This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
If you love buttery, homemade biscuits that practically bake themselves, you’re in for a treat. These Butter Swim Biscuits turn out golden on the edges and soft in the center every time, with the butter doing all the hard work. Simple ingredients, quick prep, and guaranteed comfort in every bite.
Why You Will Love These Swim Biscuits
There’s something downright comforting about a biscuit that bakes in a pool of butter. This recipe started from an old church cookbook I had tucked away, and over the years I’ve tweaked the butter ratio and oven temperature until I landed on that perfect balance of crisp, golden edges and a soft, tender middle that stays moist every time.
The best part about them is that you don’t need any fancy tools or extra steps. Just stir, pour, bake, and let the butter do the work. These have become a tried-and-true favorite in my kitchen — my family can’t get enough of them, and honestly, I’m just glad they don’t realize how easy they are to make.
What makes this recipe a keeper!
❥ Buttery, crisp edges with a soft, tender middle — the perfect bite every time.
❥ No fancy tools or biscuit cutter needed — just simple pantry staples you already have.
❥ Comes together in minutes — easy enough for a weekday, delicious enough for Sunday brunch.
NikkiWhy Are They Called Swim Biscuits?
The name really says it all. The dough is poured right into a dish filled with melted butter, where it literally “swims” as it bakes. As they cook, the butter bubbles up around the edges, coating each biscuit and creating that golden crust and soft, tender center we all love.
It’s a simple, old-fashioned method that delivers rich flavor and the kind of home-baked goodness that never disappoints. These are some of the easiest biscuits you’ll ever make — no rolling, no kneading, and no biscuit cutter required.
Why You Will Love These Swim Biscuits
- Flaky and Buttery Texture: These biscuits have a flaky and tender texture that melts in your mouth. The “butter swim” technique of pouring melted butter into the baking dish creates a crispy, buttery crust on the bottom while keeping the interior light and fluffy.
- Easy Biscuit Recipe: This recipe is straightforward and requires basic pantry ingredients. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have homemade biscuits ready to enjoy in no time. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, this recipe is easy for everyone.
Swim Biscuit Ingredients
- Melted Butter: The melted butter adds a rich and buttery flavor to the biscuits. I use salted, but you can use unsalted as well. Keep in mind you don’t want it boiling hot, just melted enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
- All-Purpose Flour: Use all-purpose flour as the base for the biscuit dough. It provides structure and texture to the biscuits.
- Baking Powder: Adding baking powder helps the biscuits rise and gives them a light and fluffy texture.
- Sugar: A small amount of sugar is added to balance the flavors and add a touch of sweetness to the biscuits. You can adjust the quantity according to your preference.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk is crucial for creating tender and moist biscuits. It reacts with the baking powder, creating air bubbles that contribute to the biscuit’s rise.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the biscuits and balances the sweetness. Omit or reduce if using salted butter. The saltiness of butter widely depends on the brand, so you can adjust as you make these more and more.
How to Make Swim Butter Biscuits
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Preheat the Oven and Melt Butter
Let’s get started by preheating the oven to a toasty 450°F.
While the oven is warming up, melt a stick of salted butter. You can do this by placing the butter in the baking dish and letting it melt in the oven or by melting it in the microwave using a microwave-safe dish (you can use your baking dish if it is microwave safe).
Step 2 | Mix Biscuit Dough
Now, it’s time to mix up the biscuit dough. Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt (dry ingredients). Give it a good sift to make sure everything is nicely combined.
Next, pour in the buttermilk (wet ingredients).
Then gently stir until the ingredients are combined. We don’t want to overwork the batter (as this can make the biscuits tough), so be gentle with your mixing. If you are using a stand mixer don’t set it on a high speed, use a medium-low speed.
Step 3 | Pour Butter & Dough into Baking Dish
Grab an 8×8-inch baking dish or baking pan (or even a cast iron skillet) and pour that melted butter into it, making sure the bottom is nicely coated.
Now, plop the biscuit dough on top of the melted butter in the baking dish. Use a spatula or your hands to spread the dough out (if your baking dish is hot from melting your butter in it use a spatula), making sure it reaches all the edges and forms a nice even layer.
Take a knife and slice the dough into 9 squares (following a 3×3 pattern), like a little biscuit grid. This allows the dough to form a biscuit-like shape. Also, the butter will seep up the side and around the biscuits! YUM!
Step 4 | Bake Butter Dip Biscuits
Pop those delicious biscuits into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the tops are beautifully golden brown.
TIP: If your biscuits turn out under-baked or are slightly greasy, check your oven temperature; you may need to increase the temperature setting. You can buy an inexpensive oven thermometer to check to see if it is accurate.
Oven Thermometer
This Oven Thermometer is an inexpensive and easy way to test your oven for accuracy.
Step 5 | Let Sit & Dig In
Once the biscuits are done baking, take them out of the oven and resist the temptation to dig in right away. Give them a moment to let the butter seep into every nook and cranny, enhancing their flavor and texture.
Finally, once they absorb that butter for just a bit start cutting and serving them. And voila! You’ve got yourself a plate of mouthwatering Butter Swim Biscuits. Enjoy every delightful bite of the perfect buttery buttermilk biscuits!
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Soulfully Made.
Tips
- Measure flour correctly: When measuring flour for baking, use the spoon-and-level method. Fluff the flour with a spoon and then spoon the flour into the measuring cup. Then level off the excess with a straight edge. Avoid scooping directly from the bag as it can compress the flour, leading to inaccurate measurements.
