Fluffy Ham & Cheddar Biscuits: The Ultimate Quick & Easy Recipe for Leftover Ham

Discover how to make the most delicious, fluffy drop biscuits packed with savory cheddar cheese and diced ham. Perfect as a versatile side, a hearty breakfast, or an ingenious way to use up holiday leftovers.

Imagine a warm, tender biscuit, fresh from the oven, bursting with melted sharp cheddar cheese and savory bits of diced ham. These Ham & Cheese Biscuits are exactly that – a lightning-fast recipe that delivers incredibly fluffy, flavorful results every single time. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast on the go, a comforting side dish for your favorite soup, or a brilliant solution for that lingering leftover ham after a holiday feast, these drop biscuits are an absolute game-changer.

The struggle to find creative uses for leftover ham after big gatherings is real. But with these unbelievably easy ham and cheese biscuits, that struggle is a thing of the past! What makes this recipe so remarkably simple? It’s all thanks to the magic of Bisquick. This pantry staple streamlines the baking process, meaning you only need to mix your ingredients, scoop them onto a baking sheet, and pop them into the oven. No complicated kneading, no rolling, just pure biscuit bliss in minutes.

Baking truly doesn’t get any easier or more satisfying than this! This recipe is your secret weapon for those mornings when you need a fast, hearty breakfast, or when you need a last-minute side dish to complete a meal. Imagine cutting these fluffy delights in half and layering them with scrambled eggs and perhaps an extra slice of cheese for a top-notch breakfast sandwich. Or, for a quick and satisfying work-day snack, grab a warm biscuit and pair it with one of my perfectly soft-boiled Air Fryer Eggs as you head out the door. Their versatility makes them a staple in any busy kitchen.

Why These Ham & Cheese Biscuits Will Become Your New Favorite

Incredibly Quick to Prepare: From mixing bowl to golden-brown perfection, these biscuits are ready to eat in approximately 15 minutes. This makes them ideal for busy mornings, unexpected guests, or a spontaneous craving for something delicious.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: This is an impressively simple recipe, requiring just 5 core ingredients (plus optional garnishes). Don’t let the simplicity fool you – the combination of ingredients creates a depth of savory flavor and satisfying texture that feels gourmet.
The Perfect Solution for Leftover Ham: Bid farewell to dry, uninspired leftover ham. This recipe transforms it into a starring ingredient, giving new life and purpose to holiday ham or any diced ham you have on hand. It’s a fantastic way to minimize food waste and maximize deliciousness.
No Kneading, No Rolling, No Fuss: Thanks to their “drop biscuit” style and the use of Bisquick, there’s absolutely no complicated dough handling involved. Simply mix the ingredients until just combined, scoop, and bake. It’s truly a beginner-friendly baking project.
A Symphony of Scrumptious Flavor and Texture: Each bite offers a delightful experience. The tangy notes from the buttermilk, the rich, savory pockets of melted cheddar, and the salty, tender diced ham all come together in a perfectly soft and fluffy biscuit that’s utterly irresistible.

Essential Ingredients for Your Ham & Cheese Biscuits

Original Bisquick™ Mix: This is the hero ingredient that makes this recipe incredibly fast and foolproof. Bisquick already contains flour, leavening agents, and shortening, eliminating the need for multiple dry ingredients and ensuring a consistent rise and tender crumb.
Diced Ham: The star of the savory show! You can use any type of cooked ham here. Leftover holiday ham, thick-sliced deli ham, or even pre-diced ham from the grocery store will work wonderfully. Aim for small, even pieces for the best distribution of flavor.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Pockets of sharp or mild shredded cheddar cheese melt into gooey deliciousness, infusing every bite with savory goodness. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or a cheddar blend for a different flavor profile.
Buttermilk: This tangy liquid is crucial for both flavor and texture. Buttermilk reacts with the leavening in Bisquick, contributing to the biscuits’ fluffy volume and adding a subtle, pleasant tang that balances the richness of the ham and cheese.
Unsalted Butter: Melted butter is brushed over the hot biscuits immediately after baking, adding a rich, glossy finish and an extra layer of buttery flavor that takes them over the top. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness.
Fresh Chives (Optional but Recommended): A sprinkle of finely chopped fresh chives adds a vibrant pop of color and a delicate, oniony herbaceousness. It brightens the flavors and elevates the presentation. You can also mix them directly into the dough for a more integrated flavor.

