flour mixture. Brush the warm biscuits with melted butter for a softer and richer top. Smaller biscuits will cook more quickly, so check them several minutes earlier.Freezing Instructions
Freeze unbaked biscuits in a single layer before transferring them to an airtight container. Store them for up to one month. Cook from frozen and add several minutes to the air-frying time. Cooked biscuits can also be frozen and reheated briefly in the air fryer.Wine Advice
A lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the buttery flavour and tender crumb. When serving the biscuits with a sweet brunch, choose a gently sparkling Moscato d’Asti.Nutrition values
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About Air Fryer Buttermilk Biscuits
Air Fryer Buttermilk Biscuits deliver the tender crumb, buttery flavour, and golden surface associated with traditional Southern baking. Instead of heating a full-size oven, this recipe uses circulating hot air to bake a small batch efficiently. The finished biscuits are compact enough to serve like dinner rolls but still have the soft interior and crisp edges expected from a homemade biscuit.
The recipe makes 16 small biscuits, which provides four biscuits per serving when divided among four people. They are suitable for breakfast, brunch, or as a side dish with a savoury dinner. Because the biscuits cook in two batches, every piece receives enough airflow to rise and brown properly.
Why Southern Air Fryer Biscuits Work
Cold ingredients are essential to the texture of Southern air fryer biscuits. Small pieces of chilled butter remain suspended throughout the dough. As the biscuits cook, the butter melts and releases steam, creating light pockets inside the crumb. Chilled buttermilk helps keep the butter firm during mixing and supplies acidity that reacts with the baking soda.
Baking powder provides additional lift, while a small amount of sugar supports browning without making the biscuits noticeably sweet. Kosher salt balances the richness of the butter and enhances the mild tang of the buttermilk. Each ingredient has a clear purpose, so accurate measuring produces the most dependable result.
Mixing and Shaping the Dough
Work the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until pea-sized pieces remain. The mixture should not become completely smooth. Visible pieces of butter are desirable because they help create a flaky texture. Add the buttermilk and mix gently with a silicone spatula only until the dough comes together.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and pat it into a disk approximately ½ inch thick. Avoid pressing too firmly or repeatedly kneading the dough. Cut the Air Fryer Buttermilk Biscuits by pushing the cutter straight downward. Twisting the cutter can seal the edges and restrict the rise.
Getting an Even Golden Finish
Arrange the biscuits in a single layer with their edges just touching. This provides light support as they rise while still allowing hot air to circulate around them. Do not stack the dough or crowd the basket. Cooking eight biscuits at a time gives more consistent results than trying to fit the entire batch into a standard air fryer.
Air fryer models differ in power and basket design, so begin checking near the end of the stated cooking time. The biscuits should be golden on the surface and baked through in the centre. If the tops brown too quickly, reduce the temperature slightly for the second batch.
Serving and Storage
Serve Southern air fryer biscuits while they are still warm. Butter, honey, jam, and fruit preserves are simple choices for breakfast. For a savoury meal, pair them with eggs, sausage gravy, soup, chilli, fried chicken, or slow-cooked meat. They also complement our Caramel Apple Raisin Strata on a larger brunch table.
Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container for up to two days or freeze them for up to one month. Reheat them briefly in the air fryer to refresh the surface without drying the centre. Unbaked biscuits can also be frozen individually and cooked directly from frozen with a slightly longer cooking time.
Follow current FDA safe food-handling guidance when storing biscuits and handling dairy ingredients. With cold butter, gentle mixing, and enough space in the basket, Air Fryer Buttermilk Biscuits provide reliable homemade results without switching on the oven.