These Southern-style Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits boast a golden, buttery crust and flaky layers that are simply irresistible. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or alongside your favorite savory dishes, these biscuits are a true taste of Southern hospitality.
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My Road to Biscuit Town
You’d think that by being born in Chattahoochee County, Georgia, I’d have had my Flaky Buttermilk Biscuit game down years ago. Sadly, no. Most of my childhood biscuits came out of a can. Poppin’ Fresh was my buddy.
Occasionally, I was completely spoiled by enjoying my Grandma Olga Mae's incredible buttermilk biscuits. Every Sunday morning, before she left for church, she would whip up those flaky, buttery beauties like it was nothing. I had dreams of recreating her all butter biscuits, with layer on layer on flaky layer.
When I became a “grown-up” I put my mind on figuring out how to get the biscuits of my dreams out of my head and onto a plate. I read a lot of recipes, tried a lot different techniques, and made some truly heinous hockey pucks. But I never gave up! I kept trying, and I finally brought all my hard work together into what I believe are some of the fluffiest, flakiest, most tender biscuits outside of the South.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour No fancy flours here. I use King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, but any brand will do.
- Baking soda Baking soda reacts with the buttermilk right away to give your biscuits a nice lift.
- Baking powder Baking powder also works immediately when combined with liquid (the buttermilk), but is “double acting”, meaning it also lifts your biscuits when it hits the heat. To ensure you get all that lift, check the expiration date of your baking powder. You want to use the freshest possible to ensure you get tall biscuits!
- A touch of sugar The biscuits I love the most always have just a touch of sugar. Sugar not only balances the tartness of the buttermilk, it helps cut down on gluten formation, making a more tender biscuit.
- Salt Unless your doctor told you to leave out salt, don’t ever leave out salt. Whether baking or cooking, salt enhances the flavor of all the ingredients. Friend not foe, unless otherwise directed.
- Buttermilk Buttermilk helps to create an overall taller, tastier, flakier, fluffier biscuit. Who doesn’t want that? I always have buttermilk in my fridge, but if you don't, you can make my yogurt biscuits, milk biscuits are delicious, and my cream biscuits, made with self-rising flour, are a quick and easy substitute.
- Butter Cold. Cold. Cold 🥶 The high heat of your oven hits the cold, cold butter. The butter releases steam that pushes up and out of the dough, creating flaky layers as a fabulous side effect. I love science!
Everyone loves a sandwich What if you were to put fried chicken between the layers of your flaky buttermilk biscuit? Then what? You drizzle it with spicy honey butter for the best Buttermilk Fried Chicken Biscuit of your life!
Instructions
Biscuits are sooo beautiful. With their flaky layers, they look almost unattainable. Like most things, they take practice to make perfect. But using my techniques will give you flaky, fluffy, buttery clouds of biscuity love ❤️
Mixing the dough
1a. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and baking soda, sugar, and salt.
1b. Add in cold butter cut into cubes. Using your fingers, or a pastry cutter, mash or "cut" the butter into the flour.
1c. You should end up with small and large pieces of butter incorporated into flour with the texture of cornmeal. You can use a food processor for this step, giving it just 5 or 6 pulses.
1d. Pour cold buttermilk all over the butter and flour mixture.
1e. Using a danish dough whisk, or sturdy wooden spoon, mix the buttermilk and flour mixture together.
1f. You will make a shaggy dough, with dry floury bits at the bottom of the bowl. That is fine. It will all combine in the next steps.
1g. Lightly dust your counter with flour and dump the shaggy dough out.
1h. Working quickly, to avoid melting the butter chunks, press the dough into a rough square.
Cut and Stack
2a. Using a bench scraper, or sharp knife, cut the dough into four pieces.
2b. Stack the dough quarters on top of each other and press down, forming another square. Repeat 2 more times, for a total of 3 cut and stacks.
2c. Press or roll out to ½ inch thickness. Using a 2 ½ inch biscuit cutter or cookie cutter, cut out biscuits. You should get 6 to 8 biscuits.
2d. Place biscuits on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and place in freezer while you preheat your oven. You can double (or more!) your recipe to make even more biscuits.
Baking time
3a. When the oven is ready, brush biscuit tops with egg wash and sprinkle with flaky salt, if desired.
2b. Bake in an oven preheated to 450°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tall, flaky, and golden brown.
Work smarter, not harder For those days when everything is just a lot, try making my Quick Food Processor Biscuits. All the work is done in the machine, and then all you have to do is cut, and bake!
