Drop Biscuits are soft, fluffy, and buttery biscuits made with simple pantry staples and no rolling or cutting required. These easy homemade drop biscuits come together fast and are perfect served warm with butter, honey, or jam.
If you love homemade biscuits but hate the fuss, these Drop Biscuits are about to become one of your favorite recipes. No kneading, no flour-covered countertops, and no biscuit cutters needed. You just mix, scoop, and bake. That’s it.
These biscuits are tender on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and loaded with buttery flavor. They are perfect for busy weeknights, cozy weekend breakfasts, or whenever you want fresh bread without the extra effort. Once you try them, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with traditional rolled biscuits.
What I Love About This Recipe
- These biscuits are made with basic ingredients you probably already have on hand. No fancy flours (like self-rising) or special tools needed. That makes them perfect for last-minute meals or when you want something homemade without planning ahead.
- I love how incredibly easy these drop biscuits are to make from scratch. There’s no rolling, folding, or cutting involved, which means less mess and less cleanup. You can have homemade biscuits in the oven in about 10 minutes. That’s a huge win on busy days.
- These biscuits have the perfect soft and fluffy texture with just the right amount of buttery richness. Using cold butter gives them those tender pockets that make biscuits so irresistible. They’re simple but taste like classic comfort food. Warm from the oven, they’re basically impossible to resist.
- I love how flexible this recipe is for easy variations. You can add cheese, garlic, herbs, or even a little sugar, depending on what you’re serving them with. They work just as well for breakfast as they do alongside soups and dinners. One base recipe, lots of options.
Equipment You May Need
- Baking Sheet – A standard baking sheet works great for these biscuits and helps them bake evenly.
- Pastry Brush – Makes cutting the cold butter into the flour quick and easy. You can also use a fork if needed.
- Mixing Bowl – A medium-sized bowl for mixing everything together without overworking the dough.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Drop Biscuits Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour – The base of the biscuits, giving them structure while staying tender.
- Baking Powder – Helps the biscuits rise and stay fluffy.
- Salt – Enhances the flavor and balances the butter.
- Cold Unsalted Butter – Cold butter is key for flaky, tender biscuits. Cut it into small cubes.
- Cold Milk – Brings the dough together and keeps the biscuits moist and soft.
How to Make Drop Biscuits
Step One: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pan
Preheat oven to 425°F and lightly grease a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
Step Two: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Step Three: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold butter and cut it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Step Four: Add the Milk
Pour in the milk and stir just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
Step Five: Drop the Dough
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown. Allow biscuits to cool slightly before serving.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these biscuits warm with softened butter. Add honey or jam (like this blueberry jam) for an easy breakfast or snack.
- Can use these biscuits for a wide range of dishes like strawberry shortcake or top with sausage gravy.
- Pair with soups, beef stews, chili, or hearty comfort food dinners.
- Can use the batter as a topping for dishes like casseroles and chicken pot pie.
- They work well for mini sandwiches like ham and cheddar cheese.
Quick Tips
- Keep the butter and milk cold for the best texture.
- The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. If it feels dry, add a splash more milk.
- These biscuits are best enjoyed warm right out of the oven.
- You can add your favorite mix-ins like shredded cheese (cheddar, Parmesan, etc.), spices (garlic, onion powder, etc.), or fresh herbs (chopped rosemary, scallions, etc.). You could add any precooked meats or veggies (like jalapenos, bacon, etc.).
- This recipe makes about 18 biscuits, but you could easily cut the ingredients in half (or even quarter) for a small batch.
Drop Biscuits FAQ
How should I store Drop Biscuits?
Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze Drop Biscuits?
Yes. Let them cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat before serving.
How long will Drop Biscuits last?
A few days at room temperature, up to 5 days in the fridge, and up to 2 months in the freezer.
Substitutions?
You can use buttermilk instead of regular milk for extra flavor. Just keep it cold.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Low-fat milk works, but full-fat butter and milk give the best texture and flavor.
What else can I add to this recipe?
Make them cheesy with your favorite shredded cheese. You can also add your favorite spices or fresh herbs. You could even add a little sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate chips for a sweet version.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – Plant-based butter and milk can be used, but texture may vary.
Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian. Be sure to check individual brands/products just to be sure though.
Low-Carb – This would be a difficult recipe to make low-carb.
Gluten-Free -A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend may work, but results can vary.
Other Biscuit Recipes You May Enjoy
- Cast Iron Biscuits – Easy biscuit recipe baked in a skillet.
- Sweet Shortcake Biscuits – A sweet shortcake recipe that is perfect for strawberry shortcake.
- Fluffy Buttermilk Chive Biscuits – Delicious homemade biscuits with some fresh chives.
Hope you enjoy this Drop Biscuits recipe. Tell me in the comments what you put on them!
If you like biscuits, you may also like these Chocolate Chocolate Chip Biscuits! Or check out my Red Lobster copycat from scratch Garlic Cheddar Drop Biscuits.
Drop Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- ¾ cup cold milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425˚F.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt until blended.
- Using a pastry cutter or the back of a fork, cut the butter into the flour mixture until mixture is even and crumbly.
- Mix the milk into the flour mixture, and stir until the dough is just combined (don’t overmix) and a soft moist dough forms.
- Using a spoon, drop the biscuit dough onto two nonstick baking sheets or baking sheets lined with parchment paper to make 18 biscuits. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes, or until browned on the bottom.
Notes
- Keep the butter and milk as cold as possible before making.
- The biscuits are best warm out of the oven, but you can reheat them as necessary.
- Serve with your choice of spreads such as butter, honey, jam/jelly, etc.
- The dough should be soft and moist. If your dough is a little crumbly or dry, add a little more milk.
- Make garlic cheddar biscuits by adding 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and ½ teaspoon garlic powder to the dough.
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
