There’s something undeniably delightful about the first bite of a warm, flaky biscuit fresh from the oven. As the buttery layers gently crumble apart, a sense of comfort fills the room, reminiscent of cherished family breakfasts in the South. These Breakfast Biscuits are not just any biscuits; they boast a perfect balance of fluffiness and a golden crust, making them an essential element of any breakfast table.
After countless attempts at finding that perfect homemade biscuit, I finally nailed a recipe that’s as simple as it is satisfying. With minimal ingredients and a straightforward method, you can whip up a batch in no time. Whether you enjoy them smothered in savory sausage gravy, drizzled with honey, or alongside a generous spread of jam, these biscuits are guaranteed to impress.
Perfect for weekend brunches or as a quick weekday treat, this easy-to-make recipe will transform your mornings. Join me in creating these tender, buttery delights that promise to elevate your breakfast experience and bring a taste of Southern tradition right to your kitchen!
Why are Breakfast Biscuits a Must-Try?
Warm, Flaky Goodness: The moment you pull these biscuits from the oven, their inviting aroma fills your kitchen, setting the stage for a delightful breakfast.
Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and an uncomplicated process, you’ll be enjoying freshly baked biscuits in no time.
Versatile Enjoyment: Whether you prefer them with honey, butter, or smothered in gravy, these biscuits are the perfect canvas for your breakfast favorites.
Crowd-Pleasing Appeal: They are a hit at family gatherings and brunches, satisfying even the pickiest eaters.
Southern Tradition: Embrace a piece of Southern heritage as you indulge in these delightful bites, perfect for any occasion.
Breakfast Biscuits Ingredients
For the Biscuits
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure and bulk; can be substituted with a gluten-free blend for those needing dietary adjustments.
- Cake Flour – Ensures a tender crumb; feel free to swap in additional all-purpose flour if you’re out.
- Baking Powder – Key leavening agent for those perfect flaky layers; make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
- Baking Soda – Combines with acidic buttermilk to help the biscuits rise; omit if you’re only using baking powder.
- Kosher Salt – Enhances flavor beautifully; use regular table salt if needed, just cut the amount by half.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance flavors; skip it for savory biscuits if preferred.
- Chilled Unsalted Butter – Infuses richness and flavor; substitute with vegan butter for a dairy-free option if desired.
- Shortening – Contributes to that flaky texture; can easily be replaced with additional butter or a vegan alternative.
- Cold Buttermilk – Moistens the dough while activating leavening; for a quick substitute, mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar with enough milk to make 1 cup.
These simple yet essential Breakfast Biscuits ingredients will transform your mornings into something special!
How to Make Breakfast Biscuits
- Whisk Together: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and granulated sugar. Ensure all ingredients are well mixed, creating a fluffy base for your biscuits.
- Cut in Butter: Add the chilled unsalted butter and shortening into the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the mixture until it resembles crumbled feta, ensuring the butter remains cold for the best flakiness.
- Mix in Buttermilk: Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour in the cold buttermilk. Stir gently until everything is just moistened and a dough forms, avoiding overmixing to keep the biscuits tender.
- Knead Lightly: Flour a clean surface and turn out the dough, patting it into a rectangle about ½ inch thick. Be gentle to maintain the airiness of the dough.
- Fold and Pat: Fold the dough in half, pat it out again, and repeat the folding process two more times, each time patting down to a 1-inch thickness. This creates those beautiful layers we all love!
- Cut Biscuits: Using a floured biscuit cutter, stamp out biscuits without twisting the cutter. Gather any scraps and shape them into an additional biscuit, ensuring minimal waste while maximizing enjoyment.
- Chill Before Baking: Place the biscuits on a baking sheet or cake pan and freeze them for 10 minutes. This step helps maintain their shape during baking and enhances flakiness.
- Bake Until Golden: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the biscuits for about 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until they are golden brown and irresistible.
- Serve Warm: Once baked, let them cool slightly. These delicious Breakfast Biscuits are best enjoyed warm, served with butter, honey, or your favorite jam.
Optional: Drizzle with honey or serve with a spread of creamy butter for an extra delightful treat.
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Store and Freeze Breakfast Biscuits
Room Temperature: Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their freshness and flavor.
Fridge: If you’d like to keep your biscuits longer, they can be refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container; gently reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Freezer: For longer storage, individually wrap biscuits in plastic wrap and place them in a resealable freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months; reheat from frozen for best results.
Reheating: To retain flakiness, reheat frozen biscuits in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes; enjoy your delicious Breakfast Biscuits warm!
Expert Tips for Breakfast Biscuits
- Cold Ingredients: Always use chilled butter and shortening. This helps create those flaky layers that make Breakfast Biscuits irresistible.
- No Twisting: When cutting biscuits, press straight down without twisting the cutter. Twisting seals the edges, preventing the biscuits from rising properly.
- Minimal Handling: Mix the dough just until combined. Overworking the dough can lead to tough biscuits instead of the tender texture you’re looking for.
- Fresh Leavening Agents: Ensure your baking powder is fresh. Old leavening agents can result in flat biscuits that lack fluffiness.
