These Honey Garlic Parmesan Biscuits are soft, buttery biscuits brushed with a sticky honey-garlic-Parmesan glaze that caramelizes at the edges. They hit salty, sweet, and savory notes in every bite — a crowd-pleaser any time of year. I’ve baked these several times for weeknight dinners and holiday sides, and they always disappear fast; if you like rich garlic flavors, you’ll love them.
Check out this creamy garlic parmesan chicken delight for another garlicky favorite: creamy garlic parmesan chicken delight.
Why Make This Recipe
- Flavor balance: the sweetness of honey brightens the savory garlic and salty Parmesan for a memorable bite.
- Fast and convenient: ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for last-minute guests.
- Versatile: pairs with soups, salads, roasted meats, or stands alone as a snack.
- Crowd-pleasing: kids and adults both love the sweet-savory combo — great for potlucks.
- Personal note: I love making these because the glaze soaks into the biscuit tops for a crisp edge and a tender interior every time — a small technique change made a big difference.
If you prefer vegetable-forward dishes, these complement a stuffed squash well: creamy garlic parmesan stuffed spaghetti squash.
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 12–15 minutes at 425°F (220°C)
- Total time: 27–30 minutes
- Servings: 8 biscuits (standard drop-biscuit size)
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Method: Make a classic drop biscuit dough, bake on a sheet or in a cast-iron skillet, then brush with a honey-garlic-Parmesan butter while hot.
My Experience Making This Recipe
On my first test, the glaze made the tops too soft; I adjusted by letting biscuits rest 2–3 minutes before glazing so the butter melts in but the glaze crisps at the edges. I also swapped grated Pecorino/Parmesan blends until I found a salt level I liked. The result is reliably tender biscuits with a glossy, slightly sticky topping.
How to Make Honey Garlic Parmesan Biscuits
You’ll mix dry ingredients (2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt) then cut in 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter until the mix resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 3/4 cup cold buttermilk to form a soft dough, drop by 1/4-cup scoops onto a baking sheet, and bake at 425°F for 12–15 minutes. While the biscuits bake, gently melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter, stir in 2 tbsp honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan. Brush the hot biscuits immediately after they come out so the garlic-honey butter soaks in and the cheese melts on top.
Expert Tips for Success
- Keep butter cold when cutting into the flour so you get flaky layers; use a pastry cutter or two knives, or pulse quickly in a food processor. For a tender crumb, don’t overwork the dough.
- Measure flour by spooning into the cup and leveling with a knife — avoid scooping which compresses flour and yields dense biscuits.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan (not pre-grated) for better melt and flavor; a microplane works great for a fine, even coating. See a similar crisp potato idea with fresh cheese here: crispy garlic parmesan duchess potatoes.
- Let biscuits cool 1–2 minutes before glazing so the butter melts in but doesn’t fully flatten the tops; brush twice for extra gloss.
- Equipment note: a 10–12" cast-iron skillet gives great browning, but a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment also works well.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Parmesan Biscuits
- Serve warm alongside roasted chicken or a hearty soup for a comforting weeknight meal.
- Make a small plate spread for brunch with buttered biscuits, fresh greens, and sliced fruit.
- For parties, arrange on a platter and garnish with chopped parsley or chives for color and freshness.
- If you want a slow-cooker dinner pairing, try serving with easy garlic-Parmesan crockpot chicken and potatoes: easy garlic parmesan crockpot chicken and potatoes recipe.
Storage and Reheating Guide
- Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For best texture, place a paper towel in the container to absorb moisture.
- Refrigerate up to 5 days if you want to keep them longer; bring to room temperature before reheating.
- Freeze biscuits (un-glazed preferred) wrapped tightly in foil and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter for 1–2 hours.
- Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes (covered with foil to avoid burning the topping), or microwave 20–30 seconds and finish in a toaster oven for crisp edges.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free: substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum if the blend lacks it; watch hydration and add a tablespoon less liquid if dough seems too sticky.
- Dairy-free: use chilled vegan butter and a plant-based milk mixed with 1 tsp lemon juice (to mimic buttermilk); use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a savory edge.
- Extra-herby: fold 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary or 2 tbsp chopped chives into the dough for aromatic bites.
- Spicy-sweet: add 1/4–1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to the honey-garlic butter for a warm kick; this variation pairs well with slow-cooked mains like this crockpot version: easy garlic parmesan crockpot chicken and potatoes recipe-2.
Nutritional Highlights
- These biscuits are calorie-dense due to butter and cheese, so consider portioning: one biscuit is a reasonable serving for most adults.
- Key nutrients include protein and calcium from Parmesan, plus energy from butter and flour; they’re not a low-fat option.
- Allergens: contains wheat (gluten), dairy (butter, buttermilk, Parmesan), and garlic. For dairy- or gluten-free diets, use the substitutions noted above.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Dense biscuits: likely overmixed dough or packed flour. Fix by gently combining ingredients and using the flour-by-spooning method.
- Glaze too runny or not sticking: melt butter and honey together and remove from heat before adding garlic and cheese; brush while biscuits are hot so the glaze adheres and partially caramelizes.
- Burned garlic flavor: cook garlic gently in melted butter for 20–30 seconds off direct heat to mellow raw sharpness; overcooked garlic becomes bitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make the biscuits ahead of time?
A: Yes — shape the dough and freeze the unbaked biscuits on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 2–4 minutes to the bake time and brush with glaze while hot.
Q: Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
A: You can substitute 3/4 cup milk mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar, let sit 5 minutes to sour. This mimics buttermilk’s acidity and helps tenderize the biscuits.
Q: How do I get flaky layers in the biscuits?
A: Keep butter cold and in pea-sized pieces in the dough. Minimal handling and a hot oven (425°F) encourage fast steam production that lifts and separates layers.
Q: What cheese works best if I don’t have Parmesan?
A: Pecorino Romano offers a sharp, salty alternative; Asiago or finely grated sharp cheddar can also work, though cheddar will be milder in salt and melt differently.
Conclusion
For another delicious honey-garlic-Parmesan take and plating ideas, see this inspiring version: Honey Garlic Parmesan Biscuits – Half Baked Harvest.
Honey Garlic Parmesan Biscuits
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 biscuits
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery biscuits brushed with a sticky honey-garlic-Parmesan glaze that caramelizes at the edges, offering a delightful sweet-savory flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut in cold unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in cold buttermilk to form a soft dough.
- Drop the dough by 1/4-cup scoops onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
- While biscuits bake, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter, then stir in honey, minced garlic, and Parmesan.
- Brush the mixture onto the hot biscuits immediately after removing from the oven.
Notes
Let the biscuits cool for 1-2 minutes before glazing to ensure the tops don’t fully flatten.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American