A buck switching regulator receives an input voltage and provides a switching output voltage on a switch output node using a minimum on-time, variable off-time feedback control loop. The buck switching regulator includes an on-time control circuit for generating a first signal for turning off the high-side switch at the expiration of a first on-time duration or at the expiration of a maximum on-time. The first on-time duration is at least a minimum on-time and is allowed to expand to a maximum on-time when the feedback voltage remains less than a reference voltage. The maximum on-time includes a first maximum on-time and a second, extended maximum on-time. The second maximum on-time is applied when a minimum off-time was used for the high-side switch during the previous switching cycle. In another embodiment, the second maximum on-time is applied only when the switching regulator is not being current limited.