Crafting Your Delicious Ham & Cheese Biscuits: A Simple Guide

Prepare Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). This ensures the oven is hot enough for the biscuits to rise quickly and achieve a golden crust. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, though an ungreased sheet also works.
Combine Dry and Flavorful Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the Bisquick mix, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced ham. Using a spoon or spatula, mix these ingredients together until they are well combined and the ham and cheese are evenly distributed throughout the Bisquick.
Gently Introduce Buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk into the bowl with the dry mixture. With a light hand, mix just until the dough comes together and all the flour is moistened. It’s crucial to avoid overmixing at this stage, as it can lead to tough biscuits. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
Scoop and Bake to Golden Perfection: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, drop mounds of the biscuit dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches of space between each biscuit to allow for expansion. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops are light golden brown and the biscuits are puffed up.
Finish with a Buttery Brush: As soon as you remove the hot biscuits from the oven, immediately brush their tops with melted butter. This adds a beautiful sheen and an extra layer of rich flavor.
Garnish and Serve: If desired, sprinkle the warm, buttered biscuits with finely chopped fresh chives for a fresh burst of color and herbaceous flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Expert Tips & Tricks for the Best Ham & Cheese Biscuits

The Golden Rule: Do Not Overmix! This is perhaps the most important tip for tender biscuits. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, chewy biscuit instead of a light, fluffy one. Mix the buttermilk into the dry ingredients only until the flour streaks disappear – a few lumps are okay.
Integrate Chives for Deeper Flavor: While sprinkling chives on top is lovely, for a more infused herbal onion flavor and added color throughout, try adding the minced chives directly into the dry ingredient mixture along with the ham and cheese. This ensures the flavor bakes into every part of the biscuit.
Ensure Even Browning with Pan Rotation: To achieve consistently golden-brown biscuits across your entire baking sheet, rotate the pan 180 degrees halfway through the baking time (after about 4-5 minutes). This compensates for any hot spots in your oven.
Achieve Uniformity with a Cookie Scoop: For professional-looking biscuits that are consistent in size and shape, a cookie scoop (or ice cream scoop) is your best friend. This also ensures they bake evenly.
Give Them Room to Grow: To prevent your biscuits from expanding into each other and becoming misshapen or undercooked on the sides, always leave ample space – approximately 2 inches – between each dough mound on the baking sheet.
Cold Ingredients Matter: While not strictly a traditional biscuit dough that relies on cold butter, ensuring your buttermilk is cold can still contribute to a better texture. Cold ingredients help prevent the Bisquick’s shortening from melting too quickly before baking, which can impact the rise.
Add a Pinch of Spice: For a little kick, consider adding a pinch of black pepper or even a tiny amount of cayenne pepper to the dry mix. It complements the ham and cheese beautifully.

Drop Biscuits vs. Rolled & Cut Biscuits: What’s the Scoop?

Drop biscuits are inherently simpler and more rustic than their rolled and cut counterparts. The primary difference lies in the dough’s consistency: drop biscuit dough typically contains a higher proportion of liquid (like milk or buttermilk), making it much wetter and stickier. This wetness prevents it from being easily rolled out and cut with a biscuit cutter, hence the name “drop” biscuits – you simply drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. This method results in a biscuit with a craggier, more irregular, yet equally delicious, texture and appearance, often with a slightly softer interior. Regular biscuits, made with a firmer dough, are known for their distinct layers and classic uniform shape.

Can These Biscuits Be Made Vegetarian?

Absolutely! These versatile biscuits can easily be adapted for vegetarian diets. The simplest approach is to omit the ham entirely. The cheddar cheese and buttermilk still provide plenty of flavor and richness. If you’d like a savory substitute for the ham, consider incorporating finely diced smoked tofu, chopped vegetarian “bacon” bits, or even plant-based smoked deli slices (like Tofurky) that have been diced. Make sure to choose a vegetarian substitute that offers a similar savory and slightly chewy texture to complement the cheese.

Buttermilk Substitute: No Buttermilk? No Problem!

