Cheddar Bay Biscuits are warm, buttery, and irresistibly cheesy biscuits famously served at Red Lobster. These savory delights are packed with sharp cheddar cheese, garlic, and herbs, offering a fluffy interior with a golden, crisp exterior.
Brushed with a garlic-parsley butter right out of the oven, each bite bursts with flavor and comfort. Whether served as a side dish to seafood or enjoyed on their own, Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a crowd-pleasing favorite.
Easy to make at home with pantry staples, they’re perfect for dinners, gatherings, or any time you crave a rich, cheesy biscuit with a garlicky kick.
Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a beloved American side dish, popularized by the seafood restaurant chain Red Lobster. These biscuits are flaky, buttery, and loaded with sharp cheddar cheese, garlic, and herbs.
What sets them apart is the savory garlic butter brushed on top right after baking, giving them an irresistible flavor. Whether you’re serving them alongside a seafood feast, a bowl of soup, or just as a snack, these biscuits are guaranteed to impress.
Making them at home is surprisingly easy and requires just a few basic ingredients. You don’t need to be a seasoned baker to enjoy warm, cheesy, homemade biscuits straight from your oven.
Cheddar Bay Biscuits: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe
Description
Cheddar Bay Biscuits are savory, buttery, and packed with cheesy goodness, famously served at Red Lobster.
These fluffy drop biscuits are made with sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and a touch of buttermilk, then brushed with a garlic-parsley butter right after baking.
Their golden, slightly crisp exterior contrasts beautifully with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center. Perfect as a side dish for soups, seafood, or holiday meals, they’re easy to prepare and irresistibly flavorful.
Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or reheated, Cheddar Bay Biscuits offer warm, comforting satisfaction that makes them a favorite at any table.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Topping:
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and parsley.
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Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs (pea-sized pieces of butter are ideal — they help create flaky layers).
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Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
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Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough should be slightly sticky and lumpy.
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Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, drop mounds of dough (about ¼ cup each) onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the biscuits are cooked through.
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While the biscuits are baking, melt the butter and stir in garlic powder, parsley, and a pinch of salt if using.
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As soon as the biscuits come out of the oven, brush the tops generously with the garlic butter mixture. Serve warm!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 180kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12g19%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Cholesterol 30mg10%
- Sodium 400mg17%
- Total Carbohydrate 18g6%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 2g
- Protein 5g10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Cheddar Bay Biscuits, made famous by Red Lobster, are buttery, cheesy, garlicky delights that are irresistibly fluffy on the inside and crisp on the edges.
Whether you're baking them from scratch or using a mix, a few tips and tricks can elevate them to bakery-quality perfection.
Below is a complete guide on how to make them better, keep them fresh, and serve them in unique and crowd-pleasing ways.
Tips for the Best Cheddar Bay Biscuits
1. Use Cold Ingredients
Like any good biscuit, cold ingredients—especially butter—are crucial. Cold butter creates steam when baked, which leads to fluffy, tender layers. Cut your butter into small cubes and chill them after cutting for about 10–15 minutes before adding to the flour mixture.
2. Don’t Overmix the Dough
Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the biscuits tough. Mix just until the dough comes together. It’s okay if the dough looks slightly rough or shaggy.
3. Use Buttermilk or Heavy Cream Instead of Water
If the recipe calls for water or milk, substitute it with buttermilk or heavy cream. These add richness, tang, and tenderness. For a homemade buttermilk substitute, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
4. Fold the Dough for Extra Fluffiness
For tall, layered biscuits, fold the dough in thirds like a letter, then pat it down and repeat once or twice. This creates flaky layers and helps incorporate air into the dough.
5. Grate Your Own Cheese
Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting well. Grating your own sharp cheddar gives better melt and richer flavor.
6. Garlic Butter Glaze is Key
The garlic butter brushed on top after baking is what truly sets these biscuits apart. Use melted butter, garlic powder (or minced garlic sautéed in butter), and a sprinkle of dried parsley or fresh herbs for the best finish.
