Air Fryer Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe

These Air Fryer Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a game-changer for busy weeknights when you crave something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Ready in just 17 minutes, these biscuits deliver that irresistible cheesy, garlicky flavor we all love, with a tender interior and perfectly golden exterior. The air fryer works its magic to create biscuits that rival any restaurant version, but with the satisfaction of making them yourself!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super Quick: From mixing bowl to table in under 20 minutes – perfect for those “I need bread with dinner but forgot to plan ahead” moments!
• Ridiculously Easy: If you can stir ingredients together, you can make these biscuits. No complicated techniques required!
• Customizable: The base recipe is fantastic, but you can easily add herbs or switch up the cheese to match your meal.
• No Oven Needed: Your air fryer does all the work without heating up the entire kitchen – a true blessing during summer months.
• Restaurant Quality: These taste remarkably similar to a certain seafood restaurant’s famous biscuits, but you can make them anytime the craving strikes!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of our biscuits, providing structure while still allowing for tenderness.
• Baking powder and baking soda: The dynamic duo that creates the perfect rise – don’t substitute one for the other!
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the richness of the cheese and butter.
• Garlic powder: Gives these biscuits their distinctive savory flavor profile – fresh garlic just isn’t the same here.
• Butter: Cold butter is absolutely crucial for creating those delicious flaky layers – the colder, the better!
• Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh flavor that brightens up the richness of the biscuits.
• Shredded cheese: Sharp cheddar works wonderfully, but feel free to experiment with other varieties for different flavor profiles.
• Buttermilk: The secret to tender, flavorful biscuits – the acidity reacts with the leavening agents for the perfect texture.
• Melted butter and garlic powder for topping: This final brushing takes these biscuits from good to absolutely irresistible!

Variations

Want to put your own spin on these delicious biscuits? Here are some ideas to try:

• Herb Explosion: Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning to the dry ingredients.
• Spicy Kick: Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or 1/4 cup of diced jalapeños to the batter for heat lovers.
• Cheese Swap: Replace cheddar with pepper jack, smoked gouda, or a Mediterranean blend for totally different flavor profiles.
• Add-Ins: Fold in 2-3 tablespoons of crispy bacon bits, sun-dried tomatoes, or chopped scallions for extra flavor dimensions.
• Sweet Version: Omit the garlic and cheese, add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the dry ingredients, and brush with honey butter after baking for a sweet treat!

How to Make Air Fryer Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and garlic powder until well combined. This even distribution ensures every bite has that perfect flavor profile.

Step 2: Cut in the Butter

Cut your cold stick of butter into small pea-sized cubes. Mix the butter into the dry flour mixture using a stand mixer, pastry blender, or even your fingertips until small crumbles form. You’re looking for a coarse, sandy texture with visible butter pieces throughout.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Herbs

Stir in the shredded cheese and parsley, distributing them evenly throughout the flour mixture. The cheese will create pockets of melty goodness while the parsley adds freshness to every bite.

Step 4: Add Buttermilk

Pour in the buttermilk and gently mix until just combined. This is crucial: the dough should be just firm enough to hold together but still somewhat sticky. Overmixing will create tough biscuits, so use a light hand!

Step 5: Shape and Air Fry

Spray your air fryer basket with oil. Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, drop mounds of biscuit dough into the basket, allowing them to just touch each other. Spray the tops lightly with oil and air fry at 380°F for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes until golden brown.

Step 6: Apply Garlic Butter

While the biscuits are still hot, combine the melted butter with garlic powder and brush generously over the tops of each biscuit. Watch them absorb that buttery goodness for an extra layer of flavor!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Keep Everything Cold: For truly flaky biscuits, freeze your butter for 10-15 minutes after cutting it into cubes. Cold butter creates steam pockets while cooking, which results in that perfect texture.
• Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix until just combined – the more you handle the dough, the tougher your biscuits will become. Some lumps and a slightly shaggy appearance are actually good signs!
• Proper Spacing: Place the biscuits so they’re just touching in the air fryer basket. This helps them rise upward instead of spreading outward while still allowing air circulation for even cooking.
• Batch Cooking: If making a large batch, keep the dough cold in the refrigerator between batches for the best texture and rise.
• Even Scooping: Use an ice cream scoop for uniform biscuits that will cook at the same rate. Different sizes will require adjusted cooking times.

How to Serve

These versatile biscuits complement nearly any meal, but here are some favorite pairings:

Perfect Companions:

• Serve alongside soups or stews for dipping into those flavorful broths.
• Pair with scrambled eggs and bacon for an elevated breakfast.
• Use as a side for grilled chicken or fish dinners.

Make It a Meal:

• Split horizontally and use as mini sandwich buns for sliders.
• Top with sausage gravy for a delicious twist on biscuits and gravy.
• Serve with honey or jam for a sweet-savory contrast that’s absolutely delightful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavor actually improves slightly after a day as the garlic and cheese notes develop!

Freezing

These biscuits freeze beautifully! Arrange completely cooled biscuits on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for storage up to 3 months. This method prevents them from sticking together.

Reheating

For that fresh-baked taste, reheat refrigerated biscuits in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350°F. For frozen biscuits, reheat for 3-4 minutes. You can also microwave them for 15-20 seconds, though they won’t retain their crisp exterior this way.

For best results, save some of the garlic butter mixture in the refrigerator and apply a fresh coat after reheating!

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, but the texture and flavor won’t be quite the same. If you don’t have buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before using. This creates a good substitute that will activate the leavening agents properly.

Why didn’t my biscuits rise as much as expected?
The most common culprits are overmixing the dough or using baking powder/soda that’s too old. Both leavening agents lose potency over time, so if yours have been in the pantry for more than 6 months, it might be time for fresh ones. Also, make sure your butter was very cold when incorporated.

Can I make these biscuits in a conventional oven?
Absolutely! Bake at 425°F for about 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Place them close together on a parchment-lined baking sheet for soft sides or farther apart for crispier exteriors.

How can I make these biscuits gluten-free?
Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious. Some brands work better than others, so you might need to experiment to find your favorite.

Final Thoughts

These Air Fryer Cheddar Bay Biscuits are one of those recipes that deliver impressive results with minimal effort. The way they combine cheesy, garlicky goodness with that perfect tender texture makes them completely irresistible. Whether you’re serving them alongside your main course or enjoying them on their own (no judgment here!), they’re bound to become a regular feature in your cooking rotation. Give them a try tonight – your taste buds and your dinner guests will thank you!

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