KFC-Style Biscuits (Copycat Recipe)
These KFC Biscuits are soft, flaky, and buttery—just like the ones you enjoy with fried chicken at the famous fast-food chain. This copycat recipe gives you perfectly golden, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits that can be made at home, no special equipment required! They’re ideal for serving with your favorite Southern meals, like fried chicken, gravy, or just as a side with a hearty breakfast.
Ingredients:
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
1 tbsp baking powder
-
1 tsp salt
-
1/4 tsp baking soda (optional, for extra fluffiness)
-
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
-
1 cup cold buttermilk (or 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes)
-
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
Instructions:
-
Preheat the Oven:
-
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. This high heat helps the biscuits get that perfect golden crust.
-
-
Mix Dry Ingredients:
-
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda (if using). These dry ingredients are the base for your biscuits.
-
-
Cut in the Butter:
-
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter. You can also pulse the ingredients in a food processor a few times for a quick and even mix.
-
The cold butter creates the flaky layers in the biscuits, so don’t overwork the dough.
-
-
Add the Buttermilk:
-
Pour in the cold buttermilk (or milk mixture) and stir gently with a spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense biscuits. The dough should be a little shaggy and sticky.
-
-
Turn the Dough Out:
-
Lightly flour your work surface, and turn the dough out onto it. Gently knead the dough 3-4 times to bring it together. Do not overwork it—just a few folds will do to create layers.
-
-
Roll the Dough:
-
Pat or roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness. The key to fluffy, tall biscuits is not rolling the dough too thin or overhandling it.
-
-
Cut the Biscuits:
-
Use a round biscuit cutter (about 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter) to cut out the biscuits. Press the cutter straight down without twisting it to ensure the biscuits rise evenly. Gather any leftover dough, gently press it together, and cut out more biscuits. You should get about 8 biscuits, depending on the size of your cutter.
-
-
Bake the Biscuits:
-
Arrange the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, placing them close together for softer sides or spaced apart for crispier edges. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and have risen beautifully.
-
-
Brush with Butter:
-
Remove the biscuits from the oven and brush the tops with the melted butter. This adds a shiny, buttery finish and keeps the biscuits soft.
-
-
Serve:
-
Let the biscuits cool for a minute or two, then serve warm with butter, honey, jam, or your favorite gravy.
Tips & Variations:
-
For Extra Flakiness: Try folding the dough over itself a couple of times before cutting it to create more layers. This is called “lamination” and helps give you those delicious flaky layers.
-
Add Cheese: For cheesy biscuits, stir in about 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the dry ingredients before adding the buttermilk.
-
Sweet Biscuits: Add 2 tbsp of sugar to the dry ingredients for a slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with jam or honey.
-
Garlic Butter Biscuits: Brush the biscuits with garlic butter after baking for a savory twist (melted butter with garlic powder and a pinch of salt).
Serving Suggestions:
-
Serve these KFC-style biscuits with your favorite fried chicken, or as a side with soups, stews, or breakfast dishes like scrambled eggs and bacon.
-
For a classic KFC meal at home, serve these biscuits with gravy or fried chicken tenders.
Enjoy your homemade KFC-style biscuits! They’re perfect for any meal or just as a treat with a cup of tea or coffee.
Let me know how they turn out or if you need any modifications to suit your taste!
