Angel biscuits are a delightful blend of biscuits and dinner rolls, offering a light, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth texture. This recipe creates perfectly soft biscuits with the use of three different leavening agents, resulting in a biscuit that’s far lighter than a traditional one. Whether for breakfast or dinner, these biscuits are sure to elevate any meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I absolutely love these angel biscuits because they combine the best of both worlds: the flakiness of biscuits and the softness of dinner rolls. The three leavening agents—baking powder, baking soda, and yeast—give these biscuits a wonderful rise, making them soft and airy. Plus, the butter and shortening provide a rich, flavorful base that pairs beautifully with any dish. They’re perfect for novices too, as the recipe is foolproof, making it an ideal choice for any baker.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Baking powder
Baking soda
Kosher salt
Rapid rise (instant) yeast
Unsalted butter
Shortening
Buttermilk

(Her’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and yeast.
Cut in the butter and shortening until the mixture resembles small pea-sized pieces.
Stir in the buttermilk until just combined.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface, pat it out into a square about 1 inch thick. Fold in half, pat out again, and repeat the process until the dough is 1 inch thick.
Using a 2-2 ¼ inch biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits.
Place the biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet or cast iron skillet. Cover and let rest for 30-60 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Brush the biscuits with melted butter and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
After baking, brush with more melted butter and serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes approximately 12 biscuits, and the total time for preparation and baking is around 1 hour.

Variations

Cheese Biscuits: Add shredded cheese (like cheddar) to the dough for a cheesy twist.
Garlic Butter Biscuits: Mix minced garlic into the melted butter and brush it on top of the biscuits for a savory option.
Herb Biscuits: Incorporate fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme into the dough for extra flavor.

Storage/Reheating

I recommend storing leftover angel biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes to restore their warmth and softness.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, you can. However, if you use active dry yeast, combine it with warm water and let it foam before adding it to the buttermilk.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough a day ahead, but I recommend baking the biscuits the same day for the best texture. If you must prepare them in advance, store the unbaked dough in the fridge, covered, until you’re ready to bake.

What can I serve these biscuits with?

Angel biscuits go well with breakfast foods like eggs or savory dishes like chicken fried steak, chili, or casseroles.

Can I freeze these biscuits?

Yes, you can freeze baked biscuits. Let them cool completely, then wrap them in plastic and foil before freezing. Reheat in the oven when ready to serve.

Can I substitute milk for buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute it with regular milk and add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to sour the milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Conclusion

Angel biscuits are a simple yet delicious treat that I can’t recommend enough. The combination of biscuit and dinner roll makes them soft, fluffy, and versatile, perfect for any meal. Whether for a family gathering or a quick weeknight dinner, these biscuits are sure to impress.