Variations
Now that you know how to make Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits, you can play around with them and make them your own!
1. Cathead biscuits - A cathead biscuit is a jumbo sized biscuit, perfect for drizzling with honey, smearing with butter, or making a breakfast sandwich.
2. Small batch - You don't have to make a huge batch of anything. My Small Batch Biscuit recipe makes just 4 biscuits and I also have a Small Batch Gravy for you to top them!
3. Biscuits and Gravy
What else is there to say? Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits with sausage gravy. Even better with my homemade breakfast sausage... but store-bought is fine!
4. Mix-ins
I like to toss in herbs and cheese, as well as different proteins to my dry mix, just before I add in the buttermilk, to jazz up the flavor! I've made Ham and Swiss, Bacon and Gruyere, rosemary and romano cheese, and my Cheddar and Chive, and Cacio e Pepe Biscuits are always a huge hit!
5. Drop Biscuits
Okay, I think I’ve made biscuits sound a little less scary. However, if you don’t feel up to all the rolling out and cutting out (or are feeling a bit lazy this morning 🥱), I’ve got you covered. One of the most common biscuits in the South are simple drop biscuits, where you literally mix everything up and “drop” spoonfuls into your skillet, or on a sheet pan, and bake.
6. Blueberry Biscuits
My blueberry biscuit is studded with blueberries and topped with a sweet vanilla drizzle. It's like all the best parts of a blueberry muffin and a scone, covered in a delicious glaze!
7. Strawberry Biscuits
My Strawberry Biscuits are studded with red, ripe strawberries and are drizzled with a vanilla glaze. Tender and flaky and a little bit sweet, these are gonna be your new favorite!
Biscuits in a hurry: Out of butter, buttermilk, or time? Make my 5 Ingredient Cream Biscuits, made with just the dry ingredients and heavy cream. In 20 minutes you can have light and fluffy biscuits on the table!
Expert tips
- Don't twist the cutter when cutting out biscuits. Doing so will press the layers shut, and your biscuits won't reach their tall and flaky potential! Press straight down and pull straight back up!
- If you don't have a biscuit or cookie cutter, resist the urge to use a drinking glass, or any old round thing, to cut out your biscuits. You need a crisp, sharp edge to cut them or you will seal the layers and they won't fully rise. If you don't have a biscuit cutter, remove both the top and the bottom from a clean food can (like a tomato can) and use that, or make square biscuits by cutting with a bench scraper or knife.
- Unless you are making big biscuits (3 inches or larger), don't make your biscuits thicker than ½ inch. If you do, they will have a tendency to fall over due to their flaky layers. Still delicious, in a Leaning Tower of Pisa kind of way.
Recipe FAQs
You can, although your biscuits won't have the same tangy flavor as they would with buttermilk, they will still be delicious. If you use milk, use the highest fat content you can, which contributes to the tenderness.
Your biscuits are best eaten the day they are baked. If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Because butter is a solid at room temperature, they will feel and taste "dry" if eaten cold. Wrap your biscuits in aluminum foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, or until warmed through, or heat in microwave for 15 seconds.
More biscuit recipes
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I appreciate you!
-Cynthia
📖 Recipe
Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 cup (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoon (113 g) unsalted butter very cold and cut into small cubes
- ¾ cup (180 g) buttermilk very cold
- 1 large egg whisked with 1 tbs water, for egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or butter a cast iron pan and set aside. In a mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients.
- Toss cold butter cubes into the dry ingredients and, using a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix in the cold butter until you have a mixture of flat pieces and crumbly, pea sized bits of butter mixed into the flour.
- ALTERNATIVE FOOD PROCESSOR INSTRUCTIONS: Place cubed butter in the freezer for 10-15 minutes while you get all your other ingredients together. Measure all of your dry ingredients into the bowl of your food processor. Pulse a few times to mix. Add chilled butter to the dry ingredients and pulse 5-6 times, or until most of the butter is in pea sized, or smaller, pieces. Pour into a mixing bowl and proceed with the rest of the instructions.
- Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the cold buttermilk. Gently bring the wet and dry together until you have a fairly uniform, loose dough. The flour won't look all mixed in and that's okay. It will come together.
- Dump the butter/dry ingredient mix out onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, gently bring it everything together into a rough square.
