Easy & Fluffy Ham & Cheese Drop Biscuits: The Ultimate Leftover Ham Recipe

Lightning-fast, incredibly fluffy, and bursting with savory flavor, these **Ham & Cheese Drop Biscuits** are a culinary revelation. Packed with sharp cheddar cheese and tender diced ham, they offer a delightful bite whether enjoyed on their own, as a hearty breakfast sandwich, or alongside a comforting bowl of soup. This recipe is designed for maximum convenience and flavor, making it a perfect addition to any meal plan, especially when you need to utilize leftover ham from holiday feasts or weekly dinners.

Finding delicious and practical ways to use **leftover ham** after holidays or special occasions can often be a challenge. That’s precisely why this incredibly easy ham and cheese biscuit recipe was born. These aren’t just any biscuits; they’re drop-style biscuits, meaning there’s no tedious kneading or rolling involved. The secret to their speed and simplicity? They’re made with Bisquick mix. You simply combine the ingredients, spoon them onto a baking sheet, and pop them into the oven. Baking truly doesn’t get any easier or faster!

This recipe is your go-to whenever you need a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a versatile side dish. Imagine slicing one in half, stuffing it with fluffy scrambled eggs, and creating a gourmet-level breakfast sandwich right at home. Or, for those busy mornings, grab a warm biscuit and pair it with one of my perfectly soft-boiled Air Fryer Eggs for a wholesome, on-the-go snack that keeps you fueled until lunch.

Why These Ham & Cheese Drop Biscuits Will Be Your New Favorite

These savory biscuits aren’t just easy; they’re irresistibly good and offer a host of benefits that make them a must-try:

• Unbelievably Quick: From mixing bowl to oven, these biscuits are ready to enjoy in approximately 15 minutes, making them ideal for last-minute meals or busy schedules.
• Minimal Ingredients: With a total of only 5 core ingredients (plus optional garnishes), this is an incredibly simple recipe that doesn’t require a trip to a specialty store.
• Perfect for Leftovers: Say goodbye to wasted ham! This recipe provides a delicious and creative solution for transforming any leftover ham into a completely new, exciting dish.
• Effortless Preparation: Forget about the hassle of kneading dough or rolling and cutting traditional biscuits. These are “drop biscuits,” meaning you simply spoon the dough onto the baking sheet for a rustic, home-style charm.
• Rich, Savory Flavor: Each biscuit is packed with scrumptious flavor and a delightful texture, thanks to the tang of buttermilk, the sharp notes of cheddar cheese, and the hearty chunks of diced ham.

Essential Ingredients for Your Ham & Cheese Biscuits

Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step to enjoying these delightful biscuits. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture:

• Original Bisquick™ Mix: The cornerstone of this recipe! Bisquick already contains leavening agents, which eliminates the need for additional flour, baking powder, or baking soda. This makes the entire process incredibly fast and foolproof, ensuring consistently fluffy biscuits every time.
• Diced Ham: This is where your leftover ham truly shines! Whether it’s thick-sliced ham from a holiday roast or even savory sliced deli ham, dicing it into small pieces ensures an even distribution of flavor throughout each biscuit.
• Cheddar Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese is highly recommended for its robust flavor that beautifully complements the ham. As the biscuits bake, the cheddar melts into luscious pockets, creating a savory delight that elevates every bite.
• Buttermilk: Don’t skip the buttermilk! It adds a wonderfully tangy flavor profile to the biscuits and contributes to their tender crumb and slight lift. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, don’t worry, there’s a quick and easy homemade substitute.
• Butter: Melted butter is brushed over the hot biscuits immediately after baking. This step not only adds a rich, glossy finish but also enhances their overall flavor and moisture.
• Fresh Chives: (Optional, but highly recommended!) Finely chopped fresh chives provide a delicate oniony-herbal note and a pop of vibrant green color. They make for a beautiful and flavorful garnish.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Ham & Cheese Drop Biscuits

Making these biscuits is astonishingly simple. Follow these straightforward steps to achieve perfectly golden, savory biscuits in no time:

1. Prepare Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking as soon as your dough is ready.
2. Combine Dry & Bulk Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the Bisquick mix, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced ham. Use a spoon or spatula to mix these ingredients until they are well combined. This ensures that the ham and cheese are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
3. Incorporate Buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk into the dry mixture. Mix gently until the dough just comes together. The key here is to avoid overmixing. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the Bisquick, leading to tough biscuits rather than the desired light and fluffy texture. A few streaks of dry mix are acceptable; resist the urge to keep stirring.
4. Drop and Bake: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop mounds of the biscuit dough onto an ungreased baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches of space between each biscuit to allow for expansion. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the biscuits are beautifully puffed up and light golden brown on top.
5. Butter & Garnish Immediately: As soon as you remove the hot biscuits from the oven, immediately brush their tops generously with melted butter. The heat of the biscuits will absorb the butter, adding incredible flavor and moisture. If desired, sprinkle with finely chopped fresh chives for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal. Serve warm and enjoy!

