Updated Oct 8, 2026· 8 min read

Key takeaways

  • Style and texture: Southern Homestyle (also called homestyle or buttermilk) bakes as a soft, dense, cakey biscuit. Flaky Layers is laminated to separate into thin sheets. Buttermilk adds tang and slightly more browning.
  • Size per biscuit: Jumbo/Grands biscuits are about 2x the dough weight of standard biscuits, which affects bake time, sandwich suitability, and servings per can.
  • Count and total weight: Tubes range from 5-count jumbo to 10-count small. Total net weight determines cost per biscuit and whether one can feeds your household.
  • Ingredients: Conventional biscuits use hydrogenated oils and bleached flour for shelf stability and lift. Organic options like Immaculate Baking Co. and Annie’s use unbleached flour, palm oil or butter, and avoid artificial flavors and hydrogenated oils, but they expire faster.
  • Storage and shelf life: All refrigerated biscuits must stay refrigerated at 33-40°F and are pressure-packed to stay fresh until the use-by date. They cannot be frozen in the sealed can and should not be used if the can has lost pressure or is bloated.

The best refrigerated biscuits for most everyday meals is Pillsbury Grands! Southern Homestyle, because it offers a large, fluffy biscuit with neutral flavor and reliable rise, while Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers is better if you want pull-apart layers for sandwiches, and smaller tubes like Pillsbury Grands! Jr. or Annie’s Organic Flaky Biscuits are better for portion control and cleaner ingredients.

How to Choose Refrigerated Biscuits: The 5 Decision Criteria

Refrigerated biscuits look similar in the cooler, but they bake up very differently. Use these five factors to match a product to how you actually plan to use it:

Amazon Grocery, Jumbo Buttermilk Biscuits, 16 Oz, 8 Ct (Previously Amazon Fresh, Packaging May Vary)

Amazon Grocery, Jumbo Buttermilk Biscuits, 16 Oz, 8 Ct (Previously Amazon Fresh, Packaging May Vary)

Included for 'Best Refrigerated Biscuits to Buy' because the listing specifies Jumbo Buttermilk Biscuits and 16 Oz, details this guide uses to compare options.

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Immaculate Baking Organic Biscuits, Ready to Bake Flaky Biscuits, 8 Count, 16 oz

Immaculate Baking Organic Biscuits, Ready to Bake Flaky Biscuits, 8 Count, 16 oz

Included for 'Best Refrigerated Biscuits to Buy' because the listing specifies Ready to Bake Flaky Biscuits and 8 Count, details this guide uses to compare options.

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Amazon Grocery, Jumbo Flaky Butter Biscuits, 16 Oz, 8 Ct (Previously Amazon Fresh, Packaging May Vary)

Amazon Grocery, Jumbo Flaky Butter Biscuits, 16 Oz, 8 Ct (Previously Amazon Fresh, Packaging May Vary)

Included for 'Best Refrigerated Biscuits to Buy' because the listing specifies Jumbo Flaky Butter Biscuits and 16 Oz, details this guide uses to compare options.

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  • Style and texture: Southern Homestyle (also called homestyle or buttermilk) bakes as a soft, dense, cakey biscuit. Flaky Layers is laminated to separate into thin sheets. Buttermilk adds tang and slightly more browning.
  • Size per biscuit: Jumbo/Grands biscuits are about 2x the dough weight of standard biscuits, which affects bake time, sandwich suitability, and servings per can.
  • Count and total weight: Tubes range from 5-count jumbo to 10-count small. Total net weight determines cost per biscuit and whether one can feeds your household.
  • Ingredients: Conventional biscuits use hydrogenated oils and bleached flour for shelf stability and lift. Organic options like Immaculate Baking Co. and Annie’s use unbleached flour, palm oil or butter, and avoid artificial flavors and hydrogenated oils, but they expire faster.
  • Storage and shelf life: All refrigerated biscuits must stay refrigerated at 33-40°F and are pressure-packed to stay fresh until the use-by date. They cannot be frozen in the sealed can and should not be used if the can has lost pressure or is bloated.

Refrigerated Biscuit Comparison Table

This table compares the most widely available refrigerated biscuits in U.S. grocery stores in 2026. Specifications are taken from standard manufacturer packaging.

