KFC Biscuits Recipe
If you’ve ever found yourself swooning over those warm, buttery bites at your favorite fried chicken joint, you’re not alone—KFC Biscuits have a well-earned cult following. These heavenly, golden pillows are the perfect combination of crunchy on the outside and ultra-soft on the inside, with just a hint of tanginess from the buttermilk. Whether you’re recreating a classic Southern meal or simply craving a comforting snack, this recipe brings all the magic of KFC Biscuits straight to your kitchen—easy, fluffy, and irresistibly good!

Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of KFC Biscuits is just how wonderfully simple the ingredients are—nothing fancy, just basic staples that each play a vital role in delivering that iconic texture and flavor. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need and how each ingredient helps create biscuit bliss.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of your biscuit, flour gives structure and helps achieve that classic, hearty crumb.
- Baking Powder: Essential for that lofty lift—baking powder is the secret to tall, fluffy KFC Biscuits.
- Baking Soda: Just a bit intensifies the rise and helps with browning, making each bite perfectly golden.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors so that every element sings in harmony.
- Granulated Sugar: A touch of sweetness balances the salt and buttermilk tang, rounding out every bite.
- Cold Unsalted Butter (cubed): This is where the magic happens! Cold, cubed butter ensures those signature flaky layers and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Cold Buttermilk: Gives KFC Biscuits their legendary tenderness and trademark Southern tang.
- Melted Butter (for brushing): Brushing baked biscuits with butter amps up the flavor and gives them that irresistible, shiny finish.
How to Make KFC Biscuits
Step 1: Heat Things Up
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature is key for that towering rise and deeply golden color. While the oven comes up to temp, line a baking sheet with parchment paper so you’re ready to transfer those beauties as soon as your dough is mixed.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar in a large bowl. This ensures every bite of your KFC Biscuits has an even distribution of flavor and the perfect lift.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter. Using a pastry cutter (or your fingertips if you don’t have one), work the butter into the flour mixture until you achieve a crumbly texture that resembles coarse sand with pea-sized bits of butter. This step is a game-changer for flaky layers!
Step 4: Bring It Together With Buttermilk
Pour in the cold buttermilk and gently stir with a wooden spoon or spatula just until a shaggy dough forms. Be careful not to overmix—just enough so everything is combined. This delicate touch is what sets KFC Biscuits apart, keeping them ultra-tender.
Step 5: Pat, Fold, Repeat
Transfer your dough to a floured work surface. Gently pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle, then fold it in half, pat it down again, and repeat this process three times. These folds create the irresistible, flaky layers that make KFC Biscuits so craveable.
Step 6: Cut and Arrange
With a round biscuit cutter, cut your biscuits by pressing straight down—no twisting! This technique helps your KFC Biscuits rise tall. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheet. For super-soft edges, place them so they’re touching; for crispier sides, leave a little space between each biscuit.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops turn gloriously golden brown. As soon as they emerge from the oven, brush the tops with melted butter for that trademark sheen and rich, buttery flavor. Try not to devour them all at once!
How to Serve KFC Biscuits

Garnishes
When it comes to KFC Biscuits, simple garnishes can make a big difference. A brush (or even a whole extra drizzle) of melted butter and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top add an indulgent touch that takes them right over the top. If you’re feeling adventurous, a scattering of fresh chopped herbs—think parsley or chives—gives a pop of color and a fresh flavor twist.
Side Dishes
KFC Biscuits have this magical quality of pairing beautifully with so many meals. Classic favorites include fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, or green beans for that nostalgic Southern feast. For breakfast, try them split and served with scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, or even a drizzle of honey for a sweet treat alongside your coffee.
Creative Ways to Present
These biscuits are a blank canvas! Turn KFC Biscuits into mini sandwiches with ham and cheddar, or serve them as sliders stuffed with pulled pork. You can also slice them and layer with berries and whipped cream for a dessert-style shortcake. However you serve them, they’re guaranteed to be the star of the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (a rare phenomenon!), store your KFC Biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep them at their freshest, avoid refrigerating as that can dry them out. A bread box or a covered cake stand on the counter works well, too.
Freezing
To make your biscuit magic last longer, freeze them! Simply let your KFC Biscuits cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They’ll keep their quality and flavor for up to three months—so you can always have a stash ready for biscuit emergencies.
Reheating
When the craving strikes, reheat KFC Biscuits in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 8–10 minutes to restore their fresh-from-the-oven taste and fluffiness. If you’re in a hurry, a few seconds in the microwave works just fine, though you might lose a little crispness. Don’t forget that extra brush of melted butter to make them taste brand new!
FAQs
Can I substitute regular milk for buttermilk in KFC Biscuits?
While you can use regular milk in a pinch, buttermilk gives KFC Biscuits their signature tanginess and tenderness. If you don’t have any, add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to your milk and let it sit for a few minutes before using.
Why is it important to use cold butter?
Cold butter holds its shape in the dough and creates little steam pockets as the biscuits bake, resulting in the ultra-flaky texture that KFC Biscuits are famous for. Room temperature or melted butter won’t achieve the same effect.
What’s the best way to cut biscuits to ensure they rise?
Always press your biscuit cutter straight down without twisting. Twisting seals the edges and can prevent those signature layers from reaching sky-high heights. For the tallest KFC Biscuits, flour your cutter between cuts and avoid flattening the dough too much.
Can I make the dough ahead of time and bake later?
Absolutely! You can prepare and cut the biscuit dough, then freeze the unbaked biscuits on a tray. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a bag. When ready to bake, pop them into the hot oven straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Are KFC Biscuits vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is completely vegetarian! Just make sure your butter is real dairy and your buttermilk is standard (not made with chicken-based cultures), and you’re good to go.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something unfailingly comforting about a batch of fresh KFC Biscuits—crispy edges, fluffy middles, and that warm, buttery aroma wafting through your kitchen. I hope you’ll dive in, get your hands a little floury, and discover how easy it is to make these all-time favorites at home. Happy baking and enjoy every bite!
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KFC Biscuits Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 biscuits 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make delicious KFC-style biscuits at home with this easy recipe. These flaky, tender biscuits are perfect for breakfast or as a side dish with your favorite meals.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Add butter: Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add buttermilk: Stir in cold buttermilk until a dough forms.
- Shape and cut: Pat dough into a rectangle, fold, and create layers. Cut biscuits with a round cutter.
- Bake: Place biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden.
- Brush with butter: Brush the baked biscuits with melted butter.
Notes
- Handle the dough minimally for tender biscuits.
- Use full-fat buttermilk for best results.
- Freeze butter briefly before cutting for flakiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg