Carrot Biscuits Recipe
These carrot biscuits are a delightful twist on classic biscuits, with a tender, flaky texture and a hint of natural sweetness from fresh carrots. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a savory snack, they're a must-try for any biscuit lover!
Carrot Biscuits
Carrot Biscuits are a delightful twist on traditional biscuits, incorporating shredded carrots into the dough to add natural sweetness, moisture, and a subtle earthy flavor. This variation is rooted in Southern baking traditions where creative, vegetable-infused breads have long been celebrated for their comforting, homey qualities. Carrot Biscuits offer a fresh take that’s both nostalgic and a little unexpected.
The key ingredients include all-purpose flour, baking powder, butter, buttermilk, and finely grated carrots, which lend the biscuits their tender crumb and vibrant color. Some recipes might add warm spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the carrots’ natural sweetness, creating a nuanced flavor profile that sets these biscuits apart.
When baked, Carrot Biscuits develop a golden, slightly crisp exterior while maintaining a soft, flaky interior enriched by the moisture from the carrots. The texture is tender but sturdy enough to hold up to butter, honey, or savory toppings, while the flavor strikes a perfect balance between mild sweetness and buttery richness.
These biscuits are best enjoyed fresh and warm but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, they freeze well and reheat beautifully in the oven, preserving their delicate texture and flavor.
Nutrition-wise, Carrot Biscuits offer a slight boost of vitamins and fiber from the carrots compared to plain biscuits, though they remain a treat rich in carbs and fats. Their subtle sweetness makes them a versatile side that pairs well with breakfast dishes or hearty stews.
What makes Carrot Biscuits stand out is the clever use of carrots to add moisture, flavor, and color without overpowering the classic biscuit experience. Variations might include adding cheese, herbs, or nuts for additional texture and flavor layers.
Ready to bake a batch of tender, subtly sweet Carrot Biscuits? Check out the recipe below and bring this Southern-inspired classic to your table.
Recipe
A delightful twist on classic biscuits, these Carrot Biscuits are made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, oats, and fresh carrots, perfect for a healthy snack or breakfast. Topped with a sweet maple glaze for a deliciously unique finish.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely grated carrots (about 2 medium-sized)
- ¼ cup cold butter, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Add the cold butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the grated carrots and orange zest. Then, pour in the buttermilk and maple syrup. Mix until just combined, forming a sticky dough.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently pat it down into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Use a round biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top.
- While the biscuits are baking, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a small bowl to make the glaze.
- Once the biscuits are baked and slightly cooled, drizzle them with the maple glaze.
prep time with cook time.
Serves 6 and contains approximately 220 calories per serving.
American / Breakfast, Breads
Rated 4.9 by 162 reviewers.
Recipe Tags: carrot biscuits, healthy biscuits, oatmeal biscuits, breakfast biscuits, maple glaze, easy biscuits, carrot bread
Published by: Crisprecipe
Recipe Video
This is a video about Carrot Biscuits.
Servings
Serving your carrot biscuits is an opportunity to get creative and elevate the experience, depending on the occasion and your taste preferences. I have a few ways I can suggest to you to help serve your biscuits:
Classic Breakfast Style: Serve carrot biscuits warm with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey for a simple and satisfying breakfast. You could also add a dollop of jam, like apricot or orange marmalade, to complement the natural sweetness of the carrots.
With Creamy Spreads: These biscuits are fantastic with spreads like cream cheese, mascarpone, or even whipped ricotta. You can flavor the spread with herbs or a bit of maple syrup to tie in the sweetness from the carrots.
As a Side Dish: Carrot biscuits make a wonderful side for soups and stews, especially those with a creamy or savory base, like butternut squash soup or a rich chicken stew. The biscuits add texture and balance to the meal.
Sandwich Style: For a savory twist, split your carrot biscuits in half and use them as the base for a sandwich. Fill them with smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, or turkey for a light yet satisfying meal.
Topped with a Glaze: For a slightly indulgent touch, drizzle your carrot biscuits with a maple glaze or a light lemon glaze after baking. This adds a hint of sweetness and makes them feel extra special, perfect for serving at brunch or as a treat.
As a Snack: If you're looking for a healthy snack option, carrot biscuits are a great pick. They’re delicious on their own, but you can pair them with a cup of tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon snack.
Tips
Use Fresh Carrots: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh carrots and grate them finely. The more finely grated the carrots, the more they’ll integrate into the biscuit dough, keeping the texture moist and soft.
