Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

This copycat Red Lobster Biscuit Recipe will give you the perfect cheddar bay biscuits – light, fluffy, cheesy, and bursting with garlic butter flavor. Skip the restaurant and recreate these beloved, irresistible side dishes in your own kitchen with simple ingredients and easy steps. They’re ideal for any meal, from seafood feasts to comforting weeknight dinners!

• 1 cup whole milk 
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar (creates a quick buttermilk substitute)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (helps achieve a tender crumb)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder (essential for that signature flavor)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and diced (for incorporating into the dough)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (the cheesier, the better!)
• Topping:
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (for color and aromatic finish)

Instructions for Perfectly Fluffy Cheddar Biscuits

1. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to a precise 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Buttermilk Substitute: In a small dish or measuring cup, combine the whole milk and the white vinegar. Stir gently and set it aside for 5-10 minutes. The milk will curdle slightly, forming a quick and effective buttermilk substitute that adds tenderness to your biscuits.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch until they are well combined. Cornstarch is a secret ingredient for extra tender biscuits!
4. Add Leavening and Seasoning: Stir in the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and garlic powder with the flour mixture. Ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed for consistent rise and flavor.
5. Incorporate the Butter: Add the softened and diced unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using your hands or a pastry blender, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Continue kneading lightly until the mixture transforms into a somewhat crumbly yet sticky combination. Avoid overworking the dough to keep the biscuits tender.
6. Mix in the Cheese: Gently fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it’s evenly distributed throughout the dough. You want cheese in every bite!
7. Add the Wet Ingredients: Finally, pour in the prepared milk and vinegar mixture. Mix until just combined. At this stage, the batter will be quite sticky and thick, which is perfectly normal for a drop biscuit. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.
8. Form the Biscuits: Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup or a large scoop, drop mounds of the sticky dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave a little space between each biscuit for even baking.
9. Prepare the Garlic Butter Topping: While the biscuits are in the oven, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a small microwave-safe bowl or saucepan. Stir in the additional teaspoon of garlic powder and dried parsley until well combined. Set this fragrant topping aside.
10. First Bake: Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until they are puffed up and lightly golden.
11. Brush with Garlic Butter: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Generously brush the tops of the hot biscuits with the prepared garlic butter mixture. This step is crucial for that authentic Red Lobster taste and aroma.
12. Second Bake for Golden Perfection: Pop the biscuits back into the oven for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The second bake ensures a beautiful crust and fully melded flavors.

• Don’t Overmix the Dough: This is arguably the most critical tip for any biscuit recipe. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, dense biscuits instead of light and fluffy ones. Mix until just combined.
• Use Cold Butter (for flakiness): While this recipe calls for softened butter to be worked into the dough, if you prefer an even flakier texture, you can use very cold, grated butter and quickly work it into the dry ingredients. This creates pockets of butter that release steam and create layers as they bake.
• DIY Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, the vinegar and whole milk trick is a fantastic substitute. Ensure it sits for a few minutes until it thickens slightly before adding it to the dry ingredients.
• Garlic Powder is Key: Don’t skimp on the garlic powder! It’s the defining flavor of these biscuits. Using both in the dough and the butter topping ensures a robust garlic punch.
• Sharp Cheddar for Flavor: While any cheddar cheese will work, sharp cheddar provides a more pronounced cheesy flavor that stands up well against the garlic. Grate your own cheese from a block for the best melting quality and flavor.
• Evenly Sized Biscuits: Use a cookie scoop or a 1/4-cup measure to portion your dough. This ensures all biscuits bake evenly and are ready at the same time.

• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the dough or the butter topping for a subtle heat.
• Herbaceous Twist: Incorporate other dried or fresh herbs like chives, thyme, or rosemary along with the parsley for different aromatic profiles.
• Different Cheeses: Experiment with other cheeses like Parmesan, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or a blend of cheeses for unique flavor combinations.
• Bacon Bits: For a more savory and indulgent treat, fold in some cooked and crumbled bacon bits into the dough along with the cheddar cheese.

These versatile cheddar biscuits are an incredible accompaniment to a wide variety of meals. Naturally, they’re perfect with any seafood dish, such as baked salmon, shrimp scampi, or a classic fish fry. Beyond seafood, they shine alongside hearty stews and chilis, soaking up all the delicious broths and sauces. Imagine them with a comforting bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup on a cold evening, or as a delightful side for roasted chicken or pork tenderloin. They even make a fantastic addition to a brunch spread, perhaps with scrambled eggs and sausage, offering a savory alternative to sweet pastries. The possibilities are truly endless for these irresistible garlic cheddar biscuits!

Once cooled, store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. While they are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, they still hold up well. To reheat, simply place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also pop them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, though the texture might be slightly softer. For longer storage, freeze the baked biscuits for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat as directed.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?
  While biscuits are best baked fresh, you can prepare the dough up to the point of forming the mounds, then cover and refrigerate for a few hours. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while the oven preheats, then proceed with baking.
• Why use cornstarch in the recipe?
  Cornstarch is a common addition in baking for tenderness. It helps to inhibit gluten development, resulting in a lighter, more delicate crumb in your biscuits. It contributes to that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• My dough is very sticky, is that normal?
  Yes, absolutely! This recipe makes drop biscuits, meaning the dough is meant to be quite wet and sticky, not firm enough to roll out and cut. This high moisture content contributes to their incredible softness and moist interior. Just use a scoop or spoon to portion them onto the baking sheet.
• Can I freeze these biscuits?
  You can freeze both unbaked and baked biscuits. For unbaked, form the dough into mounds, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. For baked biscuits, cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container or bag. Reheat from frozen in the oven.
• Are these healthy?
  While these biscuits are undeniably delicious and a beloved comfort food, they are rich in butter and cheese, making them a more indulgent side dish rather than a health food. Enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet!