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If you’ve been searching for a biscuit recipe that’s truly heavenly, you’ve just found it with this Angel Biscuits Recipe. These biscuits are the perfect balance of fluffy, tender, and buttery, with a delightful golden crust that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or alongside dinner, they’re guaranteed to bring a little magic to your table and have everyone asking for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Angel Biscuits Recipe so special? It’s the way simple, wholesome ingredients come together to create an irresistible texture and flavor that feels both comforting and indulgent. Each ingredient plays a key role, from the yeast that adds an airy lift, to the cold butter that creates tender layers, and the buttermilk which brings richness and a subtle tang.
- Instant yeast (2¼ teaspoons): Provides a gentle rise, making the biscuits wonderfully fluffy and light.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup, divided): Adds just a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
- Warm water (¼ cup): Activates the yeast for that perfect fluffy texture; make sure it’s around 105-110°F.
- All-purpose flour (5 cups): Forms the sturdy yet tender base of your biscuits.
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Gives an extra lift to ensure every bite is soft and pillowy.
- Baking soda (1½ teaspoons): Works alongside the baking powder and buttermilk to develop the biscuits’ golden color and light crumb.
- Kosher salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors – don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter, cold and cubed (1 cup): Cuts into the flour for flakiness and richness.
- Buttermilk (2 cups): Adds moisture and a subtle tang that makes these biscuits truly special.
- Unsalted butter, melted (¼ cup): Brushed on top for a gorgeous golden finish and extra buttery flavor.
How to Make Angel Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by mixing the instant yeast with one tablespoon of sugar and the warm water. Let this sit for a few minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant. This step wakes up the yeast and promises those irresistible, fluffy biscuits you’re craving.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, the remaining sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. This dry mixture lays the foundation for the texture and flavor of your biscuits, ensuring every bite is perfectly balanced.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Using a pastry blender or two butter knives, cut the cold, cubed butter into the flour mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Those chunks of butter are the secret to biscuits that are flaky in all the right places.
Step 4: Mix in Wet Ingredients
Pour the foamy yeast mixture into the buttermilk and mix well. Then add this liquid blend to the flour and butter mixture. Stir gently until everything just comes together—don’t overmix, or you’ll lose that tender crumb.
Step 5: Fold the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Fold it in half 3 to 4 times, pressing down gently each time to encourage layers. This folding technique is a classic trick that gives your Angel Biscuits their signature layered texture.
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
Roll the dough to about 1-inch thickness with a rolling pin. Keeping the dough thick helps create that soft, pillowy interior everyone loves.
Step 7: Cut the Biscuits
Use a round cookie cutter or a glass rim to cut out about 24 biscuit rounds. Don’t twist the cutter when you cut to keep the edges even for the best rise.
Step 8: Let the Biscuits Rise
Place your biscuit rounds in an oven-safe skillet or on a baking sheet. Cover them with a clean towel and let them rest for one hour. During this time, the dough relaxes and puffs up beautifully thanks to the yeast working its magic.
Step 9: Preheat the Oven
As the biscuits approach the end of their rise, preheat your oven to 400°F. A hot oven is key to developing the perfect golden crust.
Step 10: Brush with Melted Butter
Before baking, brush the tops of the biscuits with the melted butter. This step seals in moisture and gives you that irresistible golden color every time.
Step 11: Bake to Perfection
Bake the biscuits for 14 to 16 minutes, until they’re puffed up and golden brown on top. The aroma alone will have you counting down the minutes!
Step 12: Final Butter Brush
Once out of the oven, brush the biscuits again with any leftover melted butter. This keeps them moist, adds shine, and amps up the buttery goodness right before serving.
How to Serve Angel Biscuits Recipe

Garnishes
A simple smear of honey butter or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt transforms these biscuits from amazing to unforgettable. Fresh herbs like chives or rosemary can add a lovely pop of color and flavor as well.
Side Dishes
These biscuits are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with hearty gravies, creamy soups, or your favorite breakfast spreads like scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. They also make a perfect base for mini sandwiches filled with ham or fried chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests? Stack these biscuits with layers of whipped cream and fresh berries for an unexpected but delicious dessert. You can also slice them in half and load with layers of smoked salmon and dill cream cheese for a chic appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover biscuits, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To maintain their tender texture, avoid refrigeration which can dry them out.
