Why You’ll Adore This Vegan Biscuits Recipe

These vegan biscuits aren’t just a simple substitute; they’re a delicious experience unto themselves. Here’s why this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen:

• Incredibly Inclusive for All Diets. This vegan biscuit recipe is naturally dairy-free, making it perfect for anyone with allergies, sensitivities, or those following a plant-based lifestyle. I’ve even had success making them with gluten-free flour (though they tend to rise a little less), offering flexibility for even more dietary needs. This ensures everyone at your table can indulge in a warm, comforting biscuit with their meal.
• Effortlessly Simple and Quick to Prepare. Don’t let their impressive texture fool you – these vegan biscuits are surprisingly easy to make. Requiring only 7 basic ingredients, they come together in a flash. From start to finish, you can have these flaky, golden-brown beauties ready to serve in just about 25 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
• Achieve Authentic Flakiness and Rich Buttery Flavor. You might wonder if vegan biscuits can truly rival their traditional counterparts in taste and texture. The answer is a resounding yes! These biscuits boast incredible layers of flakiness and a deep, buttery flavor that is every bit as satisfying and decadent as any classic recipe. They are truly a testament to how good plant-based baking can be.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Vegan Biscuits

To create the best possible vegan biscuits, understanding the role of each ingredient is key. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:

For precise quantities and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the detailed recipe card below.

• All-Purpose Flour – You’ll need approximately 2 cups for the dough itself, plus a little extra for dusting your work surface and biscuit cutter. Using good quality all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure. While the original recipe has been updated from a gluten-free version, some readers have still found success with gluten-free all-purpose blends, though results may vary in terms of rise.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda – These two leavening agents work in tandem to give your biscuits their signature rise and airy, flaky texture. Baking powder provides the initial lift, while baking soda reacts with the acidic vinegar to create additional bubbles, contributing to that irresistible fluffiness. Always ensure your leavening agents are fresh; you can test them first to guarantee they’re still active.
• Sea Salt – A pinch of sea salt is crucial for balancing the flavors and enhancing the overall taste of your biscuits. Remember that sea salt typically has larger crystals and a less intense flavor than fine table salt. If you’re substituting with table salt, reduce the amount slightly to avoid over-salting the dough.
• Very Cold Vegan Butter – This is arguably the most critical ingredient for achieving flaky biscuits. The vegan butter must be extremely cold, almost frozen. As the biscuits bake, these tiny pockets of cold butter melt, releasing steam and creating distinct layers in the dough. This process is what gives biscuits their characteristic flakiness. Cutting or grating the cold butter into small pieces helps distribute it evenly.
• Cold Vegan Milk – Just like the butter, cold vegan milk helps maintain the low temperature of the dough, which is essential for preventing the butter from melting prematurely. Any unsweetened plant-based milk (soy, almond, oat) will work well. The cold liquid also helps to create a tender biscuit structure.
• Vinegar – Whether you use regular white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, this ingredient plays a vital role. It reacts with the baking soda to create carbon dioxide, contributing to the biscuit’s rise. Furthermore, the vinegar adds a subtle tang, closely mimicking the flavor profile and tenderness of traditional buttermilk biscuits.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Fluffy Vegan Biscuits

Follow these detailed steps to create perfectly light and flaky vegan biscuits every time:

• Prepare Your Oven, Butter, and Baking Sheet. Begin by preheating your oven to a precise 425°F (220°C). This high temperature is crucial for the biscuits to rise quickly and create those desirable flaky layers. While the oven preheats, place your vegan butter in the freezer to ensure it’s as cold as possible. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or a piece of well-greased parchment paper. A silicone mat is highly recommended for its non-stick properties and consistent baking. It’s important not to start mixing your dough until the oven is fully preheated to prevent the butter from warming up.
• Curdle the Vegan Milk and Vinegar. In a small bowl or jar, combine the apple cider vinegar and the cold vegan milk. Stir them gently. You’ll notice the milk beginning to curdle, which is exactly what you want! This creates a vegan “buttermilk” that reacts with the baking soda to give your biscuits an excellent rise and a subtle tang. Set this mixture aside.
• Whisk Dry Ingredients and Incorporate Cold Butter. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. This ensures all the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed. Next, add the very cold vegan butter. You can either cut it into small chunks using a knife or a pastry cutter, or for even finer distribution, grate the cold butter directly into the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter, a fork, or even your fingertips (working quickly to avoid warming the butter), mix everything until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs with visible pea-sized pieces of butter throughout.
• Gently Mix in the Milk Mixture. Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients. Pour in the curdled vegan milk mixture. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, gently fold and stir the ingredients together. Be careful not to overmix! You’re aiming for a “shaggy” dough – it should look somewhat messy and come together in a loose ball. It should not be dry, nor should it be overly wet, though a slight stickiness is perfectly fine. Minimal handling keeps the biscuits tender.

• Create Layers with Folding. Lightly flour a clean, flat surface and dust your hands with flour. Turn the shaggy dough out onto the prepared surface. Gently pat and form the dough into a rough 1-inch thick rectangle. Sprinkle a bit more flour on top, then fold one third of the dough over the middle, and then the remaining third over that (like folding a letter). Press it down gently with your hands to form a flat rectangle again. Turn the dough 90 degrees, and repeat the folding and flattening process. Do this up to 5 times. This crucial step develops distinct layers within the dough, which translate into incredibly flaky biscuits once baked. Always finish with a rectangular dough that is at least 1 inch high.

• Cut Out Your Biscuits. Using a biscuit cutter, a drinking glass, or even the lid of a mason jar, cut out your biscuits. Press the cutting tool straight down into the dough; *do not twist* it, as twisting can seal the edges and inhibit the layers from rising properly. Place the cut biscuits onto your prepared baking sheet, positioning them so they are just touching each other. This slight contact encourages them to rise taller. Re-gather any dough scraps, gently press them together (avoid overworking!), and cut out any remaining biscuits until you have a total of 6.
• Bake to Golden Perfection. Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven and bake for 15 to 17 minutes. The biscuits are ready when they are beautifully golden brown on top and have puffed up significantly. Once removed from the oven, you can brush them with a little extra melted vegan butter for an added touch of richness and shine. Allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving warm. Enjoy the fresh aroma and taste of homemade vegan biscuits!

More Southern Vegan Recipes to Love

If you enjoyed these vegan biscuits, you’ll love exploring more delicious plant-based takes on Southern classics:

• Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
• Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
• Southern Sweet Tea
• Cornbread Pudding
• Vegan Fried Chicken

Ingredients

Equipment

• Oven
• Baking Sheet
• Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Small Bowl or Jar
• Whisk
• Pastry Cutter, Fork, or Hands
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula
• Biscuit Cutter (or similar round cutter)

Instructions 

Notes

Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.