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Breakfast Protein Biscuits Recipe


  • Author: Katherine

Ingredients

  • All-Purpose Flour (2 Cups): The foundation of our biscuits, all-purpose flour provides structure and that classic biscuit texture. It’s readily available and creates a tender crumb.

    • SEO Optimization Note: When mentioning “all-purpose flour,” we can naturally weave in related keywords like “biscuit flour,” “baking flour,” and “wheat flour.”
    • Variations and Considerations:

      • Gluten-Free Option: For those with gluten sensitivities or Celiac disease, a gluten-free all-purpose blend works wonderfully. Ensure it’s a blend specifically designed for baking, containing ingredients like rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour or King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour are excellent choices. Using gluten-free flour might slightly alter the texture, often resulting in a slightly denser biscuit. You may need to experiment with adding a touch more liquid if the dough feels too dry.
      • Whole Wheat Flour: For a nuttier flavor and increased fiber content, you can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Whole wheat flour is denser than all-purpose, so using 100% whole wheat might result in heavier biscuits. A 50/50 blend offers a good balance of texture and nutritional benefits. Remember that whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid, so you might need to slightly increase the milk or liquid in the recipe.
      • Pastry Flour: If you desire exceptionally tender and delicate biscuits, pastry flour is your secret weapon. It has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour, resulting in a more melt-in-your-mouth texture. However, pastry flour might make the biscuits slightly less sturdy, so it’s best used in combination with all-purpose flour or on its own if you’re comfortable with a more delicate biscuit.

  • Protein Powder (1/2 Cup): This is where the “protein” in Breakfast Protein Biscuits truly shines! Protein powder not only boosts the protein content, making these biscuits a more satisfying and sustaining breakfast option, but it also adds a subtle flavor and can influence the texture.

    • SEO Optimization Note: Incorporate terms like “whey protein,” “casein protein,” “plant-based protein,” “vegan protein powder,” “protein powder for baking,” and “high-protein breakfast.”
    • Variations and Considerations:

      • Whey Protein: Whey protein is a popular choice due to its mild flavor and excellent protein profile. Whey protein isolate is a purer form with less fat and lactose, while whey protein concentrate is slightly less processed and may have a creamier texture. Vanilla or unflavored whey protein works best in biscuits.
      • Casein Protein: Casein protein digests slower than whey, providing sustained protein release. It can sometimes make baked goods slightly denser. Vanilla or unflavored casein protein is suitable.
      • Plant-Based Protein (Vegan Protein Powder): For vegan or dairy-free biscuits, opt for plant-based protein powders like pea protein, brown rice protein, soy protein, or a blend of plant proteins. Be mindful that plant-based protein powders can sometimes have a stronger flavor and may affect the texture more significantly than whey or casein. Pea protein, for example, can sometimes have a slightly earthy taste. Look for vanilla or unflavored options and consider brands specifically designed for baking. Blends often provide a better flavor and texture profile in baking.
      • Flavor Considerations: Unflavored or vanilla protein powder is generally recommended to avoid overpowering the biscuit flavor. However, if you enjoy a specific flavor, like chocolate or peanut butter, you can experiment with flavored protein powders, keeping in mind that they will alter the overall taste profile of your biscuits.

  • Baking Powder (2 Tablespoons): The leavening agent responsible for the light and fluffy texture of our biscuits. Baking powder is a combination of baking soda and an acid, which reacts when moistened and heated, releasing carbon dioxide gas that creates air pockets and makes the biscuits rise.

    • SEO Optimization Note: Include terms like “leavening agent,” “biscuit raising agent,” “baking powder for biscuits,” and “how to make biscuits fluffy.”
    • Variations and Considerations:

      • Freshness is Key: Ensure your baking powder is fresh. An expired or old baking powder will lose its potency and result in flat, dense biscuits. To test its freshness, place a teaspoon of baking powder in a cup of hot water. It should fizz vigorously if it’s still active.
      • Double-Acting Baking Powder: Most baking powders are double-acting, meaning they react twice – once when mixed with liquid and again when heated in the oven. This is ideal for biscuits, providing a good rise.

  • Salt (1 Teaspoon): Salt enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients in the biscuits and balances the sweetness if you choose to add sugar. It also plays a role in gluten development, contributing to the texture.

    • SEO Optimization Note: Use terms like “flavor enhancer,” “baking salt,” and “salt in biscuits.”
    • Variations and Considerations:

      • Table Salt vs. Sea Salt vs. Kosher Salt: While table salt is fine, kosher salt or sea salt often provide a cleaner, less metallic taste. If using kosher salt, you might need to slightly increase the amount as it’s less dense than table salt.
      • Salt-Free Option: If you are on a low-sodium diet, you can reduce or omit the salt, but be aware that it will affect the overall flavor profile of the biscuits, making them taste less complex.

  • Sugar or Sweetener (1-2 Tablespoons, Optional): Adding a touch of sweetness is optional but recommended to balance the savory elements and enhance the overall palatability of the biscuits. The amount can be adjusted to your preference.

    • SEO Optimization Note: Incorporate terms like “biscuit sweetener,” “sugar for biscuits,” “healthy sweeteners,” “low-sugar biscuits,” and “sugar alternatives.”
    • Variations and Considerations:

      • Granulated Sugar: Classic granulated sugar provides a clean sweetness.
      • Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar adds a hint of molasses flavor and a slightly moister texture.
      • Honey or Maple Syrup: Liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup can be used, but you might need to slightly reduce the amount of milk in the recipe to maintain the dough consistency. They also add a distinctive flavor.
      • Sugar Substitutes (Sugar-Free Options): For sugar-free biscuits, use sugar substitutes like erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit sweetener. Adjust the amount to your desired sweetness level, as different sugar substitutes have varying sweetness intensities. Be mindful that some sugar substitutes can have a slightly different aftertaste.

