Buttermilk Biscuits: The Ultimate Easy Recipe You’ll Crave

Name: Buttermilk Biscuits: The Ultimate Easy Recipe You’ll Crave
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups All-purpose flour (Use fresh flour for tender, flaky layers.); 1 tbsp Baking powder (Helps create that perfect rise and light texture.); 1 tsp Baking soda (Reacts with buttermilk to add extra fluffiness.); 1 tsp Salt (Balances flavors and enhances the buttery taste.); 1/2 cup Cold unsalted butter (Cut into small pieces for flaky layers.); 3/4 cup Buttermilk (Key ingredient for tender crumb.); as needed none Honey or jam (Adds a sweet contrast.); as needed none Butter (Spread on fresh biscuits.)

Caroline

Sharing simple, flavorful recipes made with love and care.

There’s something undeniably comforting about warm buttermilk biscuits fresh from the oven—the flaky layers, golden crust, and that tender crumb that melts in your mouth. I discovered this recipe during a weekend when I was craving something homemade but simple enough to whip up without fuss. These buttermilk biscuits quickly became my go-to for breakfast sandwiches, dinner sides, or even a quick snack with butter and honey. What I love most is how effortlessly they come together with just a handful of ingredients, yet they taste like you’ve been baking all day. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just love sinking your teeth into real, scratch-made food, these biscuits will bring a little slice of southern comfort into your kitchen.

Why choose Buttermilk Biscuits today?

Irresistible Comfort: These biscuits offer warm, flaky layers that instantly soothe and satisfy. Effortless Baking: With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll create bakery-quality biscuits without stress. Versatile Delight: Perfect for breakfast, alongside dinner, or with a drizzle of honey. Time-Saving: Ready in under 30 minutes, ideal for busy home cooks. Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by foodies and chefs alike, these biscuits bring homemade goodness everyone will crave.

Buttermilk Biscuits Ingredients

For the Biscuits

All-purpose flour – Use fresh flour for tender, flaky layers in your buttermilk biscuits.
Baking powder – Helps create that perfect rise and light texture.
Baking soda – Reacts with buttermilk to add extra fluffiness.
Salt – Balances flavors and enhances the buttery taste.
Cold unsalted butter – Cut into small pieces for flaky, melt-in-your-mouth layers.
Buttermilk – The key ingredient for tender crumb and subtle tang in buttermilk biscuits.

For Serving

Honey or jam – Adds a sweet contrast to the warm, buttery biscuits.
Butter – Spread on fresh biscuits for rich, comforting flavor every time.

How to Make Buttermilk Biscuits

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F, positioning a rack in the middle. This high heat yields golden-brown, flaky layers in every batch of buttermilk biscuits.
Combine Dry Mix: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly blended and no lumps remain.
Cut in Butter: Add cold, cubed unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits.
Add Buttermilk: Pour in cold buttermilk and gently stir until just combined. The dough will look shaggy but moist—avoid overmixing to keep biscuits tender and flaky.
Shape Dough: Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat or roll to 1-inch thickness, folding once for extra layers. Press straight down without twisting to maintain rise.
Cut Biscuits: Use a 2½-inch round cutter, pressing straight down without twisting. Place biscuits close together on a parchment-lined baking sheet for soft sides, or spaced for crisp edges.
Bake Biscuits: Bake at 425°F for 12–15 minutes, until tops are golden brown and edges slightly crisp. Let rest on the pan for a few minutes before serving.
Serve Warm: Transfer biscuits to a wire rack and serve hot with butter, honey, or jam. The irresistible aroma and warmth make these perfect for any meal.

Optional: Drizzle honey on warm biscuits for a sweet finish.
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.

Tips for the Best Buttermilk Biscuits

Keep Butter Cold: Always use cold butter straight from the fridge to create flaky layers in your buttermilk biscuits. Warm butter will make dough greasy and dense.
Avoid Overmixing: Stir the dough just until combined—overworking activates gluten, resulting in tougher biscuits, not tender and flaky ones.
Use Fresh Leaveners: Baking powder and baking soda must be fresh to ensure your biscuits rise perfectly every time. Test with a pinch in warm water if unsure.
Press Don’t Twist: When cutting shapes, press the cutter straight down without twisting to help your biscuits rise evenly instead of sealing edges.
Space for Texture: Place biscuits close to touch for soft sides or spaced apart for crispier edges, tailoring texture as you prefer.
Serve Warm: Buttermilk biscuits are best enjoyed fresh from the oven while still warm, enhancing their buttery aroma and melt-in-your-mouth crumb.

