30 Minute Homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits

This post will teach you how to make flaky, buttery cheddar bay biscuits. This
homemade recipe for cheddar bay biscuits is inspired by Red Lobster’s popular
biscuits. These soft and garlicky drop biscuits take just 30 minutes to make –
and there’s no need for a rolling pin or biscuit cutter! You’ll be amazed at how
little effort it takes to make these great fluffy biscuits.

Drop biscuits, also known as “emergency biscuits”, are a great choice when you want a homemade cheddar biscuit recipe but don’t have much time.  Nothing says a comfort meal like homemade biscuits.

The ingredient list for this delicious recipe is simple. Prep time is limited. There’s no need for a rolling pin or biscuit cutter. You won’t spend time layering or forming the dough into a rectangle like with classic buttermilk biscuits or sweet potato biscuits. And best of all, the result is cheddar cheese drop biscuits that are light, fluffy and baked to golden brown perfection.

If it’s too hot to turn on the oven, trying making air fryer biscuits instead.

What are Cheddar Bay biscuits?

Red Lobster Biscuits are the unlimited cheesy biscuits served at the popular restaurant chain. Except these copy cat Red Lobster biscuits are so much better than what you can get at the restaurant and you can have them any time you want.

It could be the garlic or the hint of spicy heat. Maybe it’s the buttery topping and the way the tender, flaky layers melt in your mouth. Whatever the reason, these warm biscuits are impossible to resist.

Delivered to your table fresh and piping hot, I think these biscuits are one of the best things on the menu. And apparently, a lot of other people like them too. I’ve read that they serve over a million biscuits per day. But luckily you don’t have to go to a restaurant to enjoy these tempting cheese biscuits.

If this is your first time at making biscuits, you’ll be amazed at how little effort it takes to make a great fluffy biscuit.

Is Cheddar Bay a real place?

Although it sounds like a great place to vacation, Cheddar Bay is a fictional location created by Red Lobster’s marketing team in the 1990s. Since then the biscuits have achieved a cult following, which isn’t surprising. Anytime cheese, garlic and a little spice are paired with biscuits, it’s a win-win situation.

You might think they are called cheddar bay biscuits because of Old Bay seasoning, but while the flavor is similar, there is no Old bay in this recipe. These copycat Red Lobster biscuits get their flavor from garlic salt and cayenne pepper.

My Red Lobster biscuit recipe is one I use often because it’s quick, easy and allows me to get in and out of the kitchen in less time. Cheddar cheese drop biscuits are perfect for holiday meals and last-minute dinners. And of course, they’re even better than the original version. 

For another copycat biscuit try Bojangles Blueberry Biscuits, they’re slightly sweet and are perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Why you’ll love them

• Cheddar biscuits from Red Lobster are always a crowd-pleaser
• You can’t go wrong when you serve them with soup, meat or seafood 
• Quick prep means you spend less total time in the kitchen
• Flaky layers are loaded with melted cheese and topped with butter
• An easy recipe and no biscuit mix or food processor is needed

What to serve with garlic cheese biscuits?

These drop biscuits are great for breakfast with Baked Eggs and Mushrooms or Prosciutto Egg Cups.

You can use them instead of traditional biscuits for a topping to thick and creamy Chicken Pot Pie.

For a traditional Southern meal, serve them with Shrimp and Grits, Shrimp Foil Packs, Steamed Mussels or a Seafood Boil.

Savory biscuits pair perfectly with Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin and Marsala Steak.

Chicken Drumsticks and Slow Cooker Ribs are other great choices to serve with savory biscuits at your next cook out.

Are homemade biscuits healthier than Bisquick mix?

Bisquick contains partially hydrogenated oil. When you make biscuits from scratch with basic, whole ingredients you know exactly what goes into your biscuits.

For other homemade biscuit recipes try sour cream biscuits, cornbread biscuits, strawberry biscuits and gruyere and caramelized onion biscuits. If you want to make tall flaky biscuits, check out my tips on how to make classic buttermilk biscuits from scratch.

If you love buttery edges, then try square 7 UP biscuits or butter swim biscuits which are baked in a pool of butter.

What you’ll need

Butter – it doesn’t matter if it’s cold butter or room temperature since it needs to be melted.

Buttermilk – this will make them soft and fluffy. Buttermilk is a Southern cooking staple for good reason. It activates the leavening agent so that you don’t have flat biscuits.

Pro tip: If you’re out of buttermilk, you can make your own with just two ingredients. Here are three different methods for how to make your own buttermilk.

Cheddar cheese – sharp cheddar cheese adds more flavor but you could also use mild.

Garlic powder – make sure to use garlic powder, not garlic salt.

Cayenne pepper – this adds a bit of heat to the biscuits. If it’s too spicy for you, reduce the amount.

Pantry staples – all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and fresh parsley.

Learn how to keep your parsley fresh for weeks so you’ll have it ready when you want to make these biscuits.

Pro tip: Not sure which is the best flour to use for biscuits, I’ve broken down all the pros and cons for bread flour vs all-purpose flour.

How to make this cheddar biscuit recipe

Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 475°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2:

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Melt the butter microwave or on the stovetop. In a separate bowl mix the cold buttermilk with the slightly cooled melted butter. Stir until the butter makes small clumps.

Step 3:

Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until just combined.

Then add the shredded cheese, stirring gently to incorporate.

Step 4:

Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop out the dough. Drop it onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the tops are golden.

Step 5:

Melt butter and add fresh parsley and garlic powder. When the biscuits are done, immediately brush the butter mixture on top.

Whip up a batch of these yummy little treasures and make a weeknight meal something special!

How to store leftover biscuits

Biscuits along with dinner rolls can sit on the counter for a day or two in an airtight container. Don’t store them in the fridge. If you need to store them for longer than a day or two, just pop them in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat them, it won’t take long for them to come to room temperature. Then reheat in the oven.

FAQs and tips

Why do you need buttermilk for biscuits?

The acidity in the buttermilk reacts with the baking soda and baking powder to make the biscuits rise. Don’t have buttermilk, then try making buttery 7 UP biscuits instead.

How long will garlic cheddar biscuits stay fresh?

Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container for up to two days at room temperature, or up to five days in the refrigerator.

Can Cheddar Bay biscuits be frozen?

To store your biscuits for longer than a few days, place the baked and cooled biscuits in freezer bag. Transfer them to the freezer for up to three months.

How to reheat Red Lobster biscuits:

To reheat biscuits, wrap in aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes at 350º, or you can reheat in a slow cooker.

Craving more cheese? Try these favorite appetizers

Biscuit dough is layered with cheddar cheese in this flaky Pull-Apart Bread.

White Queso Dip is delicious drizzled over tacos or paired with chips.

If you need a quick and easy appetizer, Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls fit the bill.

For a heartier cheese dip try a Buffalo chicken cheesy dip.

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.

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