How many calories do homemade biscuits have?

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

A typical homemade buttermilk biscuit can contain between 200 and 300 calories, depending heavily on the ingredients and preparation. The exact number of calories for how many calories do homemade biscuits have varies widely, influenced by the type and quantity of flour, fat, and liquid used.

Quick Summary

The calorie count of homemade biscuits varies based on ingredients like flour, butter, and milk. Recipes differ significantly, from traditional high-fat versions to lighter variations using yogurt or less butter. Key factors include the amount of fat used and the type of flour. Health-conscious bakers can modify recipes for a lower-calorie result.

Key Points

Variable Calories: The calorie count for homemade biscuits is not fixed and varies significantly based on the recipe's ingredients.
Fat is a Key Factor: The amount and type of fat (butter, shortening, or oil) heavily influence the final calorie count, as fat contains 9 calories per gram.
Lighter Alternatives Exist: Recipes using substitutions like nonfat Greek yogurt instead of butter can drastically reduce calories and fat.
Whole Wheat is Healthier: Swapping refined white flour for whole-wheat flour can increase fiber and provide more nutrients per serving.
Portion Control is Effective: A simple way to manage calorie intake is to bake smaller biscuits or limit the number consumed.
Texture Trade-Off: Reducing fat in a recipe will alter the characteristic flaky texture of a traditional biscuit, often resulting in a softer crumb.
Add-Ins Increase Calories: Any extra ingredients like cheese, sugar, or fruit will add to the total calorie content of the biscuit.

Understanding the Calories in Homemade Biscuits

Homemade biscuits are a classic comfort food, but their nutritional profile, particularly the calorie count, is highly dependent on the recipe used. While an average homemade biscuit might fall in the 200–300 calorie range, variations in flour, fat, and other additions can dramatically shift this number. A typical standard recipe relies on all-purpose flour, a generous amount of butter or shortening, and buttermilk or milk. The combination of refined carbohydrates from the flour and saturated fats from the butter makes them a calorie-dense food. Understanding the impact of each ingredient is key to controlling the final calorie count.

The Calorie Impact of Key Ingredients

Flour, butter, and milk are the foundational ingredients for most biscuit recipes. Each contributes significantly to the total calories. Refined all-purpose flour is primarily carbohydrates and adds a substantial number of calories. Butter, or other solid fats like shortening, is the most calorie-dense ingredient, providing 9 calories per gram. The fat is essential for achieving the characteristic flaky, tender texture, but it also contributes heavily to the final energy content. The type of liquid used also plays a role; full-fat buttermilk or milk will add more calories than a low-fat or fat-free version. Any additions like cheese, sugar, or fruit will increase the calories and sugar content further.

Comparing Different Biscuit Recipes and Calories

The following table illustrates how different preparation methods and ingredients can impact the calories in homemade biscuits.


Recipe Type	Key Ingredients	Approximate Calories (per biscuit)	Key Calorie Sources
Traditional Buttermilk	All-purpose flour, ample cold butter, full-fat buttermilk	250–330+ kcal	High butter content, refined flour
Low-Fat Yogurt	Self-rising flour, nonfat Greek yogurt, no butter/oil	~135 kcal	Less fat due to yogurt substitution
Whole Wheat	Whole wheat flour, reduced butter, buttermilk	~190–220 kcal	Whole wheat flour (more fiber), less fat
Sourdough Biscuits	Sourdough starter, flour, butter	Varies (similar to traditional)	Refined flour, butter; specific recipe varies
Drop Biscuits	All-purpose flour, milk, reduced butter	~180–240 kcal	Less butter used compared to rolled biscuits

Strategies for Reducing Calories in Homemade Biscuits

For those who want to enjoy homemade biscuits without the high-calorie count, several modifications can be made. The primary strategy is reducing the amount of fat. Some recipes replace traditional butter with a lower-fat alternative like nonfat Greek yogurt. While this may slightly change the texture, it drastically cuts down on fat and calories. Another method is to use whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. The increased fiber in whole-wheat flour can help promote a feeling of fullness, which can lead to eating fewer biscuits. Using low-fat or fat-free buttermilk or milk, and even reducing the overall portion size, are other effective ways to lower the calorie impact. Small changes, like substituting half the butter with a healthier option or using a baking spray instead of greasing the pan with butter, can also make a difference.

