The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
These foolproof buttermilk biscuits are flaky, delicious, and ready in thirty minutes.
It costs approximately $2.80 to make 12 biscuits, that’s around 24¢ per biscuit!
Table of Contents
What You’ll Love About These Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
- Easy Recipe: Simple ingredients and minimal steps make these perfect for beginner bakers or busy schedules.
- Flaky and light: Buttermilk creates a tender crumb with the perfect amount of flakiness.
- Versatile: Enjoy these biscuits plain, with butter and jam, or use them to create sandwiches or other dishes.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – $0.57
- 2 tablespoons sugar – $0.04
- 4 teaspoons baking powder – $0.60
- 1 teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – $0.01
- 3/4 cup butter – $0.99
- 1 cup buttermilk – $0.58
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in March 2024.
How To Make Easy Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
***For full recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
- Rub chilled butter into dry ingredients until coarse meal forms.
- Stir in buttermilk until just combined.
- Drop ¼ cup dough per biscuit onto a baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Try adding ½ cup of shredded extra sharp cheddar for a cheesy biscuit. Then, when they come out of the oven brush them with a butter mixture made with 4 tablespoons of melted butter and ½ teaspoon of dried parsley.
- Make herbed biscuits by adding ¼ cup of fresh chopped herbs like dill, chives, basil, and even green onions.
- This recipe calls for buttermilk (hence the name). If you do not have any on hand, you can make your own by pouring 1 cup of milk into a measuring cup and adding either 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar or 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, and then you have buttermilk!
Storage Tips
SERVE: These biscuits will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days, perfect for quick snacks! Just be sure to store them in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
TO REHEAT: Microwave the biscuits in 15-second bursts until warm throughout.
STORE: For the freshest biscuits, store them at room temperature. Refrigerating can dry them out.
FREEZE: You can freeze these biscuits for future enjoyment! Follow the recipe by shaping the dough (step 6), then freeze the baking sheet with biscuits for 2-3 hours until it is solid. Transfer the frozen biscuits to a freezer bag and store them for up to 3 months.
BAKE FROZEN DOUGH: Preheat oven to 425°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, and bake biscuits for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe FAQs:
Are buttermilk biscuits the same as scones?
Unlike buttermilk biscuits, scones typically include eggs in their dough. This one ingredient creates a richer, denser texture in scones compared to the lighter, flakier texture of biscuits.
What goes good on a biscuit?
Pair these buttermilk biscuits with your favorite jam for a delightful sweet treat, or keep it classic with a generous pat of butter. No matter your preference, get ready for deliciousness!
Is buttermilk or whole milk better for biscuits?
We prefer to use buttermilk in our biscuits. The distinct flavor of buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to create light and fluffy biscuits.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Measure out the ingredients and let your little ones be your sous chefs, pouring them into the mixing bowl.
Ages 4-5: Let them gently scoop and drop the dough onto the baking sheet.
Ages 6-8: Let them measure the ingredients and mix them together.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
- Instead of buying buttermilk, which you may not use all of, try making your own instead for a more cost-effective solution.
- If you bake often, buying flour and sugar in larger quantities can save money per recipe.
More From Easy Budget Recipes
Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- baking sheet
- parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- 4 Tablespoon cookie scoop
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 425 degrees Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the butter and use your hands to mix the butter into the flour mixture.
- Keep mixing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Pour in the buttermilk and use a sturdy wooden spoon to stir everything together until combined but DO NOT OVERMIX!
- Use a 4 Tablespoon scoop to scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space the dough about 2-3 inches apart.
- Use light pressure to flatten the dough mounds slightly with your fingertips.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking. The biscuits should be golden brown.
- Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
-
- To bake the frozen dough: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake the biscuits for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Dannii says
This is totally different to what we call biscuits here in the UK, but they sound lovely.
Jess Jankowski says
That is so interesting! What are biscuits in the UK like?
Micki says
Oh wow, these are so good! I love buttermilk biscuits, and this is now my new favorite recipe! Yum!
Jess Jankowski says
Woo-hoo! Thank you!
Denay DeGuzman says
Buttermilk drop biscuits are the best! I love your traditional, time-honored recipe. I look forward to making a double batch this weekend!
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you! Let us know how it goes!
Irina says
Oh, WOW! These bite sized Biscuits sounds delicious! They are the best snack option while watching a movie!:)
Jess Jankowski says
Hadn’t even thought about making them as a snack! Life changing! LOL
Ashley says
These buttermilk biscuits are so good! We made them for dinner to serve with chili this week and can’t wait to make them again.
Jess Jankowski says
Yummy!! So happy to hear you liked them!
Pam Greer says
I love all your tips for getting the kids to help you and what tasks they can do! My grand daughter and I will be making these this weekend!
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to hear how it goes! Making memories in the kitchen is the best and something your granddaughter will always remember I am sure!
Sara says
I love these – better than boxed or canned and cheaper!
Jess Jankowski says
Absolutely! It doesn’t get much better than that!