Few things in the kitchen are as comforting and satisfying as warm homemade biscuits. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven with a smear of butter, drizzled with honey, dipped into gravy, or alongside a hearty breakfast, biscuits bring a cozy, nostalgic feeling to the table. The problem for many home cooks is the misconception that biscuits are difficult, technical, or require special equipment. But these Easy Homemade Biscuits prove that with a handful of simple ingredients and the right technique, anyone can create tall, tender, bakery-quality biscuits in under 25 minutes.

This recipe leans into the essentials: cold butter, fresh flour, and a quick, light hand. No fancy mixers. No complicated folding patterns. No fuss. Just pure biscuit goodness with the perfect balance of flaky layers and soft, fluffy interiors. The smell of buttery biscuits baking in your oven alone makes this recipe a keeper — but the taste seals the deal.

What’s even better is that these biscuits work beautifully for breakfast, brunch, busy weeknight dinners, or recipe add-ons like breakfast sandwiches or shortcakes. Once you try this version, it might just become your new go-to.

Why These Easy Homemade Biscuits Are So Good

1. Cold Butter = Magical Flakiness

The colder the butter, the more steam it creates as it melts in the oven, forming tender layers that lift the biscuits sky-high.

2. A Simple, Straightforward Method

Perfect even for beginners — no special skills needed.

3. Ready in Under 25 Minutes

Great for last-minute meals, unexpected guests, or when cravings strike.

4. Extremely Versatile

Serve with jam, honey, butter, sausage gravy, or even turn them into mini sliders.

5. Minimal Ingredients

You likely have everything already in your kitchen.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar (optional but recommended for balanced flavor)

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, very cold
• ¾ cup milk or buttermilk (more if needed)

Finish

• 1 tbsp melted butter for brushing tops

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
3. Cut in the Butter
   Grate cold butter into the flour or cube it and cut it in with a pastry cutter or fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add the Milk
   Pour in the milk or buttermilk and gently stir until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
5. Shape the Dough
   Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a rectangle about ¾ inch thick. Fold it in half and pat again (this creates layers). Repeat once more if desired.
6. Cut the Biscuits
   Use a biscuit cutter or a circular glass to cut biscuits without twisting. Place them close together on the baking sheet for taller biscuits.
7. Bake
   Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
8. Butter the Tops
   Immediately brush hot biscuits with melted butter.
9. Serve Warm
   Enjoy fresh from the oven with jam, honey, butter, or use for breakfast sandwiches.

Easy Homemade Biscuits

Tall, fluffy, buttery homemade biscuits that come together in under 25 minutes with simple ingredients and foolproof steps.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 10 biscuits

Course: Breakfast, Side

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 210

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar optional

Wet Ingredients

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter cold
• 0.75 cup milk or buttermilk

Finish

• 1 tbsp melted butter for brushing

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Baking sheet
• Pastry cutter or grater
• Biscuit cutter

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
3. Cut cold butter into dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form.
4. Stir in milk or buttermilk just until dough comes together.
5. Turn dough onto floured surface, pat into rectangle, and fold once for layers.
6. Cut biscuits and place on baking sheet close together.
7. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
8. Brush hot biscuits with melted butter and serve warm.

Notes

For softer biscuits, use buttermilk and avoid overmixing.

Tips for Perfect Homemade Biscuits

Keep Everything Cold

Cold butter = flaky layers.

Don’t Twist the Cutter

Twisting seals the edges and prevents rising.

Buttermilk Makes Them Softer

Regular milk works, but buttermilk takes biscuits to the next level.

Use a Light Touch

Overworking the dough results in dense biscuits.

Place Biscuits Close Together

They rise taller and bake evenly.

Variations

Cheddar Herb Biscuits

Add shredded cheddar and fresh herbs.

Sweet Breakfast Biscuits

Add more sugar and cinnamon.

Garlic Butter Biscuits

Brush with garlic butter after baking.

Drop Biscuit Version

Add extra milk and simply drop spoonfuls on the tray — no rolling needed.

Serving Suggestions

• With sausage gravy
• As breakfast sandwiches with eggs and cheese
• With butter and homemade jam
• As a side for soups and stews
• With fried chicken
• As a base for strawberry shortcake

Fun Facts About Biscuits

• Biscuits became popular in American Southern cooking because they used inexpensive, accessible ingredients.
• Early biscuits were unleavened; baking powder changed everything.
• The steam from butter melting is what creates biscuit layers.