Deliciously Easy Air Fryer Cheddar Bay Biscuits: Classic & Gluten-Free Recipe
For anyone who cherishes the warm, cheesy, and garlicky goodness of Red Lobster’s famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits but craves a simpler, faster homemade method, your air fryer is about to become your new best friend. This innovative kitchen appliance transforms a classic comfort food into a quick-prep delight, delivering that beloved flavor and texture with unparalleled convenience.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through preparing the absolute best Cheddar Bay Biscuits right in your air fryer. Not only will you discover how straightforward the process is, but we’ll also provide a fantastic method for making them completely gluten-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy these irresistible savory treats.
Why Choose the Air Fryer for Your Cheddar Bay Biscuits?
While traditional oven baking yields excellent results, the air fryer offers several distinct advantages that make it an ideal choice for biscuits. Firstly, it drastically cuts down on cooking time, allowing you to enjoy fresh, warm biscuits in mere minutes. The circulating hot air creates a beautifully crisp exterior while keeping the interior wonderfully soft and fluffy – a perfect textural contrast that’s hard to achieve so consistently otherwise. It also means less preheating time compared to a conventional oven, making spontaneous biscuit cravings much easier to satisfy. Plus, for those hot summer days, using a smaller appliance like an air fryer keeps your kitchen cooler than heating up a large oven.
Making Irresistible Gluten-Free Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Embracing a gluten-free diet doesn’t mean sacrificing your favorite comfort foods, especially when it comes to these cheesy biscuits. The primary adjustment for making these biscuits gluten-free is simply swapping out traditional flour for a high-quality gluten-free baking mix. Many excellent store-bought options are available, such as gluten-free Bisquick, which offer a convenient shortcut. Alternatively, you can easily prepare your own homemade gluten-free baking mix using the recipe provided in the recipe card below.
For those without gluten sensitivities, feel free to use a regular all-purpose flour when making your homemade baking mix, or simply opt for the traditional Bisquick. It’s important to note that gluten-free biscuits often have a slightly denser texture compared to their gluten-containing counterparts. This is a common characteristic of gluten-free baking due to the absence of gluten’s elastic properties. However, with the right technique, your air fryer will still deliver incredibly flavorful and satisfying results.
Expert Tips for Crafting Perfect Cheddar Bay Biscuits (Including Gluten-Free)
Achieving biscuit perfection, especially when going gluten-free, involves a few key steps and considerations. The foundation of this recipe lies in the baking mix. This versatile mix, whether homemade or store-bought, will be combined with shredded cheddar cheese and water to form a pliable dough. For optimal mixing, we highly recommend using your hands or a Danish Dough Whisk. These tools allow for efficient incorporation of ingredients without overworking the dough, which can lead to tough biscuits.
Once you’ve combined the ingredients, you’ll need to work the dough for just 1-2 minutes until it comes together. Avoid over-mixing; a lightly cohesive, slightly shaggy dough is ideal. Traditionally, biscuit dough is gently formed into a ball and then individual biscuits are portioned. For air frying, simply drop tablespoon-sized pieces of dough into your prepared air fryer basket. Don’t worry about perfect shapes; the rustic look adds to their homemade charm!
When it comes to cooking, these biscuits will typically bake at 320°F (160°C) for approximately 11 minutes. The exact timing can vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size of your biscuits, so always monitor them closely. The goal is a golden-brown exterior and a thoroughly cooked interior. Once they’re beautifully golden and firm to the touch, they’re ready for their signature finish.
This recipe yields about 8 biscuits, depending on how large you form each one. To ensure even cooking and optimal crispiness, it’s crucial to leave ample space between each biscuit in the air fryer basket. For most standard air fryers, this means cooking in batches. For instance, in my Ninja Air Fryer, I typically cook 4 biscuits at a time to allow for proper air circulation. Don’t overcrowd the basket!
The Essential Garlic Butter Topping
No Cheddar Bay Biscuit is complete without that iconic, savory garlic butter topping. Once your biscuits are out of the air fryer, while still warm, this buttery infusion is drizzled generously over each one. The warmth of the biscuits allows the melted butter, garlic powder, and other seasonings to seep in, creating an explosion of flavor. You can also add a pinch of dried parsley for visual appeal and an extra layer of herby freshness.
Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Leftovers
While these biscuits are undeniably at their best when served fresh and warm straight from the air fryer, you can certainly store any leftovers to enjoy later. Simply place the cooled biscuits in an airtight container and store them at room temperature. They will retain their freshness for up to 2-3 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, a quick reheat is all it takes. Pop them into the microwave for about 30 seconds, or for a crispier refresh, a few minutes back in the air fryer at a slightly lower temperature (around 300°F/150°C) will work wonders. They’ll taste almost as good as freshly made!
These versatile biscuits are a fantastic accompaniment to a wide variety of meals. They pair exceptionally well with seafood, mimicking the classic Red Lobster experience. Try them alongside Air Fried Fish, shrimp scampi, or even a simple bowl of clam chowder. They’re also delightful with hearty stews, chili, or as a savory side to your breakfast eggs. Don’t limit their potential – these cheesy, buttery biscuits can elevate almost any dish!
Known for their fluffy texture and cheesy goodness, these air-fried Cheddar Bay Biscuits achieve the perfect balance of a crisp outside and a soft, flavorful inside. They truly capture the essence of the restaurant classic, all while offering the convenience and customization of a homemade recipe, including a fantastic gluten-free option. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this incredibly easy and delicious air fryer recipe!
Air Fryer Cheddar Bay Biscuits
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Ingredients
Biscuits
- 2 Cups Gluten-Free Baking Mix
- 1/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Cup Water
Topping
- 1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter Melted
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/8 Tsp Salt
- Dash of Onion Powder
- Dash of Dried Parsley
Gluten-Free Baking Mix
- 2 Cups Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour See Note
- 1 Tbsp Baking Powder
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1/3 Cup Unsalted Butter
Instructions
To Make the Baking Mix:
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Using a food processor, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pulse to combine.
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Add butter and continue to pulse until it resembles a cornmeal consistency.
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Use 2 cups for the recipe and store any extra in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months. This recipe should yield just about exactly 2 cups.
To Make the Biscuits:
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the baking mix and cheddar cheese. Work in the cup of water a little at a time mixing with a Danish Dough Whisk until well combined. This may also need to be worked by hand.
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Coat the basket of the air fryer with grapeseed oil spray or use a silicone liner.
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Use about 1-2 tablespoonfuls of dough, form a biscuit, and place it in the air fryer basket, this will normally hold 4 biscuits keeping about 2 inches in between each one.
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Air Fry at 320°F for 11-12 minutes or until the internal temperature of the dough reaches at least 165°F.
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In a small bowl, add the butter and melt it in the microwave.
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Once melted, add the garlic powder, salt, onion powder, and parsley. Mix with a brush to combine.
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Move the biscuits to a plate or tray and brush the butter mixture on top. This works the best to do it with warm biscuits.
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Serve.
Notes
If you do not need gluten-free, use regular all-purpose flour to make the baking mix.
For the homemade gluten-free baking mix, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour that is a 1:1 ratio. Recommended brands include Bob’s Red Mill, King Arthur, Better Batter, or Cup 4 Cup.
Nutrition
