May be an image of english muffin

Country Ham Biscuits: A Classic Southern Comfort Food

Country Ham Biscuits are a beloved Southern favorite built around a simple combination of tender, buttery biscuits and thin slices of savory country ham. They are hearty enough for breakfast, easy enough for a weekend brunch, and nostalgic enough to feel like something that belongs on a family table.

The secret to truly delicious ham biscuits is balance: the biscuits should be soft and flaky on the inside with a lightly crisp exterior, while the country ham should provide a salty, savory contrast. A touch of honey or a buttery glaze can add just enough sweetness to round everything out.

Ingredients

For the Biscuits

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup cold buttermilk
1 tablespoon melted butter, for brushing

For the Filling

8–10 ounces thinly sliced country ham
2 tablespoons softened butter
2–3 tablespoons honey, optional
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, optional

Step-by-Step Method

1. Prepare the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

A hot oven is important because it helps the biscuits rise quickly, creating those desirable flaky layers.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and baking soda.

Mixing the dry ingredients thoroughly ensures that the leavening agents are distributed evenly throughout the dough.

3. Cut in the Cold Butter

Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture.

Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.

Don’t completely blend the butter into the flour. Those little pieces of cold butter will melt in the oven and create steam, which helps form flaky biscuit layers.