Angel Biscuits Recipe

Fluffy Southern Angel Biscuits Recipe: Golden Homemade Goodness

Southern kitchens have been whispering about these delectable angel biscuits for generations, promising a cloud-like texture that melts in your mouth.

Soft layers rise with a magical lightness, creating pillowy pockets of pure comfort.

Butter and buttermilk dance together, crafting a tender crumb that feels like a warm embrace.

Flaky edges promise a crisp exterior that gives way to an impossibly delicate interior.

Grandmothers across the south have perfected this recipe, passing down secrets that make these biscuits legendary.

Bakeries and home cooks alike cherish these light-as-air treasures that complement any meal.

Join me in uncovering the simple magic that turns basic ingredients into a heavenly culinary experience.

Why Homemade Angel Biscuits Are A Treat

  • Create Bakery-Quality Goodness: These angel biscuits deliver professional-level deliciousness right from your home kitchen, giving you restaurant-worthy results without professional training.
  • Master Multiple Cooking Techniques: By combining yeast and baking powder, this recipe teaches bakers how to blend different rising methods, creating incredibly soft and tender biscuits with complex texture.
  • Perfect for Sharing and Gathering: Soft, warm biscuits bring people together, making this recipe ideal for family breakfasts, brunches, or potluck events where comfort food shines and connections matter.
  • Adaptable Crowd-Pleaser: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean anyone from beginner cooks to seasoned bakers can successfully prepare these delightful biscuits, ensuring consistent deliciousness every single time.

What Goes Into Homemade Angel Biscuits

Leavening Ingredients:
  • Active Dry Yeast: Essential for creating a light and airy texture in the biscuits.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Provide additional lift and help the biscuits rise beautifully.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component that gives the biscuits their classic form.
  • Salt, Sugar: Enhance the overall flavor profile of the biscuits.
Wet and Fat Ingredients:
  • Buttermilk, Warm Water: Add moisture and contribute to the tender crumb of the biscuits.
  • Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich flavor and creates the signature flaky texture of angel biscuits.

How To Bake Fluffy Homemade Angel Biscuits

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 450°F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Awaken the Yeast

Pour warm water into a small bowl and sprinkle in the yeast. Let it sit and become frothy, showing it’s ready to work its magic.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, toss together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Sugar

Whisk these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined.

Step 4: Work in the Butter

Drop cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to break down the butter until the mixture looks like rough sand.

Step 5: Mix Wet Components

Pour buttermilk and activated yeast into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until the dough just starts to come together. Don’t overmix!

Step 6: Create Dough Layers

Dump the dough onto a flour-dusted surface. Pat it into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Fold the dough over itself two or three times to create beautiful layers.

Step 7: Shape Biscuit Rounds

Roll the dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter to create perfect circles. Arrange the biscuits close together on the baking sheet so they’ll have soft, tender sides.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 9: Add a Buttery Finish

When the biscuits come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter for extra flavor and shine.

Step 10: Serve and Savor

Pull apart these warm, fluffy biscuits and serve with your favorite spreads. Honey, jam, or plain butter work wonderfully!

Pro Tips For Angel Biscuits That Rise Right

  • Master Yeast Activation: Ensure water temperature is precisely 110°F to wake up yeast without killing it, creating perfect rise and fluffy texture.
  • Butter Blending Technique: Use cold butter and work quickly to create small, pea-sized crumbs for maximum flakiness and tender biscuit structure.
  • Minimal Mixing Magic: Stir ingredients gently and avoid overworking dough to maintain light, airy biscuit consistency that melts in your mouth.
  • Layer Creating Trick: Fold dough multiple times before cutting to develop beautiful, delicate layers that separate beautifully when pulled apart.
  • Baking Sheet Strategy: Arrange biscuits touching each other on the sheet to help them rise upward and create soft, pillowy sides with crisp golden tops.

Tasty Variations For Angel Biscuits You’ll Love

  • Gluten-Free Angel Biscuits: Replace wheat flour with a blend of gluten-free all-purpose flour and almond flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains a soft texture.
  • Whole Wheat Angel Biscuits: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to boost nutritional value and add a nutty flavor profile.
  • Dairy-Free Angel Biscuits: Use coconut milk instead of buttermilk and replace butter with cold coconut oil for a lactose-free alternative that keeps the biscuits tender.
  • Herb-Infused Angel Biscuits: Mix in dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives into the dry ingredients to create a savory version perfect for accompanying soups or stews.

Great Pairings For Homemade Angel Biscuits

  • Savor Perfect Flavor Companions: Angel Biscuit Pairings
  • Breakfast Bliss: Pair these fluffy biscuits with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and creamy goat cheese for a morning feast that tantalizes every taste bud.
  • Southern Comfort Combo: Serve alongside slow-cooked pulled pork or honey-glazed ham to elevate your classic Southern-style meal with rich, mouthwatering flavors.
  • Jam and Beverage Harmony: Match with homemade strawberry preserves and a steaming cup of French press coffee or fresh-squeezed orange juice for a delightful morning experience.
  • Rustic Gravy Companion: Top with creamy sausage gravy and enjoy with a cold glass of buttermilk for an authentic, hearty breakfast that feels like a warm hug.

How To Store Angel Biscuits The Right Way

  • Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and keep moisture locked in.
  • Place biscuits in a freezer-safe bag or container. They'll stay fresh for up to 2 months. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap biscuits in aluminum foil to retain moisture. Warm for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Unwrap and brush with melted butter for extra flavor.
  • Wrap biscuit in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Your Angel Biscuits FAQs Answered

  • What makes angel biscuits different from regular biscuits?

Angel biscuits use both yeast and chemical leaveners like baking powder, creating an incredibly light and fluffy texture with more rise and softer interior compared to traditional biscuits.

  • Can I make angel biscuit dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before cutting and baking. This allows the flavors to develop and makes meal preparation more convenient.

  • Why do angel biscuits require folding the dough?

Folding the dough creates multiple layers by trapping butter between flour layers, which results in a flakier, more tender biscuit with a beautiful, distinct layered texture when baked.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Angel Biscuits Recipe

Angel Biscuits Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 27-30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Southern kitchens embrace heavenly Angel Biscuits as a delightful crossover between traditional rolls and flaky pastry. Buttery layers and tender crumb promise a melt-in-your-mouth experience you’ll crave at breakfast, brunch, or alongside dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Leavening Agents:

  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons or 7 grams) active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Seasoning and Sweeteners:

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) warm water

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven by heating to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy biscuit removal.
  2. Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm water (110°F) and let sit until frothy, about 5 minutes.
  3. Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
  4. Cut cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter, working until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
  5. Pour buttermilk and activated yeast into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until the dough just comes together.
  6. Transfer dough to a floured surface and pat into a 1/2-inch thick rectangle, then fold the dough over itself 2-3 times to create layers.
  7. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness and use a biscuit cutter to shape, placing cut biscuits close together on the baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and achieve a beautiful, appetizing appearance.
  9. Optional: Brush freshly baked biscuits with melted butter for enhanced flavor and glossy finish.
  10. Serve warm, accompanied by your favorite spreads like jam, honey, or additional butter for a delightful homemade treat.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth blending and consistent texture throughout the dough.
  • Handle the dough gently and minimize mixing to maintain the biscuits’ tender, light consistency.
  • Fold the dough multiple times to create signature flaky layers that give these biscuits their signature texture.
  • Experiment with alternative flours like whole wheat or gluten-free blends for dietary variations, adjusting liquid ratios as needed.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 3.5 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star