Buttermilk Drop Biscuits are fluffy, buttery, and perfect for serving any time. And you only need a few simple ingredients for an easy mix, dump, and bake recipe.
I love these simple yet luxurious buttermilk drop biscuits. They’re fantastic with Nutella or strawberry jam. However, they go just as well with soups or stews.
While making, rolling, and cutting biscuits is my therapy, sometimes I want fast and easy. And that’s what makes this fail-proof buttermilk drop biscuit recipe so perfect. You’ll love it.😉
What Are Drop Buttermilk Biscuits?
Drop biscuits provide the same tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness with minimal effort. Regular biscuits are perfectly round and rise evenly to impressive heights. Drop biscuits are more rustic because you simply mix, scoop, drop the batter onto the pan, and bake. Easy as 1-2-3!
Recipe Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour – The base ingredient is not too soft and not too hard. I’ve not tried gluten-free biscuits. But if you have a tried-and-true gluten-free all-purpose flour, go for it. Then, a little salt and sugar add balance.
- Leaving Agents – Baking soda and baking powder give you double action. Baking soda needs the buttermilk’s acidity to give a good rise. And the baking powder keeps some of that awesome buttermilk flavor around to ramp up the taste.
- Unsalted Butter – That delicious fat (the colder, the better) adds moisture, keeps the gluten from making the biscuits tough and chewy, and adds flavor. 😋 Lard is a good substitute, but oil is not.
- Buttermilk – This very cold, tangy, creamy liquid helps baking soda give the batter a lift and adds moisture. What could be better?
How to Make Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
- Preheat oven to 450℉ (230℃). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Dry Ingredients – In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Add Butter – Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture, and cut it in with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Combine – Next, stir in the buttermilk and oil until just combined. The dough will be sticky and lumpy.
- Drop – Scoop biscuits with a large ice cream scoop or a ¼ cup and drop them onto prepared baking sheets. Aim for similar sizes to ensure even baking.
- Bake – Brush the top of the biscuits with some buttermilk. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown on top. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Cool – Remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet. Either serve hot or transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve – Serve immediately with butter, jam, or gravy.
Recipe Variations
- Herby Spin – Add chives, parsley, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Cheesy – Shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Parmesan, or Monterey Jack, delivers a cheesy and flavorful biscuit.
- Dried Fruit – Cranberries, raisins, or blueberries create a sweet treat.
- Glazed Biscuits – Glaze or frost your biscuits when they come out of the oven for a better-than-donut snack. Honey glaze, lemon glaze, or cream cheese frosting work great.
Tips and Tricks
- For a quick buttermilk substitute, put a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in one cup of full-fat milk. Mix, then let stand for 5 minutes before adding it to the dry ingredients.
- Drop the biscuits onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent the biscuits from sticking to the pan.
- Insert a toothpick into the center of one of the biscuits to check for doneness. If the toothpick comes out clean, the biscuits are done.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Freeze – Buttermilk drop biscuits are a great make-ahead. Follow the instructions right up until baking, then put the baking sheet in the freezer. When your uncooked biscuits freeze solid, put them in a freezer-safe bag until needed. They’ll last 2-3 months.
Bake – Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange your frozen biscuits on it. Bake in a preheated 450℉ (230℃) oven for about 15 minutes until golden brown and delicious. Everyone’s oven is different, so you may want to check on them at around 10 minutes.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Eating these guys straight out of the oven is tempting, but let them cool before digging in. Split them open and smear some butter on them for pure heaven.
They’ll last at room temperature in an airtight container for two days, in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, or freezer for 2-3 months.
To freeze, place the biscuits in a single layer on a baking sheet and stick them in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
FAQs
So sorry! Overmixing the dough, an oven that isn’t hot enough, or expired baking soda could all affect how well biscuits rise. Another reason could be the butter was too warm. Just like in a pie crust, the colder, the better.
The main culprit is too much flour. If you scoop the flour from your container, you may pack it down just enough to make the dough too dry. Try spooning it lightly into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a straight edge. Better yet, measure the flour by weight.
Many homemade biscuit recipes don’t use buttermilk. So milk works, too. However, the acidity in the buttermilk improves the rise and provides a pleasant tang.
