Can You Cook Pillsbury Biscuits In An Air Fryer? | Easy

If you love warm Pillsbury biscuits but do not always want to run the oven, an air fryer feels like a natural shortcut. The good news is that if you have wondered, can you cook pillsbury biscuits in an air fryer?, the answer is yes when you give them the right temperature, spacing, and timing. You get a tender inside, crisp edges, and layers without heating up the whole kitchen.

This guide walks through how to handle different Pillsbury biscuit styles in the air fryer, from classic Grands flaky layers to smaller buttermilk biscuits.

Can You Cook Pillsbury Biscuits In An Air Fryer? Time And Temp Basics

Pillsbury has tested several of its products in the air fryer, including Grands flaky layers biscuits, and shares a basic method that works well as a starting point. Their test kitchen uses parchment in the basket, four biscuits at a time, and a gentle temperature to avoid burning the outside before the centers finish baking.

For most refrigerated Pillsbury biscuits, an air fryer setting around 320°F gives the dough enough time to rise and brown without turning the tops too dark. Thinner or smaller biscuits can handle slightly higher temperatures, while jumbo styles often need that lower setting with a longer cook.

Here is a quick reference table with common Pillsbury biscuit styles and air fryer ranges based on the brand’s guidance and home-cook tests.

Biscuit Type	Air Fry Temp (°F)	Approx Time*
Grands Flaky Layers (8-count can)	320	11–13 minutes
Grands Southern Homestyle	320–330	10–13 minutes
Regular Buttermilk Biscuits (10-count)	330–340	8–10 minutes
Sweet Biscuits With Icing	320	10–12 minutes
Frozen Pillsbury Biscuits**	330–350	12–16 minutes
Mini Or Pull-Apart Biscuit Pieces	330–350	6–9 minutes
Stuffed Breakfast Sandwich Biscuits	320	12–15 minutes

*Times assume a single layer of biscuits in the basket with space between them. Actual times vary by air fryer size and brand.

**Check the package if you are using foodservice or frozen dough pucks; oven times on the label help you choose a matching air fryer time.

Pillsbury Biscuits In Air Fryer: Step-By-Step Method

Before you try variations, it helps to have a clear baseline. The steps below follow the Pillsbury test kitchen approach for Grands flaky layers biscuits and adapt well to other canned styles.

Prep The Air Fryer Basket

Cut a round of parchment paper that fits the bottom of your air fryer basket. Leave a little room around the edges so air can move freely. Spray the parchment with a light coat of cooking spray to keep the dough from sticking.

If your basket has a nonstick finish, you can also skip parchment and spray the metal insert directly. Parchment makes cleanup easier and catches any small drips of butter from the biscuits.

Arrange The Pillsbury Biscuits

Pop open the can and separate the biscuits. Place four biscuits in the basket so they sit in a single layer with a bit of space on all sides. This room lets the hot air reach every biscuit instead of steaming the dough.

Put the remaining biscuits in the refrigerator while the first batch cooks. Chilled dough holds its shape better and rises cleanly once it hits the hot air.

Air Fry At 320°F And Flip

Set the air fryer to 320°F. Most models do not need preheating for this recipe, and Pillsbury’s own method starts from a cold basket. Start with six minutes on the timer for Grands biscuits.

When the timer ends, pull the basket out and flip each biscuit with tongs. The tops should look puffy and light golden. Flipping lets the bottoms brown and makes the texture more even.

Finish Baking And Check Doneness

Return the basket and cook the biscuits for another five to seven minutes. You are looking for a deep golden color on both sides and firm centers that spring back when pressed gently.

Once the biscuits finish, move them to a plate or wrap them loosely in foil while you cook the next batch. Foil helps them stay warm without trapping too much steam.

How Air Fryer Biscuits Compare To Oven Baking

Air frying Pillsbury biscuits changes the balance between browning and rise compared with baking on a sheet pan. Hot air hits all sides at once, so the tops and bottoms brown faster, while the centers can lag behind if the temperature is too high.

Oven directions on the Pillsbury can, such as baking Grands biscuits at 350–375°F for 13–17 minutes, are still your best baseline for how the dough should look when done, and you can double-check times in the Pillsbury air fryer test for your own air fryer, biscuit style, and batch size at home each time.

In the air fryer, you simply trade a lower temperature and slightly shorter time for that same color and texture. If a can calls for 375°F in the oven, a starting point of 320–330°F in the air fryer usually works well, with a quick check halfway through.