How to Store and Freeze Buttermilk Biscuits

Room Temperature: Keep unbaked biscuits covered in plastic wrap on the counter for up to 2 hours for a fresh-baked touch.

Fridge: Store baked buttermilk biscuits in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5–10 minutes for that just-out-of-the-oven feel.

Freezer: Freeze unbaked biscuits on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating: For best results, reheat baked biscuits in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until warmed through, ensuring they retain that delightful flakiness.

Buttermilk Biscuit Variations & Substitutions

Let your creativity shine as you explore delightful twists to personalize your buttermilk biscuits!

Whole Wheat: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a heartier biscuit with nutty flavor.
Cheesy: Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheese like cheddar or gouda into the dough for a savory, cheesy delight.
Herbed: Add 1-2 tablespoons of fresh herbs like rosemary or chives for an aromatic twist that elevates your biscuits.
Sweet: Mix in 2-3 tablespoons of sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon for a subtly sweet biscuit that’s perfect with coffee.
Spicy: Incorporate 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for a warm kick that complements the buttery goodness.
Egg-Washed: Brush tops with beaten egg before baking for a golden, glossy finish and an extra crunch.
Buttermilk Alternative: Swap buttermilk with plain yogurt or sour cream for a similarly tangy flavor that keeps the biscuits tender.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum for airy, fluffy biscuits without the gluten.

Each variation invites a new experience, making these biscuits uniquely yours!

Make Ahead Options

These Buttermilk Biscuits are perfect for meal prep, making your busy mornings a breeze! You can prepare the biscuit dough up to 24 hours in advance; simply follow the steps up to cutting them out. After cutting, place the biscuits on a baking sheet and cover them tightly with plastic wrap before refrigerating to prevent drying out. When it’s time to serve, preheat your oven and bake the chilled biscuits as directed for just 12–15 minutes, and you’ll have warm, flaky biscuits that taste just as delicious as if they were made fresh from scratch. This makes for an impressive, time-saving addition to any meal!

What to Serve with Buttermilk Biscuits?

Enjoy the warm, flaky comfort of these biscuits alongside delightful pairings that elevate any meal experience.

Savory Sausage Gravy: The creamy, peppery gravy drips perfectly into each biscuit layer, creating a rich, satisfying breakfast treat.
Scrambled Eggs: Fluffy, buttery scrambled eggs on the side are a classic pairing, providing a delightful contrast to the biscuits’ texture.
Fresh Fruit Salad: A refreshing medley brightens the table, balancing the heartiness of biscuits with color and natural sweetness.
Honey Butter: This sweet, creamy spread melts beautifully atop warm biscuits, adding a luscious finish that’s simply irresistible.
Grits: Creamy, cheesy grits deliver a classic Southern touch that complements the biscuits with a cheesy warmth.
Fried Chicken: Pairing these biscuits with crispy fried chicken creates a comforting meal, ideal for weekend family gatherings.
Homemade Jam: A dollop of sweet homemade jam adds a fruity zing that balances with the richness of buttermilk biscuits, transforming each bite.
Coffee or Tea: Nothing beats a warm biscuit enjoyed with your morning coffee or afternoon tea, making each sip even more comforting.

Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe FAQs

How do I know if my buttermilk is fresh and suitable for this recipe?
Fresh buttermilk should have a tangy aroma and a smooth texture, without any sour or off smells. If it’s lumpy or has dark spots all over, it’s best to discard it and use a fresh container to ensure the biscuits rise and flavor perfectly.

Can I store leftover baked buttermilk biscuits at room temperature?
Absolutely! You can keep baked biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Just make sure they’re fully cool before storing to avoid sogginess. For best enjoyment, warm them slightly before serving.

What’s the best way to freeze buttermilk biscuits without losing their texture?
I recommend freezing unbaked biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet until firm, about 1–2 hours. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, put them straight from frozen onto a baking sheet, adding 3–5 minutes to the original baking time, and bake at 425°F until golden and flaky.

My biscuits turn out dense rather than fluffy—what am I doing wrong?
That’s a common hiccup! It usually means the butter wasn’t cold enough or you overmixed the dough, activating gluten. Always use cold butter cut into small pieces and mix just until the dough comes together. Also, avoid twisting the biscuit cutter as it seals edges and prevents proper rising.

Are buttermilk biscuits safe for pets or those with food allergies?
Buttermilk biscuits often contain dairy and gluten, which can be problematic for pets and many allergy sufferers. It’s best to keep these treats away from pets and those sensitive to these ingredients. If allergies are a concern, I can share alternative recipes that are gluten- or dairy-free!