If you’ve ever wanted to master the art of flaky, tender biscuits right from your own kitchen, this Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe is exactly what you need. Picture warm, golden little pillows with just the right amount of buttery richness and a soft crumb that melts in your mouth. Perfectly crisp on the outside and irresistibly fluffy inside, these biscuits are sure to become your new go-to comfort food. The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its simplicity but also how it transforms basic pantry staples into something truly special that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for these biscuits are wonderfully straightforward, each playing a crucial role in building that perfect texture and flavor you expect from a classic biscuit. Fresh, cold butter adds richness and flakiness, while buttermilk brings a subtle tang and tender crumb. Together, these simple ingredients create biscuits that are anything but ordinary.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that provides structure and makes biscuits soft and tender.
- 1 tablespoon baking powder: The leavening agent that helps these biscuits rise nice and fluffy.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Adds additional lift and aids in browning for that perfect crust.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances flavor, balancing the rich butter and tangy buttermilk.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold and cubed): Essential for creating buttery layers and flaky texture.
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk (plus more for brushing): Adds moisture and tenderizes the dough with a slight tanginess.
How to Make Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
First things first, preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until everything is evenly combined. This step ensures your leavening agents and seasoning are well-distributed so that each biscuit rises and tastes perfect.
Step 2: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. This is crucial because those bits of butter steam during baking, creating the signature flaky layers we all love.
Step 3: Mix in the Buttermilk
Pour in the cold buttermilk and gently stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the biscuits tender. The dough will be slightly sticky but workable. This balance is what gives you a moist biscuit with a delicate crumb.
Step 4: Fold and Shape the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a 1-inch-thick rectangle. Fold it over itself 2 to 3 times — this repeating folding creates layers, making your biscuits flaky. Gently pat it back down to the same thickness. This process is what lifts this Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe above the rest.
Step 5: Cut and Bake
Use a biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out rounds, then place them on your prepared baking sheet. For soft biscuit sides, arrange them close together; for a crispier edge, space them apart. Brush the tops lightly with buttermilk for a beautiful golden finish. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the tops are perfectly golden brown. Let your biscuits cool slightly before serving warm and enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven magic.
How to Serve Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
These biscuits are wonderful all on their own, but topping them with a pat of butter that melts into every crevice is heavenly. For a sweeter touch, drizzle with honey or spread your favorite jam. Fresh herbs like chives or thyme can add an unexpected savory pop perfect for brunch.
Side Dishes
Perfect as a side, these biscuits complement everything from classic fried chicken to creamy gravy. Pair them with scrambled eggs and bacon for a hearty breakfast or alongside a fresh, crisp salad for a lighter meal. They’re incredibly versatile whatever you choose.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation up a notch by slicing biscuits in half and layering with ham and cheese for mini sandwiches, or split and top with sausage gravy for a true Southern experience. You can also use them as a base for a biscuit bread pudding or crumble over soups for added texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover biscuits (though unlikely!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain softness. They remain delicious but best enjoyed fresh for that perfect flaky texture.
Freezing
This Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe is freezer-friendly! You can freeze unbaked biscuits by placing them on a tray until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. When you want fresh biscuits, bake them directly from frozen, simply adding a couple of minutes to the baking time. It’s a fantastic way to always have biscuit dough on hand.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers by wrapping biscuits in foil and warming in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. This method brings back that just-baked softness much better than microwaving, which can toughen the biscuits.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
You can substitute milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic buttermilk’s acidity, which helps with the biscuit’s rise and flavor. However, using real buttermilk gives the best texture and taste.
Why does my biscuit dough become tough?
Tough biscuits usually come from overworking the dough, which develops gluten. Handle the dough gently and mix only until ingredients come together for the fluffiest results.
How do I get flaky layers in my biscuits?
The key is using cold butter and folding the dough a few times before cutting. These layers of butter in the dough steam during baking, creating those perfect flaky layers.
Can I make these biscuits dairy-free?
You can replace the butter with a cold dairy-free alternative and substitute buttermilk with a non-dairy milk and lemon juice mixture. The texture may vary slightly but should still be delicious.
What’s the best way to cut biscuits?
Use a sharp biscuit cutter or a floured glass and press straight down without twisting to avoid sealing the edges and preventing a good rise.
Final Thoughts
Getting these Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe just right is like capturing a little slice of happiness in your kitchen. With straightforward ingredients and simple steps, you can create homemade biscuits that taste like they’ve been lovingly baked in a Southern grandma’s kitchen. Give this recipe a try—you’ll be amazed at how such simple ingredients can deliver that warm, flaky bliss every time.
Print
Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 biscuits
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy homemade biscuits recipe delivers soft, flaky, and buttery biscuits perfect for breakfast or as a side dish. Made with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, cold butter, and buttermilk, these classic American biscuits are baked to golden perfection in just under 30 minutes, making them an ideal quick and satisfying bake-from-scratch treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk, plus more for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined to help with the texture and rising of the biscuits.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with small pea-sized pieces of butter remaining for flakiness.
- Add Buttermilk and Form Dough: Pour in the cold buttermilk and gently stir until the dough just comes together without overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Shape and Layer the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Fold the dough over itself 2 to 3 times to build flaky layers, then gently pat back to 1-inch thickness.
- Cut Biscuits: Use a biscuit cutter or glass to cut out biscuits from the dough. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet either close together for soft sides or spaced apart for crispier edges.
- Brush and Bake: Lightly brush the tops of the biscuits with additional buttermilk to promote browning. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes until the biscuits are golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the biscuits to cool slightly before serving warm with butter, honey, or jam for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and buttermilk are very cold for extra rise and flakiness.
- Handle the dough gently and avoid overworking to keep biscuits tender and flaky.
- You can freeze unbaked biscuits and bake them straight from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the bake time.