Product Style Count Per Can Total Weight Approx. Weight Per Biscuit Bake Time at 350°F Refrigerated Shelf Life
Pillsbury Grands! Southern Homestyle Dense, soft, no layers 8 16.3 oz (462g) 2.03 oz (58g) 13-16 minutes Until use-by date, ~6-8 weeks from production
Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers Laminated, pull-apart layers 8 16.3 oz (462g) 2.03 oz (58g) 13-17 minutes Until use-by date, ~6-8 weeks
Pillsbury Grands! Buttermilk Homestyle with buttermilk tang 8 16.3 oz (462g) 2.03 oz (58g) 13-16 minutes Until use-by date, ~6-8 weeks
Pillsbury Grands! Jr. Golden Layers Smaller flaky biscuit 10 12 oz (340g) 1.2 oz (34g) 10-12 minutes Until use-by date, ~6-8 weeks
Annie’s Organic Flaky Biscuits Organic, flaky layers 8 16 oz (454g) 2.0 oz (57g) 14-18 minutes Shorter, ~4-6 weeks; use promptly
Immaculate Baking Co. Organic Flaky Biscuits Organic, buttery flaky 8 16 oz (454g) 2.0 oz (57g) 14-18 minutes Shorter, ~4-6 weeks; use promptly
Store Brand (e.g., Great Value, Simple Truth) Jumbo Buttermilk Homestyle / jumbo 8 16.3 oz (462g) 2.03 oz (58g) 13-16 minutes Until use-by date, ~5-7 weeks

Which Style Is Right For Your Meal?

Best for Everyday Family Dinners: Southern Homestyle / Buttermilk

Choose Pillsbury Grands! Southern Homestyle or Grands! Buttermilk if you want a tall, soft biscuit that holds up to gravy, butter, and jam without falling apart. The dense crumb doesn’t separate when sliced, so it is less messy for kids and better for sopping up sauces. Buttermilk has a slightly tangier flavor and browns a bit darker due to the cultured milk solids. Bake time is consistent at 13-16 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet with biscuits 1-2 inches apart for crusty sides, or touching for soft sides.

Best for Breakfast Sandwiches: Flaky Layers

Choose Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers or Immaculate Baking Co. Flaky if you need a biscuit that splits cleanly for egg and cheese sandwiches. The laminated dough creates 10-12 distinct layers that peel apart, making it easier to add fillings without crumbling. They are slightly drier than homestyle when eaten plain, so they benefit from butter or fillings. To keep layers defined, do not flatten the biscuits before baking and bake on parchment rather than greasing heavily, which can fry the bottom layer.

Best for Smaller Households or Kids: Small Count / Junior Biscuits

Choose Pillsbury Grands! Jr. Golden Layers (10-count, 12 oz) or similar small biscuits if you waste food with 8 jumbo biscuits. A junior biscuit is about 40% smaller by weight, bakes faster at 10-12 minutes, and gives better portion control. One can provides more pieces for lunchboxes or for serving alongside soup where a full jumbo biscuit is too much.

Best for Cleaner Ingredient Label: Annie’s or Immaculate Baking Co.

Choose Annie’s Organic Flaky Biscuits or Immaculate Baking Co. Organic if avoiding hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, and bleached flour is a priority. These use organic wheat flour, palm oil or expeller-pressed oils, and cane sugar. Trade-offs: they cost more in the general market range of $5 to $7 per can versus $3.50 to $5.50 for conventional Pillsbury and store brands, they brown more slowly due to no artificial color, and they have a shorter refrigerated window, so buy them within a week of use.

Cost Per Biscuit: A Worked Calculation

Package price is misleading because biscuit counts differ. Calculate cost per biscuit and per ounce:

Example 1 – Jumbo 8-count: A 16.3 oz can at a typical price of $4.49 contains 8 biscuits. Cost per biscuit = $4.49 / 8 = $0.56. Cost per ounce = $4.49 / 16.3 = $0.28 per oz.

Example 2 – Junior 10-count: A 12 oz can at $3.99 contains 10 biscuits. Cost per biscuit = $3.99 / 10 = $0.40. Cost per ounce = $3.99 / 12 = $0.33 per oz.

Example 3 – Organic 8-count: A 16 oz organic can at $6.29 contains 8 biscuits. Cost per biscuit = $6.29 / 8 = $0.79. Cost per ounce = $6.29 / 16 = $0.39 per oz.

Junior biscuits are cheapest per piece but most expensive per ounce. If you need fewer calories or smaller servings, the higher per-ounce cost is still economical because you avoid leftovers. For feeding a crowd, two jumbo 8-count cans (16 biscuits) is more cost-effective than three junior cans (30 small biscuits) if you want large servings.

