Ham and cheese drop biscuits are one of the fastest ways to get a warm, savory breakfast on the table. There’s no rolling or cutting involved, just mix, scoop, and bake.

These biscuits come out soft on the inside, with lightly crisp edges, and are loaded with diced ham and melted cheese in every bite. They’re filling enough to serve on their own, but also pair well with eggs, fruit, or a simple breakfast spread.
If you’ve been looking for an easy ham and cheese biscuits recipe that’s reliable and flexible, this one delivers consistent results every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No rolling or biscuit cutter needed
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Soft, fluffy centers with golden edges
- Uses simple pantry and fridge ingredients
- Great way to use leftover ham
- Easy to customize with different cheeses or add-ins
- Freezer-friendly for meal prep
What Is Ham and Cheese Drop Biscuits?
Ham and cheese drop biscuits are a quick biscuit variation where the dough is dropped by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet instead of rolled and cut.
This method creates a rustic biscuit with a tender interior and slightly crisp exterior. Adding ham and cheese turns a basic biscuit into a complete, savory breakfast option.
Drop biscuits are faster and more forgiving than traditional biscuits, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced cooks.

Ingredients (& What They Do)
** You can find the full recipe ingredients and instructions on the printable recipe card below.
- All-purpose flour – forms the base and structure
- Baking powder – gives the biscuits their rise and light texture
- Salt – enhances flavor throughout the dough
- Cold butter – creates tenderness and a soft crumb
- Milk – binds ingredients and hydrates the dough
- Cooked ham (diced) – adds savory flavor and protein
- Shredded cheddar cheese – melts into the dough for richness and texture

How to Make Ham and Cheese Drop Biscuits
- Preheat the oven
Set oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper [paid link]. - Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk [paid link] together flour, baking powder, and salt. - Cut in the butter
Add cold butter and work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. - Add ham and cheese
Stir in diced ham and shredded cheese until evenly distributed. - Add milk
Pour in milk and mix just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix. - Drop the dough
Scoop portions onto the baking sheet, spacing evenly. - Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until tops are golden brown. - Cool and serve
Let rest for a few minutes before serving warm.
Recipe Tips
- Keep butter cold for the best texture
- Mix only until combined to avoid dense biscuits
- Use a scoop for evenly sized portions
- Bake on the center rack for even cooking
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap cheddar for Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack
- Use turkey, sausage, or bacon instead of ham
- Add chopped green onions or chives
- Drizzle with honey for a sweet-savory option
- Make mini ham and cheese biscuits for parties
What Can Go Wrong (and how to fix it)
- Dense biscuits – overmixing; stop mixing once dough comes together
- Flat biscuits – expired baking powder; replace for proper rise
- Dry texture – too much flour; measure carefully
- Burned bottoms – pan too hot or thin; use parchment and adjust rack
- Uneven baking – uneven dough size; use a scoop for consistency

What to Serve With Ham and Cheese Drop Biscuits
- Scrambled eggs or omelets
- Fresh fruit or yogurt
- Breakfast casseroles
- Tomato or potato soup
- Simple green salad for lunch
Storage and Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat:
- Oven at 350°F for 5–8 minutes
- Microwave for 20–30 seconds
Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven.
Time-Saving Tips
- Use pre-diced ham
- Shred cheese in advance
- Mix dry ingredients ahead of time
- Freeze unbaked dough portions

How to Repurpose Leftovers
- Slice for breakfast sandwiches
- Serve with eggs for a quick meal
- Crumble into scrambles
- Use as a savory side for soups
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Can I make ham and cheese drop biscuits ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the dough and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze ham and cheese biscuits?
Yes. Freeze baked biscuits or raw dough portions for up to 2 months.
Can I use canned biscuits?
Yes. You can add ham and cheese to canned biscuit dough for a shortcut version.
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes. Air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, depending on size.
What cheese works best?
Cheddar is most common, but Swiss, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack all work well.

Final Thoughts
Ham and cheese drop biscuits are a practical, no-fuss recipe that fits into any routine. With simple ingredients and flexible variations, they’re a dependable option for breakfast, brunch, or meal prep.
LOADED HAM AND CHEESE BREAKFAST BISCUITS
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp butter , melted (divided) [See Note 1]
- 1 pound cubed ham
- 3 green onions , chopped (green part only)
- 4 eggs scrambled [See Note 2]
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese [See Note 3]
- 2/3 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional Garnish
- 1 tbsp butter , melted [See Note 1]
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a non-stick skillet, add the beaten eggs into the pan and cook to a soft scramble. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl [paid link] add the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Then add the milk and stir the mixture until all the flour is incorporated and a slightly sticky dough forms. Add the diced ham, green onions and cheese. Mix until incorporated.
- Now add the scrambled eggs and fold to combine.
- With a spoon, floured hands or an ice cream scoop, drop biscuits into the buttered cast iron skillet or sheet pan [paid link] making sure the biscuits touch sides for higher rising.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until biscuits are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Brush the tops of the hot biscuits with melted butter. Serve warm.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator. [See Note 4]
Notes
- Use 2 tbsp melted butter to oil the cast iron pan and the other 2 tbsp melted butter to brush the tops of the biscuits after they are finished baking.
- If you do not wish to add eggs, these may be omitted completely without consequence or substitution.
- If you do not have gruyere cheese you may substitute for plain Swiss, fontina, Gouda, or provolone. I like cheddar, too, but prefer these cheeses paired with the ham.
- These biscuits reheat well in the microwave. I generally use about 15-20 seconds on normal power.
Nutrition
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I made these this morning. Added the 2/3 C of milk, mixed, but the dough was super dry. So I added a bit more milk.
They took 6 minutes longer to cook. Once cooked, the dough was doughy. What did I do wrong?
These were great! We like cheddar bay biscuits and this reminded us of those but with the bonus of having ham!
Hi Reuben! My daughter loves the cheddar biscuits, too. We made some this weekend using a sharp New York cheddar and they were delicious. I will need to get that recipe up on the blog!
Made a ham for mother’s day and was looking for a way to use up some leftover ham. These were perfect. Thanks.
I was wondering if I could do this with canned biscuits. I thought perhaps if I cut the biscuits into 4-6 pieces and then follow the rest of the steps that this may work. Thoughts?
Hi Linda. Good question. I don’t think you could do it exactly as written substituting canned biscuits but I do think you could layer the cut biscuits with the other ingredients like a monkey bread in a loaf pan instead of the skillet. I have not tried this to know if it works for sure – but I see that Grands Biscuits has some recipes for cheesy garlic monkey bread that sounds similar.
Oh my goodness…how much can I pay you to bring me these this weekend??!!! :) I seriously need to try this recipe soon
Thank you, Karyl – and might I say your Portabello burgers look scrumptious!
These look absolutely delicious! Thanks for linking up at The Pretty Pintastic Party! We will be featuring your post this weekend, so stop by, grab a featured badge, and link up some more awesome posts!
Thank you, Jamie. Will do.