Air Fryer Canned Biscuits 

This recipe for Easy, Fluffy Canned Air Fryer Biscuits makes perfectly cooked, fluffy biscuits in just 12 minutes. No need to turn on your oven - these fluffy biscuits are easy for weeknights or quick weekend breakfasts. No doughy centers!

Canned biscuits are already easy - the air fryer makes them even faster, and the results are better than you'd expect. The key is giving them enough time to cook through without letting the outside get too dark. I use Pillsbury Grands-style refrigerated biscuits, and cooking them at a slightly lower temperature than you might think is what keeps them from burning before the center is done.

Because air fryers vary a lot by model, I've included timing notes for regular canned biscuits, Grands-style jumbo biscuits, and frozen biscuits - plus what to do if the middle still looks doughy.

I've tested canned biscuits in the air fryer multiple times, and the steps below will show you how to avoid the most common problem: browned outside, doughy middle.

I love these flaky biscuits when served with my cheesy chicken hash brown casserole or as a sub for the bagel in this delicious steak egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, alongside these deliciously easy muffin tin egg bites. I also love them paired with cozy dinners, like my dutch oven pot roast, or my French onion soup meatloaf. Yum!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This air fryer biscuit recipe is a standout for several reasons. 

• Few ingredients. I'm all for making homemade biscuits sometimes, but there are times when you need quick and easy, and premade biscuit dough from a can does the job fairly well. Just two ingredients, a can of refrigerated biscuits and cooking spray, are all you need.
• Perfect texture. The air fryer gives you that golden-brown outside and fluffy inside that's hard to get consistently in the oven - especially when you dial in the right temperature for your machine.
• Quick and easy. These biscuits still cook quickly, but the lower temperature helps them cook through more evenly, especially if you're using larger biscuits like Pillsbury Grands.
• The perfect addition to any meal. In our house, biscuits are always a good idea. They're a great base for biscuits and gravy, perfect to use as the bun for a breakfast sandwich, and are an easy side dish to creamy scrambled eggs and bacon. 

Key Ingredients

Just a couple of ingredients are needed to make these air fryer buttermilk biscuits:

• Refrigerated canned biscuits. For this recipe, using pre-made dough like Buttermilk Pillsbury Biscuits not only saves time but also ensures fluffy and flaky biscuits every single time. I use Pillsbury Grands Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits (the jumbo size). They're thicker than standard canned biscuits, which is why the timing and temperature guidance in this post is tailored to them. Smaller biscuits will cook faster, so check them a couple minutes early.
• Cooking spray. A light coating of cooking spray is essential to prevent the biscuits from sticking to the air fryer basket.

How To Make Air Fryer Biscuits

These easy biscuits take just a few simple steps. In just 10 minutes, you'll have perfectly fluffy, golden brown biscuits.  

Step 1: Arrange the biscuits. Lightly spray the air fryer with cooking spray to prevent the biscuits from sticking. Place the biscuits in a single layer on the bottom of the basket. For best results, ensure they are not stacked or touching the sides of the basket for even cooking. Leave as much space between the biscuits as your air fryer allows, although if the sides of the biscuits are touching each other, it's not a huge deal since you'll be rotating them during the baking process. If your air fryer is too small to fit all the biscuits comfortably, make them in batches.

Step 2: Cook the biscuits. Air fry the biscuits at 330°F for 6 minutes. Flip the biscuits and continue cooking for an additional 4 to 6 minutes for regular biscuits, or 5 to 7 minutes for Pillsbury Grands, until the outside is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Different air fryers may require slight adjustments in cooking time, so keep an eye on them.

Step 3: Serve. Serve the air fryer canned biscuits, preferably with a pat of butter and delicious fruit preserves (this Instant Pot Orange and Lemon Marmalade is one of my faves.)

How Long To Cook Biscuits In The Air Fryer

If your biscuits are browning on the outside before the center is done, drop the temperature to 330°F and add 2 to 3 minutes. Every air fryer runs a little differently.

How To Cook Pillsbury Grands Biscuits In The Air Fryer

Pillsbury Grands are larger than regular canned biscuits, so they need a little more time and a slightly lower temperature to cook through without burning. Here's what works best:

• Cook at 330°F to 350°F. If your air fryer runs hot, start at 330°F. If it tends to run cool, 350°F gives you more browning.
• Cook in a single layer with space between each biscuit. Crowding the basket is the most common reason the centers don't cook through - the biscuits need airflow around all sides.
• Air fry for 6 minutes, then flip and rotate. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown outside and cooked through in the center. Total time is usually 10 to 12 minutes.
• If the outside is done but the center is still doughy, turn the air fryer off and let the biscuits sit in the closed basket for 2 to 3 minutes. The residual heat often finishes the job without overbrowning the outside.

