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Home » Recipes » Baking » Bread » chive drop biscuits

Whole Wheat Chive Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

Published February 15, 2023. Last updated March 13, 2023 by Judy Purcell 1 Comment

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biscuit broken open on a counter with butter

This quick, easy recipe for Whole Wheat Chive Buttermilk Drop Biscuits takes just 10 minutes to put together and 10 minutes to bake.

You’ll love the soft, fluffy crumb and crisp outside edges with every buttery bite for a healthy, satisfying biscuit that elevates any meal. 

drop biscuits in a bowl on top of a towel

Who doesn’t love a biscuit? Food with many jobs, biscuits serve as a delightful, satisfying side with dinner, soup-sopper extraordinaire, gravy’s best friend, the ultimate companion for quality butter and jam, and a reliable sidekick for cleaning up sunnyside eggs. 

A fresh take on a well-loved bake, these buttermilk drop biscuits are made with the same butter-influenced build with whole wheat goodness and without the fuss of rolling dough.

No special steps are required, no rolling nor cutting, drop biscuits are exactly what they sound like: scooped up and dropped as-is on the sheet pan. This irregular and almost ragged shape allows for maximum crisp edges (my favorite).

These whole wheat biscuit beauties come together in 20 minutes and while they do not have the same flakey layers as a traditional rolled biscuit, they are just as tasty and perfect for a quick dinner side.

We use chopped chives (or scallions) for a pop of savory, herbaceous flavor that will call everyone to the table with barely a whisper. (Ah, I can smell them baking right now!)

side by side comparison of drop biscuits and rolled biscuits

What is a drop biscuit vs a regular biscuit?

A standard biscuit uses very cold butter and the process of folding the dough over on itself to create layers of butter for a flakey texture, then cut out into round biscuits. Drop biscuits are mixed with softened butter, mixed by hand, dropped by the spoonful onto the sheet, and baked as is. 

Drop biscuits also have a touch of crispness to the exterior where the jagged dough browns more than a flat biscuit does. If you love that texture combo, these chive buttermilk biscuits will be a fast favorite!

We love both kinds and tend to prefer each for different applications. We like Rolled Biscuits for Skillet Turkey Pot Pie or bacon sandwiches, but these buttermilk drop biscuits are especially tasty with Creamy Cauliflower & Potato Leek Soup and faster to make on a whim.

ingredients for chive drop biscuits on a counter

What is the BEST Whole Wheat Flour to use for Biscuits?

We prefer sprouted whole wheat flour in all our baking recipes. Sprouted wheat is easier to digest and produces a softer crumb than regular whole wheat flour.

If we don’t have sprouted wheat, our second choice is white whole-wheat flour. Specifically, white whole wheat bakes up lighter and is less wheat-y tasting than red winter wheat, so it’s our go-to if sprouted isn’t available.

You can substitute white whole wheat flour for sprouted wheat 1:1 as both flours respond similarly to the amount of liquid called for in this recipe. 

We’ve got loads of sprouted wheat info throughout the site because we love baking with it. If you want to learn more about sprouted wheat, its health benefits, and where to buy it, check out our Sprouted Wheat Cinnamon Rolls post.

TIP: AP flour and whole wheat flours absorb moisture differently. When using regular all-purpose as a substitute for whole wheat, reduce the buttermilk by a couple of tablespoons. If it still seems dry, add a tablespoon at a time just until the flour is moist and the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Note: The dough should be shaggy and soft but not soupy.

buttermilk drop biscuits fresh from the oven on a pan

How does buttermilk affect biscuits?

Buttermilk’s acidity, in tandem with baking soda and baking powder, helps biscuit dough rise. Baking powder is activated by liquid and the oven heat, while the acid from the buttermilk reacts to the baking soda—carbon dioxide produces that extra lift.  

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

While buttermilk is best for making biscuits, if you don’t have any on hand, use 1 cup of regular milk and add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or fresh-squeezed lemon juice to it. You shouldn’t be able to taste the flavors of fresh lemon juice or vinegar, but you can also use another soured dairy if you prefer.

4 Substitutions for 1 cup of buttermilk:

  1. 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or vinegar
  2. ⅔ cup yogurt (full fat OR skim) + ⅓ cup milk
  3. ½ cup sour cream + ½ cup milk
  4. ½ cup creme Fraiche + ½ cup milk
chive biscuit split open on a counter with a side of butter

Recipe STEP BY STEP

  1. Whisk dry ingredients together
  2. Mix in the butter using your fingers to press it into the flour
  3. Stir in the chopped scallions/chives
  4. Stir in the buttermilk until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl
  5. Bake 12-14 minutes at 450°F
step by step image collage showing how to make drop biscuits

Can I freeze a batch of drop biscuits?

You can freeze the already-baked biscuits once they are completely cooled in a zip-type freezer bag for up to 30 days. In fact, this is a perfect example of a make-one, freeze-one type recipe that I teach in my Monthly Meal Prep Course.

To reheat drop biscuits properly, defrost and brush them with a little butter; reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes. You can warm biscuits in a microwave for 20 seconds, but you’ll lose the crispness in the edges.

TIPS and Variations:

  • Substitute cheese, jalapenos, caramelized onions, fresh herbs, or cooked bacon or ham for the chives.
  • Substitute buttermilk with ½ cup milk and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Substitute all-purpose flour for the whole wheat 1:1 and also reduce the amount of buttermilk by 1-2 tablespoons.
  • Freeze leftover biscuits in a zip-type freezer bag for up to 1 month
Chive Biscuits on pan and saucer

More Sprouted Whole Wheat Recipes You’ll Love

  • Parmesan Herb Focaccia
  • Soft Burger Buns
  • Banana Walnut Muffins
  • Fluffy Dinner Rolls
  • Zucchini Bread
  • Whole Grain Corn Bread
  • French Bread
  • Pizza Dough
Whole wheat biscuits with chives
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Whole Wheat Buttermilk Drop Biscuits with Chives

Soft, fluffy crumb and crisp outside edges with every buttery bite for a healthy, satisfying biscuit that's quick to make!
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Baking, side dishes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 5
Author: Judy Purcell
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup sprouted whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons coconut palm sugar or 1 teaspoon regular brown sugar
  • 1/4 rounded teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives or 2 tablespoons scallions
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk low fat or whole
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Instructions

  • Heat oven to 450°. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt into a bowl.
  • Add butter and rub the butter into the flour mixture with your fingers or a fork.
  • Stir in chopped chives.
  • Add the buttermilk and stir until just incorporated and the batter pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Using a tablespoon, drop a heaping scoop of the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2-inches apart.
  • Bake until the tops are golden brown and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes.

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Notes

TIPS and Variations:
  • Substitute cheese, jalapenos, caramelized onions, fresh herbs, or cooked bacon or ham for the chives.
  • Substitute buttermilk with ½ cup milk and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Substitute all-purpose flour for the whole wheat 1:1 and also reduce the amount of buttermilk by 1-2 tablespoons.
  • Freeze leftover biscuits in a zip-type freezer bag for up to 1 month

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 209mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg
Learn how to make this and all recipes even easier!Check out our Monthly Meal Prep System!

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Filed Under: Bread, Recipes, Sprouted Grain Tagged With: bread recipe, Make This Tonight

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    Rating




  1. Jill says

    March 4, 2023 at 6:07 am

    5 stars
    My family couldn’t stop raving about these! So good and I love the crisp edges!

    Reply
Judy from Savoring Today

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