Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Ham & Cheese Butter Swim Biscuit Recipe That Melts In Your Mouth

Ham & cheese butter swim biscuits combine two beloved flavors in a format that feels both comforting and exciting at the same time.

The concept behind them is brilliant because they deliver rich, satisfying taste without demanding hours in the kitchen.

Whether you need something special for a weekend brunch or simply want to add warmth to an ordinary weekday morning, they fit right in.

Their appeal crosses generations, making them perfect for family gatherings where everyone can enjoy something familiar yet remarkable.

The tender, flaky texture pairs beautifully with the savory notes everyone loves.

Baking a batch fills the house with an aroma that draws people straight to the table.

Stop scrolling and start baking – the recipe below shows you exactly how to make them happen.

  • Easy Prep: These biscuits come together faster than brewing morning coffee, making them perfect when your kitchen time is limited.
  • Hearty Flavor Combo: Ham and cheese create a satisfying meal that transforms basic biscuits into a complete breakfast or snack your whole family will devour.
  • One-Dish Wonder: Your cleanup is minimal since everything gets mixed and baked in the same dish, saving precious kitchen time and reducing dirty dishes.
  • Crowd-Pleaser Potential: Whether serving weekend guests or creating a quick breakfast, these biscuits deliver serious comfort food satisfaction without complicated techniques.

Which Ingredients Build Butter Swim Biscuits with Ham

Base Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour (2 3/4 cups): The foundation of your biscuits that gives them structure and hearty texture.
  • Baking Powder (4 1/2 teaspoons): The magic ingredient that helps your biscuits rise and become wonderfully fluffy.
  • Granulated Sugar (2 teaspoons): Adds a subtle hint of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
  • Granulated Garlic (1 teaspoon): Brings a rich, aromatic depth to your biscuits.
  • Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors in the dish.
Protein and Cheese Components:
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8 ounces, cubed): Melts into delicious pockets of cheesy goodness throughout the biscuits.
  • Diced Ham (2 cups): Adds a smoky, meaty flavor that makes these biscuits extra satisfying.
  • Chives (1/4 cup, diced): Provides a fresh, mild onion-like flavor and a pop of green color.
Liquid Component:
  • Buttermilk (2 cups): Creates a tender, tangy base that makes these biscuits incredibly soft.
Butter:
  • Salted Butter (1 stick): The key to achieving that golden, crispy exterior and rich flavor.

What Tools Are Needed for Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits

  • Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious bowl where your dry ingredients and mix-ins will come together perfectly.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools to help you get the exact amounts of flour, cheese, and seasonings.
  • 9×13 Inch Baking Dish: The perfect vessel for creating your buttery, golden biscuits with crispy edges.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Your trusty mixing companion to blend ingredients without overworking the dough.
  • Sharp Knife: Great for chopping ham and chives into small, even pieces.
  • Cheese Grater: Helps you create fresh, fluffy shreds of cheddar for maximum flavor.
  • Pastry Brush (optional): Handy for spreading melted butter evenly across the biscuit surface.
  • Cooling Rack (optional): Allows your biscuits to cool without getting soggy on the bottom.

How to Make Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits

1

Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to exactly 450°F and grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. Grab a stick of butter and melt it completely for later.

2

Build the Dry Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in these dry ingredients:

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Whisk everything together until it looks smooth and well-combined.

3

Add Tasty Mix-Ins

Toss these delicious extras into your flour mixture:

  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups diced ham
  • 1/4 cup diced chives

Stir gently to distribute everything evenly throughout the flour mixture.

4

Create the Dough

Pour 2 cups of buttermilk into the bowl. Stir just until the ingredients come together. Don’t overmix – your biscuits want to stay tender!

5

Butter Bath Preparation

Spread the melted butter across the bottom of your baking dish. Drop big spoonfuls of dough directly into the buttery pan.

6

Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the 450°F oven and bake for exactly 22 minutes. The top should look golden and slightly crispy around the edges. Let the biscuits rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Which Tips Improve Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits

  • Melt your butter generously and pour it directly over the raw biscuit dough for that classic crispy, golden exterior.
  • Chop ham and cheese into small, even pieces so every bite delivers maximum flavor throughout your biscuits.
  • Don’t overmix the buttermilk – stir just until ingredients combine to keep your biscuits tender and light.
  • Finely chop fresh chives so they distribute evenly and give a subtle onion-like brightness to your baked biscuits.
  • Watch your biscuits closely after 20 minutes and remove when the top turns a beautiful golden brown to prevent drying out.

