Looking to save money on your weekly grocery bill? Learning to make your own baked goods is a great place to start. This quick recipe for biscuits without baking powder is easy to make, requires a simplistic list of just 7 ingredients, and takes only 40 minutes total before you have some hot and delicious biscuits fresh out of the oven.
So whether you are looking to cut down on your grocery bill or simply learn a new skill, then this recipe is for you. You will love how easy, versatile, and delicious these homemade biscuits without baking powder are.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe for biscuits without baking powder works for several reasons.
First, it's remarkably easy to make. It requires basic pantry staples like flour, butter, salt, and an acidic ingredient to activate baking soda for leavening. Mixing the ingredients together and gently kneading the dough ensures a quick preparation, perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
Second, these biscuits are incredibly versatile. They can be adapted to suit various meals and tastes, serving equally well as a savory side with soups or stews or as a sweet treat with jams or honey.
Finally, mastering this recipe offers not only culinary satisfaction but also practical benefits. By eliminating the need for store-bought biscuits, you can significantly reduce your grocery bill over time and become more self-reliant.
Ingredients
Flour:
The best flour for making biscuits without baking powder is all-purpose flour, which provides a good balance of protein for structure and tenderness. For lighter biscuits, consider using a blend of all-purpose flour and cake flour. Whole wheat flour can add a nutty flavor but may result in denser biscuits. Experiment with gluten-free flours like almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend, adjusting liquids as needed for the desired texture.
Brown Sugar:
Brown sugar is used in this no baking powder biscuit recipe for its moistness and subtle caramel flavor. To replace brown sugar, you can use an equal amount of granulated sugar mixed with a small amount of molasses for a similar flavor profile. Alternatively, honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar can be used instead.
Baking Soda:
Some bakers opt to omit baking powder in biscuits due to a desire for unique textures and flavors or adherence to specific baking practices. In these circumstances, baking soda is used instead, combined with an acid to act as a leavening agent.
Cream of Tartar:
In this recipe for biscuits without baking powder, cream of tartar is used as this acidic agent that combines with the baking soda to act as the leavening agent. If you don't have any on hand, lemon juice or vinegar also works. Simply use one tablespoon of acid for each teaspoon of baking soda.
Butter:
It's important to use cold butter with this recipe as it adds to the light, flaky texture that these easy biscuits without baking powder are known for. A great trick is to freeze your butter for 15-20 minutes before you need to add it. When it's time to add the butter to the mixture, simply use a cheese grater to grate the butter and gently fold it into the flour. This saves you from having to cut the butter into the flour and risk possibly melting it at the same time.
Milk:
You will also want to ensure that your milk is cold before adding it to the mix. Use full-fat milk or even buttermilk for soft, fluffy biscuits without baking powder. Alternatively, coconut, almond, oat, and soy milk all work, as does plain Greek yogurt, to add moisture to your biscuit dough.
How to Make Biscuits Without Baking Powder
Step One:
Add flour, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar to a large bowl and stir to incorporate.
Step Two:
Add the butter to the mixture, working it in with a pastry cutter, a fork, or your hands.
Step Three:
Gently mix in the milk until a dough forms.
Step Four:
On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 1-inch thick sheet, then fold it in half and roll it out to about ½ to ¾ inch thick.
Step Five:
Using a sharp cutter, press straight down into the dough without twisting to cut your biscuits. Re-roll the scrap dough to make more biscuits and continue until all of the dough has been used.
Step Six:
Place your biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 400F.
Step Seven:
Serve warm biscuits with your favorite spreads, and enjoy!
Tips
- Ensure your butter and buttermilk are very cold for fluffy biscuits without baking powder. Cold ingredients prevent the butter from melting too quickly, creating steam and resulting in lighter biscuits.
- Easy biscuit recipes without baking powder benefit from minimal mixing. Overmixing can result in dense biscuits. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Allowing the dough to rest for 10-15 minutes before baking can improve the texture of your no baking powder biscuit recipe.
What to Serve With Biscuits
These golden, fluffy biscuits without baking powder pair perfectly with a variety of toppings and sides, enhancing any meal from breakfast to dinner. For a hearty breakfast, serve them warm with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a dollop of butter or a drizzle of honey.
At lunch or dinner, they make an excellent accompaniment to soups, stews, or chili, where their soft texture contrasts beautifully with savory, robust flavors. For a touch of Southern charm, try them with chicken fried steak, or use them as a base for a delectable sausage gravy.
These homemade biscuits without baking powder also shine with sweet toppings like fresh fruit, jam, or whipped cream, making them a versatile treat for any occasion.
FAQs
Can I freeze the biscuit dough?
Yes, you can freeze the biscuit dough. Cut the biscuits, place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Why are my biscuits dense and not fluffy?
Overmixing the dough, not using enough acid with the baking soda, or not having cold ingredients can result in dense biscuits. Ensure you handle the dough gently and use the proper leavening combination.
What is the best way to store leftover biscuits without baking powder?
Leftover biscuits can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to 3 months.
More Biscuit Recipes
Biscuits are a customizable and versatile food item that is very easy to make at home. To help get you inspired, we've gathered up some of our favorite biscuit recipes for you to try.
Biscuits without Baking Powder
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 cup cold butter cubed
- 1 ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Add flour, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar to a large bowl and stir to incorporate.
- Add the butter to the mixture using a pastry cutter, a fork, or your hands to work it in.
- Gently mix in the milk until a dough forms.
- On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 1-inch thick sheet, then fold it in half and roll it out to about ½ to ¾ inch thick.
- Using a sharp cutter, press straight down into the dough without twisting to cut your biscuits. Re-roll the scrap dough to make more biscuits and continue until all of the dough has been used.
- Place your biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 400F.
- Serve warm biscuits with your favorite spreads, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Notes
- Ensure your butter and buttermilk are very cold for fluffy biscuits without baking powder. Cold ingredients prevent the butter from melting too quickly, creating steam and resulting in lighter biscuits.
- Easy biscuit recipes without baking powder benefit from minimal mixing. Overmixing can result in dense biscuits. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Allowing the dough to rest for 10-15 minutes before baking can improve the texture of your no baking powder biscuit recipe.
Well I didn’t have any yogurt so made buttermilk with milk and lemon. Using one cup of milk was too much as it is not as thick as yogurt. So I ended up using an extra cup of flour. It made15 biscuits and they were fabulous. Yummy light and fluffy.