I learned classic biscuit‑making in a hands‑on class years ago, and this mayo biscuit version is my shortcut when I need biscuits fast without cutting in butter.
You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!
Living in the South has made me love a good ol’ biscuit, so much so that I even took a biscuit‑making class to learn how to make classic biscuits from scratch. When I have the time, I still love making those traditional biscuits, and I even make biscuits in the air fryer when I want to bake them fast.
Now, when I want a quick biscuit with almost no effort, I use this mayonnaise biscuit recipe. The mayonnaise provides all the fat you need for tender, fluffy biscuits. They come together fast. Just mix the ingredients, drop the dough on the pan, and bake. I love having this as an option I think you will too.
Love, Tanya
Mayonnaise Biscuits at a Glance
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: Under 30 minutes
- Serves: About 10 biscuits
- Best For: Quick weeknight sides, breakfast, or when you need biscuits fast without cutting in butter
A Quick Look at the Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Self-rising flour – gives the biscuits lift without needing separate baking powder and salt.
- Milk – whole milk is best for richness and tender texture.
- Mayonnaise – the star ingredient; it replaces the butter and provides fat, moisture, and flavor. I prefer to use Duke’s mayo for these biscuits, but any brand of mayonnaise will work.
- Sugar – adds a touch of sweetness and helps with browning.
- Salt – enhances all the flavors.
How to make mayonnaise biscuits
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix just until combined.
Step 3: Use a large cookie scoop to drop the biscuits by spoonful onto a greased baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 5: Remove and serve with your favorite toppings, such as butter or jam.
Tanya's Top Tips
These biscuits can be altered to match your tastes and preferences. Here are some tips and tricks that will help make this easy biscuit recipe.
- You can put these drop biscuits into muffin cups instead of on a baking sheet.
- Brush the tops with melted butter to make them golden brown.
- If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can use all-purpose flour. If you use all-purpose flour, mix in 3 teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of salt to it.
What can I add to these biscuits?
Stir in some basic ingredients that will pump up your mayo biscuits. There are so many delicious options to choose from! Use these ideas to get started or choose your own.
- Jalapenos
- Cheese; goat cheese, fontina, parmesan cheese, cheddar
- Green onions
- Minced garlic or garlic powder
- Herbs like parsley, thyme, sage, dill, rosemary
- Bacon
- Cinnamon sugar
Topping ideas
The best part about these particular biscuits is that you can top them with sweet or savory ingredients. Choose what you're in the mood for, and go for it!
Here are some tasty options that you can try:
- Jams and Jellies
- Marmalade
- Butter
- Apple butter
- Blueberry compote
- Whipped cream
How to serve mayonnaise biscuits
Mayonnaise biscuits are a southern tradition served by themselves or paired with other simple ingredients.
Cut them in half and make a classic sandwich with a fried egg, spinach, ham, asparagus, or sausage gravy.
You can pair them with main courses like smothered pork chops, air fryer bone-in chicken breasts, or marinated air fryer salmon.
How to store
Store: Keep leftover homemade biscuits in an airtight container or large freezer bag on the counter for three days or in the fridge for up to one week.
Freeze: These mayonnaise rolls can easily be frozen to save for later. You can make a big batch and serve them with breakfast or dinner any day of the week.
To freeze them, lay the biscuits in a single layer on a sheet pan, freeze them for 30 minutes, and then place them in a gallon-size bag back in the freezer.
I hope you love these biscuits as much as we do. If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Mayonnaise Biscuits
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix just until combined.
- Use a large cookie scoop to drop the biscuits by spoonful onto a greased baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove and serve with favorite toppings, like butter or jam.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- I prefer to use Duke’s mayo for these biscuits but any brand of mayonnaise should work.
- If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can use all-purpose flour. If you use all-purpose flour, mix in 3 teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of salt to it.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This post was originally published on August 16, 2022, and has been updated with new content and tips.
Wendy Conroy says
There is no way this recipe works with 2 cups of self rising flour! Should it be three cups?
Tanya Harris says
Hi Wendy, it works with the 2 cups I used. These are drop biscuits, not folding biscuits. They won't be firm enough to cut. I'm guessing that is what you may be trying to do. Please let me know so I can figure out why it's not working for you. Thanks.
Kristina says
Odličan ukus, uz niz alternativnih varijanti. Može se staviti različiti nadevi ili se jesti kao hlepčić. Jednostavna i brza priprema i pečenje !
Super !
Tanya says
Thanks so much for the kind words, Kristina. I hope you don't mind, I translated the words so my English speaker readers can see your review and tips as well.
Puno ti hvala na lijepim riječima, Kristina. Nadam se da ti ne smeta, prevela sam riječi kako bi i moji čitatelji koji govore engleski mogli vidjeti tvoju recenziju i savjete.
Review: Great taste, with a variety of alternative variations. Can be filled with different fillings or eaten as a bun. Easy and quick to prepare and bake!
Great!
Connie says
Tanya,
thank you soooo much for sharing this recipe. I had a friend who used to make them many years ago and even though I loved them, somehow I forgot about them over the years. Seeing Mayonnaise Biscuit Recipe in your email brought back great memories and I made some right away. They were delicious!
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Connie! That makes me so happy! Glad you are apart of the email list and glad you enjoyed the biscuits.
James Duckett says
Why not in an air fryer?
Tanya says
Thanks James! This can be done in the air fryer too, I just have more room in the oven for these drop biscuits. I would drop the temp in the air fryer to 375F and cook for about 10 minutes. I'd also use a parchment paper liner too, but make sure to drop the dough on the liner before air frying.
Bonnie says
If you don't have whole milk can you substitute evaporated milk? All I have is 2% milk.
Tanya says
Hi Bonnie, evaporated milk should work fine, but the texture may be slighlty different.
Michelle says
Easy and quick but not as good as the biscuits grandma made seemed like they were missing flavor.
diana.mckinsey says
I'm not a big fan of biscuits but thought I would try this. They're great! Going to use this recipe from now on.
Tanya says
Thanks, Diana! So happy you like the biscuits!
Cathy says
I add these years ago, but it had been so long that I forgot the recipe. This recipe was perfect, and my grandsons loved them!
Tanya says
Thanks Cathy! So happy you liked them.
Dan Laren says
I really want to try your Mayonnaise Biscuits but am away from our home for the winter with no access to an oven. Any chance for an air fry recipe? D
Tanya says
Hi Dan, I have this recipe for biscuits in the air fryer. https://www.myforkinglife.com/homemade-air-fryer-biscuits/
Lela Wright says
Yummy food 😋