Why You’ll Love Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe
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Uses pantry‑staple ingredients
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No yeast or rising time
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Quick to make (about 30 minutes)
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Incredible texture and flavor
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Great for pairing with gravy, jam, or butter
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2 cups all‑purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder (aluminum‑free)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (8 Tbsp), cubed
1 cup half and half (minus 2 Tbsp)
1/2 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing on baked biscuits)
Directions
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Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
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Dice cold butter into 1/2‑inch cubes and keep refrigerated until ready.
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
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Add the cold cubed butter and cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry blender (or two knives or a fork) until the butter pieces are about the size of peas.
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Pour in the half and half all at once and stir gently until the dough is just moistened—don’t overmix.
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Turn the dough onto a floured surface, press into a rectangle, fold in half, then press again. Repeat once more.
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Pat the dough to about 3/4‑inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter dipped in flour to cut out biscuits.
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Place biscuits on a parchment‑lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
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Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown.
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Brush hot biscuits with melted butter and let cool slightly before serving.
Servings and timing
Makes about 10 biscuits.
Prep time: ~15 minutes
Cook time: ~15 minutes
Total time: ~30 minutes
Variations
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Cheesy biscuits: Add 1/2–1 cup grated cheese to the flour mixture.
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Herb biscuits: Mix in 1–2 teaspoons of dried herbs like rosemary or thyme.
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Garlic butter biscuits: Add garlic powder to the dough and brush tops with garlic‑infused melted butter.
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Buttermilk version: Substitute the half and half with buttermilk for a tangier flavor.
Storage/Reheating
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Room temperature: Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
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Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container up to 1 week.
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Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.
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To reheat: Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–12 minutes, or microwave individual biscuits for 20–30 seconds until heated through.
FAQs
How do I get tall, fluffy biscuits?
Make sure your butter is very cold and cut straight down with the cutter rather than twisting; this helps create layers that rise.
Can I use self‑rising flour?
Yes, some home cooks find self‑rising flour works, but results may vary since it already contains leavening.
What can I substitute for half and half?
You can mix equal parts whole milk and heavy cream to mimic half and half.
Should I chill the dough before baking?
No need—just ensure the butter and dairy are cold before mixing.
Can I make these dairy‑free?
Yes, substitute cold dairy‑free butter and a dairy‑free milk with similar fat content.
Why aren’t my biscuits rising well?
Overmixing the dough or warm butter can reduce lift—mix gently and keep ingredients cold.
Can I add sugar for sweeter biscuits?
You can increase sugar slightly, but too much can affect texture.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge; freeze if you won’t use them soon.
Can I freeze unbaked biscuits?
Yes—cut your biscuits, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag; bake from frozen with a slightly longer bake time.
What’s the best way to reheat biscuits?
Oven reheating keeps them flaky—microwaving works for quick warmth as well.
Conclusion
These easy homemade biscuits are a crowd‑pleasing classic that come together quickly with minimal ingredients and effort. Whether served with gravy, jam, or butter, they’re a comforting addition to any meal.
Easy Homemade Biscuits
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 biscuits
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These homemade biscuits are fluffy, buttery, and incredibly easy to make with just a few pantry staples. Perfect for breakfast or as a side to any meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (plus 1–2 Tbsp more if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add in the buttermilk and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Turn dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it comes together.
- Pat the dough into a 3/4-inch thick rectangle. Fold the dough in half and repeat 2 more times for flaky layers.
- Cut out biscuits using a round cutter and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Optional: Brush tops with melted butter after baking.
Notes
- Use very cold butter for the flakiest texture.
- Do not twist the cutter when cutting the biscuits; press straight down.
- If dough feels too dry, add 1-2 more tablespoons of buttermilk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