Serving Tricks and Ideas
1. Serve Warm – Always
Cheddar Bay Biscuits are best served hot out of the oven. If you’re making them ahead of time, reheat briefly in the oven or toaster oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5–8 minutes.
2. Make Mini Sliders
Slice the biscuits in half and fill them with pulled pork, fried chicken, or scrambled eggs and bacon for indulgent sliders or breakfast sandwiches.
3. Pair with Soup or Salad
These biscuits go perfectly with creamy soups like clam chowder, corn chowder, or tomato bisque. They’re also great alongside a crisp green salad with vinaigrette for contrast.
4. Stuff the Biscuits Before Baking
Add a cube of cheddar or a dollop of herbed cream cheese to the center of the dough before baking. The surprise inside makes for a decadent bite.
5. Freeze for Later
Freeze the unbaked biscuit dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
6. Drizzle with Honey or Hot Honey
For a sweet-savory twist, drizzle warm biscuits with a little honey or hot honey. The combination of garlic, cheese, and sweetness is unexpectedly delicious.
How Many Servings?
A standard Cheddar Bay Biscuit recipe makes about 8–12 biscuits, depending on the size. They’re typically served as a side, with 2 biscuits per person being a good serving size for dinner. For parties or potlucks, making mini versions can stretch the yield to 20–24 bite-sized biscuits.
Tips for Perfect Biscuits
- Use cold butter: The colder the butter, the better. Cold butter creates steam during baking, which results in fluffy, flaky biscuits.
- Don’t overmix: Overworking the dough can make the biscuits tough. Mix just until combined.
- Cheese choice: Sharp cheddar adds the best flavor, but you can experiment with smoked cheddar, pepper jack, or even a cheese blend.
- Add spice: Want a kick? Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the dry mix.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the dough ahead and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Brush with garlic butter after baking as usual.
- Storage: Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Buttermilk Substitute
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, make your own by combining ¾ cup of milk with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Stir and let it sit for 5–10 minutes before using. It will curdle slightly, mimicking the acidity of buttermilk which helps tenderize the dough.
Serving Suggestions
Cheddar Bay Biscuits are incredibly versatile. Serve them alongside:
- Grilled or fried seafood
- Clam chowder or lobster bisque
- Barbecue ribs or pulled pork
- Chicken soup or creamy pasta
- Holiday meals or brunch spreads
They also make a fantastic base for mini breakfast sandwiches with scrambled eggs and bacon!
Final Thoughts
Homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits are buttery, cheesy, and full of garlicky goodness. Whether you're reminiscing about your last trip to Red Lobster or just craving warm, fresh bread, these biscuits are a fast and flavorful option. They're easy enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for guests. Once you try them, they’re bound to become a staple in your comfort food rotation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cheddar Bay Biscuits?
Cheddar Bay Biscuits are savory, cheesy drop biscuits popularized by Red Lobster restaurants.
These buttery biscuits are made with shredded cheddar cheese, garlic, and a touch of seasoning, then brushed with a garlic-parsley butter topping after baking.
They're known for their soft, fluffy texture and rich, cheesy flavor with a hint of garlic and herbs.
Can I make Cheddar Bay Biscuits at home without a mix?
Absolutely! Homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits are easy to prepare with basic pantry ingredients like all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cold butter, milk or buttermilk, shredded cheddar cheese, and garlic powder. After baking, they're brushed with a melted butter mixture infused with garlic and parsley to replicate the restaurant-style flavor. No store-bought mix is necessary, and homemade versions can be customized to your liking—spicier, cheesier, or even gluten-free.
Can I freeze Cheddar Bay Biscuits?
Yes, Cheddar Bay Biscuits freeze well. To freeze baked biscuits, let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 2–3 months. Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10–12 minutes or until warm. You can also freeze the unbaked dough by portioning it onto a baking sheet, freezing until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What dishes pair well with Cheddar Bay Biscuits?
These biscuits are versatile and pair well with a variety of meals. They complement seafood dishes, soups (like clam chowder or tomato bisque), fried chicken, salads, or pasta dishes like Alfredo. They're also delicious served on their own as a snack or appetizer, especially warm with extra butter.
