Homemade Biscuits are so easy to make, and these are the fluffiest biscuits you’ll try – buttery and super soft! I’ll share my best tip for cutting them to get that impressive rise. This Biscuit Recipe has just six simple ingredients that come together fast, and there is no rising time required.

Homemade Biscuits served in a bread bowl

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Of all of the different breads I bake, I’m convinced that biscuits are the easiest home-baked bread! There’s no kneading or waiting as with yeast doughs, and you don’t need any fancy equipment. Watch my video tutorial below, and you’ll see how easy it is to whip up a batch of biscuits from scratch. These are so good on their own, but also excellent in Strawberry Shortcake or Biscuits and Gravy.

Homemade Biscuits Video

Helpful Reader Reviews

“I forgot to move my butter from the freezer to the fridge the night before, so I just grated it directly into the dry ingredients. It worked very well. I’ve been trying out a lot of biscuit recipes recently and this is by far the best one! So delicate and moist inside with a nice crust on the top and bottom.” – Johanna ★★★★★

“These are the very best biscuits I’ve ever made! This recipe is my ‘go to’ because they are tall, flaky, and have an excellent crumb! I freeze and shred my butter into the flour before adding the half & half. It all comes together so well and the biscuits are delicious! Thank you for posting!” – Brenda ★★★★★

Biscuit Recipe

If you love homemade bread and fresh dinner rolls, but don’t like to wait for them to rise and proof, this biscuit recipe is for you. They’re perfect for any cooking skill level and taste way better than store-bought biscuits out of a can.

Up close fluffy homemade biscuit with soft layers

Ingredients for Biscuits

I love that this uses pantry and refrigerator staple ingredients.

  • Flour – all-purpose flour works best for a tender crumb
  • Baking Powder – use aluminum-free and make sure to sift if you see clumps in your baking powder.
  • Salt and sugar – add just the right amount of flavor.
  • Unsalted Butter – be sure it’s cold, right from the refrigerator. If you prefer to use salted butter, you will want to reduce the salt in the recipe.
  • Half and Half – this is also called “light cream.” If you don’t have half and half, you can make it by combining equal parts of milk and heavy whipping cream.
Ingredients to make biscuits with butter, flour, half and half, baking powder, salt and sugar

Tips for the Best Homemade Biscuits

  • Measure flour correctly – spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level the top. Read our post on how to measure ingredients.
  • Dip your pastry cutter into flour between each cut. This will create a cleaner cut for a better rise.
  • Cut Biscuits straight down. Don’t turn your cutter side to side and do not use a sawing motion. Cutting straight down is the KEY to help the biscuits rise better.
  • Use cold butter. The key to making great biscuits is to use cold butter. We dice up the butter and then refrigerate it until ready to use. Cold butter will produce the fluffiest layers in your biscuits.
  • Do not over-mix – once liquids touch the flour, mix just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Cold diced butter for the best biscuits

Tools for Making Biscuits

The best thing about making homemade biscuits is that you don’t need any fancy equipment. Here are the tools we use to make the process super quick and easy:

  • Baking Sheet – line it with a sheet of parchment paper
  • Biscuit Cutter – we used a 2 1/2″ diameter round cutter. You can also use a knife or bench cutter to cut the biscuits into squares.
  • Pastry Blender – to cut butter into the flour. You can also use a fork with wide tines, two knives, or a food processor (see instructions for this below).
  • Mixing Bowl – this dough comes together in 1 bowl (we used a 4 qt).
  • Wooden spoon or spatula – to stir in the liquid ingredients
Biscuit cutter for making biscuits