Easy Variations for Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits

  • Vegetarian Swap: Replace ham with roasted bell peppers and swap cheddar for crumbled feta cheese for a plant-based version that keeps the same creamy texture and flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and ensure baking powder is certified gluten-free to make these biscuits safe for your celiac friends.
  • Spicy Kick Variation: Fold in diced jalapeños and swap regular cheddar for pepper jack cheese to give your biscuits a zesty, warming heat that’ll make your taste buds dance.
  • Herb Garden Blend: Substitute chives with a mix of fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley for an aromatic herb combination that transforms the classic biscuit into a fragrant side dish.

Best Breakfast Pairings for Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits

  • Serve Warm and Fresh: Pull these biscuits straight from the oven and watch your family grab them eagerly – they’re best enjoyed piping hot with a crisp, golden exterior.
  • Perfect Side Dish Pairing: Serve alongside a hearty vegetable soup or fresh green salad to balance the rich, savory flavors of these cheesy biscuits.
  • Breakfast Companion: Pair these biscuits with scrambled eggs or a classic breakfast casserole for a satisfying morning meal that everyone will devour.
  • Easy Storage Tip: Store any leftover biscuits in an airtight container for up to two days, and quickly reheat in the oven to restore their delicious crispness.

How to Store Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits

  • Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, keeping them soft and fresh for your next snack.
  • Reheat your biscuits in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and warm, buttery center.
  • Freeze individual biscuits wrapped in foil for up to 3 weeks, perfect for grabbing a quick breakfast or side dish when short on time.
  • Slice cold biscuits in half and make mini sandwiches with extra ham or eggs for a quick lunch that breathes new life into your leftovers.

Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits FAQs Explained

FAQ

Can I use different types of ham?

Absolutely! Deli ham, leftover holiday ham, or even bacon work great. Just chop the ham into small, bite-sized pieces for even distribution.

FAQ

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

No worries! Mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and you’ll have a perfect buttermilk substitute.

FAQ

How can I make these biscuits lower in fat?

Replace some butter with olive oil, use low-fat cheese, and choose lean ham. The flavor will still be delicious.

FAQ

Are these biscuits freezer-friendly?

Yes, they freeze beautifully! Cool them completely, then wrap individually in foil. Reheat in the oven for best results.

FAQ

Can kids help make these biscuits?

Definitely! Children can help mix dry ingredients, sprinkle cheese, and drop dough into the pan. Just supervise any oven or cutting tasks.

FAQ

What herbs work well instead of chives?

Fresh parsley, green onions, or dill are excellent alternatives that add wonderful flavor to the biscuits.

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Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe


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4.8 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 to 10 1x

Description

Whipping up Ham Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits delivers pure Southern comfort straight from your kitchen. These golden, buttery biscuits packed with savory ham and melted cheese will make your family crowd around the table with excitement.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups diced ham
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cubed
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

Supporting Ingredients:

  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 stick salted butter

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup diced chives

Instructions

  1. Melt 1 stick of salted butter completely in a 9×13-inch baking dish inside the oven while it preheats to 450°F. Your dish will become a buttery base for the biscuits.
  2. Whisk 2 ¾ cups flour, 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
  3. Fold 8 ounces cubed sharp cheddar, 2 cups diced ham, and ¼ cup chives into your dry mixture. Make sure each ingredient is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  4. Pour 2 cups buttermilk into the bowl and stir gently. Mix just until the ingredients are incorporated, being careful not to overmix your batter.
  5. Carefully drop generous spoonfuls of the dough directly into the hot, butter-filled baking dish. The butter will rise up around the biscuit edges as you place them.
  6. Bake the biscuits at 450°F for 22-25 minutes, rotating the dish halfway through. Your biscuits are done when the tops turn golden brown and crispy.

Notes

  • Chop ham and cheese into small, uniform pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the biscuit dough.
  • Use cold buttermilk and mix minimally to keep biscuits tender and prevent tough, dense texture.
  • Grate your own cheese for better melting and fresher flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
  • Let biscuits rest for 5 minutes after baking to help them set and become easier to remove from the dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Ham
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8 to 10
  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 440 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Susan Whitaker

Susan Whitaker

Content Specialist & Home Cooking Guide

Expertise

Family-friendly Meals, Simple Healthy Cooking, Ingredient Substitutions, Beginner-friendly Recipes, Flexible Meal Prep

Education

Saint Paul College
  • Program: Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Trained in a hands-on professional kitchen environment with coursework spanning core culinary technique, pastry, butchery, charcuterie, food safety, sanitation, restaurant operations, and the nutritional side of healthy cooking, with real-world practice tied to the college’s student-run restaurant.

Susan is the steady, practical guide at Mary Sue & Susan, bringing clarity, structure, and a warm sense of encouragement to every recipe she touches. Susan joined the site with a simple goal: help people cook with more confidence and less guesswork.

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