KFC Biscuits

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

Begin by preheating your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the biscuits from sticking.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Whisk the dry ingredients together to ensure everything is well distributed.

3. Cut in the Butter:

Next, add the cold butter cubes to the dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. These small pockets of butter are key to achieving that flaky texture.

4. Add the Buttermilk:

Pour the buttermilk (or milk) into the flour-butter mixture and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough—this can lead to dense biscuits. The dough should be slightly shaggy and sticky, but it should come together when gently pressed.

5. Knead the Dough (Lightly!):

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it 4-5 times to bring it together. This step helps to activate the gluten, which will create some structure in the biscuits. However, you want to handle the dough as minimally as possible to keep the biscuits light and tender.

6. Shape the Biscuits:

Pat the dough into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Then, using a biscuit cutter or a glass, cut out biscuits by pressing straight down without twisting (this helps them rise evenly). Place the cut biscuits onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure the edges are touching to encourage them to rise together.

7. Bake the Biscuits:

Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. The high heat helps to create a crispy, buttery exterior while keeping the inside soft and pillowy.

8. Brush with Butter:

Once the biscuits are out of the oven, brush the tops with the melted butter. This step adds an extra layer of richness and helps the biscuits develop a beautiful, glossy finish.

9. Serve and Enjoy:

Serve the biscuits warm, either on their own or alongside your favorite meals. They’re perfect with a little butter, honey, jam, or gravy.

Tips for Perfect KFC-Style Biscuits:

• Use Cold Butter: The colder the butter, the flakier the biscuits. Make sure your butter is straight from the fridge, and even consider chilling your bowl and utensils before mixing.
• Don’t Overwork the Dough: Overmixing or over-kneading the dough will lead to tough, dense biscuits. Be gentle and only mix until the dough just comes together.
• Pat, Don’t Roll: Instead of rolling out the dough with a rolling pin, gently pat it down to avoid pressing out the air pockets that will give your biscuits their fluffy texture.
• Use a Biscuit Cutter: For perfectly round biscuits with tall, flaky layers, use a biscuit cutter. If you don’t have one, you can use a round glass.
• Bake on High Heat: A hot oven (450°F) ensures the biscuits bake quickly, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft.

Why These Biscuits Are So Special:

• Flaky Layers: The combination of cold butter and minimal handling results in beautifully flaky layers that you can almost see as you pull apart the biscuits.
• Buttery Flavor: Every bite is filled with rich, buttery goodness—just like the biscuits you know and love from KFC, but even better because they’re homemade.
• Crispy on the Outside, Soft on the Inside: These biscuits have the perfect balance between a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, pillowy interior. You’ll get that satisfying crunch when you first bite into them, followed by a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Versatility: While these biscuits are perfect with fried chicken, they’re also delicious as a breakfast treat with butter and jam, or as a side to any meal that could use a little extra comfort.

Final Thoughts:

Making KFC Biscuits at home is a simple way to bring a touch of comfort and warmth to your kitchen. With just a few ingredients and a little care, you can recreate the flaky, buttery biscuits that have made KFC’s version so iconic. These biscuits are the perfect side to any meal—whether you’re serving them with fried chicken, enjoying them at breakfast, or savoring them with a little bit of honey as a snack. Once you taste the homemade version, you’ll never look at store-bought biscuits the same way again!