Name: Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar; 1 Tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder; 2 teaspoons salt; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 ¾ cups buttermilk (may need up to 2 cups); 4 cloves garlic, finely minced; ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter; ¼ cup salted butter, melted; 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes; ½ teaspoon garlic powder

If you’re a garlic lover like me, you’re going to absolutely fall in love with this Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe. These biscuits are everything you want in a comforting, flavorful bread side—soft, buttery, garlicky, with a little golden crust on top. I’ve made these countless times for family dinners and weekend brunches, and every single time they disappear fast. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe close—it’s fan-freaking-tastic and surprisingly easy to whip up.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bold Garlic Flavor: The fresh minced garlic infused right into the dough gives a punchy, authentic taste that jarred garlic simply can’t compete with.
Buttery Goodness: Swimming in melted butter creates a rich, crispy bottom while keeping the biscuits beautifully soft inside.
Easy to Make: No fancy rolling or shaping—just a sticky batter you pour right into the pan, perfect for an effortless homemade touch.
Crowd Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these biscuits, and they’re always the first thing to vanish from the table.

A thick square piece of cornbread with a golden brown crust on top and a soft, light yellow, crumbly inside sits on a stack of plain white plates with a thin blue rim. Small green parsley bits are sprinkled on the crust. The background shows blurry green leaves for decoration and a white marbled surface underneath. The cornbread piece looks moist and fluffy, with a slightly textured top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits, garlic bread side dish, easy biscuit recipe, buttery garlic biscuits, brunch bread ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe comes down to simple ingredients working together—flour for structure, buttermilk for tang and tenderness, and fresh garlic for that unmistakable savory hit. Here’s what you want to have on hand before you dive in.

Flat lay of fresh whole garlic cloves with their papery white skins, a small stack of creamy pale yellow salted butter sticks, a scattering of dried bright green parsley flakes in a small pile, coarse granulated white sugar crystals sparkling gently, and smooth white buttermilk in a clear glass jar showing its creamy texture, all beautifully arranged with loose grains of all-purpose flour dusted softly around, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits, garlic bread side dish, easy biscuit recipe, buttery garlic biscuits, brunch bread ideas

All-purpose flour: Standard and versatile, it gives these biscuits that perfect tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Just a touch to balance the savory flavors without making the biscuits sweet.
Aluminum-free baking powder: For that nice lift—avoid aluminum-based for a cleaner taste.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, especially the garlic and butter.
Garlic powder: Adds an extra layer of garlic flavor that complements the fresh minced garlic beautifully.
Buttermilk: Provides acidity and moisture, making biscuits tender and flavorful—if your batter is too dry, add a bit more.
Fresh garlic cloves: The star of the show—finely minced so the garlic flavor will swim all throughout the biscuits.
Salted butter: Both melted in the pan and brushed on top, it’s essential for that rich, buttery flavor.
Dried parsley flakes: For the finishing touch when mixed with the garlic butter topping—adds color and a subtle herbiness.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to keep things classic with this recipe, but hey, it’s super customizable. Feel free to experiment with extra ingredients to make it your own—cooking should be fun, right? Here are some tweaks I’ve tried and loved.

Cheesy Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits: Add shredded cheddar or Parmesan into the batter for a rich, cheesy twist. My family couldn’t get enough of this version!
Herb Boost: Mix in fresh chopped rosemary or thyme with the dried parsley for a fragrant, garden-fresh flavor that tastes fancy but is easy to do.
Spicy Kick: Sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika into the garlic butter topping for a subtle heat that balances the richness.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap the butter for a vegan butter alternative and use a dairy-free buttermilk substitute—you’ll still get amazing flavor and texture.

How to Make Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

First things first—preheat your oven to 450°F and lightly spray a 9×9 inch glass or ceramic baking dish with nonstick spray. I like using a glass pan because it heats evenly and gives these biscuits that perfect golden crust. The nonstick spray is optional since there’s plenty of butter, but it gives me peace of mind to avoid any sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder. I always double-check my baking powder to make sure it’s aluminum-free—that bitterness can ruin the garlic’s flavor balance.

Step 3: Add Buttermilk and Fresh Garlic

Pour in 1 ¾ cups of buttermilk and the finely minced garlic. Stir until a sticky batter forms. Here’s a tip: if it feels too dry or crumbly, slowly add a splash more buttermilk—up to 2 cups total—until it’s thick but sticky. This consistency is key because it helps your biscuits rise nicely and keeps them moist.

