Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Looking for a delicious and easy biscuit recipe? These Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a classic for a reason. Bake up a tray today!
Earlier this year, my sister-in-law came to stay with us for a while. She had been working at an orphanage in Haiti for the last 2 years, and she was transitioning back to living here in the States. This was a win-win for us. We got to visit with her for an extended period of time, and Robbie loved having someone else around the house.
Due to covid, we spent a solid year or more without going out to restaurants. Sure, we ordered food on occasion, but even those nights were few and far between. Needless to say, we developed quite a few covid cravings. Buffalo wings from our favorite neighborhood bar. Burgers from a new restaurant that opened up here in town. The list goes on. I’m sure you can identify with covid cravings! But if you thought those cravings were bad, try living in Haiti for 2 years.
I learned a lot about Haitian culture from my sister-in-law. And while there were certainly many good things about Haiti, the ability to find her favorite American foods was obviously very limited. While she was living with us, she got a chance to enjoy many of those cravings again. However, we were still in covid lockdown, so that led to use cooking and baking all sorts of favorite foods here at home. And that’s where these Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits come into the picture.
Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
To be honest, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve been into a Red Lobster. It just wasn’t a restaurant that was on our radar as kids. And to be honest, I’m not sure if we even have a Red Lobster here in our town. (I just googled it – there’s one about 20 minutes away. Now I know!)
But with that said, I absolutely love Red Lobster’s biscuits. And I know I’m not the only one. These biscuits are so popular that Red Lobster even sells baking mixes in the grocery store for their biscuits. These cheesy biscuits are light and fluffy, and they’re loaded with flavor. Just like Olive Garden’s breadsticks, I could fill up on these biscuits before ever touching my actual meal.
One of the interesting things about these Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits is the use of melted butter instead of diced butter. The butter gets stirred in rather than cut in. And that makes a huge difference in terms of texture. When cutting cold (or frozen) butter into biscuit dough, you end up with little pockets of air as the butter melts in the oven. This leads to a flaky, delicious biscuit. (This is my all-time favorite biscuit using that method.)
When mixing melted butter into biscuit dough, you get an entirely different biscuit. Now I’ve never met a biscuit I didn’t like – I just like some more than others! The batter for these Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits is loose. You can’t really roll it out and use a biscuit cutter. Instead, you just use a ¼-cup measure and scoop the dough onto the baking tray. The dough is loose enough to scoop, but firm enough not to ooze all over the tray. And the resulting biscuit after its baked? Amazing! Light and airy with tons of butter flavor. It’s not flaky like a traditional biscuit, but it’s downright delicious. I dare you to take just one bite and then walk away!
One of the best things about these Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits? They are super easy to make! Since you don’t have to worry about cutting in the butter or freezing the dough, that means you can have a batch of these biscuits in the oven in about 10 minutes. That’s right – 10 minutes. I highly recommend baking a batch of these biscuits soon – they’re perfect alongside a salad or a bowl of soup. Happy baking!
Did you bake a batch of these Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!
Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Ingredients
For the Biscuits
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ Tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese I used Cabot's Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese
For the Topping
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried parsley
Instructions
For the Biscuits
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- Using a large bowl, add flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, garlic powder and cayenne pepper; stir until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter and buttermilk. Pour mixture into bowl with flour; gently stir until just combined.
- Using a spatula, fold shredded cheese into mixture.
- Using a greased ¼-cup measuring cup, scoop the batter onto the prepared baking pan. (Note: Leave ~1” between biscuits.)
- Bake for 13-14 minutes, or until tops of biscuits are golden brown.
For the Topping
- Using a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder and dried parsley.
- Brush this mixture on top of biscuits while they are still warm from the oven.
- Serve immediately.
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Will be making this soon can i use vegan butter and buttermilk for the biscuits and can i use vegan butter for the topping i never had copycat red lobster cheddar biscuits before perfect for my office snacks love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
and can i use vegan cheese sorry i forgot to add vegan cheese on my comment
Hey Ramya! Yes, you may certainly use vegan ingredients here as needed. I do hope you make a batch of these biscuits – they are easy to make and quite delicious!
I have never been to a Red Lobster, but I’ve heard all about those amazing biscuits! I mean cheese, garlic and butter…Yep, those sound delicious! I love making my own biscuits so these will be in our oven soon. 🙂
Oh, the biscuits are truly amazing, Kathy! Like you said, Red Lobster isn’t really a thing around here…but the biscuits? Yes, please! And they are SO easy to make, too. Perfect for with a bowl of soup on these chilly fall days!