Adjusting For Basket Vs Oven-Style Air Fryers

Basket air fryers tend to be more intense on the bottom because the heating element sits close to the basket. Oven-style models have a larger cavity and often need a little more time.

For a compact basket unit, lean toward the lower end of the time range and check early. For a toaster-oven-style air fryer, the same temperature can need one or two extra minutes before the biscuits turn a deep golden color.

What If Your Air Fryer Can Not Set 320°F?

Some air fryers jump in 10°F or 25°F increments and do not land exactly on 320°F. In that case, use the closest lower setting first. At 300°F, add two or three minutes to the second half of the cook. At 330°F, shorten the second half by a minute and keep an eye on the color.

The official Pillsbury air fryer article also reminds readers to check the air fryer manual for matching settings if the dial does not line up exactly with recipe temperatures. That same approach keeps biscuits safe from overbrowning.

Flavor Variations And Simple Upgrades

Once you have a reliable base method, you can spin canned biscuits into quick flavor experiments. The air fryer makes it easy to give the tops a little extra color and flavor without long prep time.

Buttery Garlic Or Herb Biscuits

Stir melted butter with a pinch of garlic powder and dried parsley. During the last two minutes of the cook, brush the tops of the biscuits with this mixture and slide the basket back in. The butter soaks into the flaky layers and gives a savory finish that works well with soups and pasta dishes.

Cinnamon Sugar Breakfast Biscuits

For a sweet option, mix granulated sugar with cinnamon in a small bowl. As soon as the biscuits come out of the air fryer, brush them with melted butter and toss or sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the tops. Serve warm with coffee or tea.

Mini Sandwiches And Sliders

Split each biscuit, add scrambled egg, a slice of cheese, and cooked bacon or sausage, then return the assembled sandwiches to the hot but turned-off air fryer for a minute so the cheese melts.

When you work with fillings that contain meat or egg, a quick check with a thermometer helps you meet the temperature guidance on resources like FoodSafety.gov temperature charts.

Common Mistakes With Pillsbury Biscuits In The Air Fryer

Air fried biscuits are simple, but a few easy missteps can lead to dark tops, raw centers, or dough that never rises as high as it could. The list below walks through frequent problems and how to fix them.

Overcrowding The Basket

Stacking biscuits too close together keeps hot air from reaching the sides. The dough steams instead of baking, and the biscuits stay pale and dense. Always leave a finger’s width of space around each biscuit and cook in batches if needed.

Setting The Temperature Too High

A hotter setting might sound faster, but biscuits brown on the outside long before the inside cooks through. If you notice dark tops while the centers still feel doughy, drop the temperature by 10–20°F and extend the cook time by a few minutes.

Skipping The Flip

Because heat enters mainly from the top, the upper surface browns first. Flipping halfway lets the bottoms catch up and prevents a pale underside. You only need a quick turn with tongs once during the cook.

Not Checking The First Batch

Every air fryer behaves a little differently. Treat your first batch as a test run and note the exact time that gives you the color and texture you like. Use that timing as your personal standard for later bakes.

Problem	Likely Cause	Simple Fix
Dark tops, raw centers	Temperature too high	Lower heat by 10–20°F and extend time
Pale, dense biscuits	Basket overcrowded or time too short	Space biscuits out and add 2–3 minutes
Dry or tough texture	Baking too long	Check earlier and pull once light golden
Uneven browning	No flip during cook	Flip halfway for even color
Sticking to basket	No parchment or spray	Add parchment and a light oil spray
Flat biscuits	Dough too warm	Chill unopened can and keep extra biscuits cold
Greasy bottoms	Too much oil spray	Mist lightly or skip extra oil

Reheating Leftover Pillsbury Biscuits In The Air Fryer

Day-old biscuits often taste fine but lose their fluffy texture. The air fryer brings them back with crisp edges and a warm center in only a few minutes.

Place leftover biscuits in a single layer in the basket. Set the temperature to 300–320°F and heat for three to five minutes. The goal is to warm them through and refresh the crust, not bake them a second time.

If the biscuits feel dry, brush the tops with a small amount of melted butter or lay a piece of foil loosely over them during the first couple of minutes to keep the surface from drying out too quickly.

Quick Reference: Pillsbury Biscuits In The Air Fryer

If you ask, can you cook pillsbury biscuits in an air fryer?, yes—you can as long as you adjust the temperature down from the oven directions, give each biscuit space, and flip once during the cook.

For most canned biscuits, a temperature near 320°F and a total time of 8–13 minutes brings you to golden, fluffy results at home easily.