Butter Swim Biscuits: The Buttery, Fluffy Biscuits That Practically Make Themselves

If you’re a fan of buttery, fluffy, golden biscuits with crisp edges and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center, then you’re in for a real treat. Introducing Butter Swim Biscuits—the biscuits that literally swim in butter as they bake. This Southern-style comfort classic takes less than 30 minutes to make and pairs perfectly with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s the kind of no-fail recipe you’ll keep on repeat.

And the best part? These biscuits require no rolling, no cutting with a biscuit cutter, and no fancy ingredients. Just a few pantry staples, a stick of butter, and a baking dish. You don’t even have to touch the dough with your hands!

Let’s dive into what makes these buttery bites so irresistible.

Why You’ll Love Butter Swim Biscuits

There’s something magical about the way these biscuits come together. The dough is soft and tender, and when it hits that melted butter, it transforms into pure comfort. Here’s why they work so well:

Ridiculously easy – No kneading, no rolling. Just mix, pour, and bake.

Super moist inside – Thanks to the buttermilk and butter, they bake up fluffy and tender.

Crispy, golden edges – As the butter bubbles around the dough, it creates the most delicious crust.

Versatile – Serve them sweet or savory. Great with jams, gravy, soups, or fried chicken.

Perfect for any meal – They’re as welcome at the breakfast table as they are at a potluck dinner.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these heavenly biscuits, you only need six simple ingredients:

2½ cups all-purpose flour

2 cups buttermilk – This gives the biscuits their signature tang and tender texture.

1 stick butter (½ cup) – Melted and poured into the baking dish for that buttery magic.

4 tsp baking powder – Helps the biscuits rise nice and tall.

4 tsp sugar – Just enough for a subtle sweetness.

2 tsp salt – Balances the flavor beautifully.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 450°F. You want it hot and ready to go.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined.

Step 3: Add Buttermilk

Pour in the buttermilk and stir until a moist, sticky dough forms. The dough will be quite wet—that’s exactly what you want. No need to overmix.

Step 4: Melt the Butter

Place your stick of butter in a microwave-safe dish and melt it. Then pour it into a 9×9-inch or 8×8-inch baking dish. Be sure your dish isn’t too shallow; the butter will bubble while baking.

Step 5: Add Dough

Drop the dough right into the butter-filled pan. Use a spatula to gently spread it out so it touches the sides of the dish. It will look like the dough is swimming in butter—and that’s exactly what it should be doing!

Step 6: Score the Dough

Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the unbaked dough into 9 squares. This helps the biscuits bake evenly and makes them easier to separate later.

Step 7: Bake

Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them toward the end so they don’t overbake.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm. Enjoy with butter, jam, honey, or your favorite savory dish.

Pro Tips for Biscuit Success

Don’t skip the buttermilk – It reacts with the baking powder to create a light, airy texture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by combining 2 cups of milk with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before using.

Use a glass or ceramic baking dish – These materials conduct heat more evenly, helping the biscuits brown beautifully.

Cut before baking – Scoring the dough before baking gives you clean, neat edges and makes it easier to portion out the biscuits.

Serve warm – Butter Swim Biscuits are best fresh out of the oven, but they also reheat well in the microwave or oven.

How to Store and Reheat

Have leftovers? Here’s how to store and enjoy them later:

Store: Place biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Freeze: Wrap each biscuit individually and place in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for 2–3 months.

Reheat: Warm in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds until heated through.

Serving Suggestions

These biscuits are incredibly versatile. Here are a few delicious ways to enjoy them:

With jam or jelly – Raspberry jam is a fan favorite, but any fruit spread will do.

As a base for biscuits and gravy – That buttery texture is the perfect match for rich sausage gravy.

With fried or baked chicken – Southern comfort food at its best.

For breakfast sandwiches – Slice one in half and fill with scrambled eggs, cheese, and sausage.

Alongside soup or stew – Use them to soak up every last drop.

Final Thoughts

Butter Swim Biscuits are everything you could want in a homemade biscuit: fluffy, buttery, golden, and comforting. They’re made with love—but also a lot of butter—and that’s what makes them so satisfying.

Whether you’re new to biscuit-making or just looking for something foolproof, this recipe is one you’ll turn to again and again. Perfect for family dinners, weekend breakfasts, or whenever you need a little extra comfort on your plate.

So go ahead, preheat your oven, melt that butter, and dive into biscuit heaven. One bite and you’ll understand why these are everyone’s favorite buttery indulgence.

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