Cornmeal Buttermilk Biscuits

These Cornmeal Buttermilk Biscuits feature a fluffy interior and slightly crisp exterior, like a cross between a classic biscuit and cornbread. They’re a spectacular choice to serve with soups, chili, stews or a simple bowl of pinto beans for supper.

The Secret to Making Fluffy Cornmeal Biscuits

When cutting the biscuits, never twist the biscuit cutter. Use a fluid motion to press straight down firmly, then lift the cutter directly up. Twisting the cutter seals the edges of the dough, which prevents the biscuits from rising a high. Once cut, transfer the biscuits to the prepared baking pan.

Easy Cornmeal Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Biscuit making doesn’t require a plethora of specialty tools to make. It doesn’t need to be an intimadating, task as this is simple bread making, after all. Biscuits are beloved in the South we eat them at any meal, not just breakfast. You can turn them into a breakfast sandwich with eggs and bacon or stuff them with holiday ham and turkey. These cornmeal biscuits have a fluffy texture on the inside with a slightly crisp exterior and full of flavor.

Key ingredients to make Cornmeal Biscuits from scratch: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Flour and Cornmeal – All purpose flour sifted with plain yellow cornmeal forms the base of the biscuit dough.
• Sugar – A small amount of sugar balances the flavor but doesn’t make the biscuits sweet.
• Leavening – Baking powder, baking soda and salt give lift to the dough.
• Butter – Cold unsalted butter adds richness to the biscuit dough. Plus, melted butter for brushing the tops.

How to Make the BEST Cornmeal Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Dry Ingredients – Use a whisk to sift together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Using a pastry blender or food processor, cut butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Wet Ingredients – Add buttermilk; stir with a rubber spatula just until combined a shaggy dough forms.
• Roll the Biscuit Dough – Turn out onto a lightly floured nonstick surface. Roll 1/2 inch thick.
• Divide the Dough – Cut rounds with a 2-inch biscuit cutter, dipped in flour. Place biscuits on pan at least 2-inches apart.
• Oven – Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter. Bake per the recipe until fluffy and golden brown.
• Enjoy – Serve Cornmeal Biscuits immediately with chili, soup, pinto beans or butter and honey.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Cornmeal Biscuits Recipe

• Baking sheet pans lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Pastry cutter and rubber spatula.
• Biscuit cutters,
• Rolling pin. You can use a rolling pin to roll the biscuit dough or your hands to pat and press it into an even 3/4-inch thickness all around.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Use Fresh Ingredients – Start with fresh flour and cornmeal. Plain cornmeal comes in a variety of coarseness, grains and colors. Some will have a yellow hue while others are more white like flour. This recipe works best with coarse, plain yellow cornmeal.
• Use Full Fat Buttermilk – I highly recommend using full fat buttermilk if it’s available in your grocery store. If it’s not, choose low fat not fat free for this recipe.
• Buttermilk Substitution – How do you make homemade buttermilk? You can make your own buttermilk in a pinch. To do so add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or fresh lemon juice to one cup of whole milk. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, then stir and proceed with the recipe.
• Cheese – You could add 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese or sharp cheddar cheese to the flour mixture for a cheesy flavor.
• Seasonings: -You could add garlic powder or granulated garlic along with onion powder to the flour to expand the flavor profile.
• Spice – You could add a dash of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture or a few dashes of hot sauce to the wet ingredients.
• Fresh Herbs – You could add chives, rosemary or thyme to the sifted dry ingredients.

Southern Biscuit Making Tips

• Dust the Surface with Additional Flour to Prevent Sticking – When turning the dough out onto the surface for rolling, this is the time to add a little more flour and or cornmeal, if it’s sticky. Do this in small amounts and gently turn until it’s coated. Add just enough to remove the stickiness without changing the texture of the dough.
• Use a Biscuit Cutter Coated with Flour – Dip the cutter in flour to prevent the dough from sticking when cutting out the biscuit rounds. Always press the cutter straight down and then pull the biscuit cutter up in one motion, resist the urge to twist the biscuit cutter.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – You can store Cornmeal Buttermilk Biscuits at room temperature in an airtight container or chilled for up to 3 days.
• Reheating – Reheat in the microwave gently in single servings.
• Freezer Tips – You can freeze these biscuits prior to baking. Place them onto a sheet pan and freeze solid. Then, package the biscuits in a freezer container or freezer bag. Bake them from frozen adding 5 minutes or so to the bake time.

How to Serve Cornmeal Buttermilk Biscuits

These cornmeal biscuits can be served at any meal. You can bake a batch for breakfast or brunch and enjoy them alongside bacon and eggs or any of your favorite breakfast dishes. They’re scrumptious at tea time with cream and jam or for dinner with a big bowl of pinto beans, soups or chili. I highly recommend trying them straight from the oven as a side dish slathered with butter and a drizzle of honey.

More Southern Biscuit Recipes to Make

There’s no wrong time of day to serve this house bread of the South. Other tried and true variation of Southern biscuits to add to the menu:

• Fluffy Southern Buttermilk Biscuits are a fan favorite!
• Beef and Bleu Cheese Biscuits are packed with dried beef and bleu cheese crumbles.
• Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit Braid is made with homemade biscuit dough.
• Skillet Apple Pie Biscuits can be served for breakfast, brunch or dessert.
• Honey Butter Biscuits are yummy stuffed with baked ham or turkey.
• Low Carb Biscuits from All Day I Dream About Food.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Aluminum Baking Sheets
• Mixing Bowl Set
• Measuring Set
• Cookie and Biscuit Cutter Set