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Sink your teeth into these heavenly biscuits and enjoy the butter coating your lips as the savory bits of leftover ham and melty cheese dance on your tongue. These ham and cheese butter swim biscuits aren’t your average biscuit. They’re a delicious (and oh-so decadent) made-from-scratch biscuit recipe that will be an instant favorite. Whether you enjoy these comforting biscuits for breakfast, brunch, as a snack, or dinner, they are always super-satisfying.

Two slices of ham and cheese butter swim biscuits on a white plate, silverware beside them, baking dish in the background.

Buttery swim biscuits with ham and cheese are easy to make. They’ll fill your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and your belly with deliciousness.

Love biscuits? You might also like this biscuits and gravy breakfast casserole, some rosemary cheddar biscuits, or a ham pot pie with biscuit topping.

A slice of ham and cheese butter swim biscuits is being lifted from a baking dish with a wooden spatula, revealing melted cheese and generous chunks of ham.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy to make: This is a really simple recipe to make and one you’ll want to whip up again and again.
So delicious: Plenty of luxurious butter, some salty ham and melted cheese make these swim biscuits truly mouthwatering.
A versatile dish: These are great whenever you’re hungry, whether that’s breakfast or brunch, lunch or snack time.

A slice of savory ham and cheese biscuits on a white plate, paired with a fork, alongside buttery swim biscuits. In the background, a larger baking dish stands next to another partially served plate.

Ham and Cheese Biscuit Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Buttermilk: For moisture and a flavorful tang.
Ham: For a meaty flavor. Use fresh or leftover ham or swap ham for another lean meat.
Cheddar cheese: To add cheesy appeal. I used sharp cheddar.
All-purpose flour: To make the dough.
Baking powder: To achieve a light dough.
Salted butter: The key ingredient in swim biscuits – use real butter.
Granulated sugar: For a touch of sweetness.

Assorted ingredients: flour, milk, shredded cheese, diced ham for delicious ham and cheese butter swim biscuits. Also featuring a stick of butter and small bowls of spices on a textured surface.

How to Make Ham & Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Make the swim biscuit dough: Combine flour with baking powder, granulated sugar and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Stir the buttermilk into the flour mixture and add ham and cheese.
Assemble the ham and cheese butter swim biscuits: Add half the dough mixture to a greased baking dish, add remaining ham and cheese and the rest of the dough. Pour melted butter on top.
Bake and serve: Bake until golden brown, let them sit for a few minutes and then serve warm, perhaps with some chopped parsley as a garnish.

Close-up of two stacked slices of cheesy, herbed butter swim biscuits with visible chunks of ham on a white plate.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour.
Vegetarian option: Swap the ham for sliced mushrooms or extra cheese.
Another cheese: Sub mozzarella, Pepper Jack or Swiss cheese for the cheddar cheese.
A different meat: Try pepperoni or cooked chicken instead.
No layers: Mix all the ingredients together instead of adding a layer of ham and cheese between the dough.

A forkful of ham and cheese biscuits is held above a white plate with more golden ham and cheese butter swim biscuits.

Serving Suggestions

For breakfast or brunch: Swim biscuits are perfect for breakfast. Enjoy them with a mango smoothie and some breakfast tacos.
For lunch:
Enjoy these with some cowboy beans and homemade onion rings. They’re also great with soup or a salad.
As a snack:
Serve one of these delicious biscuits with a gingerbread latte or some tea.

A square baking pan with golden-brown ham and cheese butter swim biscuits, teeming with bits of ham and herbs.

How to Store Cheese and Ham Biscuits

Store: Keep leftover biscuits in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw:
 Defrost the biscuits in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm them back up in the oven or air fryer.

Slices of butter swim biscuits with herbs and hints of ham and cheese, beautifully presented on two white plates, alongside a baking pan filled with more slices. A jar of utensils, grated cheese, and a red checkered cloth complete the scene on the marble surface.

Top Tips

Make a double batch: These freeze well and make a great breakfast-in-a-hurry, so it’s worth making that second batch.
Real butter is better: As this is one of the key ingredients in butter swim biscuits, don’t use margarine or anything other than real butter.
Grease the baking dish: Don’t skip this step or the finished swim biscuits will break apart when you try to cut slices. Optionally you can use parchment paper too.

Two slices of cheesy, herb-topped biscuits with visible chunks of savory ham are stacked on a plate with a fork on the side.

Ham and Cheese Biscuit Recipe FAQs

Can I cut the biscuits before baking them?

Yes, if you like. This offers easier slicing when the biscuits are cooked.

How do I know when they’re cooked through?

The will be lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the middle will come out clean.

Why do the biscuits have to stand for 5 minutes before serving?

This is so the butter that has bubbled up soaks into them, adding flavor and moisture. Don’t worry – they’ll still be nice and warm.

A ham and cheese butter swim biscuits in a rectangular metal dish, featuring a golden-brown crust with herbs and ham and cheese tucked beneath.

Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

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Ham and Cheese Butter Swim Biscuits

Buttery swim biscuits with ham and cheese are easy to whip up. They’ll fill your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and your belly with deliciousness.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and garlic powder together.
  • Stir in the buttermilk.
  • Stir in ½ cup of ham and ½ cup of cheddar cheese.
  • Spray an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
  • Spread half of the dough over the bottom of the pan.
  • Sprinkle the remaining ham and cheese over the dough and spoon the remaining dough over the ham.
  • Pour the melted butter over the top.
  • Bake for 26 to 28 minutes, until a toothpick inserted down to the bottom layer comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and let the biscuits sit for 5 minutes so the butter soaks into them.
  • Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if liked.

Notes

Make a double batch: These freeze well and make a great breakfast-in-a-hurry, so it’s worth making that second batch.
Real butter is better: As this is one of the key ingredients in butter swim biscuits, don’t use margarine or anything other than real butter.
Grease the baking dish: Don’t skip this step or the finished swim biscuits will break apart when you try to cut slices. Optionally you can use parchment paper too.

Nutrition

Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 968mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 738IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 399mg | Iron: 2mg
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These biscuits are perfect for busy households who want a comforting, homemade meal without all the fuss. Simply pop them in the oven and let the mouthwatering aroma fill your kitchen. In no time, you’ll have a dish that will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites and put a smile on everyone’s face.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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