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Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits {Dairy-Free Option}

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An easy gluten-free biscuits recipe made Southern style with buttermilk. Flaky and tender. With a dairy-free and Vegan option.

Gluten-Free Biscuits in a basket with a white and blue towel.

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If you have been following my blog you probably already know that my husband is from the South- Knoxville, Tennesse to be exact. We spent many years living there and both of my oldest children were born there.

I adore Southern cooking. One of the main food groups in a Southern’s diet is buttermilk biscuits.

In the South, biscuits hold an honored place at your table, no matter which meal is being served. Biscuits are eaten at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

One of the things my husband misses the most since we both went gluten-free is biscuits. For years I was able to buy a gluten-free drop biscuit mix that was pretty good and helped with his biscuit cravings.

Well, I can no longer find the Martha White’s gluten-free buttermilk biscuit mix. So it was time for me to get in the kitchen and work on a gluten-free Southern buttermilk biscuit recipe.

It’s taken me some time to perfect my gluten-free biscuit recipe and I am very excited to share it with you all!

How To Make Gluten-Free Biscuits- Step By Step

The first thing you are going to want to do is Preheat oven to 450° F. I know my oven takes forever to heat up and you want your oven to be nice and hot.

Cut the butter into small pieces and put in the freezer for 10 minutes.

If you do not have buttermilk you can make your own buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to the cup of milk and let stand 5-10 minutes in the refrigerator to keep cold. You can also make buttermilk out of dairy-free milk.

gluten-free biscuits recipe steps-1-4

In a large bowl add the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it like the Pillsbury gluten-free flour) baking powder, salt, sugar, and give it a quick whisk or stir to combine the ingredients. (photo 1)

Cut in the butter (or Smart Balance or shortening for dairy-free) into the flour with a pastry cutter or fork into until it looks like the size of small peas. (photo 2 and 3)

Add in the buttermilk and the whisked egg  (I whisk the egg right in the buttermilk) and stir until a soft dough forms. The dough will be sticky. (photo 4)

The key is to not over mix the dough because over-mixing causes the dough to yield tough biscuits. There is nothing is worse than a flat, tough biscuit!

gluten-free biscuits recipe steps 5-8

Add one tablespoon of flour to a large piece of parchment paper. Please do not roll out the dough.

Place the dough on top of the floured parchment paper. Dust the top of the dough with 1 tablespoon of flour. (photo 5)

Gently fold the dough over on itself 2 times. You do this by folding the dough in half on top of itself and then doing it a second time. (photo 6)

With your hands form a dough round that is about 7 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick. If you make it any larger or flatter you will end up with hard, flat biscuits. (photo 7)

Cut out 2-inch biscuits using a biscuit cutter, the mouth of a glass or the lid of a mason jar. Do not twist cutter when cutting; this will crimp the edges of the biscuit causing it not to rise well. (photo 8)

gluten-free biscuits recipe steps 9-12

Reform the dough scraps into a dough round and cut out more biscuits.. ( photo 9 and 10)

Put the biscuits in a greased large cast iron pan or a greased baking sheet. You will have 12 biscuits to bake. (photo 11)

Bake the biscuits for 15-20 minutes at 450° F. At the 15-minute point please check your biscuits to see if they are golden brown. Please watch your biscuits because all ovens are different.

I like to brush melted butter on top of the warm biscuits. Serve warm and enjoy! (photo 12)

Pro Tip For Freezing The Biscuits

You can batch make the biscuits and save some for later. Flash freeze the cut biscuits (unbaked) for 30 minutes on a parchment lined baking sheet before placing them in a freezer bag and putting them back into the freezer. When you are ready to make your biscuits bake the frozen biscuits for 15-20 minutes at 450° F. Please watch your oven because all ovens are different.

Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour

I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.

I test baked with the Bob’s Red Mill Cup for Cup, Great Value Gluten-Free Flour and Pillsbury Gluten-Free flour. The Bob’s Red Mill flour and the Great Value Flour has sorghum flour in it, which is different from the Pillsbury gluten-free flour.