- With a bench scraper or knife, cut into four smaller squares. Stack the pieces of biscuit dough on top of each other. Smush it all down into a square again. Repeat this cutting and stacking procedure 2 more times.
- Pat the dough into a rectangle at least ½ inch thick. Using your bench scraper or a knife, cut into square biscuits and place each piece on your parchment lined baking sheet. Place sheet pan in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before baking. (If you're baking your biscuits in a cast iron pan, you'll want to freeze your biscuits on a sheet pan (or other stable surface like a cutting board. Don't freeze the cast iron! Icy cold cast iron pan = delayed cook time!)
- Round biscuits: Using a biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out your biscuits. Do not twist the cutter when cutting them out! That will effectively seal the edges of the biscuits, keeping them from fully rising. Just press straight down and lift straight up. Gather your scraps as you go and gently re-form them together and cut as many biscuits as you can. Place in freezer as above.
- Remove biscuits from the freezer. Brush the tops of the biscuits lightly with an egg wash and sprinkle with flaky salt, if desired.
- Bake in a 450° oven for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.
Save This Recipe! 💌
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Sarah says
I love these! So flaky!!! Can't wait to try some "mix-ins". I've made them twice so far. I left off the egg wash the 2nd time, still browned and delish. Good both ways.
Cynthia says
I'm so glad to see happy biscuit bakers! My family's favorite combo is bacon and gruyere, although cheddar is a close second!
Cynthia says
That’s great!!
Sarah says
I'm making the blueberry drop biscuit version currently and it was soo sloppy...could be because I'm using "fake" buttermilk and not the real stuff, the liquid is so much thinner...so we'll see how they turn out! Also, I wasn't sure if I'm supposed to pop them in the freezer before baking...I am, but didn't know if it's necessary.
Cynthia says
I normally don’t recommend making your own buttermilk, but remember that this is a wetter dough than my regular biscuits. That’s why I have you scoop it instead of cut it out. I hope it comes out OK! I have definitely baked a wetter biscuit dough and had it come out super tender and delicious 😋
Sarah says
It was kind of a sheet pan biscuity-pancake situation 😂. (It was a hot mess lol) But they still tasted good! I'll make them again with real buttermilk next time.
Cynthia says
Oh my goodness 😳 I think maybe your measurements must have been off somewhere. That’s why I always recommend weighing ingredients when baking. But hey, if it was delicious, you may have invented a new dish!! ❤️
Kelly Thompson says
Loved these! Last minute try of a new try and so happy I did! Dinner last night and breakfast for the office team this morning. Love seeing the layers! Thanks!!
Cynthia says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!! Biscuits are good ANY time of day!!
Connie says
These are the perfect biscuits! Easy to make. Thank you for a great recipe. So happy I found your page!
Cynthia says
So, so happy you’re here!! My biscuits are my babies and it’s great to see others love them too!
Scott says
One comment that was missed in the BUTTER section above and should be engrained into every baker, is to only use the best butter for best results. Most people don't know this little fact and think that butters are all the same. Never buy any butters with added water and other misc ingredients or the fancy oily types.
Kerry Gold brand butter always helps to make the best baked goods.
Cynthia says
Some brands do have additional water added, as much as 15%, but on average most butters are 80% butterfat and 20% the water that is naturally found in the cream used to make butter. Yes, it is true that some butters have a better flavor than others; however, I recommend people use the best butter that they can afford to make my biscuits and other baked goods. My grandmother made do with whatever she had on hand and I will never be able to equal the biscuits that she served at her table.
Kylie says
These were AMAZING!!! So flavorful and the perfect texture. This is the only biscuit recipe I need.
Cynthia says
I LOVE to hear that!! 🥰
Melissa Todd says
👍
Cynthia says
So glad you like them!
kelsey c says
the most foolproof and AMAZING biscuit recipe ever!! it still blows my mind that i can casually whip up incredible biscuits on a whim now. this recipe is so easy to follow, results in the most beautifully golden and flaky biscuits ever, and even includes recommendations for mix-ins if you’re feelin’ fancy. the romano cheese and rosemary ones… drool. no biscuit compares to these CSR biscuits!!!
Cynthia says
So glad you come back to this recipe so often!!