Freezing
Angel Biscuits freeze wonderfully. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. They will keep their fresh-baked flavor and texture for up to three months—perfect for quick breakfasts on busy mornings.
Reheating
Reheat leftover or frozen biscuits by warming them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. For an extra touch of magic, brush with melted butter before and after reheating to restore that fresh-from-the-oven flavor and softness.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
While regular milk can be substituted in a pinch, buttermilk is key for the slight tang and tender crumb that make the Angel Biscuits Recipe so special. To mimic buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Do I have to use instant yeast?
Instant yeast is recommended because it activates quickly and requires no proofing. If you only have active dry yeast, you can use it but be sure to proof it longer in warm water with sugar before adding to the dough.
Why is the butter cold?
Cold butter, when cut into the flour, creates pockets of fat that melt during baking, resulting in flaky, layered biscuits. Using melted or room temperature butter in the dough won’t give you that signature texture.
Can I make these biscuits gluten-free?
This recipe relies heavily on the gluten structure for its rise and fluffiness, so substituting with gluten-free flour will affect texture. However, experimenting with a gluten-free all-purpose blend and adding xanthan gum might yield acceptable results.
How long should I let the dough rest before baking?
The dough should rest for one hour at room temperature to let the yeast work and the biscuits rise properly. This step is crucial for getting that soft, airy crumb.
Final Thoughts
Making this Angel Biscuits Recipe is like inviting a little slice of comfort and joy into your kitchen. Once you get a taste of these buttery, fluffy delights fresh from the oven, they’ll quickly become your go-to recipe for any occasion. So don’t hesitate—grab your ingredients and treat yourself, your family, and your friends to something truly special today!
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Angel Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 biscuits
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully flaky and tender Angel Biscuits made with a blend of yeast and baking agents, infused with cold butter and buttermilk for a rich, layered texture. Perfectly golden and buttery, these biscuits are ideal for breakfast or as a side for any meal.
Ingredients
Yeast Mixture
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (7 grams, 1 envelope)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (from the ¼ cup, 50 grams, divided)
- ¼ cup warm water (57 grams, 105-110°F)
Dry Ingredients
- 5 cups all-purpose flour (600 grams)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (the remaining from 50 grams divided)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (8 grams)
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda (9 grams)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (3 grams)
Butter & Dairy
- 1 cup unsalted butter (227 grams, cold, cut into small cubes, 2 sticks)
- 2 cups buttermilk (454 grams)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (57 grams, melted, ½ stick)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a dish, combine the instant yeast with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and the warm water (105-110°F). Let it sit for a few minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, remaining granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt to blend the dry components evenly.
- Cut in Butter: Using a pastry blender or two butter knives, cut the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring the butter pieces are evenly distributed for flakiness.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Mix the foamy yeast mixture with the buttermilk, then pour this liquid mixture into the flour and butter mixture. Stir gently to just combine the dough.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and fold it in half three to four times, pressing down to flatten after each fold to build structure without overworking it.
- Roll Dough: Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to about 1 inch thickness, preparing for biscuit cutting.
- Cut Biscuits: Use a round cookie cutter or the rim of a glass to cut out approximately 24 biscuit rounds from the rolled dough.
- Rest Biscuits: Place the cut biscuits on an oven-safe skillet or baking sheet. Cover with a towel and allow them to rest for 1 hour so they can rise and develop texture.
- Preheat Oven: As resting time ends, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking.
- Brush with Butter: Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter to encourage browning and add flavor during baking.
- Bake Biscuits: Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes, until they turn golden brown and have a fluffy interior.
- Final Butter Brush: After baking, brush the biscuits again with any remaining melted butter to keep them moist and flavorful just before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the water for the yeast activation is at the correct temperature (105-110°F) to avoid killing the yeast.
- Keep butter cold to ensure a flaky biscuit texture.
- Do not overwork the dough to maintain tenderness and flakiness.
- Resting the dough is essential for proper rising and development of texture.
- Use a sharp biscuit cutter pressed straight down without twisting for best biscuit rise.
- Serve warm for optimal flavor and texture.

