Cheddar Bay Biscuits

These Cheddar Bay Biscuits are buttery, cheesy, and irresistibly flaky. They take only 10 minutes in the oven. They’re brushed with a melted garlic butter that’s irresistible.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

We’re bringing you the ultimate Cheddar Bay biscuits recipe that’s easy to make and incredibly delicious. Here’s why this recipe stands out:

Incredibly Buttery and Flaky: With real butter in the dough and the topping, these biscuits are perfectly flaky, incredibly buttery, and absolutely delicious! It reminds us of our Best Buttermilk Biscuits.
No Mixer Required: We love that you don’t need any special equipment to make these biscuits – just a couple of bowls and a baking sheet.
Red Lobster Copycat: This recipe is a spot-on recreation of the famous restaurant biscuits, so you can enjoy them anytime you like.
Family Favorite: My boys love these with just about any meal – from soups to stews, it’s a favorite recipe for gatherings.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients to make cheddar bay biscuits on a white kitchen counter.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese – This is the star ingredient of our biscuits. It adds a rich, sharp flavor and a wonderfully cheesy aroma.
Buttermilk – Buttermilk is the key to the light and tender texture of these biscuits. Its acidity reacts with the baking powder to give the biscuits a nice rise.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder – These two ingredients add a savory, umami flavor that sets these biscuits apart from the rest.
Chives – Chopped fresh chives mixed with melted butter and garlic powder make a flavorful, aromatic topping for the biscuits.

Substitutions And Variations

Here are our favorite substitutions and variations for this recipe:

Different Herbs: Chives work beautifully with the flavors in these cheddar bay biscuits, but you can use fresh parsley or dill as well. Dried herbs would work too, as they do in our Garlic Parmesan Knots.
Extra Garlicky: Add some chopped garlic cloves to the topping instead of garlic powder to make your biscuits extra garlicky!
Mild Cheese: We love the flavor of sharp cheddar cheese, but you can also use mild or medium cheddar instead.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Dry ingredients to make cheddar bay biscuits being mixed in a bowl.

Cheddar bay biscuit dough being mixed together using a rubber spatula.

Combine dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another.
Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula until just combined. Gently fold in the cheese.

Cheddar bay biscuit dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Cheddar bay biscuits being baked in the oven.

Form the dough into 12 evenly sized mounds on a baking sheet and place them 2 inches apart on a prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 15-16 minutes in a preheated oven at 425F or just until golden brown.

Melted butter and freshly chopped herbs in a glass bowl with a measuring spoon.

Freshly baked cheddar bay biscuits with herb topping on parchment paper, next to a bowl of herb butter and a brush.

While biscuits are baking, make the butter topping by combining butter, chives, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
Once the biscuits are done baking, brush them with the butter mixture and serve immediately.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

Take a look at our favorite prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:

Make the Dough: The biscuit dough can be prepared in advance. Simply follow the recipe instructions to make the dough, then cover it and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the dough is chilled.
Make the Butter Topping: Feel free to make the butter topping in advance by combining butter, chives, and garlic powder. Store this in the fridge and warm it up slightly before brushing it on the biscuits.

Closeup shot of a plate of freshly baked, golden-brown cheddar bay biscuits garnished with herbs. — These Cheddar Bay Biscuits taste like the ones from Red Lobster and are a true crowd pleaser!

What To Serve With Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Soups and Stews

These biscuits are perfect for soaking up the rich, hearty flavors of a classic Beef Stew or this Instant Pot Irish Guinness Beef Stew.
A warm bowl of soup is even better with a side of Cheddar Bay biscuits. The flavors of the biscuits work well with Roasted Tomato Basil Soup or this Easy Lasagna Soup.

Other Main Dishes

You can’t go wrong with Cheddar Bay Biscuits and our delicious White Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
We also love them on the side of a Chicken or Turkey Pot Pie.
A Perfectly Cooked Steak can be made even better with a side of Cheddar Bay biscuits. The cheesy, garlicky flavors will complement the meat and leave you feeling satisfied.
And, of course, you can serve them alongside your favorite seafood dishes! We particularly love it with our Easy Baked Salmon Recipe.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I use pre-shredded cheddar cheese?

While pre-shredded cheddar cheese will work, we recommend using freshly shredded cheddar for the best flavor and texture. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the biscuits’ texture.

Why did my biscuits turn out dry?

Dry biscuits are usually the result of overbaking. Make sure to keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time, as ovens can vary. Remove them from the oven as soon as they turn golden brown.

How long do these biscuits keep?

Cheddar Bay biscuits are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven or toaster oven.