If you find yourself without buttermilk and a craving for these biscuits strikes, don’t despair! You can easily create a homemade buttermilk substitute. In a liquid measuring cup, add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar. Then, fill the rest of the cup (up to the ¾ cup line for this recipe) with regular milk (any fat percentage will work, though whole milk yields a richer biscuit). Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the milk will slightly curdle and thicken, mimicking the acidity and texture of true buttermilk. This acidic environment is key for reacting with the leavening in Bisquick, ensuring your biscuits still rise beautifully and have that characteristic tang.

Storing and Reheating Your Ham & Cheese Biscuits for Optimal Freshness

Room Temperature Storage: Once baked, allow the biscuits to cool completely to prevent condensation. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. While they are best enjoyed fresh, they remain wonderfully soft and flavorful.
Freezer Storage: These biscuits freeze exceptionally well! To freeze baked biscuits, ensure they are completely cool. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about 30 minutes until solid. Then, transfer the frozen biscuits to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty zip-top freezer bag. They will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat directly from frozen.
Reheating Instructions:
- Oven/Toaster Oven: For the best texture, preheat your oven or toaster oven to 300-325°F (150-160°C). Place biscuits on a baking sheet and heat for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through and slightly crisp on the outside.
- Microwave: While convenient, the microwave can sometimes make biscuits a bit softer or chewier. Heat individual biscuits for 15-30 seconds, or until warm. This method is best if you’re eating them immediately.

Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Ham & Cheese Biscuits

Split Pea Soup: Pair these hearty biscuits with a steaming bowl of classic split pea soup for a truly comforting and high-protein meal. It’s a fantastic way to double down on delicious ham flavors!
Chili Relleno Casserole: Serve these savory biscuits alongside a rich, cheesy chili relleno casserole for an unforgettable brunch or dinner. The biscuit provides a perfect counterpoint to the spicy poblano peppers and creamy eggs.
Crockpot Breakfast Casserole: For those leisurely weekend mornings, complement a seriously filling crockpot breakfast casserole with a few warm ham & cheese biscuits. It’s a combination guaranteed to satisfy even the biggest appetites.
Sous Vide Egg Bites: These Starbucks copycat sous vide egg bites are light, fluffy, and incredibly creamy. They make an excellent filling for a sliced biscuit, creating a gourmet breakfast sandwich at home.
Breakfast Bowls: Elevate your quick, hearty breakfast bowls by incorporating a sliced ham & cheese biscuit. Its savory flavors and satisfying texture will keep you satiated and energized until lunchtime.
With Gravy: For a truly decadent experience, serve these biscuits smothered in a creamy sausage gravy or a simple sawmill gravy. It’s comfort food at its finest.
A Dollop of Honey Butter: While savory, a touch of sweet can be surprisingly delightful. Whip up some honey butter and spread it on a warm biscuit for a unique sweet-and-savory contrast.
Alongside a Salad: For a lighter meal, these biscuits are wonderful paired with a fresh, crisp green salad, adding a satisfying and flavorful crunch.

5 from 1 vote

Ham & Cheddar Biscuits

By
Erin Sellin

Fluffy drop biscuits bursting with savory cheddar cheese and diced ham. A perfect quick side dish or creative use for leftover ham.

Prep:
5 minutes

Cook:
10 minutes

Total:
15 minutes

Servings:
8

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Ingredients

▢ 2 1/4 cups Original Bisquick™ mix
▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
▢ 3/4 cup diced ham
▢ 3/4 cup buttermilk
▢ 1 Tablespoon butter, melted
▢ 1 Tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400º F (200ºC).
In a large bowl, combine the Bisquick mix, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced ham. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
Pour in the buttermilk, mixing gently with a spoon or spatula until everything just comes together and no dry streaks of Bisquick remain. Be careful not to overmix; a slightly lumpy dough is ideal for tender biscuits.
Scoop the dough into approximately 8-10 uniform mounds onto an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each biscuit. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the biscuits are puffed and a light golden brown on top. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
Immediately after removing the hot biscuits from the oven, brush their tops generously with melted butter.
Sprinkle with finely chopped fresh chives, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
15 minutes

Course:
Side Dish Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
8

Calories:
101

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