Bring the comforting taste of classic Southern-style biscuits to your kitchen with these homemade KFC-style biscuits! They’re wonderfully soft and fluffy inside, lightly golden outside, and packed with buttery flavor.
Made with simple pantry ingredients, these biscuits are easy to prepare and make a delicious addition to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Serve them warm with butter, honey, jam, or your favorite savory meal.
Why You’ll Love These KFC-Style Biscuits
- Fluffy and tender: A soft, delicate interior with a beautiful golden crust.
- Buttery flavor: Butter gives every bite a rich, comforting taste.
- Simple ingredients: Everything is easy to find in your kitchen.
- Quick to prepare: No yeast or long rising time required.
- Versatile: Perfect alongside breakfast, soups, chicken, or dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, for brushing
How to Make KFC-Style Biscuits
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until evenly combined.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture.
Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with a few small butter pieces remaining.
Keeping the butter cold is important for creating tender, flaky biscuits.
Step 4: Add the Buttermilk
Pour the cold buttermilk into the flour mixture.
Stir gently with a fork until a soft, slightly shaggy dough forms. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the biscuits tough.
Step 5: Shape the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Gently bring it together and pat it into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick. Fold the dough in half, then gently pat it down again. Repeat once for extra layers.
Step 6: Cut the Biscuits
Use a round biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits. Press straight down without twisting the cutter to help the biscuits rise evenly.
Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, with their sides slightly touching for softer edges.
Gather any scraps gently and cut out the remaining biscuits.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake for approximately 12–15 minutes, or until the biscuits have risen and their tops are lightly golden.
Step 8: Brush with Butter
Remove the biscuits from the oven and immediately brush their tops with melted butter.
Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect Biscuits
- Use cold butter: Cold butter creates little pockets that help produce a tender, flaky texture.
- Keep the buttermilk cold: This helps prevent the butter from melting before baking.
- Don’t overwork the dough: Mix only until the ingredients come together.
- Avoid twisting the cutter: A straight downward cut helps the biscuits rise properly.
- Bake in a hot oven: The high temperature helps the biscuits rise quickly.
- Brush while warm: Melted butter adds flavor and gives the tops a lovely finish.
Delicious Variations
Cheddar Biscuits: Add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the dry ingredients.
Garlic Butter Biscuits: Mix a little garlic powder into the melted butter used for brushing.
Herb Biscuits: Add dried parsley, rosemary, or thyme for a savory twist.
Honey Butter Biscuits: Mix a teaspoon of honey into the melted butter before brushing.
Pepper Biscuits: Add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper for extra flavor.
What to Serve with KFC-Style Biscuits
These biscuits are delicious with almost anything!
Try serving them with:
- Fried or roasted chicken
- Creamy chicken soup
- Scrambled eggs and cheese
- Sausage gravy
- Mashed potatoes
- Honey or strawberry jam
- Butter and a little honey
How to Store Homemade Biscuits
Room Temperature: Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze completely cooled biscuits in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5–8 minutes, or until heated through. Brush with a little butter if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my biscuits not fluffy?
Overworking the dough, using warm butter, or using old baking powder can affect how much the biscuits rise. Handle the dough gently and check that your baking powder is fresh.
Can I make these biscuits without buttermilk?
Yes. Mix 3/4 cup of milk with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it stand for 5–10 minutes before using.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Biscuits are best baked soon after mixing. You can cut the biscuits and refrigerate them briefly while the oven preheats.
Why should the biscuit cutter not be twisted?
Twisting can seal the edges of the dough and make it harder for the biscuits to rise evenly.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt slightly.
How do I know when the biscuits are done?
They should be risen, lightly golden on top, and cooked through in the center.
KFC-Style Biscuits Recipe Card
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: 27–30 minutes
Servings: 8 biscuits
Course: Bread, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Method: Baking
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the buttermilk and stir gently until a soft dough forms.
- Pat the dough into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick. Fold once or twice to create layers.
- Cut into rounds without twisting the cutter.
- Place on the baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, until risen and golden.
- Brush the warm biscuits with melted butter and serve.
Final Thoughts
These KFC-style biscuits are everything a homemade biscuit should be: soft, fluffy, buttery, and wonderfully comforting. With simple ingredients and an easy preparation method, they’re perfect for bringing a little Southern-inspired goodness to your table.
Serve them warm with butter, honey, or your favorite meal, and enjoy a batch of homemade biscuits that everyone will want again!