Storage, Food Safety, and Ownership Realities

Refrigerated biscuits are not the same as frozen biscuits and have specific handling rules that affect whether they bake properly:

  • Keep cold, don’t freeze the can: The cardboard can is pressurized. Freezing can compromise the seam and prevent a proper rise. If you want to freeze dough, open the can, separate biscuits, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen and add 3-5 minutes.
  • Use-by date matters: Leavening is chemical (baking powder) and loses power over time. Biscuits used past the date may not rise and can remain doughy in the center even when browned outside. Pressure loss (can feels soft or opens without a pop) also means the dough is no longer safe to use.
  • What fails first: The most common issue is raw center with over-browned top, caused by oven temperature running hot or placing the pan too high. Use the middle rack and check at the low end of the bake window. Dark nonstick pans brown bottoms much faster; reduce temperature by 25°F if using them.
  • Cleaning: Dough is sticky due to oil. Wipe coolers immediately if a can leaks. For baking, parchment paper prevents sticking better than greasing and makes cleanup easier without affecting rise.
  • Do not reuse raw dough: Refrigerated biscuit dough contains raw flour, which should not be eaten raw. Do not taste raw dough and wash hands and surfaces after handling.

Decision Matrix: Pick by Your Situation

Your Situation Best Choice Why
Need one can to feed 4 adults with hearty appetites, with gravy or fried chicken Pillsbury Grands! Southern Homestyle 8-count Largest, most filling biscuit; neutral flavor pairs with savory mains
Making make-ahead breakfast sandwiches for the week Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers Splits cleanly, reheats without crumbling, layers stay intact
Small household, 1-2 people, want less waste Pillsbury Grands! Jr. or any 10-count small biscuit Smaller portions, faster bake, less leftover dough
Prioritize organic ingredients and non-hydrogenated oils Annie’s Organic or Immaculate Baking Co. Certified organic, no artificial flavors, unbleached flour
Holiday meal, want presentation and buttery flavor Immaculate Baking Co. or Pillsbury Grands! Buttermilk Buttery/buttermilk notes brown beautifully and taste richer with ham
Tight budget and need the lowest cost per serving Store brand jumbo 8-count Same weight and count as national brands at the lower end of the general price range

Tips for Better Results Without Extra Ingredients

  • For softer sides: Place biscuits with sides touching in a round cake pan instead of spaced on a sheet pan. They will rise taller and steam each other for a tender edge.
  • For crispier bottoms: Space 2 inches apart on an ungreased light-colored aluminum sheet. No parchment.
  • Don’t overbake: Biscuits continue cooking for 2 minutes after removal. Pull when tops are light golden brown, not deep brown. Centers should reach about 200-205°F if measured with a food thermometer.
  • Altitude: Above 3,500 feet, add 2-3 minutes and reduce oven temperature by 15-25°F to prevent bursting and uneven rise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bake only half a can and save the rest?

No. Once the can is opened, the remaining raw biscuits must be baked promptly or frozen as separate raw biscuits. The pressurized can cannot be resealed to store raw dough in the refrigerator.

Why did my biscuits stay flat?

Flat biscuits are usually caused by an expired can, dough that got warm before baking, or pressing the biscuits flat. Keep the can refrigerated until the oven is fully preheated and place cold dough directly on the pan without flattening.

Are refrigerated biscuits vegetarian?

Most conventional and organic refrigerated biscuits do not contain meat, but they do contain dairy and may contain hydrogenated oils. Check the label for milk ingredients and lard if you follow a strict vegetarian or dairy-free diet. Formulations can change, so always verify the current ingredient list.

R
Rachel Green
We compare specs, materials and verified owner reviews before a product earns a spot. Rankings are never paid.

FAQ

Can you bake only half a can and save the rest?
No. Once the can is opened, the remaining raw biscuits must be baked promptly or frozen as separate raw biscuits. The pressurized can cannot be resealed to store raw dough in the refrigerator.
Why did my biscuits stay flat?
Flat biscuits are usually caused by an expired can, dough that got warm before baking, or pressing the biscuits flat. Keep the can refrigerated until the oven is fully preheated and place cold dough directly on the pan without flattening.
Are refrigerated biscuits vegetarian?
Most conventional and organic refrigerated biscuits do not contain meat, but they do contain dairy and may contain hydrogenated oils. Check the label for milk ingredients and lard if you follow a strict vegetarian or dairy-free diet. Formulations can change, so always verify the current ingredient list.
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