The Best Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

The Best Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits is a easy American recipe that serves 6. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by Chef Taelor Rankin on YouTube.

Prep: 23 min | Cook: 15 min | Total: 48 min

Cost: $1.97 total, $0.33 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (sifted with baking powder and salt)
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Powder (sifted with flour)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt (fine sea salt)
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (frozen, then grated; keep butter cold)
  • 2 tablespoons Buttermilk (for brushing biscuits before baking)
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (melted, for drizzling after baking)

Instructions

  1. Sift Dry Ingredients

    Place a fine mesh sieve over a large mixing bowl and sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

    Time: PT1M

  2. Grate Frozen Butter

    Using a box grater, grate the frozen butter directly into the sifted dry ingredients, working quickly to keep the butter cold.

    Time: PT2M

  3. Mix Until No Large Butter Chunks

    Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, gently mix the mixture until the butter pieces are about the size of peas and no larger chunks remain.

    Time: PT4M

  4. Prepare Work Surface

    Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on a clean countertop, lightly flour it, then dump the dough onto the wrap and dust the top with a little more flour.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Knead Lightly

    Gently knead the dough on the floured surface until it comes together into a slightly sticky ball—about 4–5 gentle folds.

    Time: PT4M

  6. Roll Out Dough

    Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough to approximately 1/2‑inch thickness.

    Time: PT3M

  7. Cut Biscuits Without Twisting

    Press a biscuit cutter straight down into the dough and lift; do not twist the cutter, as twisting seals the edges and reduces rise.

    Time: PT4M

  8. Arrange on Baking Sheet

    Place the cut biscuits on a baking sheet so that they are touching each other; this promotes maximum rise.

    Time: PT1M

  9. Brush with Buttermilk

    Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the tops of the biscuits with the buttermilk.

    Time: PT1M

  10. Melt Butter for Finishing

    In a small microwave‑safe bowl, melt the remaining butter until just liquid.

    Time: PT1M

  11. Bake Biscuits

    Place the baking sheet in a pre‑heated oven and bake until the tops are golden brown, about 12–15 minutes.

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: 425°F

  12. Drizzle Melted Butter

    Remove the biscuits from the oven and immediately drizzle the melted butter over the tops while they are still hot.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
250
Protein
4g
Carbohydrates
30g
Fat
12g
Fiber
1g

Dietary info: Vegetarian

Allergens: Dairy, Gluten

Last updated: April 17, 2026

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates PartnerTrusted

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Clicking on ingredient or equipment links will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase these items.

The Best Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Recipe by Chef Taelor Rankin

A simple, buttery biscuit recipe that yields light, flaky biscuits with a golden crust. Follow Chef Taelor Rankin's step‑by‑step method of sifting, grating frozen butter, gentle kneading, and brushing with buttermilk for extra rise, then finish with a drizzle of melted butter.

EasyAmericanServes 6

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
25m
Prep
15m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
50m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$1.97
Total cost
$0.33
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Grating frozen butter to keep it cold
  • Mixing only until pea‑size butter pieces remain
  • Cutting biscuits without twisting
  • Placing biscuits touching each other for maximum rise
  • Brushing with buttermilk before baking

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the hot oven with oven mitts to avoid burns.
  • Melted butter is hot; pour slowly to prevent splatter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of flaky homemade biscuits in American cuisine?

A

Biscuits have been a staple of Southern and broader American cooking since the 19th century, originally made with simple pantry staples and leavened with baking powder. They were a quick, affordable bread substitute for farmers and became a comfort food served at breakfast, brunch, and alongside gravies.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of biscuits in the United States?

A

In the Southern United States, biscuits are often made with buttermilk and served with gravy or honey. In the Northeast, similar quick breads are called "scones" and may include fruit or nuts. In the Midwest, biscuits are sometimes baked with cornmeal for a slightly gritty texture.

cultural
Q

How are flaky homemade biscuits traditionally served in the Southern United States?

A

They are typically served hot, split open, and slathered with butter, honey, or jam. They also accompany dishes like fried chicken, country ham, or sausage gravy for a classic breakfast or brunch.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations are biscuits traditionally associated with in American culture?

A

Biscuits are a common feature at holiday breakfasts (Thanksgiving, Christmas), church potlucks, and family brunches. They’re also a comfort food for everyday family meals.

cultural
Q

What makes Chef Taelor Rankin’s biscuit recipe special or unique in American breakfast cuisine?

A

Chef Taelor Rankin emphasizes keeping the butter frozen and grated, which creates ultra‑flaky layers, and he brushes the tops with buttermilk for extra rise. The final drizzle of melted butter adds a glossy, buttery finish that sets his biscuits apart.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making flaky homemade biscuits?

