If you’re someone who believes they’re not a baker, then let me introduce you to the perfect beginner baking recipe. These easy drop biscuits will leave you impressed with your baking abilities, and everyone dining with you will be too. Unlike many butter-and-flour centric baking recipes (ahem, pie crust), making an amazing batch of homemade drop biscuits doesn’t require grandma-level expertise. There’s no kneading, proofing, rolling, shaping, or (if your baking exploits go anything as mine do at times) four-letter words. Unless the word you are referring to is MMMM, in which case that terminology certainly applies to these quick and easy drop biscuits! Drop-style biscuits are the perfect no-frills baking recipe.
They’re ready in about 30 minutes.They are endlessly versatile thanks to yummy optional additions like cheese and herbs.The individual portion size makes them ideal for dunking in soups or enjoying along side your favorite protein (these Cornbread Muffins have similar appeal).
Drop Biscuits vs. Regular Biscuits
While both drop biscuits and rolled biscuits are melt-in-your-mouth delicious, there are notable differences.
Method
Drop Biscuits. The biscuit dough is scooped from the mixing bowl and “dropped” right onto the baking sheet, then baked. The biscuits are mound-shaped, lightly crispy on the outside, and buttery and soft on the inside.Rolled Biscuits. The biscuit dough is turned out onto a floured surface, then patted or rolled into a large, rough rectangle. From here, the biscuits are either stamped out with a biscuit cutter or cut into squares with a knife, transferred to a baking sheet, and then baked. The biscuits are more uniform, and the layers are more pronounced.
Ingredient Ratios
Drop biscuits have more milk or other liquid added to the dough than rolled biscuits. This is why the batter can be scooped, no kneading required.Rolled biscuit dough is stiffer, dryer, and usually contains more butter; this why it needs to be rolled and stamped out.
Appearance/Texture
Drop biscuits are puffy and craggy on the outsides; they do not rise as high when baked; the insides are soft and plush.Rolled biscuits are tall and more layered; they can be fluffy or dense, depending upon the recipe.
Speed/Ease
Drop biscuits are EASY. The dough is very forgiving and you don’t have to worry about causing an layers to stick together.Rolled biscuits are much more of a process. They’re tasty but not a good recipe when you are in a hurry.
For this reason, drop biscuits are my go-to anytime I make a recipe that calls for a little slice of carb heaven on the side (this Chicken Stew comes to mind).
How to Make Easy Drop Biscuits from Scratch
No more making drop biscuits with Bisquick (learn how to ditch the Bisquik for Fluffy Pancakes next!). These easy, fluffy, and satisfying homemade drop biscuits are the best from-scratch recipe. I’m also pleased to report that this is a recipe for healthy drop biscuits (as far as the spectrum of biscuits goes, anyway). They’re still plenty tender and indulgent, but thanks to additions like whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt, a little extra nutrition and a little less butter get snuck into every bite.
The Ingredients
Cold Unsalted Butter. I repeat you want COLD butter for the most tender, flaky biscuit. (Don’t miss “Tips to Make the Best Drop Biscuits” below for more information).Whole Grain Flour. One of my favorite ways to make my favorite baked treats a little bit better for us is to replace all or part of the all-purpose flour with whole-grain flour, which offers more fiber and nutrients (I do the same with my Whole Wheat Pizza Dough). For this whole wheat biscuit recipe, I used whole wheat pastry flour, which is especially light and tender.
Baking Powder. Helps the biscuits rise to fluffy perfection (I prefer it to baking soda, which would make the biscuits too acidic).Greek Yogurt. I replaced HALF of the butter you’d find in traditional drop biscuit recipes with Greek yogurt. Not only did this trick work, it triumphed! You could have served these to me and told me they were your grandma’s drop biscuits (or ones made by The Pioneer Woman herself), and I would have believed you.
Milk. You can use regular milk, buttermilk, or heavy cream if you want to go for richness.Honey. A delicious and natural way to sweeten the biscuits and give them old-fashioned biscuit flavor.
The Directions
Tips to Make the Best Drop Biscuits Ever
Work with Cold Ingredients. This especially applies to butter. Cold butter will steam when it hits the hot oven, and that steam is what creates a biscuit’s signature fabulously flaky texture.Don’t Stress about the Size of Your Butter Pieces. Cutting in butter used to stress me out. Then I attended a baking workshop and learned this life-changing tip: keep the butter pieces large-ish. Some pieces can be the size of small peas or your pinky fingernail. Bigger pieces = more steam to escape. Others may resemble tiny pebbles or a coarse meal.
Storage Tips
To Store. Store biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.To Reheat. Biscuits can be warmed, if desired, by placing them into a preheated 350-degree F oven until heated through.To Freeze. Individually wrap biscuits and store them in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Remove and thaw as desired.
Recommended Tools to Make Drop Biscuits
Rimmed Baking Sheets. A well-loved tool in my kitchen.Mixing Bowls. These are stackable, which makes for easy storage.Small Whisk. This will help you from splashing ingredients all over the counter.
If you have an aversion to baking with yeast yet want to dip your toe into the world of baking, this easy drop biscuit recipe is the perfect place to start!
Cheese and Herb Drop Biscuits. Add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, along with 1/2 cup of Gruyere cheese.Black Pepper and Cheddar Drop Biscuits. Fold in 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar with a few cranks of freshly ground pepper.Parmesan Chive Drop Biscuits. Add 1/2 cup of grated parmesan and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh chives. Try adding a pinch of garlic powder to the dry ingredients with this one!Sweet Drop Biscuits. Try these Blueberry Biscuits and Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls.
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