  • Cold Butter, Unsalted (1/2 Cup, 1 Stick): Cold butter is crucial for creating flaky biscuits. When cold butter is incorporated into the dough and then baked, the water in the butter turns to steam, creating pockets of air that result in layers and flakiness. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the biscuits.

    • SEO Optimization Note: Use terms like “cold butter for biscuits,” “flaky biscuits,” “biscuit fat,” “butter in biscuits,” and “dairy-free butter substitutes.”
    • Variations and Considerations:

      • Dairy-Free Butter Substitutes (Vegan Option): For dairy-free or vegan biscuits, use cold vegan butter sticks or solid coconut oil. Ensure they are solid and cold, mimicking the properties of butter. Vegan butter sticks often behave very similarly to dairy butter in baking. Solid coconut oil, if used, might impart a subtle coconut flavor.
      • Lard or Shortening: Traditionally, lard or shortening were used in biscuits for their ability to create flakiness. They are still viable options, especially if you prefer a more classic biscuit texture. Shortening is a vegetable fat that is solid at room temperature and can be used as a direct substitute for butter in biscuits, often resulting in very tender biscuits. Lard, rendered pork fat, also creates incredibly flaky and flavorful biscuits, but it has a distinct flavor that may not be for everyone.

  • Cold Milk (3/4 Cup): Cold milk is the liquid component that brings the dough together. It hydrates the dry ingredients, activates the baking powder, and contributes to the moisture and tenderness of the biscuits.

    • SEO Optimization Note: Include terms like “cold milk for biscuits,” “biscuit liquid,” “dairy-free milk,” “milk substitutes,” and “how to make biscuit dough.”
    • Variations and Considerations:

      • Dairy-Free Milk (Vegan Option): Almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or any other unsweetened, plant-based milk work perfectly as dairy-free substitutes. Oat milk, in particular, often has a creamier texture that can enhance the biscuit’s tenderness.
      • Buttermilk: For a tangier flavor and extra tender biscuits, substitute regular milk with buttermilk. Buttermilk’s acidity reacts with the baking powder, contributing to a softer crumb and a slightly tangy taste. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to ¾ cup of regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly.
      • Heavy Cream: For incredibly rich and decadent biscuits, you can use heavy cream instead of milk. Heavy cream will create very tender and moist biscuits, but they will also be higher in fat.


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet (10 minutes): Start by preheating your oven to 450°F (232°C). This high temperature is crucial for achieving a good rise and golden-brown crust on your biscuits. While the oven is preheating, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents the biscuits from sticking and makes cleanup easier. Parchment paper is preferred as it helps with browning on the bottom.

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  2. Combine Dry Ingredients (5 minutes): In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), protein powder, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if using). Whisking ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is essential for consistent leavening and flavor in every biscuit. Make sure to break up any clumps in the protein powder to ensure a smooth mixture.

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  3. Cut in Cold Butter (10 minutes): This is a critical step for achieving flaky biscuits. Cut the cold butter into small cubes. Add the cold, cubed butter to the bowl of dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or two knives, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. The goal is to keep the butter cold and in small pieces. These pieces of butter will create steam pockets during baking, resulting in layers and flakiness. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.

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    • Tip: If your kitchen is warm, you can chill the dry ingredients and butter in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before starting this step to ensure everything stays cold.

  4. Add Cold Milk and Mix Gently (3-5 minutes): Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the cold milk. Using a fork or spatula, gently mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing develops gluten, which can result in tough biscuits. The dough should be slightly shaggy and a little sticky. It’s okay if there are still some streaks of flour.

    • SEO Optimization Note: Use terms like “adding milk to biscuit dough,” “mixing biscuit dough,” “how to mix biscuit dough,” “overmixing biscuit dough,” “tender biscuit dough,” and “biscuit dough consistency.”
    • Important: Resist the urge to knead the dough like bread dough. Gentle mixing is key to tender biscuits.

  5. Turn Out Dough and Shape (5-7 minutes): Lightly flour a clean work surface. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a ¾ to 1-inch thick rectangle or circle. Use a biscuit cutter (round or square, about 2-3 inches in diameter) or a sharp knife to cut out biscuits. For round biscuits, cut straight down with the cutter, avoiding twisting, as twisting can seal the edges and prevent them from rising properly. If using a knife, cut square biscuits for minimal dough waste.

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    • Re-rolling Scraps (Optional but less ideal): Gently press the dough scraps together to cut out more biscuits. However, re-rolled dough will be tougher than the first-cut biscuits, as it has been worked more. For the best texture, aim to get as many biscuits as possible from the first cut.

  6. Arrange on Baking Sheet and Bake (12-15 minutes): Place the cut biscuits onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them for even baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top and cooked through. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a biscuit; it should come out clean.

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  7. Cool Slightly and Serve (5 minutes): Once baked, remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. This allows them to set slightly and makes them easier to handle. Serve warm and enjoy!

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Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 220-280 kcal
  • Sugar: 1-3 grams
  • Sodium: 200-300 mg
  • Fat: 10-15 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 6-9 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 25-35 grams
  • Fiber: 1-3 grams
  • Protein: 12-18 grams
  • Cholesterol: 30-50 mg