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 (you 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 love rich, buttery biscuits that are packed with garlic flavor, then you’re in for a treat with this Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe. I absolutely love how tender and flaky these biscuits turn out, plus the garlic butter melt on top is the kind of deliciousness that will have your family begging for seconds. This recipe is both simple and satisfying—perfect for a cozy weekend brunch or a special dinner side.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich Garlic Flavor: The combination of fresh minced garlic and garlic powder gives these biscuits a beautiful savory kick.
Buttery Goodness: Butter not only goes in the dough but also swims beneath and atop, ensuring every bite is decadent.
Easy to Make: No fancy rolling or cutting out required—just mix, pour, and spread!
Versatile Serving: Great alongside soup, salad, or your favorite hearty meals.

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, cheesy buttery biscuits, garlic swirl biscuits, flaky garlic biscuits, easy biscuit recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe lies in the balance between fresh and pantry staples. I always find that using fresh garlic here makes a huge flavor difference, plus the buttermilk keeps the biscuits irresistibly tender.

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, cheesy buttery biscuits, garlic swirl biscuits, flaky garlic biscuits, easy biscuit recipes

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure; I never substitute with whole wheat for this one because the texture changes.
Granulated sugar: Just a touch to balance the savory garlic flavors.
Aluminum-free baking powder: This is key to help the biscuits rise properly without any metallic aftertaste.
Salt: Enhances every other ingredient and brings out the garlic’s richness.
Garlic powder: Adds a deep, roasted garlic flavor that complements the fresh minced garlic.
Buttermilk: The acidity tenderizes the dough making it soft and flavorful—if yours is super thick, add it bit by bit.
Fresh garlic: Finely minced for maximum punch—don’t skip fresh here unless you’re in a real pinch.
Salted butter: Used both melted beneath the dough and in the topping for that “swimming” buttery finish.
Dried parsley flakes: Adds a touch of color and mild herbal flavor to the topping.

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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 love to switch things up and keep this recipe personal—after all, cooking should be fun and reflect your taste buds! Feel free to experiment with add-ins or seasoning tweaks that suit your cravings.

Cheesy Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits: Once, I sprinkled shredded sharp cheddar over the dough right before baking, and my family went absolutely wild for the ooey-gooey cheesy goodness.
Herb-Infused Version: Adding fresh chopped rosemary or thyme to the batter gives a lovely fragrant twist.
Spicy Kick: A pinch of cayenne pepper mixed into the biscuit dough gives it a gentle warmth—great if you’re craving a little heat.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute the butter and buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like coconut oil and almond milk mixed with lemon juice.

How to Make Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 450°F. Meanwhile, grab your 9×9 inch glass or ceramic baking dish, and give it a good spray with nonstick cooking spray. I like to do this beforehand because the biscuits swim in butter, but I’ve found the spray really ensures they don’t stick, especially if your baking dish isn’t super nonstick already.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, aluminum-free baking powder, salt, and garlic powder until they’re evenly combined. This even distribution of leavening and seasoning helps your biscuits bake uniformly with that perfect garlicky essence in every bite.

Step 3: Add Buttermilk and Fresh Garlic

Pour 1¾ cups of buttermilk and your finely minced fresh garlic right into the dry mix. Stir with a spoon until a sticky dough forms. If it looks dry, pour in a little more buttermilk, a tablespoon at a time. The batter should be thick and sticky—trust me, this batter-like texture makes these biscuits extra tender.

Step 4: Melt Butter in Your Baking Dish

Melt ½ cup (one stick) of salted butter in the microwave (usually 30-45 seconds). Pour it into your prepared baking dish so the butter pools at the bottom. This step is where the “swim” in Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits comes from — the dough literally bakes right on top of melted butter, which keeps them soft and adds that unforgettable buttery crust.

Step 5: Transfer Dough and Shape

Pour the sticky biscuit dough straight into the baking dish on top of the melted butter. Some butter will bubble up and run onto the dough—that’s exactly what we want! I’ve found that spraying a little nonstick spray on my hand helps to gently spread the dough evenly without sticking, so give that a try if your batter feels too sticky to handle.

