Baked French Dip Biscuits: Your New Favorite Comfort Food
These Baked French Dip Biscuits transform classic sandwich flavors into an incredibly easy, shareable appetizer or quick meal.
Requiring only 7 ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, these biscuits offer a clever way to enjoy a comforting dish.
Serve them with a side of warm au jus for dipping, perfect for game days, parties, or a fun weeknight dinner.
Baked French Dip Biscuits

Baked French Dip Biscuits feature roast beef and Provolone cheese baked in biscuit dough, served with au jus.
Ingredients
- 1 (16.3 oz / 462g) can refrigerated biscuit dough, yielding 8 individual biscuits
- 1 lb (450g) thinly sliced deli roast beef
- 8 slices (4 oz / 113g) thinly sliced Provolone cheese, each cut in half (16 halves total)
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon (1g) dried parsley flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5g) onion powder
- 4 cups (960ml) low sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon (1g) onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5g) garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons (30ml) cold water (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with cooking spray or butter, or line with parchment paper.
- Open biscuit dough can. Separate biscuits. On a cutting board, flatten each biscuit into an oval shape, 1/4 inch (6mm) thick.
- Place one half-slice Provolone cheese onto one side of a flattened biscuit. Layer 1.5 oz (40-45g) thinly sliced roast beef over the cheese. Top roast beef with another half-slice Provolone cheese.
- Fold biscuit dough over filling. Pinch edges to seal filling. Repeat for remaining 7 biscuits.
- Place biscuits, seam-side down, in the prepared baking dish. Arrange in a single layer, 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.
- In a bowl, melt 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon (1g) dried parsley flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon (0.5g) onion powder until combined.
- Brush biscuit tops and sides with garlic butter mixture.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, until biscuit tops are golden brown and cheese filling melts.
- In a saucepan, combine 4 cups (960ml) low sodium beef broth, 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon (1g) onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon (0.5g) garlic powder. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring once.
- (Optional) For thicker au jus, whisk cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) into simmering au jus. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until au jus thickens.
- Remove biscuits from oven. Cool in baking dish for 5 minutes. Transfer to platter. Serve with warm au jus.
Notes
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup (28g) shredded mozzarella or Provolone over biscuits during the last 5 minutes of baking, until melted.
- Substitute 1/2 teaspoon (1.5g) garlic powder for fresh garlic in the garlic butter mixture.
- Flatten and fill each biscuit consistently for even baking.
- Store leftover au jus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on stovetop.
- Serve biscuits immediately after baking.
Pro Tips for Perfect Baked French Dip Biscuits
Ingredient Tips
- Roast Beef Thickness:Request deli roast beef sliced to 1/8-inch thickness, approximately 2.5 ounces per 4 biscuits. This ensures easy folding, a substantial core, and prevents tearing inside the biscuit.
- Cold Butter Consistency:Use unsalted, very cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (10-12 tablespoons). Chill cubes for an extra 15 minutes; this creates steam pockets for maximum flakiness.
- Buttermilk Temperature:Ensure buttermilk is ice-cold (35-40°F) by chilling in the freezer for 10 minutes. This prevents butter from melting prematurely, promoting a tender, distinctly flaky crumb.
- Cheese Choice & Quantity:Opt for 1/16-inch thick provolone or white cheddar, 1 ounce (two small slices) per biscuit. This melts beautifully, avoiding a greasy or rubbery texture when baked.
Technique Tips
- Cutting Butter into Flour:Use a pastry blender or cold fingertips to cut 10-12 tablespoons of cold butter into the flour until pea-sized (about 1/4-inch). This critical step creates steam pockets essential for flaky layers.
- Laminating Biscuit Dough:Gently pat dough into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Perform 3-4 book folds (folding into thirds), rotating 90 degrees each time, to build distinct, tender layers without overworking.
- Sealing Filled Biscuits:After placing 1 ounce of filling, moisten biscuit edges with 1/2 teaspoon water. Pinch edges firmly for 10-15 seconds to create a secure, visible seal, preventing leakage during baking.
- High-Heat Baking:Preheat oven to 425°F for at least 20 minutes. Bake biscuits for 16-18 minutes until deeply golden brown, having risen to roughly double their initial height.
Common Issues
- Dry, Crumbly Biscuits:Reduce flour by 1 tablespoon or increase buttermilk by 1/2 tablespoon. Knead dough minimally (8-10 turns) until just combined and shaggy, preventing gluten overdevelopment and dryness.
