Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Introduction
Butter Swim Biscuits are delightfully tender and buttery biscuits baked right in melted butter for extra flavor and a golden crust. Perfect for breakfast or as a comforting side, these biscuits soak up butter while baking, creating a rich and irresistible treat.

Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 cups (490 g) buttermilk
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt to sift the ingredients evenly.
- Step 3: Pour the buttermilk into the dry ingredients and stir gently until mostly combined, being careful not to overwork the batter.
- Step 4: Pour the melted butter into an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Step 5: Place the dough on top of the melted butter and use a spatula or your hands to gently spread the dough evenly to the edges of the pan.
- Step 6: Cut the unbaked dough into 9 squares using a 3×3 pattern.
- Step 7: Bake for about 28 minutes, or until the tops of the biscuits are golden brown.
- Step 8: Let the biscuits sit briefly so the butter is absorbed before cutting fully and serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use cold buttermilk for a slightly tangier flavor and fluffier texture.
- Swap kosher salt for flaky sea salt for a subtle crunch on top.
- For added richness, sprinkle a bit of shredded cheddar cheese on top before baking.
- If you like sweeter biscuits, increase the sugar to 2 tablespoons or add a drizzle of honey when serving.
Storage
Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in a microwave or oven to restore softness and warmth, adding a pat of butter if desired.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Buttermilk provides acidity that reacts with baking powder for tender, fluffy biscuits. You can substitute regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per cup to mimic buttermilk.
Why do I spread the dough over melted butter in the pan?
Spreading the dough over melted butter allows the biscuits to bake in the butter, creating a flavorful crust and moist interior as the butter is absorbed during baking.
Print
Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 9 biscuits 1x
Description
Butter Swim Biscuits are rich, buttery biscuits baked in melted butter that soaks through the dough, creating a flavorful, tender texture with a golden crust. These biscuits are perfect for breakfast or as a side and feature a simple dough made with all-purpose flour, buttermilk, and a touch of sugar and salt for balance.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups (490 g) buttermilk
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for the biscuits to rise and bake properly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and kosher salt to evenly combine and aerate the mixture.
- Add Buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk into the dry ingredients and stir gently until the mixture is mostly combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the biscuits tender.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the melted unsalted butter into an 8×8-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom to create a rich butter base.
- Spread Dough: Transfer the biscuit dough on top of the melted butter in the dish. Using a spatula or your hands, gently press and spread the dough evenly to the edges of the pan.
- Score Dough: Cut the unbaked dough into 9 equal squares (3×3 pattern) to help with serving and to give the biscuits defined pieces after baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 28 minutes, or until the biscuit tops are a beautiful golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the biscuits sit for a few minutes after baking so the melted butter is fully absorbed. Then cut along the scored lines and serve warm for the best experience.
Notes
- Use cold buttermilk for a better rise in the biscuits.
- Do not overmix the dough to prevent tough biscuits.
- The baking dish size can slightly vary, but 8×8 inches works best for thickness and baking time.
- These biscuits are delicious served with honey, jam, or alongside savory dishes like fried chicken.
- For a crispier edge, you can brush extra melted butter on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: buttermilk biscuits, buttery biscuits, southern biscuits, breakfast biscuits, biscuits recipe