A

Common errors include letting the butter warm up, over‑mixing the dough, twisting the cutter, and spacing biscuits apart on the sheet. Each of these reduces lift and flakiness, resulting in dense biscuits.

technical
Q

Why does this biscuit recipe use grated frozen butter instead of cubed butter?

A

Grating frozen butter creates many tiny, evenly distributed pieces that melt during baking, forming steam pockets that lift the dough. Cubed butter can leave larger chunks that don’t distribute as evenly, leading to less flaky texture.

technical
Q

Can I make these biscuits ahead of time and how should I store them?

A

Yes—you can shape the biscuits, freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a bag for storage. Bake from frozen, adding 2‑3 minutes to the bake time, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before baking.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the biscuits are done?

A

The tops should be golden‑brown with a slightly crisp edge, while the interior remains light, airy, and flaky. When cut open, the crumb should be tender with visible layers from the butter pieces.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Chef Taelor Rankin specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Chef Taelor Rankin focuses on approachable home cooking tutorials, emphasizing classic comfort foods, quick weeknight meals, and technique‑focused tips for home bakers and cooks.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Chef Taelor Rankin's approach to American comfort food differ from other cooking channels?

A

Chef Taelor Rankin combines clear, step‑by‑step visuals with practical shortcuts—like using frozen grated butter—and emphasizes minimal equipment and cleanup, making classic dishes feel accessible to busy home cooks.

channel

You Might Also Like

Similar recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos

The Trick to Buttery Flaky Blueberry Scones
5

The Trick to Buttery Flaky Blueberry Scones

These oversized, buttery blueberry scones are the ultimate breakfast treat. Using a cheese grater to cut ice‑cold butter and a quick chill in the fridge gives them a light, flaky texture, while fresh blueberries add sweet, juicy bursts. Finished with a simple powdered‑sugar glaze, they’re perfect for brunch or a weekend snack.

1 hr 28 minServes 12$6
American
How to Make Perfect Biscuits from Scratch
6

How to Make Perfect Biscuits from Scratch

Flaky, buttery, tall biscuits that are soft yet sturdy. This recipe uses cold grated butter, buttermilk, and a simple folding technique to create layers that rise beautifully in a hot oven.

44 minServes 4$2
American
Buttermilk Biscuits using shredded Butter
4

Buttermilk Biscuits using shredded Butter

Flaky, buttery Southern-style buttermilk biscuits made with the shredded‑frozen‑butter technique. The dough stays cold, the biscuits rise high, and a quick brush of buttermilk gives a beautiful golden top—perfect for breakfast sandwiches or a side with gravy.

1 hr 4 minServes 5$3
Southern American
How to Make Buttermilk Biscuits - Easy Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe
5

How to Make Buttermilk Biscuits - Easy Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Flaky, tender buttermilk biscuits made with cold butter and buttermilk, using a classic folding technique for a light, airy texture. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side to soups and gravies.

45 minServes 6$2
American
Claire Makes the Flakiest Buttermilk Biscuits
13

Claire Makes the Flakiest Buttermilk Biscuits

Flaky, buttery buttermilk biscuits with defined layers made using a simple handful of ingredients and a few key techniques – cold butter, minimal handling, and a quick chill before baking. Perfect as a side, breakfast treat, or snack.

60 minServes 8$3
American
How To Make Grandma Barb's Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
33

How To Make Grandma Barb's Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

These fluffy, old‑school buttermilk biscuits are the exact recipe handed down from a grandmother’s kitchen. Using a mix of butter‑flavored shortening, cold unsalted butter, and a surprise brush of mayonnaise, the biscuits rise high, stay buttery, and have a golden crust that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any comfort‑food moment.

59 minServes 4$7
American Southern
7-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits
3

7-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits

These fluffy, flaky buttermilk biscuits are made with just seven simple ingredients and a quick lamination technique. Cold butter is cut into the flour mixture, folded repeatedly, and baked at a hot 450°F for a golden crust. Ready in about 30 minutes, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side for any meal.

40 minServes 8$2
American
Cook Southern Biscuits with Alton Brown
7

Cook Southern Biscuits with Alton Brown

A classic Southern-style biscuit made with all‑purpose flour, butter, shortening, and tangy buttermilk. The combination of baking powder and a pinch of baking soda gives a light, fluffy crumb while the butter‑shortening blend creates a tender, flaky texture. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side for dinner.

52 minServes 8$2
American (Southern)