Last Updated on September 8, 2021 by Chef Mireille
These Angel Biscuits are a classic Southern tradition. With three leavening agents, this southern classic is a NO FAIL BISCUIT RECIPE – guaranteed height and tenderness.
Also traditionally called Bride Biscuits, because they are SO EASY even a new bride could make these biscuits with perfect results.
These biscuits are soft and tender inside with the perfect outside crust. This Angel Biscuit Recipe is made even better with herbs. This will compliment any breakfast!
This post may contain affiliate links.
Angel Biscuits are a classic southern staple. Have it for breakfast with fried ham or sausage gravy, like they do or simply enjoy as is with melted butter for tea time. It is absolutely delicious.
Often called bride’s biscuit because these Classic Angel Biscuits are so easy to make even a new bride could make it, it has 3 leavening agents, leading to a super light and airy biscuit. It is like a cross between a classic Buttermilk Biscuit and a Parker House Roll.
This was my classic Southern breakfast of fried ham with milk gravy! Use this Gravy Recipe and just sub milk for stock!
How did Angel Biscuits get their name?
Because they have a tendency to split apart when baked because of the way they are rolled, folded and rolled. This splitting resembles angel’s wings to some and this is how it got it’s name.
Although they are great as is, you all know I have a penchant for spice. So I added some herbs and a little red pepper to make them even more flavorful. With the seasoning, they are delicious as is and really do not need any accompaniment.
What size pan should I use?
Angel Biscuits are traditionally made in cast iron pans. I have a 10” and a 14”. Unfortunately, one was too big and one was too small. I used the 10” and a small 4” I have for an extra biscuit.
Ideally, if you have a 12” cast iron skillet, that would be the perfect size.
This is only if you are making them all at one time, but the dough can be prepared several days in advance.
Can I prepare Angel Biscuit dough in advance?
YES YOU CAN!
Prepare the dough and let it rise for 2 hours. You can then refrigerate the dough in a closed container for up to 5 days.
If you like, you can prepare the dough on the weekend. Then every morning just make 1 or 2 of them for breakfast!
How do Angel Biscuits get their light and airy texture?
Instead of rolling out the biscuit dough, the dough is patted with your palms, folded and then patted again. This procedure is done at least 2x for light and airy biscuits!
Cutting out Angel Biscuits
Normally, when we make biscuits, we dip the biscuit cutter in flour. We then press the biscuit cutter down and twist out the biscuits. DON’T DO THAT!
Since Angel Biscuits are made with yeast, this will cause them to deflate. You want to cut out these Herbed Angel Biscuits using an up and down motion a few times. Then carefully lift out the biscuit from the remaining dough.
There is no way you can fail with these yeast raised biscuits!
That melted butter before and after make all the difference!
Guaranteed light, airy and tender biscuits!
Herbed Angel Biscuits
Ingredients
- 1 package instant yeast 2 1/4 teaspoons
- ¼ cup warm water
- 3 ½ – 4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 6 tablespoons cold butter
- ¼ cup cold vegetable shortening
- 1 cup warm buttermilk
Topping Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place warm water (about 120 F) in a shallow bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top and wait until it becomes foamy (5-10 minutes).
- In a large bowl, combine 3 ½ cups of the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, parsley, thyme and red pepper. Stir to combine.
- Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter and shortening until it is the size of small peas.
- Heat buttermilk until it is lukewarm, about 1 minute in the microwave.
- Add buttermilk to the proofed yeast and mix to combine.
- Add the buttermilk combination a little at a time, until you have a soft and elastic dough.
- Add a little more flour if necessary, if the dough is too wet. The dough should be soft and elastic, but not sticky.
- Place in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap sprayed with non stick spray. Cover with a kitchen towel.
- Leave to rest in a warm place for about 2 hours, until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray a 12” cast iron pan with non stick spray.
- On a lightly floured surface, pat dough to about 1” thick.
- Fold over twice into a triangle and pat to 1” thick again. Repeat.
- Using a 3” biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits using an up and down motion.
- Transfer to prepared pan with biscuits touching.
- Repeat and pat and fold procedure with the leftover dough and cut out the remaining biscuits.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and leave to rest for 15 minutes.
- Combine melted butter with salt and mix to combine or use salted butter.
- Brush biscuits with melted butter.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until slightly golden.
- Brush with melted butter again when you remove them from the oven.
Nutrition
With this no fail recipe, you have to try it today!
DO YOU YUM? SAVE IT BELOW!
YumDon’t forget to visit the RECIPE INDEX with over 1000 recipes from around the world including lots of Vegetarian Recipes and Gluten Free Recipes!
Love the addition of herbs to your Angel Biscuits.
the herbs in the biscuits really upped the flavor especially with the ham and gravy
Oh wow, they look so delightfully soft!
they are so light, soft and airy!
Thanks for the tips on cutting the biscuits. These sound amazing.
They were heavenly. You should definitely give them a try
These Biscuits were truly angelic alongside last night’s chicken dinner.
I was FINALLY able to find yeast at my grocery store! So I was able to make these for breakfast along with a few other savory morning sides. Soo good. Restaurant-quality biscuits right at home! Thank you so much for sharing this.
Love this herbed angel biscuits perfect for breakfast I need to try it. herbs does wonders in bsicuits.
Wow these were so amazing for breakfast. I took your tip on adding spices and turned them into a sweeter version with cinnamon and nutmeg! Thank you!
I love the addition of the herbs and the red pepper. This really takes biscuits up a notch. I could eat these everyday!
Made these for my mom and she couldn’t get enough. She had them at dinner and the next day for breakfast.
Those herbs tucked in there are just beautiful – angel biscuits are definitely my new favorite way to make a biscuit!
I sometimes get nervous making breads so appreciated this no fail recipe! These biscuits are delicious!
These biscuits went so well with our dinner the other night and they we just delicious! I love the herbs and the flavor it brings! Thank you! I will definitely be making these again!
I made these biscuits today! OMG! All of them are gone, and my family is asking for me. Yummy and delicious!
These biscuits look SO good! I just want to dive right into your breakfast plate as shown – perfection!
Will love these with pav bhaji. The look soft and so yummy. I do not have a cast ironpan can I use a regular baking pan?
You know me and baking I want to try them all.
Will love these with pav bhaji. The look soft and so yummy. I do not have a cast ironpan can I use a regular baking pan?
You know me and baking I want to try them all!
it is just traditional and as cast iron pans retain flavor it is preferable. However you can definitely bake it in a baking pan. Just make sure the biscuits are touching and try to make it just large enough to accommodate the biscuits.
These look amazing and have risen so well, love the spice in the biscuits!
These biscuits were so light and airy, and the herbs made them even tastier!! We loved every bite!
Heard of angel cake but the biscuits I have never heard. Interesting recipe. I like the way you shareall the detailed information too.
Angel Biscuits are a regional specialty from the American south. You should definitely try it out. I am sure your family will end up loving these biscuits
These look so delicious. Angel biscuits with herbs must be tasting great, I hope to try sometime.
They are really so good and you can even include them as part of an Indian breakfast with some chutney!