- Freezer Time: Don’t skip the chilling step before baking; freezing the biscuits for 10 minutes helps retain their shape and results in a better rise during baking.
Make Ahead Options
These Breakfast Biscuits are perfect for meal prep enthusiasts! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap. To maintain their signature flakiness, avoid overworking the dough while shaping. You can also cut out the biscuits and freeze them individually for up to 3 months; just make sure to place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for the initial freeze before transferring them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy your biscuits, simply bake them straight from the freezer, adding an extra couple of minutes to the baking time for delicious, freshly baked results with minimal effort.
Breakfast Biscuits Variations
Feel free to get creative and customize your Breakfast Biscuits to suit your taste preferences!
- Cheesy Delight: Fold in a cup of shredded cheese like cheddar or pepper jack for a savory twist that adds richness and depth.
- Herb Infusion: Add fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme for an aromatic flavor that elevates the classic biscuit taste.
- Sweet Spice: Incorporate a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg into the dry ingredients for a touch of warmth, perfect for a sweet breakfast treat.
- Savory Bacon: Mix chopped, cooked bacon bits into the dough for a hearty, flavor-packed biscuit that brings a breakfast favorite into every bite.
- Fruit Punch: Incorporate chopped fresh fruit like blueberries or diced apples for a hint of sweetness and a delightful burst of flavor.
- Vegan Version: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter and use a plant-based milk alternative for a delicious dairy-free option that doesn’t skimp on taste.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeños to the dough for biscuits that bring an exciting heat to your breakfast table.
- Gluten-Free Goodness: Swap all-purpose flour with a certified gluten-free blend, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delightful biscuits without worry.
What to Serve with Breakfast Biscuits?
There’s nothing quite like a cozy breakfast spread that perfectly complements warm, flaky biscuits.
- Sausage Gravy: This rich, creamy sauce smothered over biscuits provides a satisfying contrast of flavors and textures, making it a Southern staple.
- Honey Butter: A sweet and creamy mixture of honey and butter drizzled on warm biscuits creates the ultimate indulgent treat that melts in your mouth.
- Scrambled Eggs: Fluffy, buttery scrambled eggs add a protein-packed touch to your breakfast table, perfectly balancing the richness of the biscuits.
- Fruit Preserves: A spread of your favorite jam or fruit preserves brings a burst of sweetness and fresh flavor, enhancing every bite of the buttery biscuit.
- Fried Chicken: For a hearty twist, serve biscuits alongside crispy fried chicken. The combination of savory and flaky elements will have everyone asking for more.
- Fresh Seasonal Fruit: Bright, juicy fruit like strawberries or melons adds a refreshing touch, while providing a light contrast to the rich biscuits.
- Crispy Bacon: The salty crunch of bacon pairs wonderfully with the soft texture of the biscuits, creating a delightful breakfast classic that everyone loves.
- Iced Coffee: A refreshing iced coffee enhances the breakfast experience, helping to balance the warmth of the biscuits with a chilled, caffeinated kick.
Breakfast Biscuits Recipe FAQs
How do I choose the right flour for Breakfast Biscuits?
Absolutely! For the best results, use a combination of all-purpose flour and cake flour. All-purpose flour gives the biscuits structure, while cake flour (which you can substitute with more all-purpose flour if needed) ensures a tender crumb. Just make sure your flour is fresh for optimal results!
How should I store leftover Breakfast Biscuits?
Very simple! You can store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For extended freshness, refrigerate them for up to 4 days. Just remember to reheat them a bit to bring back that wonderful flakiness!
Can I freeze Breakfast Biscuits?
Of course! To freeze your biscuits, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them in a resealable freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months! When ready to enjoy, reheat them directly from frozen in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for around 15-20 minutes.
What should I do if my biscuit dough is too sticky?
No worries! If your dough feels too sticky while handling, you can sprinkle a little more flour onto your work surface and your hands to prevent sticking. Just be careful not to overdo it, as too much flour can result in tough biscuits instead of soft, tender layers.
Can I make these biscuits dairy-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute chilled unsalted butter with vegan butter to make your Breakfast Biscuits dairy-free. Additionally, for buttermilk, mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar with enough plant-based milk to make 1 cup, allowing it to sit for a few minutes before using in your recipe.
Why is it important not to twist the biscuit cutter?
Great question! Twisting the cutter seals the edges of the biscuit, preventing it from rising properly and resulting in denser biscuits. Instead, press straight down with the cutter for the best height and flakiness in your adorable Breakfast Biscuits!
Fluffy Breakfast Biscuits Perfect for Weekend Mornings
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and granulated sugar.
- Add the chilled butter and shortening into the flour mixture and work until it resembles crumbled feta.
- Create a well in the center of dry ingredients and pour in the cold buttermilk; stir gently until a dough forms.
- Flour a surface, turn out the dough, and pat it into a rectangle about ½ inch thick.
- Fold the dough in half, pat it down, and repeat folding process two more times to achieve a 1-inch thickness.
- Using a floured biscuit cutter, stamp out biscuits without twisting the cutter.
- Place biscuits on a baking sheet and freeze for 10 minutes to help maintain shape.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let them cool slightly and serve warm with butter, honey, or jam.