If you’re craving a quick, comforting bread that’s fluffy on the inside with a golden, slightly crisp outside, this Buttermilk Drop Biscuits Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. With a tender crumb and the perfect hint of tang from buttermilk, these biscuits come together effortlessly without kneading or rolling. They’re the kind of classic Southern-style treat that will have you coming back for seconds, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether fresh out of the oven with a pat of butter or served alongside a savory dish, these drop biscuits bring that warm, homemade charm everyone loves.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started is a breeze because this recipe sticks to simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that each play a crucial role in bringing the biscuits to life. The balance is key to their fluffy texture and rich flavor, so let’s dive in!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base that gives the biscuits structure and tenderness.
- 4 teaspoons baking powder: The leavening agent that helps the biscuits rise beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor, bringing out the buttery goodness.
- 5 tablespoons shortening (chilled): Adds flakiness by creating pockets of fat within the dough.
- 1 cup buttermilk: Brings moisture and a subtle tang, making these biscuits uniquely delicious.
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted; optional): For brushing on top to give a glossy, golden finish and extra richness.
How to Make Buttermilk Drop Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 425ºF and lightly grease a baking sheet with a bit of shortening. This step ensures your biscuits bake evenly and won’t stick, giving them a perfect golden bottom.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting not only blends the ingredients thoroughly but also aerates the flour, contributing to a lighter biscuit.
Step 3: Cut in the Shortening
Add the chilled shortening to the dry mixture, then use a fork or pastry cutter to combine until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Those tiny bits of fat are the secret to flaky biscuits, so don’t overwork this step.
Step 4: Incorporate the Buttermilk
Pour the buttermilk in gradually, mixing lightly with a fork after each addition. The dough should come together but remain slightly craggly—you’re aiming for tender, not tough, so handle gently.
Step 5: Drop the Biscuits and Add Butter
Using a spoon, scoop out heaping tablespoon-sized portions of dough and drop them onto your prepared baking sheet, making 12 biscuits total. Brush the tops with melted butter to help them brown beautifully and add flavor.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Pop the sheet into the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are a rich golden brown and the tops look set. Once done, serve these Buttermilk Drop Biscuits immediately while they’re warm and inviting.
How to Serve Buttermilk Drop Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
There’s something magical about biscuits just out of the oven, enhanced with a little extra something. A pat of butter slowly melting on a warm biscuit is classic, but you can also drizzle honey or a touch of homemade jam to highlight the slight tanginess from the buttermilk.
Side Dishes
These biscuits are versatile sidekicks. Serve them with a bowl of hearty chicken stew, alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for breakfast, or pair them with a fresh garden salad for a lighter meal. The buttery, tender crumbs complement just about anything.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, turn your Buttermilk Drop Biscuits into mini sandwich sliders filled with honey ham and cheese or avocado and smoked turkey. You could even use them as a base for mini breakfast sandwiches with eggs and sausage—a crowd-pleaser at brunch gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and ready to be enjoyed as a snack or alongside your next meal.
Freezing
To preserve these delicious biscuits longer, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to three months, giving you a quick option whenever biscuit cravings strike.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or stored biscuits in a 350ºF oven for about 10 minutes until they’re warmed through and gently crisp on the outside again. You can also microwave them wrapped in a damp paper towel for about 20 seconds, though the oven method is best to restore that fresh-baked texture.
FAQs
Can I substitute butter for shortening in this recipe?
Absolutely! Using cold butter instead of shortening will give the biscuits a richer flavor and still create flakiness, though shortening tends to produce a slightly lighter texture.
Why does the dough need to look craggly?
Keeping the dough a bit rough and uneven ensures the biscuits stay tender and moist inside. Over-mixing can develop gluten and make them tough, so a craggly texture is exactly what you want!
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
You can, but the tangy flavor and tender crumb will be reduced. To mimic buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and let it sit for a few minutes before using.
How do I know when biscuits are done baking?
Look for golden brown bottoms and slightly golden tops. The biscuits should feel set and spring back lightly when touched—if they’re too pale or doughy in the center, they need more time.
Can I double this Buttermilk Drop Biscuits Recipe?
Yes! These biscuits scale well. Just make sure you have enough space on your baking sheets and adjust baking time slightly if needed, baking in batches for the best results.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably comforting about homemade biscuits, and this Buttermilk Drop Biscuits Recipe brings that joy to your kitchen with ease and minimal fuss. I promise once you try these soft, buttery drops fresh from the oven, they’ll become a staple you turn to again and again for breakfast, dinner, and everything in between. So grab your ingredients, and get ready to wow your family and friends with the simple magic of these timeless biscuits.
Print
Buttermilk Drop Biscuits Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 biscuits
Description
Tender and flaky Buttermilk Drop Biscuits made with a simple dough that requires no rolling or cutting. These easy-to-make biscuits are perfect for breakfast or as a side, baked to golden perfection and brushed with melted butter for extra richness.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons shortening (chilled; plus more for greasing)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted; optional, for brushing)
Instructions
- Make the biscuit dough: Preheat your oven to 425ºF and lightly grease a baking sheet with shortening. In a large bowl, sift together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 4 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt for even distribution of leavening agents.
- Cut in the shortening: Add 5 tablespoons of cold shortening to the dry ingredients. Using a fork or pastry cutter, cut the shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles a coarse meal with small pea-sized bits.
- Incorporate buttermilk: Gradually add the 1 cup of buttermilk a little at a time, mixing in with a fork after each addition. Be careful not to overwork the dough to maintain a light, flaky texture; the dough should remain a bit rough and craggy.
- Form biscuits: Use a spoon to scoop heaping tablespoon-sized portions of dough and drop them onto the prepared baking sheet spaced evenly. You should have about 12 biscuits.
- Brush with butter: Lightly brush the tops of the biscuits with the melted butter to help achieve a golden, flavorful crust during baking.
- Bake the biscuits: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the biscuits for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown and the biscuits have risen well.
- Serve warm: Remove the biscuits from the oven and serve immediately while warm and flaky. Enjoy your fresh buttermilk drop biscuits!
Notes
- For best results, use cold shortening to ensure flaky layers.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in dense biscuits.
- If desired, add herbs or cheese to the dough for extra flavor.
- Brush with melted butter is optional but adds a lovely richness and shine.
- Biscuits are best eaten fresh but can be reheated briefly in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
