These fluffy Ham & Cheese Biscuits are a tasty treat perfect for breakfast or a snack. With chunks of savory ham and melty cheese, they’re hard to resist!
Making these biscuits is so easy! Just mix, scoop, and bake. I love serving them warm straight from the oven with some butter—talk about a cozy snack! 😊
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This flour gives the biscuits their structure. If you need a gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose blend, just make sure it contains xanthan gum for best results.
Cold Unsalted Butter: Cold butter helps create flaky layers. If you prefer, you can substitute with cold shortening or even coconut oil, but the taste won’t be exactly the same.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar brings a lot of flavor to these biscuits. If you want a milder flavor, you could use medium cheddar or even mozzarella for a gooey texture.
Diced Ham: Any cooked ham works, but if you’re looking for a healthier option, try diced turkey ham or omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian version.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk keeps the biscuits moist and adds a slight tang. If you don’t have any, mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice into regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
How Do I Achieve Fluffy Biscuits?
Achieving fluffy biscuits comes down to a few key techniques. The main trick is to handle the dough gently. Here’s how to ensure your biscuits rise beautifully:
- Keep your butter and buttermilk cold. This helps create steam while baking, making the biscuits rise.
- Do not overmix when combining the buttermilk and flour mixture; just stir until combined to keep them light and tender.
- When cutting the biscuits, press straight down without twisting, which could seal the edges and prevent them from rising.
- If using a biscuit cutter, it’s best to flour it before cutting, so the dough doesn’t stick.
These small tips can make a big difference! Enjoy making your biscuits fluffy and delicious!
Ham & Cheese Biscuits
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup diced ham (about 1/2 inch pieces)
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and roughly 12-15 minutes to bake, for a total of about 30 minutes. Before you know it, you’ll have delicious, warm biscuits ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This will ensure it’s hot enough to make your biscuits rise beautifully!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and black pepper. These ingredients are important for the flavor and texture of your biscuits.
3. Incorporate the Butter:
Next, add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. This is what helps create flaky layers in your biscuits!
4. Add Cheese and Ham:
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and diced ham, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture. You want a bit of cheesy goodness and ham in every bite!
5. Combine with Buttermilk:
Now, pour in the cold buttermilk and gently mix with a fork until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to over-mix; you want tender, fluffy biscuits!
6. Shape the Dough:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. You’re now ready to shape it into biscuits!
7. Cut the Biscuits:
Using a round biscuit cutter or a glass (about 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter), cut out biscuits and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Don’t forget to gather any leftover scraps, gently pat them out, and cut more biscuits.
8. Optional Brush:
If you’d like a nice golden finish on your biscuits, you can brush the tops with a little extra buttermilk or melted butter.
9. Bake:
Pop the biscuits in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through. When the smell wafts through your kitchen, you’ll know they’re ready!
10. Cool and Serve:
Once out of the oven, let your biscuits cool slightly before serving. If you like, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley on top for a colorful garnish. Enjoy these warm, cheesy ham-studded biscuits as a delicious breakfast or snack!
Can I Use Different Types of Cheese?
Absolutely! While sharp cheddar adds great flavor, you can use any cheese you like, such as mozzarella, pepper jack for a kick, or gouda for a smoky flavor. Just ensure it’s shredded for easy mixing!
What if I Don’t Have Buttermilk?
No worries! If you’re out of buttermilk, mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with regular milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This will give you a similar tangy result.
Can I Freeze the Biscuits?
Yes, you can freeze these biscuits! After cutting them out, place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just bake them straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
How Do I Store Leftover Biscuits?
Store any leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. You can reheat them in the oven for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) to restore their fluffiness!