Step 6: Score the Dough

Using a buttered knife, cut the dough into 9 squares right in the dish. This pre-cutting helps make serving easier later. Don’t worry about making perfect edges—the biscuits bake with soft, rustic charm.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the biscuits on the middle rack for 25 to 30 minutes. Halfway through, I like to rotate the dish so it browns evenly. You’ll know they’re done when the tops are golden and spring back when gently pressed. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean—no sticky dough should cling to it.

Step 8: Brush on Garlic Butter Topping

While the biscuits are baking, mix together ¼ cup melted butter, dried parsley flakes, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. The minute the biscuits come out warm from the oven, brush this savory garlic butter all over the tops. It seals in moisture and amps up the garlic punch—trust me, this is the best part.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Go ahead and cut the biscuits again along the scored lines, then plate them up! They’re unbelievably soft inside with a buttery, garlicky crust that melts in your mouth. Perfect with soups, stews, or just standing solo with a drizzle of extra butter.

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Fresh Garlic Matters: I learned early on that fresh minced garlic hits way harder on flavor than jarred—you’ll thank yourself for that extra step.
Stick to Aluminum-Free Baking Powder: It prevents odd metallic tastes and gives a nice rise—a small detail that makes a big difference.
Use Nonstick Spray on Your Hands: When spreading sticky dough in the pan, this trick helped me avoid frustration and sticky hands.
Don’t Skip Scoring: Cutting the dough before baking makes serving so much easier and keeps the biscuits intact.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe

Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple—just a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a light dusting of parmesan cheese on warm biscuits really ups the visual appeal and taste. Sometimes, adding a dollop of herb butter or a smear of garlic cream cheese makes them a decadent snack or appetizer.

Side Dishes

These biscuits pair beautifully with homemade chili, creamy tomato soup, or a fresh garden salad. For brunch, my family adores them alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon—the garlic butter acts like the perfect salty, savory sidekick.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love serving this recipe family-style, right in the baking dish with a small bowl of herbed butter on the side. Another fun idea I tried was cutting the biscuits into little squares and skewering them with cherry tomatoes and basil for a garlic biscuit appetizer kabob—total crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the biscuits cool, I pop them into an airtight container or resealable bag and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. They stay surprisingly fresh and moist, which is great when you want a quick snack or to reinvent them for tomorrow’s meal.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these biscuits successfully—just wrap them individually in plastic wrap then place in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm them up in the oven. They keep most of their buttery texture and flavor this way, making prep for busy weeks a breeze.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming biscuits in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes—it crisps the outside while keeping the inside soft. Avoid the microwave if you want to maintain that fresh-baked texture. Brush a little extra melted garlic butter on top post-warming if you want to revive that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk in this Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe?

You can substitute regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic buttermilk’s acidity. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle before using. This acidity is what tenderizes the biscuits, so tossing in plain milk without acid may result in a denser texture.
How garlic-y are these biscuits? Will they be overpowering?

These biscuits have a pronounced garlic flavor thanks to fresh garlic and garlic powder, but they’re balanced with the buttery richness. If you’re not a huge garlic fan, you can reduce the minced garlic to two cloves instead of four. The garlic taste is what makes these biscuits so special, though, so I recommend trying the full amount once—you might fall in love like I did!
Why do I need to cut the dough before baking?

Scoring the dough into squares before baking helps the biscuits bake evenly and makes it easier to separate them after cooking without crumbling. It also gives the biscuits their signature shape without any fancy tools or rolling.
Can I add cheese to this Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to stir shredded cheddar, parmesan, or mozzarella into the dough or sprinkle on top before baking. Cheese adds an extra layer of flavor and richness, which many people (including my family) adore.
What if my biscuits aren’t browning evenly?

Oven hotspots can cause uneven baking, so rotating your dish halfway through baking usually helps. Also, baking on the middle rack promotes even heat distribution. If your biscuits are browning too quickly on top but aren’t done inside, tent foil over the top for the last few minutes of baking.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe quickly became a staple in my kitchen because it’s an easy way to make bakery-quality biscuits that are bursting with garlic flavor. Once you try them, you’ll see why my family can’t get enough. Whether you serve these for a casual dinner or a special gathering, these biscuits bring warm, buttery comfort to the table every time. Give them a shot—I have a feeling you’ll make them again and again, just like I do!