The biscuits made with Bob’s Red Mill and Great Value Brand were not as fluffy and the dough was wetter. I have been also told by a reader that if you use King Arthur gluten-free flour you will need to reduce the amount of buttermilk to 1/2-3/4 cup. I have not personally tried this recipe with King Authur gluten-free flour.

Pro Tip

The best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method. Using a spoon, scoop the flour into the measuring cup.  After you’ve spooned the flour into the measuring cup, use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup. Friends, please do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup.

a gluten-free biscuit with honey being drizzled on it

There are so many ways to eat these tender and flaky gluten-free buttermilk biscuits. I love to drizzle them with honey or slather them with strawberry jam. I also like a savory sausage biscuit or a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit.

Dairy-Free Baking

I have also included a dairy-free option to the recipe. My husband, myself and youngest son are all dairy-free as well. So now you too can enjoy a gluten-free and a dairy-free biscuit.

For this recipe, I tested it with both Smart Balance butter and shortening. I used almond milk when baking the dairy-free version. I also really like baking with cashew and coconut milk.

Egg-Free Baking

Recipe updated December 2018

We recently found out that my husband has an egg sensitivity. My husband LOVES biscuits, so I knew that I had to try and make my biscuits egg-free.

I used Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer, which is also gluten-free. They turned out great! They were not as fluffy as my regular biscuits but they were just as flaky and delicious.

I made them both dairy-free and egg-free, so they would also be Vegan gluten -free biscuits. So if you also need to be egg-free or are Vegan you too can enjoy my gluten-free buttermilk biscuits!

a gluten-free biscuits with a bite out of it to show the texture with biscuits in a basket in the background

Now my family can enjoy authentic Southern buttermilk gluten-free biscuits. I can’t tell you how happy my husband is.

These gluten-free biscuits are flaky on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside- which equals perfection in my book. They are easy to make from scratch, I promise!

I’ve also turned my gluten-free buttermilk biscuits into Gluten-Free Cinnamon Biscuits {Dairy-Free Option}!

a gluten-free cinnamon roll biscuit with a bite out of it to show the texture and cinnamon biscuits in a cast iron pan behind it

Check out my other gluten-free breakfast recipes!

Gluten-Free Biscuits Pinterest pin

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★Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below in the comments!★

5 from 46 votes
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Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits

Easy Gluten-Free Biscuits recipe made Southern Style with buttermilk. Flaky and tender. With a dairy-free and Vegan option.

Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword gluten-free biscuits, gluten-free buttermilk biscuits
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 143 kcal
Author Audrey from Mama Knows Gluten Free

Ingredients

  • 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour I like Pillsbury gluten-free. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum ,leave out if your flour already contains it
  • 1 tablespoon gluten-free baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 cup buttermilk dairy-free use almond, cashew, or coconut milk. Make your own buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to the cup of milk and let stand 5-10 minutes in the refrigerator to stay cold.
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter dairy-free/Vegan use Smart Balance butter, shortening, or Earth Balance butter
  • 1 egg (room temperature) egg-free/Vegan use Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer
  • 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour (I Like Pillsbury gluten-free)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450° F.

  2. In a large bowl add the gluten-free flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and give it a quick whisk or stir to combine the ingredients. I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.

  3. Cut the butter into small pieces and put in the freezer for 10 minutes. If you do not have buttermilk make your own buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to the cup of milk and let stand 5-10 minutes in the refrigerator to keep cold. You can also make buttermilk out of dairy-free milk.

  4. Cut in butter (or shortening for dairy-free) into the flour with a pastry cutter or fork until it looks like the size of small peas.

  5. Add in the buttermilk and the whisked egg (or egg replacer) and stir until a soft dough forms. (I whisk the egg right in the buttermilk) The key is to not over mix because over-mixing causes the dough to yield tough biscuits. The dough will be sticky.

  6. Add one tablespoon of flour to a large piece of parchment paper.  PLEASE DO NOT ROLL OUT THE DOUGH.

  7. Place the dough on top of the floured parchment paper.  Dust the top of the dough with 1 tablespoon of flour and gently fold dough over on itself 2 times. You do this by folding the dough in half on top of itself and then doing it a second time.

  8. With your hands form a dough round that is about 7 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick. If you make it any larger or flatter you will end up with hard, flat biscuits. 

