- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
That's it!
A handful of ordinary ingredients turns into a pan of beautifully golden biscuits.
Why Buttermilk?
Buttermilk gives these biscuits a slightly tangy flavor and helps create a tender texture.
If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to a measuring cup and adding enough milk to reach 1 cup. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before using.
For this recipe, you'll need 2 cups total.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
You don't need anything fancy to make these.
- 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pastry brush, optional
- Knife or bench scraper for scoring
I especially love using a square baking dish because it gives you those wonderfully thick, bakery-style biscuits.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
This recipe is delicious exactly as written, but there are plenty of ways to play around with it.
Add Cheese
Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese for cheesy butter swim biscuits.
Sharp cheddar is especially good.
Add Garlic and Herbs
Try adding:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Then brush the warm biscuits with a little more melted butter.
So good!!
Make Them Sweeter
For a slightly sweeter biscuit, increase the sugar to 2–3 tablespoons.
These are especially delicious with honey or jam.
Use Salted Butter
Salted butter works perfectly well. If you use it, you may want to reduce the added salt slightly.
How to Make Classic Butter Swim Biscuits
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F.
Place the butter in your baking dish and put it in the oven for a few minutes, just until the butter melts.
Remove the dish carefully.
You want plenty of melted butter covering the bottom of the pan.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Give everything a good stir so the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Add the Buttermilk
Pour the buttermilk into the dry ingredients.
Use a spatula to gently stir until a soft, sticky dough forms.
Don't overmix.
A few lumps are perfectly fine!
Step 4: Add the Dough to the Butter
Carefully spoon the biscuit dough into the baking dish over the melted butter.
Gently spread the dough toward the corners.
Don't worry if some of the butter comes up around the sides. That's exactly what we want.
Step 5: Score the Biscuits
Using a knife or bench scraper, gently score the dough into 9 squares.
Don't cut all the way through.
This gives you an easy guide for separating the biscuits after they're baked.
Step 6: Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the biscuits are puffed and deeply golden brown on top.
Keep an eye on them during the final few minutes.
That beautiful deep golden color is where so much of the flavor comes from!
Step 7: Cool Slightly and Serve
Let the biscuits cool for about 5–10 minutes before cutting them apart.
Then grab one while it's still warm.
Look at those golden edges!!
Split it open and you'll see that soft, fluffy center surrounded by all that buttery goodness.
What to Serve With Butter Swim Biscuits
These biscuits are incredibly versatile.
Serve them alongside:
- Scrambled or fried eggs
- Bacon or sausage
- Sausage gravy
- Country ham
- Fried chicken
- Roast chicken
- Beef stew
- Chicken soup
- Chili
- Creamy vegetable soup
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
And for something sweet, try them with honey, strawberry jam, peach preserves, or apple butter.
A warm biscuit with honey melting into the center?
Yes, please!!
Tips for the Best Butter Swim Biscuits
Don't Overmix the Dough
This is probably the biggest tip.
Stir just until everything comes together. Overmixing can develop too much gluten and make the biscuits heavier instead of soft and tender.
Don't Skimp on the Butter
The melted butter is a major part of what makes this recipe special.
It helps create that crisp, golden exterior and rich flavor.
Use Fresh Baking Powder
If your baking powder has been sitting in the cupboard for years, it may not provide enough lift.
Fresh baking powder helps give these biscuits their characteristic fluffy texture.
Don't Drain the Butter
It may look like there's a lot of butter around the dough before baking.
Don't worry!
That butter is supposed to be there.
Bake Until Deeply Golden
Pale biscuits are good.
Deeply golden, buttery biscuits?
That's where the magic happens!!
Can I Make These Ahead?
Yes, although they're at their absolute best when they're freshly baked.
You can mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. When you're ready to bake, add the buttermilk and continue with the recipe.
For the best texture, I recommend baking them the same day you plan to serve them.
How to Store Butter Swim Biscuits
Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate them for about 4–5 days.
To reheat, place them in a 300°F oven for several minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave them briefly, although the oven does a better job of bringing back some of that crisp exterior.
Can You Freeze Butter Swim Biscuits?
Yes.
Let the baked biscuits cool completely, then wrap them well and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
Thaw and reheat in a 300–325°F oven until warm.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: About 35 minutes
Yield: 9 biscuits
Serving Size: 1 biscuit
Difficulty: Easy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Butter Swim Biscuits not fluffy?
The most common culprit is overmixing the dough or using baking powder that has lost its potency. Mix only until the ingredients are combined and make sure your baking powder is fresh.
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, but buttermilk gives the biscuits a better flavor and texture. If necessary, use a homemade buttermilk substitute made with milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
Do I need to cut the biscuits before baking?
No. That's one of the best things about this recipe!
You simply spread the dough into the baking dish and score it into squares before baking.
Why do you bake the biscuits in butter?
The melted butter surrounds the dough as it bakes, helping create the rich flavor and golden, crisp exterior that makes Butter Swim Biscuits so special.
Can I add cheese?
Absolutely. Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack would all be delicious.
Can I make these without buttermilk?
Yes. A homemade buttermilk substitute works in a pinch, although traditional buttermilk gives the best flavor.
Why did my biscuits turn out dense?
Try not to overwork the dough. The mixture should be gently stirred just until combined. Also check that your baking powder is still active.
Final Thoughts
If you've never made Butter Swim Biscuits before, this is your sign to give them a try.
There's something wonderfully satisfying about a recipe that doesn't require a rolling pin, biscuit cutter, or complicated technique. Just melt the butter, stir together the dough, spread it into the pan, and let the oven do the work.
And when those biscuits come out puffed, golden, crisp around the edges, and buttery all over, you'll understand exactly why this simple recipe has such a loyal following.
Serve them warm with honey, jam, gravy, or alongside your favorite comfort-food dinner.
And don't be surprised if somebody wanders into the kitchen asking, “Are those biscuits ready yet?”
More Homemade Bread Recipes to Try
If you love easy, comforting baked goods, try these next:
- Homemade Apple Cinnamon Bread
- Southern Butter Biscuit Bites
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon Biscuit Wedges
- Easy Banana Bread
- Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Pizza
- Southern Cornbread Dressing
If you make these Butter Swim Biscuits, I'd love to hear how they turned out! Leave a review, share your favorite variation, and save the recipe to Pinterest so you can find it the next time you're craving a warm, buttery biscuit.
Approximate Nutrition Information
Per biscuit, based on 9 biscuits:
Calories: 270
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Sodium: 500mg
Sugar: 3g