What to Serve With Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
For a classic Southern breakfast, serve easy drop biscuits with sausage gravy or bacon, scrambled eggs, and cheese grits. Or pair them with fish or shrimp and grits for a comfort food dinner. That, and a cup of coffee, and you’re good to go.
More Easy Biscuit Recipes to Try
- Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
- Sweet Potato Biscuits
- Butter Biscuits
- Angel Biscuits
- Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits
Conclusion
Buttermilk Drop Biscuits are so easy yet deliciously buttery, flavorful, and versatile! Have you made them yet? I’d love to hear what you served them with!
Richard Aldaiz says
Ooh I will definitely be serving these often. No more need to stop at the store and pickup some. They were delicious.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Richard,
That’s fantastic to hear! It sounds like your dish turned out wonderfully delicious. Happy cooking!
Illy says
I tried this and absolutely loved it
Imma says
Yayy, Thank you so much dear:)
Robert A Freeman says
Can you make this ahead of time and refrigerate?
ImmaculateBites says
You can store it in a resealable freezer bag (label it with the date) and keep it frozen for up to 3 months.
Thea Franco says
The biscuits were light and very tasty. Recipe was easy to follow and my children loved them. Will be my go to from today. Thanks for sharing.
imma africanbites says
I’m so glad you and your kids loved these. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
Brandi Kosh says
So good! My husband says that I’m not allowed to buy canned biscuits anymore!
imma africanbites says
Wohooo! Now that’s a major win. Glad it all came out great for you guys. Thanks for the feedback.
Kuky says
Can i replace the flour with oat flour and sugar with honey?
ImmaculateBites says
You can. However, the texture will be chewy .
Carolyn says
Love the biscuits. Easy to make. Changing recipes. Old recipes are on the shelf. Thanks .
ImmaculateBites says
Fantastic! Thanks for taking time to share this with us.
Reir says
Made these today. I love recipes that are quick and simple. I used 1c whole wheat and 1c APF, and added chopped rosemary, cracked black pepper and about 1/3rd c parmesan. 12 minutes was perfect for me. Thanks for a wonderful recipe.
Sarah says
Awesome receipe…do we use All purpose flour?
imma africanbites says
Hi, Sarah. Unbleached flour is denser compared to the usual bleached all-purpose flour. But you can use either of those. You can read it more of that HERE >> https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-bleached-and-unbleached-flour-223858
Christine Allen says
Hi,
The biscuits look delicious and can’t wait to try them. Can I add some cheddar cheese to the recipe and if yes how much would yo recommend?
Thank You,
Christine
ImmaculateBites says
Hello Christine,
Yes you can Add about 3/4 – 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese to the dry ingredients before adding the wet ingredients . Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks
Jen says
Hi Imma. Just want to say your recipes are Fab!! I’m in the UK. You use all-purpose flour in USA. What is the alternative in the UK. Is it self-raising or plain flour..?
Thanks
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Jen. It’s plain flour. Happy cooking !!!
mikermeals says
Made these amazing biscuits last night! Even learned how to make homemade buttermilk by adding freshly squeezed lemon juice to milk. Thank you Imma
ImmaculateBites says
I hear you. No need to rush out to buy buttermilk . Glad to hear it worked out well for you.
C says
What if I don’t have baking soda?
imma africanbites says
You can trying leaving it out, however, the biscuits won’t have that enough rise as seen in the photos. But please do let me know how it turns out for you.
Bec says
You could try switching our half the milk for club soda or half the milk and the sugar for citrus carbonated beverage.
English says
Can you leave out the sugar for a more savory biscuit?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes you can.
Sapana says
These are amazing, Imma! Love how simple and delicious they are to make – thanks for the recipe!
imma africanbites says
You’re welcome, Sapana. Indeed they are. Can’t wait for you to try them. Happy weekend!
Doreen Obeng says
please i do not have a baking sheet at the moment. is there any other option?
ImmaculateBites says
Cookie sheet, cast iron, 13×9 or larger baking baking pan.
Joe says
Hi,
I LOVE your recipes! They give me “ammo” when I want to cook something special for my wife.
Drop Biscuit recipe question:
Is it 2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder?
Or
2.5 teaspoons of baking powder?
I felt
It wasn’t clearly printed
Thanks
imma africanbites says
Hi, Joe. Just updated the recipe box. It’s 2 and 1/2 teaspoons (or 10 grams) of baking powder.