  9. Cut out 2-inch biscuits using a biscuit cutter, the mouth of a glass or the lid of a mason jar. Do not twist cutter when cutting; this will crimp the edges of the biscuit causing it not to rise well. Reform the dough scraps into a dough round and cut out more biscuits. Put the biscuits on a greased large cast iron pan or baking sheet.  You will have 12 biscuits to bake.

  10. Bake the biscuits for 15-20 minutes at 450° F. At the 15-minute point please check your biscuits to see if they are golden brown. Please watch your biscuits because all ovens are different. 

  11. I like to brush melted butter on top of the warm biscuits. Serve warm and enjoy!

  12. The biscuits can be stored in an airtight container. They are best enjoyed warm. 

Recipe Notes

  • I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
  • I test baked with the Bob's Red Mill Cup for Cup, Great Value Gluten-Free Flour and Pillsbury Gluten-Free flour. The Bob's Red Mill flour and the Great Value Flour has sorghum flour in it, which is different from the Pillsbury gluten-free flour.
  • The biscuits made with Bob's Red Mill and Great Value Brand were not as fluffy and the dough was wetter.  I have also been told by a reader if you use King Arthur gluten-free flour you will need to reduce the amount of buttermilk to 1/2-3/4 cup. I have not personally tried this recipe with King Authur gluten-free flour.
  • The best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method. Using a spoon, scoop the flour into the measuring cup.  After you’ve spooned the flour into the measuring cup, use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup. Friends, please do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup.
  • For dairy-free option use Smart balance butter or shortening, almond, cashew or coconut milk.
  • For egg-free use Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer. The egg-free biscuits were not as fluffy as the regular biscuits but were still flaky and delicious!
  • If Vegan use egg replacer, shortening/Earth Balance butter, and dairy-free milk. The Vegan biscuits were not as fluffy as the regular biscuits but were still flaky and delicious!
  • You can batch make the biscuits and save some for later. Flash freeze the cut biscuits (unbaked) for 30 minutes on a parchment lined baking sheet before placing them in a freezer bag and putting them back into the freezer. When you are ready to make your biscuits bake the frozen biscuits for 15-20 minutes at 450° F. Please watch your oven because all ovens are different. 
  • I have the K&S Artisan Complete Pastry Cutter Set
  • Mama says, "Check all of your labels!"
Nutrition Facts
Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 143 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 270mg 11%
Potassium 133mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 3g
Protein 3g 6%
Vitamin A 4.6%
Calcium 8.3%
Iron 4.8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Thank you for sharing this recipe!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. These where the best gluten free dairy free bisquits ever!! I was hesitant to make them being burned so many other time with different recipes. I was so happy when I took my first bite. My husband who is not gluten or dairy free loved them too. I can’t wait to try some of her other recipes.
    Thank You for this great gift!!

    Reply

    • Thank you Carrie for the amazing 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you and your husband enjoyed the biscuits. It really makes my heart happy that you said these are the best gluten-free and dairy-free biscuits! I really love it when people who don’t have to be gluten-free enjoy my recipes too. I hope you enjoy the other recipe you try. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!

      Reply

  2. I love these biscuits! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, as well as all your wonderful directions for how to make them. I have always struggled with biscuits but these turn out amazing every time I cook them. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Andi for the amazing 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you love the biscutis. It makes my heart so happy to hear that you were helped with my directions. That’s the whole reason I started my blog was to help others. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!

      Reply

  3. These biscuits are amazing! They turned out perfect. I know if the recipe comes from mamaknowsglutenfree.com it will be good!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Jaimee for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy to hear that the biscuits turned out perfect. Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. Thank again for the recipe review!

      Reply

  4. I am wondering how to use these biscuits as toppers for a chicken pot pie! I use the Pioneer Woman’s pot pie recipe.

    I’m thinking I’d partially cook the biscuits and then transfer them to the top of the oven ready pot pie pan. In that recipe, then inside of the pot pie is already cooked on the cook top, but then goes into the oven in order to cook the crust. Any suggestions?
    Thanks.
    Barbara

    Reply

    • Hi Barbara! I’ve never tired putting my biscuits on top of a pot pie as a crust, but that sounds delicious! If the pot pie filling is cooked on the stove top I would just add the biscuits on top and cook for an additional 1-20 minutes until the biscuits are cooked through. Please let me know how it turns out!