How to Make Biscuits

  • Dice butter – Cut into 1/2″ cubes and refrigerate until needed.
  • Whisk dry ingredients – In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk until really well combined before adding butter and liquids.
  • Add diced butter to the flour mixture and cut it into the flour until the largest pieces are pea-sized. It’s easy with a pastry blender.
  • Add liquids -Pour in all the half and half at once and stir it in until the dry ingredients are just moistened then transfer to a floured surface. If the dough is too moist, dust the top with flour.
  • Shape the dough into a rectangle and fold in half. Shape into a rectangle again and fold a second time. Shape dough into a 5×10″ rectangle and cut out 8 2 1/2″ diameter circles. You can pull together the scraps to form 2 more biscuits.
  • Bake – Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 450˚F for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Brush hot biscuits with melted butter.
step by step how to make biscuit dough

Pro Tip:

For the Softest Biscuits, be sure not to overmix the dough so it doesn’t develop gluten strands, which can cause the biscuits to be tough. Mix just until it comes together and you should still be able to see bits of butter in the dough.

how to cut out biscuits and bake

Can I Make Biscuits in a Food Processor?

To use a food processor, pulse together dry ingredients, then add chilled diced butter and pulse just until the largest pieces are pea-sized. Add just 3/4 cup half and half and pulse only until combined.

What is the Secret to a good biscuit?

There are a few ‘secrets’ that are important for good biscuits. Make sure you don’t overwork the dough, cut straight down when you cut out your biscuits, and avoid overbaking.

three fluffy biscuits stacked

Serve Biscuits with

  • Gravy – there’s nothing more classic than biscuits and gravy.
  • Jam – spread sweet jam over biscuits and enjoy them with tea.
  • Honey Butter – we love how butter melts onto a warm biscuit
  • Breakfast Sandwiches – break the biscuit in half and use it for a sandwich.
Biscuits served with jam

Make-Ahead and Storage

It’s easy to make biscuits in advance. You can prep them in advance and enjoy freshly baked biscuits in the morning.

  • Overnight Make-Ahead Biscuits – Cut the biscuits, place them on a baking sheet, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Uncover and bake before serving. Bake the cold biscuits in a fully preheated oven.
  • Storage – once the biscuits are cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator. Biscuits can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Make ahead biscuits cooling on wire rack

Homemade biscuits truly are easy and such a treat. These always disappear fast and are a hit with our whole family. The kiddos can’t resist a warm buttered biscuit.

More Quick Bread Recipes

Quick Breads are great because they don’t need rising time. Instead of using yeast, they use baking soda or baking powder for leavening to give them a beautiful rise. If you love these homemade biscuits, then you won’t want to miss our top-rated quick-bread recipes.

Easy Homemade Biscuits

4.98 from 479 votes
Homemade Biscuits served in a bread bowl
This is the only Biscuit Recipe you will need. Homemade Biscuits are super soft and these are quick and easy to make with just 6 ingredients.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10 biscuits
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder, (aluminum free)
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 3/4 tsp salt, (we use fine sea salt)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold (8 Tbsp = 1/2 cup)
  • 1 cup half and half (minus 2 Tbsp)*
  • 1/2 Tbsp melted butter, to brush the baked biscuits

Instructions

Make the Biscuit Dough:

  • Dice butter into 1/2" cubes and refrigerate until needed.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Whisk thoroughly.
  • Add diced cold butter and cut it into the flour using a pastry blender (or two knives or a fork), until the largest butter pieces are pea-sized.
  • Add 1 cup – minus 2 Tbsp of Half and Half all at once and stir until mixture comes together and is mostly moistened. Do not over-mix.

Fold Dough and Cut Biscuits:

  • Turn dough out onto a floured surface. If dough is very sticky, lightly sprinkle the top with flour.
  • Pat dough into a rectangle then fold it in half and pat into another rectangle. Fold a second time and pat into a 5"x10" rectangle or 3/4" thickness. Dip a 2 1/2" round biscuit cutter into flour and cut out 8 biscults. Pull together scraps and form into a rectangle to cut an extra 2 biscuits.

Bake Biscuits:

  • Place biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet 1-inch apart and bake at 450˚F for 12-15 minutes or until tops are golden brown and biscuits are baked through. While biscuits are hot, brush tops with 1/2 Tbsp melted butter. Transfer to a wire rack to cool 10 minutes then serve.