The Trade-Off: Flavor vs. Health

While reducing calories is beneficial for weight management, it’s important to acknowledge the trade-offs. The high butter content in traditional recipes is what gives biscuits their flaky texture and rich, buttery flavor. Substituting or reducing this fat will change the final product. Biscuits made with nonfat yogurt, for example, will be fluffier and softer, with a slight tangy flavor from the yogurt, but will lack the classic flaky layers. For many, the decadent texture of a traditional biscuit is worth the occasional indulgence. The key is moderation. Enjoying a classic biscuit occasionally while opting for a healthier version more frequently is a balanced approach.

Tips for Better Biscuit Baking

Here are a few tips to enhance your biscuit-making experience, whether you're aiming for a classic or a healthier version:

Keep ingredients cold: For flaky biscuits, ensure your butter and buttermilk are very cold. This creates steam pockets in the dough, resulting in layers.
Don't overwork the dough: Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense biscuits instead of light, fluffy ones.
Use the right leavening: Double-acting baking powder works best for consistent rise in biscuits.
Portion control: To manage calories, cut biscuits into smaller sizes, or opt for a drop biscuit recipe which naturally yields smaller portions.
Incorporate flavor: To compensate for reduced fat, consider adding herbs like rosemary, chives, or garlic powder to savory biscuits, or cinnamon to a sweet version.

The Calorie Equation: How Ingredients Add Up

To illustrate the calorie math, let's break down a typical recipe. One recipe for homemade biscuits lists ingredients including all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, unsalted butter, and whole milk. The butter (85g) and flour (250g) are the main calorie contributors, followed by the whole milk (183g). When calculated out, this recipe yields around 281 calories per biscuit. Removing or replacing a portion of the butter is the most effective way to lower the total calorie count. For example, a recipe that uses non-fat buttermilk and less butter can produce a biscuit with as few as 194 calories. This highlights how direct control over the ingredients offers significant power to manipulate the nutritional outcome of your baked goods.

Conclusion: A Matter of Choice

So, how many calories do homemade biscuits have? The answer is not a single number, but a range that depends entirely on the recipe and ingredients. A traditional, buttery biscuit might have upwards of 300 calories, while a modified, low-fat version could have closer to 150 calories. The benefit of baking at home is the complete control over what goes into your food, allowing you to tailor the calorie content to your dietary needs and preferences. Whether you prefer a rich, classic biscuit or a lighter, health-conscious alternative, homemade gives you the power of choice. Making mindful ingredient swaps can allow you to enjoy this comfort food with less calorie guilt, while a simple smaller portion size is always an option for managing intake.

For more nutritional information on a wide range of foods, including biscuits, check out the database at Eat This Much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Homemade biscuits can be healthier than many store-bought varieties because you control the ingredients, allowing you to reduce preservatives, excessive sodium, and trans fats often found in commercial products. However, a very rich homemade recipe could still contain more calories than some pre-packaged options.

The primary sources of calories in biscuits are the carbohydrates from the flour and the fats from the butter or shortening. Butter is especially calorie-dense, contributing a large portion of the energy content.

Yes, you can use oil, but it will significantly change the texture. Oil-based biscuits tend to be more tender and less flaky because the fat is more evenly distributed, whereas solid butter creates steam pockets that produce flaky layers.

To reduce calories, you can use less butter, substitute some butter with nonfat Greek yogurt, use low-fat or fat-free buttermilk, swap out some all-purpose flour for whole-wheat flour, and opt for smaller portion sizes.

Yes, the type of flour affects the nutritional profile. Whole-wheat flour adds more fiber, which can help you feel full, though the calorie difference between whole-wheat and enriched white flour is minimal. Refined flours tend to be higher in simple carbs and lower in fiber.

While it's challenging to achieve the extreme flakiness of a high-fat biscuit, using nonfat Greek yogurt and self-rising flour can create a fluffy, soft biscuit with a fraction of the fat. The result will have a different, more scone-like texture.

The average calorie range for a homemade biscuit is approximately 200–300 calories per serving, but this can be much lower for lightened versions or higher for very rich, butter-heavy recipes.