Okay, biscuit fans, listen up! There’s something special about that buttery, flaky, golden yumminess. You know the sensation of that warm hug in a golden circle, the crunchy POP of a can, and in 20 minutes, you’ve got the ingredients for a killer egg sandwich, the ultimate chili side dish, or a canvas for that favorite jam.
After years in kitchens and behind the keyboard writing about food, I’ve become a firm believer in the power of shortcuts. And when it comes to biscuits, store-bought options can be total game-changers. Forget the butter-flour dance these ready-to-bake varieties promise near-homemade satisfaction in record time.
I subjected six well-known brands to a head-to-head taste test, backed up by a larger panel that tried 13 contenders. Some blew us away, some bombed, and one totally stole the day and no, it wasn’t the name brand in your fridge today. Let’s dive into the flaky, buttery realm of canned biscuits with these standouts.
1. Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers: The Flakiness Standard
Let’s discuss perfection. Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers are about as close to biscuit royalty as you can get. As soon as you hear that can pop, you know something fine is on its way. Fresh from the oven, they come out tall, golden, and layered in a manner that invites you to tear them apart.
Our panel gobbled these up quicker than any others. They get just the right balance firm enough for toppings, but fluffy and light. Every bite is rich in buttery taste that pairs well with sweet and savory companions.
Their consistency, excellent price point, and wide ease of access make them the favorite of biscuit devotees everywhere. If you haven’t tried these yet, it’s time.
2. Immaculate Organic Flaky Biscuits: Clean and Convincing
Immaculate Organic Flaky Biscuits truly astounded us. The taste and texture are reminiscent of something prepared from scratch. These biscuits flake apart beautifully into rewarding layers and provide a rich, natural butter flavor without strange aftertastes.
While they come at a premium price, the reward is worth it. If you’re looking to impress or just prefer a better-for-you product, Immaculate gets the task done. You may even trick some guests into believing they’re homemade.
3. Annie’s Organic Flaky Biscuits: Decadent and Worth It
Annie’s Organic Flaky Biscuits arrived out of nowhere like a dark horse. Another panel ranked Pillsbury first, but Annie’s swept our panel and we can see why. They’re rich, flaky, and incredibly satisfying.
These are the type of biscuits you don’t have to butter they’re so full of flavor. Testers enjoyed the crispy golden crust and soft interior, and the use of organic ingredients provided an added measure of reassurance. With minimal effort (and no effort in the kitchen), they’ll lead your guests to believe you’ve made them from scratch.
4. Mason Dixie Buttermilk Biscuits: Nearly Homemade
If you want a biscuit that really replicates homemade, Mason Dixie is your go-to. These cook up with a stunning crust, buttery interior, and richness that feels homemade.
Started by a chef who cares about ready-made quality, this company keeps ingredients and flavor first. While more expensive and heavier on the packaging front, these biscuits are worth it. For brunch service or comfort food dinner, they’re a great idea.
5. Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Biscuits: Moist and Memorable
Trader Joe’s devotees, rejoice. Their Buttermilk Biscuits are distinguished by a spongy, moist texture that’s uniquely different. Although not the flakiest on our list, they’re dense, remain good under toppings, and are soft even after cooling.
They have genuine dairy flavor and a touch of tang from the buttermilk. If you’re looking for a lighter, more robust biscuit with attitude, this is the one.
6. Pillsbury Butter Tastin’ Biscuits: Aroma Meets Taste
Not many biscuits made our kitchens waft with aroma. Pillsbury’s Butter Tastin’ ones don’t just deliver on the scent they do so on the flavor front, as well. Tear one open and you’ll get steam and flake layers that look like the actual thing.
They’re dense, they’re soft, and they’re full of buttery taste, so they’re ideal for dinner baskets or breakfast sides. Out of Pillsbury’s numerous biscuit choices, this one stands out as the best for convenience and indulgence.
7. Pillsbury Southern Homestyle: Hearty and Savory
Pillsbury’s Southern Homestyle biscuits are for when you want something sturdier. They’re less flimsy than their flaky relatives, but that’s the beauty they’re meant to stand up to gravy, sausage, or eggs.
The texture has a slightly chewy quality, more like a dinner roll, with a mild buttermilk taste. They won’t be fancy enough to win awards for flakiness, but when you’re craving a biscuit that stands its ground, they come through.
8. Bake House Creations (Aldi): Budget-Friendly and Decent
Aldi’s Bake House Creations are a solid surprise. They rise well, smell great, and have a decent bite. The flakiness is modest, and the butter flavor mild, but they’re more than serviceable.
At this price point, they offer real value. Pair them with gravy, jam, or use them in breakfast sandwiches they’ll hold their own.
9. Kroger: Simple and Satisfying
Kroger’s store-brand biscuits get the taste budget just right. Not gourmet but with a clean buttery taste and solid structure. No artificial strangeness just a biscuit that performs.
They brown well, support toppings, and are good for daily use. For budget-conscious families, these are a reliable standby.
10. Harris Teeter: Looks Great, Tastes. Less Great
These biscuits were somewhat of a paradox. Aesthetically, they were terrific: tall, golden, and puffy. But the taste was different dry, bland, and eerily missing.
There’s a shortage of buttery and a dryness that necessitates copious gravy or jam in order to make them palatable. They are the part but don’t quite play the part.
11. Signature Select: All Hype, Little Flavor
Signature Select biscuits at Safeway and Albertsons promised us with visible layers, but the taste disappointed. They’re all about an uncooked dough flavor, with barely a hint of butter.
They’re fine with heavy toppings, but not much else. In a crunch, they’ll get the job done. Otherwise, there are better choices.
12. Great Value (Walmart): The Budget Biscuit to Skip
Price-wise, these are hard to beat. Unfortunately, the flavor and texture reflect that. They’re dense, lack flakiness, and have a faint metallic aftertaste that lingers.
Even with generous toppings, they’re tough to redeem. If possible, steer clear there are much better biscuits just a shelf away.
NOTE:
And there you have it, biscuit enthusiasts your guide to the good, the unexpected, and the avoid. Whether you’re preparing breakfast, brunch, or a casserole topped with biscuits, there’s an option here for you. Just hear that nice pop, and may your next biscuit bake turn out golden, buttery, and absolutely worth it.
