If you’re craving a comforting, cheesy treat that melts in your mouth and pairs perfectly with everything from hearty stews to fresh salads, this Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe is exactly what you need. These biscuits boast a tender, flaky texture with bursts of rich cheddar flavor and a hint of garlic, delivering bakery-quality goodness right from your oven. Whether you’re a biscuit veteran or just starting out, this recipe promises a rewarding baking experience with results that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows six round biscuits with a light golden color and visible bits of cheese inside, arranged in a black cast iron pan. Four biscuits have a smooth, slightly rough texture, and two are being brushed with a white, creamy liquid using a brush with a black handle. The biscuits have a fluffy, thick shape with about two layers visible in their cross-section, and the pan sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

It’s amazing how a handful of simple ingredients come together to create something so irresistibly delicious. Each ingredient plays an essential role—flour provides structure, cheddar adds bursts of sharp flavor, and the cold butter ensures those flaky layers you dream about. Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful biscuits:

2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of your biscuits, use spooned and leveled for accuracy.
1 Tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder: Helps the biscuits rise perfectly without any metallic taste.
1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Adds extra lift and helps create a tender crumb.
1 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses a subtle savory depth that complements the cheddar beautifully.
1 teaspoon salt: Balances flavors and enhances all the other ingredients.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed and very cold: Key for flaky layers—keep it chilled for the best texture.
1 cup + 2 Tablespoons cold buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang, improving tenderness.
2 teaspoons honey: Just a touch of sweetness to balance the savory bites.
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp or mild, fresh shredded cheese packs big flavor and melts wonderfully.
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: For brushing the biscuit tops to golden perfection.
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder: Mixed into the topping to echo the biscuit’s seasoning.
1 teaspoon dried or fresh chopped parsley: Adds a fresh, vibrant finish to the buttery glaze.

How to Make Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by heating your oven to 425°F (218°C). Baking at this temperature ensures the biscuits bake quickly and rise beautifully, while developing a golden, inviting crust.

Step 2: Combine Your Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, garlic powder, and salt in a large bowl or pulse them in your food processor until well mixed. This combination lays the perfect groundwork, ensuring even rise and consistent flavor throughout.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Add the cold, cubed butter to your dry mix. Using a pastry cutter or pulsing briefly in a food processor, cut the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Those butter bits are the secret to flaky layers, so keep them somewhat chunky for maximum flakiness!

Step 4: Fold in the Cheddar

Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese using a spatula or wooden spoon. Be careful not to overmix here—you want cheese evenly distributed without losing the light texture of your dough.

Step 5: Add Buttermilk and Honey

Create a well in the center of your mixture, pour in 1 cup cold buttermilk, and drizzle the honey on top. Fold everything together just until the dough starts to come together, leaving it a little shaggy and wet is perfect. Overworking can make the biscuits tough.

Step 6: Form and Fold the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently bring it together using your floured hands, flattening it into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick. Fold the dough in thirds, turn it, and repeat this process three more times. These folds create layers that make the biscuits tender and flaky, so be gentle but consistent.

Step 7: Cut Out the Biscuits

Use a 2.5-3 inch biscuit cutter to cut your dough into circles. Remember not to twist the cutter when pressing down, as twisting seals the edges and prevents proper rising. Place the biscuits close together in a cast iron skillet or on a parchment-lined sheet so they support each other as they rise.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Brush the tops with the remaining buttermilk and bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until the tops turn a gorgeous golden brown. That beautiful crust is a sign your biscuits are ready to be enjoyed.

Step 9: Brush on the Garlic-Parsley Butter Topping

While the biscuits are warm, mix melted butter with garlic powder and parsley, then brush generously over the tops. This finishing touch adds irresistible flavor and a lovely sheen that will have everyone reaching for more.

How to Serve Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe

The image shows six golden brown biscuits with a crispy top and soft, flaky layers visible on the sides. Each biscuit has about four to five layers with a light orange tint from melted cheese baked into the dough. The tops are sprinkled with small green parsley leaves, adding a fresh color contrast. The biscuits are arranged directly on a white marbled surface, with one biscuit partially torn to show the soft inside. A small sprig of parsley and a folded blue napkin appear near the biscuits for decoration. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of extra shredded cheddar or fresh chopped chives on warm biscuits adds a fresh pop of flavor and makes your presentation truly inviting. You can also serve with a small dish of honey butter for an irresistible sweet-savory combo.

Side Dishes

These biscuits love company! Serve them alongside creamy soups like tomato bisque, hearty chili, or cozy chicken and dumplings. They also complement fresh salads or roasted vegetables for a balanced, comforting meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn these biscuits into sliders by slicing them in half and filling with crispy bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Or make a cheesy breakfast sandwich by adding scrambled eggs and sausage. Their versatility makes this Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe a total kitchen winner!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover biscuits stay delicious at room temperature for up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just be sure to keep them wrapped tightly to maintain moisture and softness.

Freezing

You can freeze these biscuits before baking by cutting and arranging them on a tray, then wrapping tightly and freezing for up to 3 months. When ready, bake them straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to baking time for perfectly fresh results.

Reheating

Warm refrigerated or frozen biscuits in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Microwaving is quicker but may sacrifice flakiness, so the oven method is best to recapture that freshly baked texture.

FAQs

Can I use sharp cheddar or mild cheddar in this recipe?

Absolutely! Sharp cheddar will give a bold, tangier flavor, while mild cheddar offers a gentler cheese presence. Both work beautifully, so choose according to your taste preference.

Why is cold butter so important in making these biscuits?

Cold butter creates pockets of steam during baking that help the biscuits rise and become flaky. If the butter melts before baking, you’ll end up with a denser biscuit rather than those light, tender layers.

Can I substitute the buttermilk?

You can make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk, letting it sit for 5-10 minutes. It won’t be exactly the same but will provide the necessary acidity and moisture for tender biscuits.

What is the best way to store leftover biscuits to keep them fresh?

Storing in an airtight container at room temperature is best for a day or two. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze as mentioned earlier to keep them moist and delicious.

Can I make these biscuits vegan or gluten-free?

This particular recipe relies on dairy and wheat flour for texture and flavor, so substitutions are tricky. For vegan or gluten-free versions, you’d need to find suitable alternatives for butter, cheese, and flour, and results may differ from this traditional recipe.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe enough! The combination of flaky, buttery dough and sharp cheddar cheese creates a cozy, crowd-pleasing classic that’s perfect for any time of day. Once you give these a try, they’ll quickly become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire. So grab your ingredients and get ready to impress—your kitchen is about to fill with the most wonderful aroma of fresh-baked biscuits!