Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Servings: 8 biscuits
Cuisine: American
Course: Side Dish, Snack
Ingredients
For the Biscuits
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¾ cup whole milk
For the Garlic Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
Equipment Needed
- Air fryer
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pastry cutter or fork
- Parchment paper (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
Step 2: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or fork, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Small pieces of butter should remain visible, as they help create flaky biscuits.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Milk
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Pour in the milk and mix gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the biscuits dense instead of light and fluffy.
Step 4: Shape the Biscuits
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop 8 equal portions of dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape gently into rounds if desired.
Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes. This helps ensure even cooking and proper browning.
Step 6: Air Fry the Biscuits
Place the biscuits in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each biscuit for air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the biscuits are cooked through.
Step 7: Prepare the Garlic Butter
While the biscuits are cooking, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley in a small bowl.
Step 8: Finish and Serve
Remove the biscuits from the air fryer and immediately brush the tops with the garlic butter mixture. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Cheddar Biscuits
- Use cold butter to create flaky layers.
- Freshly shredded cheddar melts better than pre-packaged shredded cheese.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Check biscuits at the 10-minute mark since air fryer models vary.
- Brush with garlic butter while hot for maximum flavor absorption.
- For extra cheesiness, sprinkle additional cheddar on top before cooking.
Variations
Bacon Cheddar Biscuits
Add ¼ cup cooked and crumbled bacon to the dough.
Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits
Mix in 1 finely diced jalapeño for a spicy kick.
Herb Cheddar Biscuits
Add 1 tablespoon chopped chives, parsley, or rosemary.
Extra Garlic Biscuits
Double the garlic powder in both the dough and topping.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To freeze, place cooled biscuits in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating Instructions
Air Fryer
Reheat at 320°F (160°C) for 2–3 minutes.
Microwave
Heat for 15–20 seconds until warm.
Oven
Warm at 325°F (163°C) for 5–7 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
These biscuits pair wonderfully with:
- Tomato soup
- Chicken noodle soup
- Beef chili
- Barbecue chicken
- Roasted vegetables
- Breakfast eggs and bacon
They are also delicious served with honey butter or additional melted cheddar cheese.
Nutrition Information
Per Biscuit (Approximate)
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Calcium: 180mg