Store-bought biscuits are a convenient alternative to homemade, but quality varies widely. A recent taste test of seven popular brands revealed clear winners in both plain and buttermilk categories, with insights into texture, flavor, and ingredient quality. This guide cuts through the noise, helping you choose the best option for breakfast, sandwiches, or a quick snack.
The Taste Test: How We Found the Best
Our editors blind-tested refrigerated and frozen biscuits from widely available brands, evaluating them based on flakiness, tenderness, exterior crispness, and balanced flavor. Biscuits were baked according to package directions, then sampled in a randomized order to avoid bias.
Key Criteria:
- Texture: Tender, flaky layers that pull apart easily.
- Flavor: Buttery, but not overly greasy, with a balanced sweet-savory profile for plain biscuits and a subtle tang for buttermilk.
- Appearance: Golden-brown exterior with good browning.
The Winners: Standout Performance
Plain Biscuits: Immaculate Baking Organic Flaky Biscuits earned the top spot. Testers praised its “nice crunch” and “toasty” flavor, with a balance of sweetness and saltiness. The texture was described as “tender inside with actual layers.”
Buttermilk Biscuits: Magnolia Table Jo’s Buttermilk Frozen Biscuits took the crown despite being noted as “nauseatingly buttery” by some. The richness and dense, buttery flavor ultimately won over tasters.
Runners-Up: Worth Considering
Plain Biscuits: Trader Joe’s Organic Biscuits were a close second. Testers appreciated the “buttery” flavor and “pleasant aftertaste,” though some found them slightly dry.
Buttermilk Biscuits: Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit Buttermilk Biscuits were a favorite among tasters, offering a “Southern diner biscuit” experience with a slightly doughy texture but satisfying buttery flavor.
What’s Inside? Ingredients Matter
All tested biscuits share core ingredients: flour, water, sugar, salt, leaveners (baking powder/soda), and fat. Many include additives like xanthan gum, mono and diglycerides, and preservatives.
- Palm Oil: Present in the winning plain biscuit (Immaculate Baking), a common ingredient in processed foods.
- Dairy Enrichment: Magnolia Table (buttermilk winner) and Callie’s (runner-up) use cream cheese and sour cream, respectively, instead of palm oil.
The Verdict: Convenience Without Compromise
While no store-bought biscuit matches homemade quality, several deliver a satisfying experience. The tested brands proved that convenience doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or texture. Whether slathered with butter or drenched in gravy, these biscuits make a quick, tasty addition to any meal.
The testing methodology ensures unbiased results. Tasters sample blind, in random order, and rank samples using structured criteria. This minimizes fatigue and ensures fair comparisons.
