Get ready to meet your new favorite biscuit recipe. These Butter Swim Biscuits are legendary for a reason: they are unbelievably easy to make and bake up into the most tender, fluffy biscuits with a crispy, golden-brown buttery crust. Forget about cutting in cold butter or kneading dough. This simple, no-fuss recipe has you pour melted butter into a baking dish, top it with a simple biscuit dough, and watch the magic happen in the oven. The dough literally “swims” in butter, creating a decadent, flavorful biscuit that’s impossible to resist. It’s the perfect side for any meal, from a hearty breakfast to a comforting dinner.
What Are Butter Swim Biscuits?
Butter Swim Biscuits are a unique and incredibly simple type of biscuit where the dough is placed in a pan filled with melted butter before baking. As they bake, the butter sizzles and bubbles up around the dough, infusing every bite with rich flavor and creating an irresistibly crisp bottom and top crust while the inside stays wonderfully soft and fluffy. This method eliminates the need for cutting in cold butter, making it a fantastic recipe for beginners.
Why You’ll Love This Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: With just a few simple ingredients and no complicated steps, this is a truly foolproof recipe.
- No Kneading Required: Simply mix the dry ingredients, stir in the buttermilk, and your dough is ready. It’s that quick!
- Extra Fluffy & Tender: The combination of buttermilk and baking powder creates a super soft, cloud-like texture inside.
- The Perfect Buttery Crust: The signature “butter swim” method guarantees a rich, crispy crust that’s utterly delicious.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Butter Swim Biscuits recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of pantry staples to create these heavenly treats.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our biscuits. Make sure to spoon and level it for accurate measurement.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a touch of sugar balances the flavors and helps with browning.
- Baking Powder: This is the key leavening agent that makes the biscuits rise and become fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
- Buttermilk: The acidity in buttermilk reacts with the baking powder for an extra tender crumb. If you don’t have any, see the FAQ section for an easy substitute!
- Unsalted Butter: The star of the show! Melted butter creates the signature crispy crust and rich flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Butter Swim Biscuits
Follow these simple steps to bake a pan of the best biscuits you’ve ever had. It’s a straightforward process that delivers outstanding results every time.
1. Preparation
First, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). While the oven heats up, melt the stick of butter in an 8×8 inch baking dish. Make sure the butter is fully melted and covers the bottom of the dish.
2. Making the Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the buttermilk and stir with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine and lead to a more tender biscuit.
3. The “Butter Swim”
Turn the dough out into the prepared baking dish directly on top of the melted butter. The dough will be sticky. Gently spread it to the edges of the pan. Using a knife or a bench scraper, cut the dough into nine equal squares. This helps the biscuits bake evenly and makes them easy to separate after baking.
4. Baking to Golden Perfection
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the biscuits cool in the pan for a few minutes before serving warm.
Pro Tips for the Fluffiest Biscuits
While this recipe is simple, a few expert tips can make your Butter Swim Biscuits even better.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix only until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your biscuits tough instead of tender.
- Use Full-Fat Buttermilk: For the richest flavor and most tender texture, use full-fat buttermilk.
- Serve Warm: These biscuits are at their absolute best when served fresh and warm from the oven.
Delicious Variations to Try
This basic recipe is a perfect canvas for customization. Feel free to get creative!
- Cheddar and Herb: Add 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh chives or dill to the dry ingredients.
- Garlic Parmesan: Mix in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for a savory twist. This pairs wonderfully with our Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo.
- Sweet Cinnamon Sugar: Before baking, sprinkle the top of the dough with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet, breakfast-friendly treat.
What to Serve with Your Biscuits
These versatile biscuits are the perfect companion for a wide variety of dishes. Serve them for breakfast with jam and butter, alongside a hearty Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup, or as the base for a savory main like our Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie (coming soon). They are also fantastic for soaking up the delicious sauce from a comforting bowl of Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef Stew.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap them in foil and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. This will help them regain their softness and crispy edges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Butter Swim Biscuits
Absolutely. Allow the biscuits to cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warm.
Yes, you can make a buttermilk substitute. For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes to curdle slightly before using it in the recipe. For this recipe, you would use 2 tablespoons of acid for 2 cups of milk.
The biscuits are done when they are puffed and a deep golden brown on top. You can also insert a toothpick into the center of a biscuit; if it comes out clean with no wet dough, they are ready.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheating them in the oven or air fryer is the best way to bring back their crispy texture.
The main difference is the method. Instead of cutting cold butter into flour, the dough is placed in a pan of melted butter. This creates a unique crispy, fried-like crust on the bottom and top, while the inside stays incredibly soft and fluffy.
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Butter Swim Biscuits (The Easiest, Fluffiest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place the stick of butter in an 8x8 inch baking dish and put it in the oven to melt. Once melted, remove the dish and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the buttermilk into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough should be shaggy and a bit lumpy.
- Spoon the dough into the baking dish directly on top of the melted butter. Gently spread the dough to fill the pan evenly. Use a knife to cut the dough into 9 squares.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center biscuit comes out clean.
- Let the biscuits cool in the pan for a few minutes before serving. They are best enjoyed warm.
Notes
Buttermilk Substitute: If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar to 2 cups of regular milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tried This Recipe? Share Your Creation!
We absolutely love seeing what you create! If you make these Butter Swim Biscuits, please leave a comment below and let us know how they turned out. For more delicious inspiration and behind-the-scenes content, be sure to follow us on Pinterest. Happy baking!
