If you love warm, flaky biscuits with sharp cheddar baked right into the dough, these easy homemade cheddar biscuits are about to become a staple in your kitchen. They bake up golden on the outside, soft and tender inside, with pockets of melted cheddar in every bite.
These biscuits are incredibly simple to make with basic pantry ingredients like flour, butter, and buttermilk. They’re perfect alongside soups, stews, roasted meats, or even breakfast eggs, and they come together in about 40 minutes from start to finish.
Whether you’re serving them for a cozy dinner or a holiday meal, these buttery cheddar biscuits taste like something straight from a bakery.
Why You’ll Love These Cheddar Biscuits
• Tender and fluffy inside
• Crisp golden edges
• Packed with real cheddar cheese
• Ready in about 40 minutes
• Perfect side for soups, chili, or roast chicken
They also freeze beautifully, so you can always have homemade biscuits ready to bake.
Ingredients
1½ cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups coarsely shredded cheddar cheese (about 6 oz)
½ stick (¼ cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
¾ cup buttermilk
How to Make Cheddar Biscuits
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or leave it ungreased.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
• flour
• baking powder
• baking soda
• salt
This ensures the biscuits rise evenly.
3. Cut in the Butter and Cheese
Add the cold butter pieces and shredded cheddar to the flour mixture.
Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles small coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.
This step creates flaky layers.
4. Add the Buttermilk
Make a small well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk.
Using a fork, gently toss the mixture until just combined. The dough will be very soft and slightly sticky. Avoid overmixing.
5. Shape the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
Gently knead once or twice, just enough to bring it together. Pat the dough out to about ½ inch thickness.
6. Cut the Biscuits
Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits. Press straight down without twisting to help them rise higher.
Gather scraps and repeat until all dough is used.
7. Bake
Place biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Cheddar Biscuits
Use cold butter
Cold butter creates steam while baking, making biscuits light and flaky.
Don’t overwork the dough
Too much kneading can make biscuits dense.
Use sharp cheddar
Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor and melts beautifully.
Brush with garlic butter (optional)
Melted butter with garlic powder and parsley brushed over warm biscuits makes them incredible.
Variations
Garlic Cheddar Biscuits
Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder to the flour mixture.
Cheddar Herb Biscuits
Mix in 1 tablespoon chopped chives or parsley.
Spicy Cheddar Biscuits
Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
What to Serve With Cheddar Biscuits
These biscuits pair perfectly with:
They’re also amazing split open and used for breakfast sandwiches.
Easy Homemade Cheddar Biscuits
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 Biscuits 1x
Description
Fluffy, buttery cheddar biscuits made with simple pantry ingredients. These homemade biscuits bake up golden with tender layers and melted cheddar in every bite. Perfect for serving with soups, chili, or roasted dinners.
Ingredients
1½ cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups coarsely shredded cheddar cheese (about 6 oz)
½ stick (¼ cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
¾ cup buttermilk
Optional
2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing tops
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 450°F and prepare a baking sheet.
-
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
-
Add the shredded cheddar cheese and cold butter pieces. Cut the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
-
Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the buttermilk.
-
Using a fork, gently toss until the dough is just moistened. The dough will be sticky. Do not overmix.
-
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead once or twice just until it comes together.
-
Pat the dough to about ½ inch thickness.
-
Cut biscuits using a 2-inch biscuit cutter and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
-
Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
-
Brush with melted butter if desired and serve warm.
Notes
For extra flavor, brush warm biscuits with garlic butter made with melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley.
For larger biscuits, pat dough ¾ inch thick and cut with a 3-inch cutter.
- Prep Time: 25 MINS
- Cook Time: 15 MINUTES
- Category: BREAD | BAKING
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Storage
Store biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
To reheat, warm in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes.
Freezing Instructions
You can freeze cheddar biscuits before or after baking.
To freeze unbaked biscuits:
Freeze on a tray until solid, then store in a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to baking time.
To freeze baked biscuits:
Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 3 months.
FAQ
Why are my biscuits dense?
Overmixing or warm butter can cause dense biscuits.
Can I use milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to ¾ cup milk and let it sit 5 minutes.
Can I make drop biscuits instead?
Yes. Skip rolling and simply spoon dough onto the baking sheet.
Final Thoughts
These homemade cheddar biscuits are one of those simple recipes that always impress. With crispy edges, soft centers, and rich cheddar flavor, they’re perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to holiday tables.
Once you try them warm from the oven, you may never go back to store-bought biscuits again.