Janet C says
Did anyone else have a hard time getting it to come together? I felt like I didn’t have enough buttermilk. Have not baked them yet will let you know
Cynthia says
No one has mention that problem to me, but it may be that you need more buttermilk. I include the weight because everyone’s measurements can be a little bit different. By using weights I can be sure that you are using the exact measurements that I used in my kitchen. But go with your instincts! If you feel there’s not enough liquid, please add more liquid. 😊
Sam says
Absolutely delicious. I could not believe how tender AND flaky they were. I froze mine once I sliced them and baked from frozen (close together so they'd rise more) and now I can't wait to make them again.
Cynthia says
I’m so glad you like them! I actually make a large batch of my biscuits from time to time and freeze them. They bake perfectly from a frozen state!
Gaya says
Did it and it was perfect! I think the best scones in my life. Thank you for this recipe!
Cynthia says
You’re so welcome!
Caroline says
BEST recipe for biscuits ever!! So flaky with the best layers and not dry at all. The directions are prefect! Can’t wait to try more recipes soon🤩
Cynthia says
I’m so happy you like them as much as I do!
Steve says
Absolutely the best biscuits I have ever made. So simple. So amazing. I can’t wait to do bacon chive and cheddar next.
Cynthia says
Thank you! Glad you’re here cooking with me!
Jennifer Torres Ortiz says
Hello, could I use Cup4Cup gluten free flour for this recipe? Thank you.
Cynthia says
I’ve never tried it, but I e heard others have had success. Let me know if you do it!
Courtney says
Followed the instructions exactly and made the BEST biscuits. This is my new go-to recipe. Thank you so much!!!
Cynthia says
Yay! I’m so glad!
Daniel Silva M. says
I have never made it, but it’s my new year’s proposal…
Cynthia says
Well I hope you love them!
Kathy Richards says
These biscuits are simply delicious. I’ll make these again and next time I’ll remember to make sure they are touching each other while they bake. That’s the only mistake I made.
Cynthia says
Every batch of biscuits gets you closer to perfection! And the journey is delicious 🥰
Michael says
Love these so much. Made exactly as written and they came out PERFECT
Cynthia says
That’s awesome! I’m glad you like them so much!
Rosann says
Making biscuits is a journey,. This is a great recipe. The only thing I have to do differently is… add the vinegar to whipping cream.. I never have buttermilk but I always have whipping cream. They are always perfect.
Cynthia says
That’s great!
Charlie says
Thank you for preparation details!!
I’m all thumbs in the kitchen but your biscuits and country gravy is now my go to!
Cynthia says
That’s awesome!
Diana says
I have never honestly had a sucessful from-scratch biscuit until I tried this recipe! The flavor was absolutely perfect, and the flaky layers were amazing! This is a keeper!
Cynthia says
Yay! I love to hear that!
Nadine says
I will never buy canned biscuits again; this recipe is easy to follow & the biscuits are sooooo- good!! 🙂 THANK YOU for sharing this recipe. Next on my list is trying the other biscuit recipe (blueberry) on your page.
Cynthia Christensen says
I'm so glad you loved the recipe!
Catherine Hiller says
This girl from Texas has just made the best biscuits ever! Thanks for the detailed instructions, and my family cannot wait until next weekend, for a repeat of this tasty treat.
Cynthia Christensen says
As a girl who grew up in San Antonio,this makes me crazy happy!
Jamie says
Hands down, this was absolutely the best biscuit I have ever MADE and TASTED!!! It was absolutely incredible. I don’t care what any other website says about their recipe being, “the best”. THIS, THIS IS IT!!!! Crunchy, flaky, pillowy soft and moist. 5/5 THANK YOU!!
Cynthia Christensen says
THANK YOU! This fills my heart ❤️ I love when people love my food!
Gina says
I made one batch of these delicious, tender biscuits and they were gone before I could even serve it with the gravy! Lesson learned. Quadruple the recipe and ban all family members from the kitchen until ready to serve. Thank you so much for the BEST biscuit recipe we have ever tried!!
Cynthia Christensen says
I’m so glad everyone loved it and I’m totally in line with the restrict kitchen access 😂
Anne Keating says
I am making scones ( biscuits) for 40+ years and these were beautiful. I am guilty of not always measuring as my late mother never did and we always had homemade bread at home in Ireland. Key rules were keep everything cold.get necessary bits together first/ no overmixing and make sure oven is hot. Take care and thank you.
Cynthia Christensen says
I’m so glad you like them!
Linda Morgan says
These are perfect. I did weigh the ingredients. I think the freezer time is magic. Best recipe and I have tried a lot.So delicious.
Cynthia Christensen says
Thank you for letting me know how much you love them!