Pro Tips for Perfect Ham & Cheese Biscuits

Achieve biscuit perfection with these helpful tips and tricks:

• The Golden Rule: Do Not Overmix! This is perhaps the most critical tip for tender biscuits. Once you add the buttermilk, mix only until the flour is just moistened and the dough barely comes together. Lumpy is good! Overmixing develops gluten, which results in dense, tough biscuits.
• Integrate Chives for Deeper Flavor: While sprinkling chives on top is lovely, for a more integrated herbal onion flavor, finely mince the chives and add them directly to the dry Bisquick, ham, and cheese mixture. The flavor will bake right into the biscuits, creating a more cohesive and delicious experience.
• Ensure Even Browning: To achieve a consistent golden-brown crust on all your biscuits, rotate the baking pan 180 degrees halfway through the baking process (after about 4-5 minutes in the oven).
• Uniform Biscuits with a Cookie Scoop: For professional-looking biscuits that are uniform in size and shape, use a cookie dough scoop of your desired size. This also helps them bake more evenly.
• Give Them Room to Grow: When dropping the dough onto the baking sheet, ensure you leave approximately 2 inches of space between each biscuit. This prevents them from expanding into each other and allows hot air to circulate, promoting even baking and browning.

Drop Biscuits vs. Traditional Biscuits: What’s the Scoop?

The primary distinction lies in the dough’s consistency and the preparation method. Drop biscuit dough is typically wetter and stickier than the dough used for traditional rolled and cut biscuits. This higher liquid content is why it’s “dropped” onto the baking sheet rather than rolled out. The result is a more rustic, craggy appearance and often a very tender, fluffy interior due to less handling. Traditional biscuits, which are rolled and cut, tend to have distinct layers and a slightly crisper exterior.

Can These Biscuits Be Made Vegetarian?

Absolutely! Making these biscuits vegetarian is incredibly simple. Just omit the diced ham entirely. The cheddar cheese and buttermilk still provide plenty of savory flavor. If you’d like to include a ham substitute, consider using smoked tofu that has been finely diced and lightly pan-fried for texture, or chopped Tofurky smoked deli slices for a similar savory, smoky element.

Buttermilk Substitute: No Buttermilk? No Problem!

If you find yourself without buttermilk, don’t let it deter you! You can easily create a quick and effective homemade buttermilk replacement. 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’s quantity) with regular milk (any fat percentage will work, but whole milk yields a richer result). Give the mixture a gentle stir and let it sit undisturbed for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the milk will slightly curdle and thicken, mimicking the acidity and texture of true buttermilk. You can then proceed with the recipe as directed.

Storing and Reheating Your Ham & Cheese Biscuits

These biscuits are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but they store well for future enjoyment:

• Room Temperature: Allow the baked biscuits to cool completely before storing them. Place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best results when reheating, use a toaster oven or a regular oven to restore their crispness. Microwaving them will make them soft.
• Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the baked and completely cooled biscuits. Place them in an airtight freezer-proof container or a heavy-duty zip-top freezer bag. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, you can warm them directly in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.

Delicious Serving Suggestions

These versatile ham and cheese biscuits can elevate a variety of meals. Here are some fantastic pairing ideas:

• Split Pea Soup: The hearty, savory notes of these biscuits perfectly complement a warm bowl of split pea soup. This combination creates a comforting and high-protein meal, and is yet another excellent way to utilize any remaining leftover ham.
• Chili Relleno Casserole: For an incredible brunch spread, serve these biscuits alongside a rich chili relleno casserole, featuring layers of poblano peppers, eggs, and cheese. The biscuit adds a comforting bread element to this flavorful dish.
• Crockpot Breakfast Casserole: On weekend mornings, when you’re looking for something truly satisfying, pair these ham & cheese biscuits with a seriously filling crockpot breakfast casserole. It’s a combination that’s sure to impress and satisfy a hungry crowd.
• Sous Vide Egg Bites: Channel your inner barista with these Starbucks copycat sous vide egg bites. They’re light, fluffy, and creamy, making them an excellent choice for enjoying either alongside a biscuit or even tucked inside one for a delightful sandwich.
• Breakfast Bowls: For a quick, hearty, and customizable breakfast, incorporate a sliced biscuit into your favorite breakfast bowl. The biscuit adds substance and flavor, helping you stay satiated and energized until lunchtime.

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Betty Crocker via Burst Media. The opinions and text are all mine.