Why Are My Air Fryer Biscuits Doughy In The Middle

Doughy centers are the most common air fryer biscuit problem, and they're usually caused by one of three things: the temperature is too high (the outside browns before the center cooks), the biscuits are too crowded (no airflow around the sides), or you're using a larger biscuit like Pillsbury Grands that simply needs more time.

The fix: lower the temperature to 330°F and cook for 2 to 4 more minutes. You can also close the basket after turning the air fryer off and let the biscuits rest in the residual heat for 2 to 3 minutes - that gentle heat often finishes the center without burning the top.

More Troubleshooting Tips

Basket Air Fryer vs. Oven-Style Air Fryer

If you have an oven-style air fryer (the kind that looks like a small countertop oven with a rack instead of a basket), biscuits may take a few extra minutes since the heat circulates differently. Place the biscuits on the middle rack and start checking around 8 to 10 minutes. Flip halfway through as you would with a basket air fryer.

How To Serve These Air-Fried Biscuits

These biscuits work as a quick breakfast side, a base for sandwiches, or alongside a hearty dinner. A few favorite ways to serve them:

• Biscuits and gravy. My brother-in-law made this delicious treat when we were visiting at Christmas time, and there is truly nothing more delightful than waking up to the heavenly combination of tender, fluffy biscuits topped with a rich sausage gravy. Yum!
• Ham and cheese biscuits. Slice the baked biscuits in half, add a slice of ham and cheese, and heat for one minute longer in the air fryer. Delicious.
• Breakfast sandwiches. Add an egg round (use this recipe for sheet pan eggs for an easy egg filling!), a couple of slices of bacon, and a slice of cheddar for an easy air fryer breakfast sandwich. 
• With butter and fresh fruit preserves or jam. It's a classic for a reason, and always takes warm biscuits to the next level. This is a perfect pairing and my favorite way to enjoy freshly baked biscuits. (My Instant Pot orange and lemon marmalade is a standout here!)
• As part of a breakfast platter. Having company for brunch? These would work great on this easy breakfast board.
• Add some cinnamon sugar. A slab of butter and a sprinkle of this cinnamon sugar mix is divine.
• Top with some honey. There's really nothing like a warm biscuit with a drizzle of sweet honey.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

Storage: Leftover biscuits keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day, or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing: Freeze baked biscuits in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat directly from frozen.

Reheating: Air fry at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes to restore the crispy exterior. The microwave works in a pinch but softens the outside.

Air Fryer Biscuits FAQs

Can you really cook Pillsbury canned biscuits in the air fryer?

Yes! Simply spray the air fryer basket with oil, arrange the biscuits in the air fryer, and cook them for about 10 minutes at 330° F, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.

How long do I cook the biscuits in the air fryer?

Canned biscuits should take approximately 8-10 minutes to air fry, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.

Can you make frozen biscuits in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen biscuits in an air fryer. The cooking time will be slightly longer, typically around 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.

How do you reheat/crisp biscuits in an air fryer?

To reheat, place the biscuits in the air fryer basket and cook at 350 degrees F for about 2-3 minutes or until thoroughly warmed. Reheating in the air fryer ensures they'll return to all their crispy glory.

What temperature do you cook biscuits in an air fryer?

Cook the biscuits at 330° F for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes.

Can you use parchment paper in the air fryer for biscuits?

Adding parchment paper reduces the air flow and can impact how well your biscuits will cook. However, you can use air-fryer liners, which are nifty little sheets that fit your basket and contain small holes in them to still allow the air to flow freely.

Do you have to flip biscuits in the air fryer?

Yes. Flipping halfway through is important - it keeps the bottom from getting too dark while the top is still cooking, and helps both sides brown evenly.

Should I preheat the air fryer for biscuits?

You don't need to preheat for this recipe. If your air fryer tends to run cool, preheating for 2 to 3 minutes can help the biscuits brown a little more evenly, but it's not required.

More Easy Air Fryer Side Dishes

Making these Pillsbury biscuits in the air fryer is a huge time saver for your weeknights or busy weekends. If you try these Easy Canned Air Fryer Biscuits, let me know what you think in the comments section below. And don't forget to tag me on Instagram @frontrangefed with a pic so I can see how they turned!