Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe (2024)

· 24 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits are soft, fluffy, cheesy, garlicky, and EVEN BETTER than the originals. Plus, they're super easy to make in less than 30 minutes!

Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe (1)

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

If you've ever been to Red Lobster, you know that their Cheddar Bay Biscuits are the best part. I've even been known to eat too many to finish my dinner. 🙊🙈

Well, these copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits are even better than the restaurant.

They are so fluffy and cheesy with just a touch of spice from cayenne pepper and plenty of garlic butter brushed all over the top.

Plus, they are ridiculously easy to make. No kneading, no cutting into shapes. Just mix and scoop.

How to Make Cheddar Bay Biscuits Ahead of Time

To make ahead Cheddar Bay Biscuits, you can combine all of your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper). Then store these ingredients in a zip bag or container with a lid.

Just add wet ingredients and complete the recipe when you're ready to make them!

Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe (2)

How to Freeze Cheddar Bay Biscuits

To freeze you biscuits, prepare the dough, and scoop onto a baking sheet with a large cookie scoop (about ¼ cup scoops).

Place baking sheet in the freezer and allow to freeze for 2 hours or until frozen solid. Transfer to a freezer bag to store for up to a month.

When ready to use, follow baking instructions in the recipe, adding on an additional 2-4 minutes to the cook time to account for them being frozen. Watch them closely at the end.

More Recipes You'll Love

  • Southern Buttermilk Biscuits - a classic biscuit recipe for all you biscuit lovers!
  • Chicken Gnocchi Soup - another copycat favorite from Olive Garden!
  • Parmesan Garlic Herb Salmon - an elegant, easy, and delicious main course to go with your biscuits!
  • Homemade Shrimp co*cktail Sauce - every seafood dinner needs the BEST shrimp sauce.
  • Lump Crab Cakes - tender, flavorful, and always a crowd favorite!

Cheddar Bay Biscuits Video

Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe (3)

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits are soft, fluffy, cheesy, garlicky, and EVEN BETTER than the originals. Plus, they're super easy to make in less than 30 minutes!

5 from 16 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cheddar Bay Biscuits, Drop Biscuits, Red Lobster Biscuits, Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 biscuits

Calories: 186kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar

Topping

  • 4 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Notes

  • Don't have buttermilk? That's okay! Buttermilk is really easy to substitute. Here's how.
  • Mix the dough as little as possible. Lumps are okay! Minimal mixing will keep the biscuits soft, fluffy, and tender.
  • Use a cookie scoop to scoop. It's way less messy than trying to use a spoon!
  • Make sure your baking powder is good. Good baking powder will ensure your biscuits are nice and fluffy. To test it, place 1 teaspoon of baking powder in ⅓ cup HOT tap water. If it bubbles, it's good to use. If not, it needs to be replaced!
  • Use thickly grated cheese to be able to actually see the cheese pieces in the biscuits. Both fine and thick grated cheese will still taste great though!
  • For the true Red Lobster experience, add a little fresh cracked sea salt to the tops of the biscuits after brushing with the butter mixture.
  • Storage: These biscuits can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1biscuit | Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 338mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 328IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in February 2014, and was republished in October 2019 with new pictures, more instructions and tips, and video.

Never Miss a Thing!

Join our newsletter to get new recipes, tips, tricks, and tutorials every week!

More Breads & Grains

  • Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
  • Swedish Limpa Bread
  • Cinnamon Babka
  • Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam@over50feeling40 says

    I just might make these this weekend...sounds so good! I pinned it and thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop!

    Reply

  2. Dannii says

    These sound amazing. Anything heavy on the cheese is good with me!

    Reply

    • Michelle says

      Agreed! Me too!

      Reply

  3. Tawnie Kroll says

    We are obsessed with this recipe in my house, so so good !!!

    Reply

    • Michelle says

      We are too! My kids ask for them regularly!

      Reply

  4. Rebecca says

    I just said Ohhhh YEAH out loud when I saw the first photo. YUM!!! These would be great with wintery soup!

    Reply

  5. Sapana says

    I am so making these this weekend!! They look incredible and I love how easy they are to make - thank you for this recipe!

    Reply

  6. Ellen says

    I've never made these from scratch, only the box from the supermarket. So happy to have a recipe!

    Reply

  7. Heather says

    These are delicious! They were wonderful with our soup for dinner tonight! Thank you!

    Reply

  8. Iryna says

    Get in my belly! These biscuits look so delicious! I imagine they would pair great with a bowl of homemade soup.

    Reply

  9. Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says

    I adore drop biscuits and these are so perfect to accompany a warm bowl of soup and side salad for a whole meal!

    Reply

  10. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    I'm making this for the weekend, I bet everyone is going to devour it!

    Reply

  11. Safira Adam says

    I am making these on the weekend! Obsessed with cheese and they go so well with all the soups I am making at the moment.

    Reply

  12. Sara says

    these are my new addiction! So spot on and melt in your mouth.

    Reply

  13. Tawnie Kroll says

    Our new favorite go-to biscuit! Easy to make and such a wonderful flavor. Thank you!

    Reply

  14. Angela says

    The perfect biscuit! This was so good with the garlic and cheddar. My family loved them. Thanks so much for sharing. YUM!