- Don’t overmix the dough: When combining the dry ingredients with the buttermilk, mix just until the ingredients are mostly combined. Overmixing can lead to tough biscuits.
- Be gentle when spreading the dough: When spreading the biscuit dough in the baking dish, be gentle to avoid deflating the dough. Use a spatula or your hands to carefully spread the dough to the edges without pressing it down too much.
- Use a sharp knife or bench scraper for cutting: When cutting the unbaked dough into squares, use a sharp knife or bench scraper. A dull knife may compress the dough and affect the rise of the biscuits.
- Let the biscuits absorb the butter: After baking, allow the biscuits to sit for a few minutes before cutting and serving. This gives them time to absorb the melted butter, resulting in a rich, buttery flavor throughout.
Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Buttermilk Swim Biscuits FAQs
It is most likely due to old or expired leavening agents: Baking powder is responsible for the rise in biscuits. If your baking powder is old or expired, it may not be as effective, leading to less rise in the biscuits. Check the expiration date on your baking powder and or test to see if it is still good. To see if your baking powder is still active, spoon ½ teaspoon of baking powder into a bowl and pour in ¼ cup of boiling water. If the mixture bubbles, your powder is good. If it doesn’t, don’t use it.
You can make buttermilk out of regular milk. For this recipe take a measuring cup and fill it with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice, then add enough milk to measure 2 cups. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then give it a stir and add to the recipe in place of buttermilk.
Yes, you can use self-rising flour in place of the all-purpose flour, just omit the salt and baking powder in the recipe.
Yes, if you have a 9X9 pan that will work as well. Just remember your biscuits will not be as tall or thick and that you need to reduce your baking time a little, about 18 to 20 minutes.
What to Serve with Homemade Butter Swim Biscuits
Enjoy these butter biscuits sliced open and topped with strawberry jam, preserves, or homemade apple butter.
Have you ever made jam with green tomatoes? Try my Strawberry Green Tomato Jalapeño Jam (you can’t even tell there are green tomatoes in it)! You can leave out the jalapeños if you don’t want it spicy.
These are perfect served for breakfast with Overnight Breakfast Casserole or served with the BEST EVER Sausage Gravy!
They even go with your favorite dinner-time meal, like you would serve a dinner roll.
Other Delicious Bread Recipes
The week sets aside a day (May 29th)- National Biscuit Day to celebrate these fluffy biscuits! Give a few recipes from some of my foodie friends a try!
Like these Glazed Strawberry Biscuits from Life, Love & Good Food, Cream Biscuits from The Fresh Cooky, and Bacon Grease Biscuits from Bensa Bacon Lovers Society! They are all amazing!
Hungry for more easy, home-cooked, delicious recipes?
Sign up for my free recipe club to get family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
Swim Butter Biscuits (Buttermilk Swim Biscuits)
Click Stars To Rate
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter - (1 Stick) I use salted
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt - (omit if using salted butter)
- 2 cups buttermilk - well shaken
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- While the oven is warming up, melt a stick of salted butter. You can do this by placing the butter in the baking dish and letting it melt in the oven or by melting it in the microwave using a microwave-safe dish (you can use your baking dish if it is microwave-safe). You don't want the butter boiling hot, just melted.
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Use a whisk to sift the ingredients together and ensure they are evenly mixed.
- Pour the buttermilk into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir the mixture gently until the ingredients are mostly combined. Be careful not to overwork the batter, as this can make the biscuits tough.
- Take an 8×8-inch baking dish and pour the melted butter into it, evenly coating the bottom. (I usually melt mine in the glass baking dish- less to wash.)
- Place the biscuit dough on top of the melted butter in the baking dish. Use a spatula or your hands to spread the dough out, ensuring it reaches the edges of the pan and forms an even layer.
- Using a knife or bench scraper, slice the dough into 9 squares, following a 3×3 pattern.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Once the biscuits are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow the butter to be absorbed into the biscuits, about 10 minutes. This will enhance their flavor and texture.
- Enjoy your delicious Butter Swim Biscuits! They are best served warm.
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Soulfully Made.
The first couple times I made these biscuits I couldn’t figure out why the bottoms kept burning. I tried different temps/times but could never get good results. It wasn’t until I read the recipe again and realized that it called for a glass pan that the light bulb went off! I had been using a cheap aluminum pan, but when I tried a ceramic 8×8 (didn’t have glass) the biscuits turned out perfect! So good with sausage gravy 🙂
A pan can make all the difference in recipes. I am glad you got perfect results. We love this because they are so easy!
The easiest biscuit recipe ever! So buttery and so good!
Thank you, Sheila!
We really enjoyed the biscuits. I love the rich buttery flavor!!
Thank you, Jen!
So soft and delicious! These are great for breakfast with coffee or tea.
Thank you, Ali!
I’ve never made biscuits like this, but I absolutely have to try it ASAP. I love how simple it is to make the biscuit dough as well! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you, Nathan! They are a very simple and buttery biscuit!
Enjoyed these with dinner and it was a savory success! Easy, delicious and perfectly moist! My entire family loved them!
Thank you, Sara! I am so glad your family enjoyed them!
Wow! So tender and buttery! Everyone loved, and slathered with jam!
Thank you so much! That is exactly how my family enjoys them too!
I made these for a church potluck yesterday, people where whining when they were gone, and they were gone FAST! Great recipe!!
Thank you so much! You make my heart glad to hear this! Isn’t it such an easy way to make biscuits too!