Notes

*Notes on half and half – you can substitute with equal parts heavy cream and milk. In very humid climates, reduce the amount of half and a half to 3/4 cup. 

Nutrition Per Serving

212kcal Calories21g Carbs3g Protein13g Fat8g Saturated Fat35mg Cholesterol193mg Sodium240mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar387IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C110mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Homemade Biscuits
Amount per Serving
Calories
212
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
13
g
20
%
Saturated Fat
 
8
g
50
%
Cholesterol
 
35
mg
12
%
Sodium
 
193
mg
8
%
Potassium
 
240
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
21
g
7
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
 
387
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
110
mg
11
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Bread, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: biscuit recipe, biscuits, homemade biscuits
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 212
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
4.98 from 479 votes (284 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Tracy DeVito
    April 26, 2023

    Wow these came out perfect!!
    I’ve tried other recipes and a complete fail. I made the dough as per your recipe the night before and cut and baked them in the morning and they were delicious!! Thank you for sharing 👩‍🍳

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 26, 2023

      You’re welcome, Tracy. So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Debbie Ryan
    April 21, 2023

    I usually use self rising flour for biscuits but ran out and had to use all purpose. My biscuits were soft and flaky but we’re yellow. What happened?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 21, 2023

      Hi Debbie! It could be the brand of butter that you used. Some have more of a yellow tint than others.

      Reply

      • Erika
        April 30, 2023

        Hello,

        My biscuits did not rise for some reason and I followed the instructions to a T. Is that maybe because I did not refrigerate the dough overnight?

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          April 30, 2023

          Hi Erika, we’ve never had that issue before. I recommend double-checking if the measurements of the ingredients were all followed. Our post on How to Measure Ingredients can help too.

          Reply

  • Allyson
    April 8, 2023

    Hello! After these are cut into biscuits, can they sit at room temp for about an hour before baking them? Or because they have dairy would they need to be refrigerated?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 8, 2023

      Hi Allyson! I think it would be best to refrigerate them.

      Reply

  • Karen
    April 8, 2023

    I usually weigh my flour at 120 grams per cup so I decided to measure out as you instructed in you video and cups were weighing 128 grams. Should I stick exactly to your recipe or adjust milk?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 8, 2023

      Hi Karen! I would follow the recipe measurement since that is how I tested it.

      Reply

  • Lauren
    April 8, 2023

    These are so good my teenagers beg me to make them. I use salted butter and regular old 2% milk and they come out buttery, with a wonderful touch of salt, delicious and fluffy every time.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 8, 2023

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Lauren!

      Reply

  • Mike Montgomery
    April 2, 2023

    In this part of the world they are called Scones, You can make them savory by adding cheese, bacon bits any kind of savory type flavorings, Sweet just add cut up dates, or sultanas,
    I also substitute the half and half with Butter Milk, Yum Scrum Diddly

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 2, 2023

      Thank you for sharing! 🙂

      Reply

  • Tanya Cozik
    March 25, 2023

    i make these all the time but i ran out of all purpose flour and only have self rising flour in the house can I use that instead with the storm we are having I really hate to run to the store in this

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 25, 2023

      Hi Tanya! I think it could work but I haven’t tested it myself to advise. You’ll have to experiment with it and possibly reduce or omit the baking powder and salt. Let us know how it turns out.

      Reply

  • Joe BKS
    March 23, 2023

    Fresh from the oven just now and light and fresh tasting. I have struggled with other biscuit recipes and I followed this one to a T. They came out perfect. Thank you!

