Get ready to discover your new favorite savory breakfast. These Sausage and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits are the ultimate comfort food, combining fluffy, tender biscuit dough with savory sausage and sharp cheddar cheese. What makes them truly special is the “butter swim” method. By baking the biscuits in a pool of melted butter, they soak up all that golden goodness, creating irresistibly crisp edges and a soft, pillowy center. This recipe is incredibly simple, requires no cutting or folding, and delivers perfect results every single time.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weekday breakfast, a standout dish for a weekend brunch, or a hearty snack, these biscuits are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They are wonderfully versatile and packed with so much flavor that you’ll find yourself making them again and again.
Why You’ll Love These Sausage and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits
This isn’t just another biscuit recipe; it’s a game-changer for your breakfast routine. The combination of simple ingredients and a unique baking technique creates a truly memorable dish.
- Incredibly Easy: This is a drop biscuit recipe, meaning no kneading, no rolling, and no biscuit cutter required. You simply mix the dough and drop it into the pan.
- Amazing Texture: The butter swim method ensures the bottoms and edges are perfectly golden and crispy while the insides remain incredibly soft and fluffy.
- Packed with Flavor: Loaded with savory breakfast sausage and sharp cheddar cheese, every bite is a flavor explosion.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Serve them for a family breakfast, a special holiday brunch, or even as a savory side with dinner. They are a welcome addition to any meal.
The Magic of the “Butter Swim” Method
The “butter swim” technique is what sets these biscuits apart. It sounds indulgent, and it is—in the best way possible. By pouring melted butter into the baking dish *before* adding the biscuit dough, you create a butter bath for them to bake in. As they bake, the dough absorbs the butter, resulting in a rich flavor and a texture that is simply out of this world. The butter also fries the edges of the biscuits, giving them a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, steamy interior.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Biscuits
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of common ingredients to create these incredible Sausage and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits.
Sausage
A quality breakfast sausage is the star of the show. You can use your favorite brand, whether it’s mild, hot, or sage-flavored. Cook and crumble it before adding it to the dough to ensure it’s distributed evenly.
Cheese
Sharp cheddar cheese provides the best flavor and a wonderful melty texture. For the best results, grate your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting as smoothly.
The Dry Ingredients
All-purpose flour forms the base of our dough. We combine it with baking powder for lift, a touch of sugar for balance, and garlic powder and salt for enhanced flavor.
The Wet Ingredients & The Butter
Buttermilk is essential for creating a tender crumb and adding a classic tangy flavor. And of course, salted butter is the key to the “butter swim” method, providing richness and creating those signature crispy edges.
How to Make Sausage and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Step-by-Step
Making these biscuits is as easy as mix, drop, and bake. Follow these simple steps for foolproof results.
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 450°F (232°C). Pour the melted butter into an 8×8 inch baking dish, ensuring it covers the entire bottom.
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground sausage until it’s browned and crumbled. Drain off any excess grease.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder.
- Mix the Dough: Add the cooked sausage and shredded cheddar cheese to the dry ingredients, stirring to combine. Pour in the buttermilk and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
- Assemble the Biscuits: Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the prepared baking dish on top of the melted butter. You should have about 9 biscuits.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool for a few minutes in the pan before serving. The butter will absorb into the biscuits as they rest.
Pro Tips for the Best Butter Swim Biscuits
Want to ensure your biscuits are absolutely perfect? Here are a few expert tips to guide you.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: For tender, fluffy biscuits, mix the wet and dry ingredients until they are just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough biscuits.
- Use Cold Buttermilk: Cold ingredients are key to a light and flaky texture. Keep your buttermilk in the fridge right up until you’re ready to use it.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: As mentioned, block cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties, giving you those irresistible cheese pulls.
Recipe Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic base for your own creative twists. Try one of these delicious variations!
- Spicy Kick: Use hot breakfast sausage and add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dry ingredients or some chopped jalapeños to the dough.
- Herbaceous Twist: Add fresh herbs like chopped chives, parsley, or a bit of thyme to the dough for an extra layer of flavor.
- Different Cheeses: Swap the cheddar for other great melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or a spicy Pepper Jack.
For another savory and satisfying dish, check out our amazing Sausage Stuffed Shells recipe.
Serving Suggestions
These Sausage and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits are hearty enough to be a meal on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with other dishes. Serve them alongside scrambled eggs, or with a bowl of warm soup. They are also fantastic split open with a smear of butter or a drizzle of honey for a sweet and savory contrast. If you’re looking for another easy meal, these biscuits would be a great side for our Crack Chicken Gnocchi.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
These biscuits are best enjoyed fresh and warm from the oven, but they also store very well.
- To Store: Keep leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: 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.
- To Reheat: For best results, warm the biscuits in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave them for about 20-30 seconds.
If you love easy and cheesy recipes, be sure to try our famous Red Lobster Biscuit Chicken Pot Pie for your next dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they freeze beautifully. Allow the baked biscuits to cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in the oven.
Yes, you can. These biscuits are best served warm, but you can bake them ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their texture.
Absolutely! While sharp cheddar is a classic choice, this recipe works great with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or Pepper Jack for a spicy kick. The most important thing is to use a good melting cheese.
The key to tender biscuits is to not overwork the dough. Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until they are just combined. A few lumps in the dough are perfectly fine and are a sign that you haven’t overmixed.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make a substitute. For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle slightly, then use it as directed in the recipe.
More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Enjoy
If you loved these biscuits, we have plenty more breakfast and brunch ideas for you. For something sweet, try our Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quesadillas or these delicious Cinnamon Roll Protein Muffins.
Sausage and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits
Sausage and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits (The Easiest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Pour the melted butter into an 8x8 inch baking dish, swirling to coat the bottom completely.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground sausage until browned and crumbled. Drain any excess grease and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder.
- Stir the cooked sausage and shredded cheddar cheese into the dry ingredient mixture.
- Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix the dough.
- Drop large spoonfuls of the biscuit dough (about 9) directly into the melted butter in the baking dish.
- 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 5-10 minutes before serving. The butter will continue to absorb into the biscuits as they rest.
Notes
Ensure your buttermilk is cold for the most tender biscuits.
Feel free to use spicy sausage or add a pinch of cayenne for a kick.
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