Introduction
Oh, honey! If you’re anything like me, sometimes you just get a craving for something warm, savory, and utterly comforting. You know, the kind of bite that takes you back to grandma’s kitchen or a cozy diner booth. But let’s be real, life is busy, and maybe you’re also keeping an eye on those carbs. That’s where these little beauties come in!
These Easy Air Fryer Keto Cheddar Cottage Cheese Biscuits are an absolute game-changer. They’re ridiculously simple, shockingly quick thanks to your air fryer, and they deliver all that cheesy, bready goodness without knocking you out of ketosis. Get ready to fall in love – these are going to be a new staple in your low-carb life, trust me!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: From start to finish, you’re looking at about 15 minutes. Yes, really!
- Easy: Just mix, shape, and air fry. No complicated steps here.
- Giftable: If you can bear to share, they make a thoughtful (and delicious!) low-carb gift.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Even folks not following a keto diet will gobble these up!
- Low Carb: Perfect for your keto or low-carb lifestyle.
Ingredients
Gather ’round, let’s talk about the simple stars of this show. You probably have most of these hanging out in your pantry and fridge already!
- 1 cup almond flour: This is our low-carb base. Make sure it’s fine-ground for the best texture.
- ½ cup cottage cheese: The secret weapon! It adds moisture, fluffiness, and a little protein boost. Don’t worry, the cottage cheese flavor disappears, leaving just tenderness. I usually use full-fat, but whatever you have works.
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese: Because what’s a biscuit without cheese? Sharp or mild, your call.
- 1 large egg: Our binder, holding everything together beautifully.
- 1 tsp baking powder: This gives our biscuits that lovely lift. Make sure yours isn’t expired!
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional): Adds a little savory kick. Highly recommended if you like a garlicky biscuit, but totally fine to skip if you prefer.
- Pinch of salt: Just to enhance all those wonderful flavors.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get baking (well, air frying!). It’s seriously this simple:
First things first, preheat your air fryer if your model requires it. Some newer ones don’t, but a quick preheat to 350°F (175°C) for a couple of minutes is never a bad idea.
In a medium bowl, combine your almond flour, shredded cheddar cheese, baking powder, garlic powder (if using), and a pinch of salt. Give it a little whisk or stir to mix everything evenly. This helps distribute the leavening and salt.
Next, add your cottage cheese and the egg to the dry ingredients. Now, grab a spatula or a sturdy spoon and mix it all together. Stir until everything is just combined and you have a thick, sticky dough. Don’t overmix it; we don’t want tough biscuits!
Line your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper designed for air fryers, or spray it lightly with non-stick spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Now, it’s time to shape! Scoop the dough – I find a standard cookie scoop works well, or just use a spoon – and gently form them into rustic biscuit shapes. They don’t have to be perfect circles. Place them in your air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one so the hot air can circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll likely need to cook these in batches.
Pop the basket into your preheated air fryer. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8-12 minutes. The exact time will depend on your air fryer model and the size of your biscuits. You’re looking for them to be golden brown on top and cooked through. I always check mine around the 8-minute mark and go from there.
Once they’re golden and delicious, carefully remove the basket. Let the biscuits cool in the basket for a minute or two before transferring them to a wire rack. They’ll firm up slightly as they cool.
Serve them warm with butter, cream cheese, or alongside your favorite low-carb meal. Enjoy!
Substitutions & Additions
Want to mix things up? This recipe is super versatile! Here are a few ideas:
- Cheese: Swap the cheddar for Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or a spicy pepper jack. A little parmesan mixed in is also divine!
- Herbs: Stir in a tablespoon of fresh chopped chives, rosemary, or dill for extra flavor. Dried herbs work too – start with a teaspoon.
- Spices: A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of smoked paprika can add a nice twist.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning: Sprinkle some on top before air frying for a fantastic savory crunch.
- Make it sweeter? While this version is savory, you could potentially adapt it slightly by omitting the garlic powder and salt (or reducing significantly) and adding a tiny bit of sweetener and perhaps some cinnamon, but this recipe is truly designed for the savory side!
Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix: Just mix until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher biscuits, even with low-carb flours.
- Check your baking powder: Make sure it’s fresh for the best rise. You can test it by putting a little in hot water; it should fizz vigorously.
- Air Fryer Temps Vary: Keep an eye on them, especially the first time you make them. Air fryers can be different!
- Shape Gently: These aren’t traditional dough that you knead. Just gently form the scoops into rustic biscuit shapes.
- Give them Space: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and browning.
How to Store It
If you happen to have any leftovers (a big IF!), they store well.
Let the biscuits cool completely on a wire rack. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, or gently warm them in a toaster oven or microwave.
You can also freeze these! Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They should keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer or oven.
FAQs
Here are a few questions folks often ask about these types of low-carb biscuits:
Q: Can I bake these in a conventional oven?
A: Yes, you can! Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on them as oven times can vary.
Q: Does the cottage cheese make them taste like cottage cheese?
A: Nope! The cottage cheese melts and integrates into the dough, providing moisture and tenderness without a strong curdy texture or flavor. It just makes them wonderfully soft inside.
Q: Are these really keto-friendly?
A: Yes! Using almond flour keeps the carb count low compared to traditional flour biscuits. The exact macros will depend on the brands you use, but these are designed to fit into a low-carb or ketogenic diet.
Q: Can I use a different type of flour?
A: This recipe is specifically developed for almond flour, which behaves differently than coconut flour or all-purpose flour. Swapping flours would require significant adjustments to the liquid and other ingredients, so I recommend sticking with almond flour for this recipe.
Easy Air Fryer Keto Cheddar Cottage Cheese Biscuits
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Medium bowl
- Spatula or sturdy spoon
- Parchment paper for air fryers, or non-stick spray
- Cookie scoop optional, for shaping
- Wire rack for cooling
Ingredients
Hauptzutaten
- 1 cup almond flour fine-ground
- 0.5 cup cottage cheese full-fat recommended, but any type works
- 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese sharp or mild
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp baking powder ensure it's not expired
- 0.25 tsp garlic powder optional
- pinch salt
Instructions
- First things first, preheat your air fryer if your model requires it. A quick preheat to 350°F (175°C) for a couple of minutes is never a bad idea.
- In a medium bowl, combine your almond flour, shredded cheddar cheese, baking powder, garlic powder (if using), and a pinch of salt. Give it a little whisk or stir to mix everything evenly. This helps distribute the leavening and salt.
- Next, add your cottage cheese and the egg to the dry ingredients. Now, grab a spatula or a sturdy spoon and mix it all together. Stir until everything is just combined and you have a thick, sticky dough. Don't overmix it; we don't want tough biscuits!
- Line your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper designed for air fryers, or spray it lightly with non-stick spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Now, it's time to shape! Scoop the dough – I find a standard cookie scoop works well, or just use a spoon – and gently form them into rustic biscuit shapes. They don't have to be perfect circles. Place them in your air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one so the hot air can circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you'll likely need to cook these in batches.
- Pop the basket into your preheated air fryer. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8-12 minutes. The exact time will depend on your air fryer model and the size of your biscuits. You're looking for them to be golden brown on top and cooked through. I always check mine around the 8-minute mark and go from there.
- Once they're golden and delicious, carefully remove the basket. Let the biscuits cool in the basket for a minute or two before transferring them to a wire rack. They'll firm up slightly as they cool.
- Serve them warm with butter, cream cheese, or alongside your favorite low-carb meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don't overmix: Just mix until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher biscuits.
- Check your baking powder: Make sure it's fresh for the best rise.
- Air Fryer Temps Vary: Keep an eye on them, especially the first time you make them.
- Shape Gently: Just gently form the scoops into rustic biscuit shapes.
- Give them Space: Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary. How to Store It:
- Let cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat in air fryer (300°F/150°C for a few mins), toaster oven, or microwave.
- To freeze: Cool completely, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag/container for up to 2-3 months. Reheat from frozen in air fryer or oven.