    Saved to my favorites.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 23, 2023

      Hi Joe! I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Alicia
    March 18, 2023

    This was my first time making biscuits, and they came out SO GOOD. Thanks for the recipe and the easy to follow instructions. I cut mine into squares because I am impatient, but they tasted moist, light, and airy. Perfect.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 19, 2023

      Great job, Alici! So glad that you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Shirley Gallegos
    March 18, 2023

    I tried following your biscuit recipe, it didn’t come out right,it was dry and tasted like sandpaper.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 18, 2023

      Hi Shirley! Dry biscuits are usually a result of using too much flour. Watch my tutorial on how to measure ingredients HERE. I would also look over the recipe to see if there was anything you did differently. I hope that helps. 🙂

      Reply

  • Chachi
    March 14, 2023

    I don’t have half and half or buttermilk on hand. Am I able to use a milk and butter substitution?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 14, 2023

      Hi Chachi! Butter is a very important ingredient in this recipe.
      I haven’t tried using just milk to advise. Usually, the substitute for half and half can be using half whipping cream and half whole milk

      Reply

  • Everett
    March 8, 2023

    The biscuits came out a bit dry…..more then likely the butter…..I normally use a shortening like crisco and then use buttermilk instead of half and half….adds more flavor. But I thought I’d give your recipe a try. Why not use a self rising flour and cut the backing powder part out. Cook easier, not harder.

    Reply

  • Raul
    March 7, 2023

    This is a great recipe! Even if you don’t follow the ingredients to a T (I had no half/half, so instead I mixed heavy whiping cream and milk in order to make half/half) the biscuits turn out great. I am also fond of sesame seeds and poppy seeds, so I tweaked the recipe and brushed the biscuits with an egg wash and sprinkled some poppy seeds on them before baking them. They came out soooo good! In fact, they tasted as if I had made them with pastry dough. Thank you so much for sharing!!! Best wishes.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 7, 2023

      Hi Raul! Thank you so much for sharing your experimentation with the recipe. I’m so glad they still turned out amazing!

      Reply

  • Steve Rankin
    March 4, 2023

    I’m excited to try your Chicken pot Pie Casserole . . .but my wife can’t have cow’s milk (cream, half-half, etc) have you tried a substitute for these and what is your recommendation? I typically use either coconut milk or full fat coconut cream. Thx

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 4, 2023

      Hi Steve! I have not tested a dairy-free alternative but some of my readers have reported plant-based butter and milk.

      Reply

  • Guru of None
    February 28, 2023

    Add 1 cup – minus 2 Tbsp. of Half and Half ~ now that’s funny!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 28, 2023

      Haha! It’s the perfect amount. 🙂

      Reply

  • Dee Priestap
    February 27, 2023

    These are by far the fluffiest and delicious biscuits I’ve ever come across! Kudos Natasha! 10/10! 👍🏻👍🏻😋😋

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 27, 2023

      Hi Dee! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for your feedback. 🙂

      Reply

  • Barbara
    February 14, 2023

    I made your fluffy biscuit recipe this morning. Mmm mmm so good! Definately be baking yoir biscuit recipe forever.
    Just one question Natasha, can I freeze yoir biscuits?
    Thanks again for this great recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 14, 2023

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I haven’t tried that but if I did, I would probably thaw overnight in the refrigerator then bake the thawed biscuits right out of the fridge.

      Reply

  • Jasmine
    February 12, 2023

    First time making biscuits…very delicious and easy to make! Will be making again!!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 12, 2023

      Great to hear that you enjoyed these biscuits!

      Reply

  • Lucy
    February 11, 2023

    Hello, these biscuits look delicious. Can you substitute buttermilk for the half and half?
    Hoping this works?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 12, 2023

      Hi Lucy, one of our readers shared this comment “Amazing! Had to sub buttermilk for the half-n-half as we had none of the latter on hand. Buttermilk rarely fails and was no exception here as the biscuits were light, fluffy and everything we need biscuits to be. We also grated the butter instead of cubing it. Thank you much for this great recipe!” I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Marilyn Corns
    January 29, 2023

    Just tried your biscuit recipe. They are absolutely delish. Very easy to make and just the recipe I have been looking for. Thank you for sharing! Marilyn Corns

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 29, 2023

      Hi Marilyn! Thank you for trying my recipe. So glad you loved it!

      Reply

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