Savory Ham and Cheese Biscuit Recipe for Breakfast or Brunch

These drop biscuit–style breakfast biscuits are packed with ham and cheddar for a savory, satisfying bite. Ham and cheese biscuits are a great way to use leftover ham and make a quick, delicious breakfast any morning of the week.

I’ll admit I wasn’t always a ham person. Holiday hams used to leave me underwhelmed, and I often avoided them at dinner. Over time my tastes changed, and I learned to appreciate the rich, salty, slightly sweet profile of a well-prepared ham. The downside is the inevitable surplus of leftovers. That’s where these ham and cheese biscuits come in — they turn extra ham into something warm, tender, and full of flavor.

These biscuits are adapted from my classic drop biscuit recipe, prized for a short ingredient list and quick bake time. The finished biscuits are tender and fluffy, and you can have them on the table in about 30 minutes. Serve them with sweet potato kale hash, roasted potatoes, or simple scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast.

What’s in this Cheddar Ham Biscuits Recipe?

Drop biscuits are wonderfully straightforward. Along with the usual flour, milk, melted butter, salt, and baking powder, all you need is ham and cheddar. That’s it — simple pantry basics plus a bit of protein and cheese turn ordinary biscuits into something special.

There’s plenty of room for variation depending on the type of ham you have on hand. Here are a few practical tips:

• Thin deli-style ham: Cut into short strips or small squares. They can clump a bit in the dough without issue, or briefly sauté in a bit of oil for a crispier bite.
• Thick holiday ham or large chunks: For leftover holiday ham, consider caramelizing the pieces briefly in a hot skillet with a touch of oil. That quick browning enhances texture and concentrates the ham flavor.

Any cheddar works — or use another oven-friendly, meltable cheese you enjoy with ham. Aim for cheeses with good flavor that melt nicely during baking.

How to Make Ham and Cheese Biscuits

These are very easy. Whisk the dry ingredients, stir in the milk and melted butter to form a soft dough, then fold in the ham and cheese. Drop or scoop the dough onto a prepared baking sheet and bake until the bottoms are light golden and the tops feel set.

To get the best results:

• Preheat the oven first — the dough comes together quickly and you’ll want the oven ready.
• Handle warm ingredients carefully — if you crisp the ham or melt the butter, allow them to cool slightly before adding so they don’t change the dough consistency.
• Use thick shreds of cheese for more flavor in each bite; fine shreds can disappear into the dough.
• Don’t overmix. Stir just until there are no dry flour pockets. Overworking makes biscuits tough instead of tender.
• Drop the dough intentionally with a cookie scoop, two spoons, or gentle fingers — the biscuits won’t reshape while baking, so what you drop is what you get.
• Avoid overbaking. The tops may not brown deeply; check that the bottoms are a light golden and the tops feel slightly firm.

FAQ’S

Eat & Enjoy!

I hope you find these ham and cheese biscuits as easy and delicious as I do. They’re excellent served warm with a runny fried egg and a good cup of coffee, and they make cozy comfort food on a chilly morning. Have fun baking and enjoy!

• Ham and Cheese Biscuits