If you’ve ever been to Red Lobster, you know exactly how irresistible Cheddar Bay Biscuits are. They’re warm, buttery, cheesy, and full of garlic flavor — and the best part is you don’t need a restaurant visit to enjoy them. I make this copycat version at home all the time, and honestly, they taste just as good, maybe even better because they’re fresh from the oven.
These biscuits come together quickly using simple ingredients, so they’re perfect for weeknight dinners, brunch spreads, or cozy weekends when you want something delicious without too much effort.
Quick Facts
-
Prep Time: 10 minutes
-
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
-
Total Time: 25 minutes
-
Serving Size: 10–12 biscuits
Why You’ll Love These Cheddar Bay Biscuits
These biscuits are comfort food in their purest form — warm, fluffy, cheesy, and brushed with garlic butter.
Here’s why they’re one of my favorite easy bakes:
-
No kneading, no rolling — just mix and drop
-
Loaded with cheddar cheese and garlic
-
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside
-
Ready in under 30 minutes
-
Perfect as a side or a snack
Every bite gives you that cafe-style biscuit feeling, but without leaving your kitchen.
Ingredients You Need
Biscuit Dough:
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
1 tablespoon baking powder
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)
-
½ cup cold butter, cubed
-
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
-
¾ cup cold milk
-
1 tablespoon lemon juice (or use buttermilk instead)
Garlic Butter Topping:
-
3 tablespoons melted butter
-
½ teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
How to Make Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and paprika.
Step 3: Add Butter
Add the cold cubed butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until crumbly with pea-sized butter bits.
Step 4: Add Cheese
Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese evenly.
Step 5: Add Milk Mixture
Stir milk and lemon juice together (to mimic buttermilk). Pour it into the dry mixture and stir gently until a thick dough forms.
Step 6: Drop the Biscuits
Use a spoon or scoop to drop rustic mounds of dough onto the baking sheet. No shaping needed!
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the tops turn golden.
Step 8: Brush With Garlic Butter
Mix the melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley. Brush generously over warm biscuits.
Serving Suggestions
-
Serve warm with soups, stews, pasta, or grilled meats
-
Add them to your holiday bread basket
-
Serve them as a brunch side with eggs and bacon
-
Enjoy them as a snack with tea or coffee
They’re delicious on their own, but that garlic butter makes them dangerously addictive.
Tips for Customization
-
Extra cheesy: Add a mix of cheddar + mozzarella.
-
Spicy version: Add cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños.
-
Herb lovers: Mix rosemary, thyme, or chives into the dough.
-
Healthier twist: Swap part of the flour with whole wheat.
-
Garlic upgrade: Use roasted garlic in the butter topping.
Nutritional Info (Approx. per biscuit)
-
Calories: 180
-
Fat: 11g
-
Carbs: 16g
-
Protein: 4g
-
Sugar: 1g
Values vary slightly depending on cheese and butter used.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours. Scoop and bake when needed.
2. Can I freeze Cheddar Bay Biscuits?
Absolutely. Freeze baked biscuits and reheat in the oven or air fryer.
3. Can I use packaged biscuit mix?
Yes — add garlic, cheese, and butter to elevate it into a Cheddar Bay-style biscuit.
4. Why must the butter be cold?
Cold butter helps create fluffy, flaky biscuits. Warm butter will make them dense.
5. Can I make these gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and increase milk slightly if needed.
Final Thoughts
These Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits are the perfect mix of easy, fast, and delicious. I love making them when I want something fresh from the oven without a lot of fuss. Once you try them, they’ll probably become a permanent part of your meal rotation — they’re just that good.