      Reply

    • I made it with the pot pie filling and just placed the uncooked dough on top, and put it in the oven for 20 minutes. It was delicious!

      Reply

  5. I have tried many gluten free biscuit recipes and this one is the absolute best! Thanks for sharing it. I never seem to go exactly by a recipe so I used almond flour which I had plenty of in my pantry and added about one fourth cup plain Greek yogurt for extra protein. The dough was sticky but turned out perfectly when patted out with extra almond flour. I’m sure your original recipe is wonderful and I will try it sometime with the same flour you used. By the way, I saw that your husband is from south Knoxville. We lived there for 12 years and loved it. Our grown children still speak of good memories they have of growing up in that area. Thanks again!
    Diane

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Diane for the wonderful recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the biscuits and that it’s the best gluten-free biscuit recipe you have tried. That makes my heart so happy to hear! I am glad to hear that the recipe worked with almond flour and Greek yogurt. I have never tried the recipe with either. I hope you enjoy them as well if you try them with gluten-free rice flour. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. My husband and his family are from North Knoxville and my two oldest children were born in Knoxville. We miss living there, it such a wonderful place to raise a family. Thank you again!

      Reply

  6. I made these with Bob’s Red Mill All purpose flour and added the xanthan gum. I used my mixer with the whisk attachment to whisk the dry ingredients and then added the cut butter and whisked it in on stir setting. Then used my paddle attachment and added the egg and buttermilk (I used the milk and vinegar method). I also used muffin tins with liners and the biscuits turned out really good! My family loved them with homemade sausage gravy on top!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Emily for the wonderful review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the biscuits. Thank you for sharing how you made the biscuits. I have never made biscuits in a muffin tin, but I am going to have to try that. My family loves sausage gravy too. Thanks again!

      Reply

  7. I made these today and they were delicious! I used Pillsbury all purpose flour and they were awesome. I saw many biscuit recipes but I tried yours because I already made your cinnamon roll cake and it was delish so I knew this one would be good too. These make good drop biscuits too if you don’t want to roll them out and all. And no grittiness and you can’t tell they are gluten free. Thank you for sharing and if you ever write a cookbook I will buy it.

    Reply

  8. These turned out amazing!!!!!! First time in 10 years that my biscuits were legit and not hockey pucks.
    Thank you!!!!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Carlie for the amazing recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the biscuits, especially after waiting for 10 years to have a soft biscuit that was gluten-free. You really made my night! You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!

      Reply

    • I definitely did something wrong, but they still turned out so, so good and soft! Even my partner who is not at all into gf/df food had said they were pretty good and voluntarily ate seconds. I used my own gf flour mixture and ended up with a pretty wet batter/dough. I added a handful of vegan cheese and chopped green onions and turned them into drop biscuits for 11 min. in the oven. Delicious! After so many failures, it’s so good to have something that tastes good. Thanks for this recipe!

      Reply

      • Thank you so much Lotus for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am happy to hear that you enjoyed the biscuits. The dough was probably wetter because of the difference in gluten-free flour blends. Some blends absorb moisture better than others. I am glad to hear that you were able to turn the dough into cheese and onion drop biscuits and they were delicious and soft. If you try the recipe again and use your own flour mixture again you could start with 1/2 cup of buttermilk and if needed add a little more milk at a time until the dough is the right texture to fold and cut. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!

        Reply

  9. These were delicious! I made them with Bob’s Red Mill, Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk, butter, and an egg. I really appreciate the photos and detailed instructions on how to mix and form the biscuits. Without this additional info, my biscuits surely would have turned into concrete like all the other bready things I’ve attempted to make. Thanks for teaching me and for providing a scrumptious recipe! The biscuits were gobbled up with glee!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much RC for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the biscuits and that the detailed instructions were helpful. Your comments really made my day. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Carol for the wonderful 5-star recipe review. It makes my heart so happy to hear that you enjoyed the biscuits and it is the best biscuit recipe you have made since going gluten-free 20 years ago. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Marcie for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the biscuits and they were light and fluffy. Thank you again!

      Reply

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