Ah, Cheddar Bay Biscuits! Those are the legendary, buttery, cheesy biscuits popularized by Red Lobster—crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside, with that hint of garlic and herb magic. Here’s a homemade version that comes out just like the restaurant ones:
Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
Ingredients (makes about 8–10 biscuits)
Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a subtle kick)
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup buttermilk (cold)
Garlic Butter Topping:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven
Preheat to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne. - Cut in the butter
Add cold cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. - Add cheese
Stir in shredded cheddar cheese. - Add buttermilk
Pour in the cold buttermilk and gently mix until just combined. Don’t overmix—dough should be slightly sticky. - Form biscuits
Drop large spoonfuls (about ¼ cup each) onto the baking sheet. You can also use a cookie scoop for uniform size. - Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until golden brown on top. - Prepare garlic butter
While baking, melt butter and stir in garlic powder and parsley. - Brush biscuits
Immediately after removing biscuits from the oven, brush with garlic butter. - Serve warm
These are best served fresh and warm—cheesy, buttery, garlicky perfection!
💡 Tips:
- For extra cheesy biscuits, sprinkle a little extra cheddar on top before baking.
- Don’t overmix the dough; that keeps them light and fluffy.
- If you want to mimic Red Lobster exactly, a tiny pinch of Old Bay seasoning in the dough works wonders.
If you like, I can also give you a shortcut version using canned biscuits that tastes almost identical to the classic Cheddar Bay ones. It’s a real game-changer when you’re short on time.
Do you want that version too?
