If you love the idea of homemade biscuits but dread complicated recipes, you’re going to adore this vibrant twist on a classic treat. This 3 Ingredient Biscuits Recipe is all about simplicity, warmth, and that irresistible buttery flakiness that melts in your mouth. With just self-rising flour, cold butter, and cultured buttermilk, you can whip up a batch of delectably fluffy biscuits in no time, perfect for elevating any breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Trust me, once you try these biscuits, they’ll become your go-to whenever you want to impress without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about this 3 Ingredient Biscuits Recipe is how minimalistic yet essential the ingredients are. Each component plays a critical role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor while keeping things uncomplicated and approachable.
- 2 cups self-rising flour: This flour already includes the leavening agents, making your biscuits wonderfully tender and perfectly risen.
- 1/4 cup cold butter: Cold butter is the secret to flaky layers, so keep it chilled until you’re ready to mix.
- 1 cup cultured buttermilk: Cold buttermilk adds tangy moisture and reacts with the flour’s leavening to help the biscuits rise beautifully.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make 3 Ingredient Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 450°F. Giving your oven enough time to reach this temperature is key, as a hot oven helps the biscuits rise quickly and develop that heavenly golden crust you crave.
Step 2: Cut Butter Into Flour
Place the self-rising flour and cold butter into a food processor. Pulse about 20-25 times to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If you prefer, you can do this step by hand using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, but the food processor speeds things up and keeps the butter super cold.
Step 3: Mix in the Buttermilk
Add the cold cultured buttermilk to the flour and butter mixture. Process just until the dough starts to come together, which usually takes about 15 seconds. Overmixing can result in dense biscuits, so stop as soon as it’s moistened. If working by hand, gently stir buttermilk in just until everything sticks together.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together with your hands. Avoid overworking it to keep the biscuits tender. Pat or roll the dough to about 1 1/2 inches thick. Use a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter to cut out eight biscuits, reforming the dough scraps as needed.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Place the biscuits either on a baking sheet, a cast iron skillet, or a biscuit baker. Lightly brush the tops with extra buttermilk if you like a slightly crisp top. Bake them in your preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until they’re golden and risen beautifully.
Step 6: Butter and Enjoy
For that final touch, brush your warm biscuits immediately with melted butter. This adds the perfect sheen and a rich buttery flavor that takes these biscuits from simple to sensational. Now, dig in and enjoy!
How to Serve 3 Ingredient Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of flaky sea salt or a light brush of honey butter can highlight the biscuits’ flavor beautifully. Fresh herbs like chopped rosemary or thyme sprinkled just before serving add a lovely aromatic touch that turns basic biscuits into a memorable treat.
Side Dishes
These biscuits partner wonderfully with smoky bacon, creamy scrambled eggs, or a rich pot of chili. Their fluffy texture offers a perfect balance to saucy or spicy dishes, making them a versatile side any time of day.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming twist, slice your biscuits in half and fill them with fried chicken, ham and cheese, or your favorite sandwich fixings. You can also turn them into shortcakes topped with fresh berries and whipped cream for a decadent dessert option!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover biscuits (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to keep them soft and fresh.
Freezing
Wrap the biscuits individually in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag to freeze. They will keep well for up to three months, ready to be pulled out for a quick delicious snack or meal addition.
Reheating
To reheat, pop biscuits in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until they’re warmed through and regain a bit of their fresh-baked crispness. Avoid the microwave when possible, as it can make biscuits chewy.
FAQs
Can I make these biscuits without a food processor?
Absolutely! Mixing by hand is simple and even preferred by some for a more rustic texture. Just cut the cold butter into the flour using a pastry cutter or two knives until crumbly, then mix in the buttermilk gently.
What if I don’t have cultured buttermilk?
You can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly before using.
Can I freeze the dough before baking?
While you can freeze biscuit dough, it’s best to bake them fresh for maximum fluffiness and rise. If you freeze dough, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and let it come to room temperature before baking.
How do I make these biscuits dairy-free?
Try using a dairy-free butter substitute and unsweetened plant-based milk mixed with a bit of lemon juice to mimic buttermilk. Keep in mind the texture might vary slightly.
Can I add extra ingredients like cheese or herbs?
Yes! Fold in shredded cheese or fresh herbs into the dough after mixing the wet and dry ingredients for extra flavor. Just be careful not to add too much or it might affect the biscuit rise.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a nostalgic, warm-from-the-oven biscuit without all the fuss, this 3 Ingredient Biscuits Recipe is the answer you’ve been waiting for. It’s quick, easy, and delivers that flaky, buttery goodness every time. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe — your kitchen will smell amazing and your taste buds will be dancing. Happy baking!
Print3 Ingredient Biscuits Recipe
This simple 3 Ingredient Biscuits recipe delivers flaky, buttery biscuits using just self-rising flour, cold butter, and cultured buttermilk. Perfectly golden and tender, these biscuits come together quickly with either a food processor or by hand, making them an ideal homemade treat or side for any meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 biscuits
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups self-rising flour (preferably White Lily)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup cold cultured buttermilk (plus more for brushing, optional)
- 1/4 cup cold butter (plus more for brushing, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F, ensuring it is fully heated to achieve a hot baking environment.
- Prepare Dough Base: Combine the self-rising flour and cold butter in a food processor. Pulse 20-25 times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, cut the butter into flour by hand until crumbly.
- Add Buttermilk: Add the cold cultured buttermilk to the processor and pulse just until the dough forms, approximately 15 seconds. If mixing by hand, stir until the dough is moistened but not overworked.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently bring it together with your hands, handling as little as possible to maintain flakiness. Pat or roll out to about 1 1/2 inches thick.
- Cut Biscuits: Use a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter to cut out 8 biscuits, reforming dough scraps as necessary to maintain shape and size.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the biscuits on a baking sheet, cast iron skillet, or biscuit baker. Brush lightly with additional buttermilk if desired to enhance browning.
- Bake: Bake the biscuits for about 10 minutes or until they are golden brown and have risen completely.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the hot biscuits from the oven and brush with melted butter if you like for extra richness. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Using cold butter and buttermilk helps achieve flaky layers in the biscuits.
- Do not overwork the dough to keep biscuits light and tender.
- Adjust oven rack to the middle position for even baking.
- Reform leftover dough scraps gently to avoid toughening the biscuits.
- Optionally brush biscuits with melt butter after baking for extra flavor and shine.