    Reply

  15. Jamie says

    We served these alongside our dinner and they were so delicious! We'll be making these cheddar biscuits again. Thank you!

    Reply

  16. Jacque Hastert says

    My favorite copycat recipe ever! They taste just as good and sometimes even better than anything I ever get at the restaurant. I can't wait to make these again very soon.

    Reply

  17. Maria says

    This looks fantastic! Everyone would surely like this! Something that everyone can look forward to this weekend as a snack.

    Reply

  18. Irene says

    Can you make ahead and how do you warm them up (microwave? oven?)

    Reply

  19. Irene says

    These look delicious. How do you reheat them for dinner??

    Reply

    • Michelle says

      You can make these ahead and freeze before baking to keep them extra fresh (instructions are at the bottom of the recipe). Or you can bake them and top them with a damp paper towel in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. This will warm them up without drying them out.

      Reply

  20. Jules says

    Made these for thanksgiving yesterday and they absolutely lived up to the hype. Everyone loved them! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes Cheddar Bay biscuits so good? ›

Baking Powder: For a biscuit that is airy and flaky, baking powder is key! Garlic Powder: Garlic is a must for that perfect savory flavor in your Cheddar Bay biscuits! Salt: Enhances overall flavor. Buttermilk: Buttermilk is what makes these biscuits so rich and soft!

Why are they called Cheddar Bay biscuits? ›

Initially introduced as “freshly baked, hot cheese garlic bread,” the iconic biscuits were coined “Cheddar Bay Biscuits” five years later to reflect the seaside atmosphere of Red Lobster restaurants.

What is the secret to an excellent biscuit? ›

Do not Overwork Biscuit Dough. Handle the dough as little as possible. Every time you touch, knead and fold, you are developing gluten. The more developed the gluten, the tougher the biscuit.

What goes with Cheddar Bay biscuits? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Cheddar Bay Biscuits are scrambled eggs, pulled pork, bacon, gravy, chicken pot pie, clam chowder, grilled cheese sandwich, shepherd's pie, fried chicken, and lobster bisque Do you agree?

Can I use milk instead of water in Cheddar Bay biscuit mix? ›

I tried these and they came out equally terrific. I did use cold whole milk instead of water to make fluffy, and also was heavy handed on the Italian seasoning (and added fresh finely chopped Basil because I love it).

Can you use milk instead of water in Cheddar Bay biscuits? ›

Helpful Tips to Make Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

If you want more richness in your Red Lobster Cheddar biscuits, substitute milk or buttermilk for the water and top with more butter. Add 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning for an extra flavor touch.

Can you use milk instead of water in Red Lobster biscuit mix? ›

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk for water in the Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuit mix. In fact, using buttermilk instead of water can add a tangy flavor and moistness to the biscuits. To make this substitution, simply replace the amount of water called for in the recipe with an equal amount of buttermilk.

Did Red Lobster invent Cheddar Bay biscuits? ›

Cheddar Bay biscuits were invented by Red Lobster executive chef Kurt Hankins, sometime in the late eighties or early nineties. The biscuits were created to be a complimentary item—like Olive Garden's endless breadsticks—that would make guests feel welcome.

What did Red Lobster have before Cheddar Bay biscuits? ›

Before Cheddar Bay Biscuits, Red Lobster was peddling hush puppies, and fans weren't super into it. The restaurant replaced the underperforming item with the garlicky, cheesy biscuits fans crave today.

What kind of flour do Southerners use for biscuits? ›

White Lily brand flour, especially the self-rising flour, is the gold standard among Southern cooks who make biscuits on a regular basis. White lily, self rising. I use it for everything except those thing I make using either cake flour or yeast.

What is the best flour to use for biscuits? ›

White wheat in general is around 9-12% protein, while the hard reds are 11-15%. As far as brands of flour, White Lily “all-purpose” flour has been my go-to for biscuit making. It's a soft red winter wheat, and the low protein and low gluten content keep biscuits from becoming too dense.

What type of flour makes the best biscuits? ›

The Bottom Line

I personally think that biscuits are at their best when you use a fine pastry-type flour like White Lily or Bob's Pastry flour. BUT, all-purpose flour is absolutely an option. I actually think that your technique when making biscuits is just as - if not, more - important than the flour you use.

What do Cheddar Bay biscuits taste like? ›

Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a classic American dish that are known for their flaky, buttery texture and their cheesy, garlicky flavor. They are made with a simple biscuit dough that is enriched with cheddar cheese and then brushed with a garlic butter mixture before baking.

Who makes Cheddar Bay biscuits? ›

A brief history of Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuit

It spawns hundreds of DIY recipes from amateur chefs.

What makes the Red Lobster biscuits so unique? ›

The Cheddar Bay Biscuits at Red Lobster are known for their irresistible combination of flavors and textures, which make them a popular favorite. Here's what makes them so appealing: Flavorful Ingredients: These biscuits are loaded with flavorful ingredients like sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and butter.

How are red lobster biscuits so good? ›

So part of why the biscuits at Red Lobster are so darn tasty is because they are pretty much always super fresh and piping hot when they land on your table. Per the folks at Red Lobster, the batches of those mouth watering Cheddar Bay Biscuits are mixed by hand and going into the oven every 15 to 20 minutes.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6394

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.