Buttermilk biscuits are one of those timeless baked goods that feel like a warm hug straight from the oven. Flaky, buttery, and tender, they’re a Southern classic that has found a place on breakfast tables, holiday spreads, and comforting family dinners across the country. What sets them apart is their simplicity: a few humble ingredients come together to create a baked treat that’s both rustic and elegant, perfect on its own or as part of a larger meal.
The magic of a biscuit lies in its texture. The layers are achieved by carefully blending cold butter into flour, creating small pockets of fat that melt as they bake, leaving behind steam that lifts the dough and creates those signature fluffy tiers. The addition of tangy buttermilk gives the dough not only a rich flavor but also the acidity needed to react with leavening agents, resulting in biscuits that rise beautifully with a tender crumb.
Freshly baked buttermilk biscuits have a golden top that gives way to a soft interior, making them incredibly versatile. Split them open and spread with butter, honey, or jam for a simple breakfast that feels indulgent in its own right. Pair them with sausage gravy for a classic Southern staple, or use them as the base for a hearty sandwich filled with fried chicken, ham, or roasted vegetables. They’re equally satisfying served alongside soups and stews, where they soak up rich broths and add comfort to every spoonful.
Beyond their delicious flavor, buttermilk biscuits carry a sense of tradition. For many, they spark memories of Sunday mornings in the kitchen, holiday meals with loved ones, or learning a family recipe passed down through generations. Each batch carries a little piece of heritage, a link between the past and present that reminds us of the joy of homemade food.
Whether served piping hot from the oven or enjoyed the next day reheated with a drizzle of honey, buttermilk biscuits are proof that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most satisfying. Their rustic charm and undeniable comfort make them a staple worth returning to again and again, a small reminder that the best food often starts with the basics.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cold and cut into small pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk cold
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the cold butter pieces to the flour mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Pour the cold buttermilk into the flour mixture and stir until just combined, making sure not to overmix.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently pat it into a rectangle. Fold it over on itself several times to create layers.
- Roll the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out rounds and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition
I was skeptical at first, but these biscuits turned out great! I used almond milk instead of buttermilk and they still worked.
Sounds delicious! Love that you adapted it with almond milk. Gonna try that next time I bake these biscuits!
These biscuits turned out amazing! So flaky and buttery. Definitely a keeper!
I’m so glad to hear that! I made these last week and my family loved them too. Such a great recipe!
Flaky and buttery? How is that even possible? I follow the recipe but mine came out flat. What did I do wrong?
I didn’t have baking soda, so I just added more baking powder. They tasted okay but were a bit dense. Not sure if I’ll try again.
Why do they need to be cold? Is that really necessary?? Just seems odd to me, but I guess they turned out okay.
I don’t think they HAVE to be cold. I made them warm once and they were still good. 🤷♂️
The cold ingredients are super important! It helps the biscuits to be flaky. Trust me, it’s worth it!
I aint got no buttermilk, so I used milk n vinegar. They came out alright but I think buttermilk woulda been better. Next time!
Rly good! Fluffy and buttery, just what I wanted to go with my gravy. Yum!
Glad you liked them! They go great with pretty much anything. What did you have with yours?
These are the BEST biscuits I’ve ever made! They rose perfectly and were so flaky. Will definitely make again!
Biscuts? I think you mean biscuits… But they were still good!
Easy recipe! My kids loved them! Just be careful not to overmix like it says.
I followed the recipe but they just didn’t rise at all. What did I do wrong?
Um, can I use milk instead of buttermilk? What’s the difference even??
You can use milk, but it won’t have the same tangy flavor as buttermilk. But hey, they might still be tasty!
I think you can, but I’ve read that buttermilk makes them fluffier? Not sure tho!
I made these for breakfast, they were all gone in minutes! Yum!
These biscuits were so fluffy and amazing! I can’t believe I made them myself! Will definitely be making again.
I tried these and they turned out hard as rocks! Not sure what went wrong. 🤔
Congrats! Making fluffy biscuits is a great achievement! What do you plan to pair them with next time?
Why use butter when you can just use oil? Seems like a waste.
They didn’t rise much for me. Maybe I overmixed? But still tasted good.
I think overmixing can def ruin the rise! You gotta be gentle with that dough. Glad they tasted good tho!
Nah, they should rise better if you follow the steps. Maybe check your baking powder? It can go bad.
Not really my thing, too floury. Maybe you like that but yuck for me.
Too much baking powder! They had a weird taste. Not sure if I’ll try again.
Quick and easy recipe! Just like mom used to make. 😊
I thought biscuits was just for breakfast, but I made these for dinner and everyone loved them! #gamechanger
Followed the recipe but they turned out hard as rocks. Maybe I did something wrong? 🤔
It might be the oven temp! Make sure it’s really preheated. Also, don’t overmix the batter; it can toughen the biscuits.
Hard?? That sounds like a disaster! Did you use fresh baking powder? Old ingredients can really mess things up. 😩
Came out perfect! Buttermilk is the secret ingredient! Best biscuits ever.
I don’t have buttermilk, can I use normal milk? Really wanna try these!
Yum! These biscuits remind me of my grandma’s recipe. Thanks for sharing this!
How do you get them so flaky? Mine are always so dense and… bleh.
I burnt mine! Set the timer for too long… 🙄
I followed the recipe but they came out hard. What did I do wrong? Really disappointed.
Too much butter for my taste but maybe its just my preference. Not bad overall.
LOL, I accidentally used baking soda twice and they still turned out great! Must be the magic of biscuits.
These biscuits are lit 🔥. Best thing I’ve made this year! Thanks for the recipe!
Best biscuit recipe out there, no doubt! Fluffy and delicious.
Real good! I made them for breakfast and they were a hit. Simple to make too!
I tried this recipe twice and they didn’t come out right. I think my butter was too soft or something. Not sure what I did wrong.
Glad to hear they were a hit! These biscuits are so fluffy and delicious! 😋
Quick and easy! My kids loved them. I added some cheese inside for a twist!
I don’t think ya need buttermilk. Regular milk works just as good. Anyone else think like me?
I don’t know about the folding thing. I just rolled it out and cut. Still tasted good tho.
Folding helps create layers for flakier biscuits! But if rolling works for you, that’s cool! Taste is what matters!
Can you use self-rising flour instead? Not good with all this measuring!
Yes, you can use self-rising flour! Just omit the baking powder and salt since it already has them. It’ll save you some measuring!
I don’t think that’s right. Self-rising flour is different, it has a different texture! Might not come out the same.
So easy to make! Buttermilk is a game changer. Will definitely make again!
Yum!
Umm, buttermilk? Isn’t that just milk with vinegar? I don’t know about that…
These biscuits look amazing! Can’t wait to try them. 😊
Biscuits? More like bricks. Mine came out hard as a rock. Disappointing!
I’m really sorry to hear that! It can be tough to get the texture just right. Did you make sure to not overmix the dough?
These biscuits turned out amazing! So fluffy and light. Will definitely make again!
These biscuits are heavenly! Light and flaky like a dream. My family couldn’t get enough!
I just made these too and my kids loved them! They really are the best! 👍