Ham and Cheese Drop Biscuits

Easy, savory, from-scratch ham and cheese drop biscuits. No rolling required—just mix, scoop, and bake for fluffy, tender biscuits with crispy cheese edges.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Total Time 22

Course Breakfast, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Servings 8 biscuits

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour Spoon and level if not weighing
3/4 cup whole milk Whole milk gives the best texture
6 tbsp butter, melted Unsalted preferred; cool slightly before using
1/2 tsp kosher salt Omit if your diced meat is already salty
1 tsp baking powder Check the expiry date, stale powder ruins the rise
2 oz cheddar cheese, grated Grate fresh from a block for smooth melting
3 oz ham, diced Turkey or beef ham preferred; small cubes
1 tbsp oil Optional, used for briefly crisping the meat

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
(Optional Pro-Tip) Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Toss the diced meat in and sear until the edges turn golden brown (about 3 minutes). Let the meat cool completely.
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt.
Add the slightly cooled melted butter and milk to the dry ingredients. Use a silicone spatula to gently fold the mixture together. Stop the moment you can no longer see dry white flour.
Gently fold in the grated cheddar cheese and cooled diced ham into the shaggy dough.
Using a spring-loaded cookie scoop or two spoons, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave the tops rough and jagged; do not roll them smooth.
Bake on the middle rack for 10 to 12 minutes, checking at the 10-minute mark. Look for light golden-brown bottom edges and firm tops.
Remove from the oven and let sit on the tray for 2 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm.

Notes

Storage: Let cool fully, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Do not refrigerate. Reheat in an oven or toaster oven.
Make Ahead: Freeze raw scooped dough balls and bake straight from frozen, adding 3-4 extra minutes to the bake time.
Substitutions: Unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or buttermilk can be substituted for whole milk.

Keyword Drop biscuits, Easy Baking, Ham and Cheese