Can I make these biscuits without a deep baking dish?

Yes, you can use a standard 9x13 baking dish, but place a baking sheet underneath to catch any potential butter overflow. The deep dish recommendation helps contain the butter as the biscuits bake and absorb it.

Why are my biscuits not rising properly?

This usually happens when your baking powder isn't fresh or when the batter is overmixed. Baking powder loses its potency over time, so replace it every 6-12 months. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking.

Can I use a different cheese combination?

Absolutely! While the medium and white cheddar provide a perfect balance, you can experiment with other melting cheeses like monterey jack, gouda, or gruyere. Just maintain the same total amount of cheese for proper consistency.

Is there a way to make these less rich?

You can reduce the butter to 1/3 cup, though this will change the signature "butter swim" effect. The buttermilk could also be replaced with regular milk for a slightly lighter version, but the texture will be different.

Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Name: Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 26 min
Total time: 36 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour; 4 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 cup (113 g) medium cheddar cheese, shredded; 1 cup (113 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded; 1 cup (135 g) cooked ham, diced; ¼ cup (12 g) chives, chopped; 2 cups (490 g) buttermilk; ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted

These Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits are a game-changer for your dinner table! Imagine tender, buttery biscuits loaded with savory ham, melty cheese, and fresh chives – all swimming in a pool of butter that infuses every bite with incredible flavor. Ready in just 36 minutes, these biscuits combine the comfort of homemade bread with the convenience of a quick-fix meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or weekend brunches.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No Kneading Required: Unlike traditional biscuits, this recipe requires no kneading or cutting – just mix, pour, and bake!
Flavor Explosion: The combination of two cheeses, savory ham, and fresh chives creates an irresistible flavor profile that elevates these beyond regular biscuits.
Impressive Results: These biscuits look and taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, but they’re actually incredibly simple to make.
Versatile: Works beautifully as a side dish, breakfast option, or even as the star of a meal with a simple salad on the side.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-purpose flour: Creates the foundation of our biscuits, providing structure while keeping them tender.
Baking powder: The leavening agent that gives these biscuits their beautiful rise – don’t skimp on this!
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors in the recipe; kosher salt has a cleaner taste than table salt.
Garlic powder: Adds a savory depth that complements the ham and cheese perfectly.
Medium cheddar cheese: Brings that classic sharp cheddar flavor that melts beautifully.
White cheddar cheese: Offers a milder, creamier cheese profile that balances the medium cheddar.
Cooked ham: Adds protein and savory flavor pockets throughout the biscuits; use leftover holiday ham or deli ham.
Chives: Brings a fresh, mild onion flavor and beautiful color contrast to the biscuits.
Buttermilk: Creates tenderness in the biscuits and reacts with the baking powder for a great rise.
Unsalted butter: The star ingredient that creates the “swim” effect, resulting in crispy edges and a moist interior.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Flavor Twists

Bacon Swap: Replace ham with crispy bacon pieces for a smokier flavor profile.
Mediterranean Style: Substitute the ham for chopped sun-dried tomatoes and use feta instead of cheddar.
Spicy Version: Add jalapeños or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to give these biscuits a kick.

Dietary Accommodations

Vegetarian Option: Skip the ham and add more vegetables like sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.

How to Make Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 450°F. Spray a deep 7×11-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. The dish needs to be deep enough (2-3 inches) to prevent butter from overflowing.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder until well combined. This ensures your biscuits rise evenly and have consistent flavor.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheese and Add Mix-ins

Mix both cheddar cheeses in a small bowl. Add 1 cup of the cheese blend to your flour mixture, along with the diced ham and chopped chives. This distributes the flavors throughout the biscuits.

Step 4: Add Buttermilk

Pour the buttermilk into your flour mixture and stir just until combined. The batter will be wet and sticky – that’s exactly what you want! Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your biscuits tough.

Step 5: Prepare the Butter Bath

Pour the melted butter into your prepared baking dish, creating an even layer across the bottom.

Step 6: Add the Biscuit Batter

Carefully transfer your biscuit batter on top of the melted butter. Use a spatula or your hands to gently spread the dough to the edges of the dish. Don’t worry about mixing it with the butter – the magic happens during baking!

Step 7: Top with Remaining Cheese

Sprinkle the remaining cup of mixed cheeses evenly over the top of the batter.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 26-28 minutes until the biscuits are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly crisp on top. Your kitchen will smell amazing!

Step 9: Let the Butter Absorb

After removing from the oven, allow the biscuits to rest for a few minutes. This critical step lets the butter fully absorb into the biscuits, creating that signature texture.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter just until ingredients are combined to ensure tender biscuits.
Check Your Baking Powder: Make sure it’s fresh for the best rise – test by putting a spoonful in warm water; it should bubble vigorously.
Ham Preparation: Dice the ham into small, even pieces (about ¼ inch) for best distribution throughout the biscuits.
Cheese Grating: Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded, which contains anti-caking agents.
Buttermilk Substitute: No buttermilk? Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar with enough regular milk to make 2 cups, then let sit for 5 minutes.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

These biscuits shine alongside soups like tomato or chicken noodle, creating a complete and satisfying meal. They’re also fantastic with a fresh green salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette.

Breakfast Option

Serve for breakfast with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for a hearty start to your day.

Appetizer Idea

Cut into smaller portions and serve as an appetizer at your next gathering – they’re guaranteed to disappear quickly!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The butter content helps keep them moist even when stored.

Freezing

These biscuits freeze beautifully! Once cooled completely, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For the best texture when reheating, warm in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes (from refrigerated) or 15-20 minutes (from frozen). You can microwave them in a pinch, but the texture won’t be as nice.

FAQs

Can I make these biscuits without a deep baking dish?

Yes, you can use a standard 9×13 baking dish, but place a baking sheet underneath to catch any potential butter overflow. The deep dish recommendation helps contain the butter as the biscuits bake and absorb it.
Why are my biscuits not rising properly?

This usually happens when your baking powder isn’t fresh or when the batter is overmixed. Baking powder loses its potency over time, so replace it every 6-12 months. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking.
Can I use a different cheese combination?

Absolutely! While the medium and white cheddar provide a perfect balance, you can experiment with other melting cheeses like monterey jack, gouda, or gruyere. Just maintain the same total amount of cheese for proper consistency.
Is there a way to make these less rich?

You can reduce the butter to 1/3 cup, though this will change the signature “butter swim” effect. The buttermilk could also be replaced with regular milk for a slightly lighter version, but the texture will be different.

Final Thoughts

These Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits transform simple ingredients into something truly special. They’re the perfect solution when you need comfort food without the fuss. The crispy cheese top, tender ham-studded center, and that incredible butter-soaked bottom create a texture and flavor experience that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Give them a try this week – they might just become your new go-to when you need to bring a little joy to the dinner table!