- Filling Leaks During Baking:Limit filling to 1 ounce cheese and 1 ounce roast beef per biscuit. Firmly pinch moistened edges for 10-15 seconds, creating a strong, visible seal around the entire perimeter.
- Biscuits Don’t Rise Well:Check baking powder freshness (1/2 tsp in 1/4 cup hot water should bubble vigorously). Ensure butter is cold; press 2.5-inch cutter straight down, no twisting.
- Bland or Weak Au Jus:Caramelize 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion for 8-10 minutes until deeply golden before adding broth. Simmer au jus an extra 10-15 minutes, reducing by an additional 1/8 volume.
Ingredient Substitutions & Serving Suggestions
Baked French Dip Biscuits are a comforting and hearty dish, but they’re also incredibly adaptable. Whether you’re navigating dietary restrictions, missing an ingredient, or simply looking to experiment with new flavors, these substitutions will ensure your biscuits are always a delicious success. Remember that while these alternatives work, they may slightly alter the original taste or texture.
Essential Substitutions
- Roast Beef:
- (Deli ham offers a different, slightly milder savory profile, while shredded chicken creates a lighter, poultry-based sandwich.)
- Provolone or Swiss Cheese:
- (Both mozzarella and Monterey Jack provide a milder flavor and excellent melt, with mozzarella being slightly stretchier and Monterey Jack offering a creamy texture.)
- Buttermilk (for biscuits):
- (Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles. This creates a similar tang and acidity, crucial for tender, fluffy biscuits.)
- Unsalted Butter (for biscuits):
- (Shortening can yield an even flakier biscuit with less butter flavor, while margarine will maintain a similar richness but may contain more water, potentially altering texture slightly.)
- Beef Broth (for Au Jus):
- (Chicken broth results in a lighter, less robust au jus, but still savory. Bouillon provides a concentrated beef flavor but can be saltier, so opt for low-sodium options.)
Dietary Variations
- Gluten-Free:
- Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum).
- (This will produce a slightly denser biscuit; ensure thorough mixing, but avoid overworking, as GF dough can become crumbly.)
- Dairy-Free:
- Substitute buttermilk with unsweetened dairy-free milk (almond, soy, or oat) + 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice per cup. Replace butter with a 1:1 dairy-free butter stick. Use a 1:1 dairy-free provolone or mozzarella alternative.
- (These swaps maintain the biscuit structure and melty cheese experience without dairy, though the flavor may be slightly milder.)
- Vegan:
- Follow dairy-free substitutions. Replace roast beef with thinly sliced seitan or seasoned portobello mushrooms (sliced and sautéed) at a 1:1 ratio. Use vegetable broth for the au jus, adding a dash of tamari or soy sauce for extra umami.
- (This delivers a satisfying plant-based version with deep savory notes and a hearty filling.)
- Low-Fat:
- Use extra-lean deli roast beef at 1:1. Opt for part-skim provolone or mozzarella 1:1. For any creamy components (e.g., a horseradish sauce), substitute half the mayonnaise/sour cream with 0% fat plain Greek yogurt.
- (This significantly reduces fat content while largely retaining flavor and texture, especially in the filling.)
Flavor Variations
- Garlic Herb Twist:
- Add 1 tsp dried Italian herbs or 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley/chives to the biscuit dough. For the filling, sauté 1 minced garlic clove with the roast beef for the last minute of cooking.
- (This infuses a fragrant, aromatic profile into every bite, complementing the rich beef.)
- Spicy Kick:
- Mix 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes into the au jus or sprinkle on top of the cheese before baking. Alternatively, add a thin slice of pickled jalapeño to each biscuit before baking.
- (This introduces a pleasant heat that cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese.)
- French Onion Style:
- Sauté 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced, until deeply caramelized (about 20-30 minutes). Layer these caramelized onions over the roast beef before adding cheese.
- (This adds a sweet, deeply savory depth reminiscent of classic French onion soup, enhancing the overall umami.)
- Smoky Depth:
- Add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika to the biscuit dough for a subtle smoky note. Alternatively, incorporate a few drops of liquid smoke into the au jus (start with 1/4 tsp and adjust to taste, as it’s potent).
- (This imparts an intriguing smoky flavor that pairs wonderfully with the beef, adding a campfire-like quality.)