Step 4: Melt Butter and Assemble

Microwave the ½ cup salted butter until melted, then pour it into your prepared baking dish. Now, pour the biscuit dough right on top of that butter. Some of the butter will bubble up through and run over the dough—that’s exactly what you want! To spread the batter evenly, I spray my hand with cooking spray and gently smooth it out.

Step 5: Score the Dough

Using a sharp knife, gently cut the dough into 9 squares directly in the pan. Don’t worry about being perfect—this just helps with cutting later once baked and gives the biscuits those classic edges.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake on the middle rack for about 25-30 minutes. Around the halfway point, give your pan a gentle 180-degree turn to prevent any hot spots causing uneven browning. The biscuits are done when they’re golden brown on top, spring back when you press them lightly, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—no sticky batter!

Step 7: Brush with Garlic Butter Topping

While the biscuits are baking, mix together the melted butter, parsley flakes, and garlic powder for the finishing brush. Once the biscuits come out warm from the oven, generously brush the tops with this garlicky herb butter. Then, cut again along the scored lines and serve immediately for maximum yum!

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh is always best for this recipe. I learned early on that jarred garlic just doesn’t carry the same winner flavor, so take those extra minutes to mince fresh cloves.
Perfect Batter Consistency: Not too dry or watery! If your batter looks crumbly, add a splash more buttermilk, but be careful not to go too runny—stickiness is the key to fluffy biscuits.
Rotate the Pan: Ovens have hot spots. About halfway through baking, I always turn my dish so the biscuits brown evenly on all sides.
Don’t Skip Butter in Pan: The melted butter in the baking dish does wonders—it gives you that signature “swim” effect and keeps the bottom crispy without sticking.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple—a quick sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley brightens these biscuits beautifully and adds a pop of color. Sometimes I toss a little grated Parmesan right on top after brushing with garlic butter for a bit of extra umami. If you’re serving for a crowd, a side bowl of honey butter is a lovely sweet contrast.

Side Dishes

These biscuits pair wonderfully with hearty soups, stews, or chili. My go-to pairing is a creamy tomato soup or a classic pot of beef stew. They also make a fantastic addition to your weekend fried chicken dinner or a big breakfast spread with eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged the biscuits in a circle topped with fresh herb sprigs for a rustic centerpiece. Another fun idea: serve them stacked and drizzled with a little garlic butter and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right at the table for an edible “nest” effect that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I pop leftover biscuits into an airtight container or zip-top bag and store them in the fridge. They keep nicely for up to 3 days, though honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

You can freeze these biscuits (unbaked) straight in the pan by wrapping tightly with foil and plastic wrap—just thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. Or freeze baked biscuits in a sealed container; they’ll keep for about 2 months and are perfect for quick reheats.

Reheating

To reheat, warm biscuits in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes—this crisps up the edges while keeping the middle soft. If pressed for time, a quick zap in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel works too, but you might lose some crunch.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk for these biscuits?

While you can substitute regular milk, buttermilk is key to the tender, tangy flavor that makes these biscuits special. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into a cup of milk and let it sit 5 minutes to mimic the acidity.
What’s the best way to mince fresh garlic quickly?

I like to press the clove with the flat side of a chef’s knife to loosen the skin and then finely chop or use a microplane grater for a quick, even mince. Using fresh, finely minced garlic really ups the flavor game in this recipe.
Can I make these biscuits vegan or dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the butter for your favorite plant-based spread and use a non-dairy milk mixed with a splash of acid (like lemon juice) instead of buttermilk. Texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Why does the recipe call for cutting the dough before baking?

Scoring the dough before baking helps guide the cuts after baking and encourages even rising so your biscuits don’t spread all over the pan. It also creates those classic biscuit shapes with lovely edges.
Can I add cheese to the Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe?

Yes! Adding shredded cheese like cheddar or Parmesan into the batter or sprinkled on top before baking is one of my favorite variations—it adds extra richness and flavor you’ll love.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe has quickly become a staple in my kitchen because it’s so comforting and reliably delicious every time. I love how the buttery garlic flavors come together with such a simple batter—making it easy to bring a cozy homemade vibe to any meal. Whether you’re new to biscuit-making or a seasoned pro, give this recipe a try—you’ll be charmed by how effortless and tasty it is. I promise, once you try it, these biscuits will swim their way into your heart (and your regular dinner rotation) just like they did mine.