Add More Veggies: You can boost the nutritional value by adding other vegetables like zucchini or sweet potatoes. These vegetables have a similar moisture content to carrots, so they won’t dry out the biscuits.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: One of the keys to soft, flaky biscuits is not overmixing the dough. Stir just until the ingredients are combined. Overworking the dough can lead to dense biscuits.
Keep the Butter Cold: For flaky biscuits, it's essential that the butter is cold when it’s incorporated into the dough. You can even freeze the butter and grate it into the dry ingredients. This ensures the biscuits have that signature flaky texture.
Substitute with Healthier Ingredients: If you want to make your carrot biscuits a bit healthier, you can substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or add oats for extra fiber. Greek yogurt or almond milk can replace buttermilk if you're looking for a dairy-free version.
Enhance the Flavor: Spice it up! A little cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger can really complement the sweetness of the carrots and take your biscuits to the next level. You could also try adding a pinch of garlic powder or thyme for a savory twist.
Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the biscuits towards the end of the baking time. Every oven is different, and overbaking can cause them to dry out. Aim for a golden-brown top, and they’ll be perfectly baked.
Maple Glaze: If you're using a maple glaze, make sure to drizzle it over the biscuits while they’re still warm. The warmth helps the glaze sink into the biscuit, enhancing the flavor.
Freezing Option: You can freeze your biscuits before baking. Simply shape them, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer to a freezer bag. When you're ready to bake, you can pop them directly into the oven from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Serving Suggestions: Serve these biscuits with a variety of spreads or pair them with savory dishes like scrambled eggs, roasted meats, or a vegetable soup. You could also use them to make a breakfast sandwich with eggs, cheese, and a slice of bacon.
Ingredient Substitutes
If you're looking for ingredient substitutes for carrot biscuits, there are plenty of options to make the recipe fit different dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Here are some suggestions:
1. Flour:
- Whole Wheat Flour: For a healthier alternative, use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. It adds more fiber and a slightly nuttier flavor.
- Gluten-Free Flour: If you need a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, which can typically replace all-purpose flour in most recipes without affecting texture too much.
- Almond Flour: For a low-carb, gluten-free version, you can substitute almond flour. However, you may need to adjust the quantity, as almond flour is denser than regular flour.
2. Butter:
- Coconut Oil: For a dairy-free option, coconut oil is a great substitute. It will add a slight coconut flavor, but it still provides that rich, flaky texture.
- Vegetable Oil: You can also use vegetable oil or canola oil, though it won’t give the same rich, flaky texture that butter provides.
- Margarine: If you're looking for a dairy-free, non-vegetable oil option, margarine works well, though be mindful of the brand's ingredients for a more natural option.
3. Milk:
- Almond Milk or Oat Milk: These plant-based milks can be swapped in place of cow’s milk for a dairy-free version. Both have mild flavors and work well in baking.
- Soy Milk: Another dairy-free milk that mimics the texture and richness of regular milk, perfect for this recipe.
- Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for about 5 minutes to sour.
4. Sugar:
- Maple Syrup or Honey: For a natural sweetener, maple syrup or honey can replace sugar. They add a slight flavor twist but still provide sweetness. You may need to reduce other liquid ingredients slightly to balance the consistency.
- Coconut Sugar: For a less refined option, coconut sugar is a great substitute that adds a mild caramel-like flavor.
5. Egg:
- Flaxseed Meal: To replace one egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes to form a gel-like consistency.
- Chia Seeds: Similarly, you can use 1 tablespoon of chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons of water as an egg substitute.
- Applesauce: For a moist, slightly sweet biscuit, use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce in place of one egg.
6. Baking Powder:
- Baking Soda + Cream of Tartar: If you run out of baking powder, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar.
- Self-Raising Flour: If you don’t have baking powder but have self-raising flour, you can use that instead. Just omit the baking powder from the recipe.
7. Carrots:
- Sweet Potatoes: If you’re looking for an alternative to carrots, sweet potatoes offer a similar texture and a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Zucchini: For a milder, more neutral vegetable option, zucchini works well. Grate it finely and squeeze out excess moisture to avoid making the dough too wet.
8. Spices:
- Ground Cinnamon or Nutmeg: To enhance the flavor of your carrot biscuits, you can use other warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger. Adjust the quantities based on your preference.
9. Yogurt or Sour Cream:
- If you're looking for extra richness, substitute the buttermilk with plain yogurt or sour cream. This will make your biscuits even more tender.