David, I fear you’ve released an addiction from my past. When I traveled for work in the US, if I was by a Red Lobster at lunchtime that’s where I headed. Why, for the biscuits. I’d always get their bottomless soup lunch special and pigout on the biscuits. I think it’s time my Swedish friends were introduced to the addiction. Thanks for posting this one…
Haha – I was hoping you would see this recipe, Ron! These biscuits truly are dangerous. They are incredibly easy to make. I’d estimate that you could have a batch in the oven in just 10 minutes! And then they’re incredibly easy to eat, too. And I would guess that all of the ingredients are fairly accessible over there!
I’ve only been to Red Lobster once and that was enough for me. Maybe I should have ordered these!!! Great recipe.
Haha – that’s about how often I’ve been to Red Lobster, too, Mimi. But these biscuits? They are on regular repeat in our house. They’re quick and easy…and they’re amazing next to a bowl of soup on these chilly days!
I’m not familiar with Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits (Probably because we’ve been into a Red Lobster even fewer times than you. I can probably count on 1/2 of my hand the number of times we’ve been there.) But as a huge fan of savoury baked things, this is right up my alley. Indeed, I believe this is even better than biscuits Red Lobster can offer!
I hear ya, Ben – we don’t really ever go to Red Lobster, either. But these biscuits? They’re SO easy to make, and they’re perfect alongside a bowl of soup or a salad. (You are the Salad King, you know…that means you’re required to make a batch of these biscuits next time you make a salad!)
OMG that looks amazing, all you need now are the prawns, crabs and lobsters 😁
Haha – you’re right. I do need the seafood to complete this one! Thanks, Raymund!
Wow – your SIL must have some stories to tell. I remember Anthony Bourdain did an episode on Haiti (I think on No Reservations) and I was saddened deeply by the living conditions there. How is your SIL now?
But changing gears a bit – I am all too familiar with covid cravings – one of mine was the red velvet cupcakes from 2 little red hens in NYC – unfortunately, they are closed temp still! Any chance you tried one of their cupcakes and have a recipe planned? These RL cheddar bay biscuits have not been just a covid craving tho – they have been a pre-covid craving for too long and your version looks so dang delicious! So much better than the packaged stuff they sell – yes, I tried that and did not like it at all – but these are gonna have to be made soon!
My SIL is actually back in Atlanta now. She lives there, and I believe she is job hunting down there. The stories from Haiti are heart-breaking and mind-blowing. It’s nothing like what we’re used to in the States. Not only from the developed nation perspective, but from the governance perspective. There is an incredible amount of corruption there, and I think that makes it hard for groups who want to actually help.
I have yet to try 2 Little Red Hens – to be honest, I haven’t been down in NYC in several years now. I hear it’s a lot different these days thanks to covid, too. So I can’t help ya there! But in the meantime, I highly (!!) recommend a batch of these biscuits. They’re amazing. They’re easy. They’re perfect next to a bowl of soup on these chilly fall days. 🙂
We don’t have Red Lobster around here, but I have visited one while travelling and love their biscuits! I could legit make a meal out of just these. They look so so freaking yummy, David, and I can only imagine how good they are freshly made with some butter. Perfect to go along with a bowl of soup too!
To be honest, you’re not missing out on the actual Red Lobster, Dawn. But these biscuits? Make a batch. ASAP. They’re so tasty, and they’re so easy to make, too!
These rich cheesy biscuits are what I think of when I think of Red Lobster and your copycat version looks spot on! Definitely need to try these with a steaming hot bowl of tomato soup!
Oh this recipe is fantastic, Marissa! It’s so easy to make a batch of these biscuits, and you’re right – they would go quite well with a good bowl of tomato soup. Stay warm!
Like you, I can count the times I’ve been to Red Lobster on probably one hand, but those biscuits are incredibly good. I’m not sure I have the discipline to make them at home and not eat the whole batch myself!
I don’t think we’re missing anything on the actual Red Lobster front, Jeff. But these biscuits? They need to make a surprise appearance in your kitchen! Plus, they are fantastic with a bowl of soup!
these look like flat scones, but delicious i’m sure 🙂
Ah, the great scone-biscuit-cookie debate! 🙂 But, yes, these are delicious for sure!!
This recipe helps me make a good food for supper.
Thanks, Josh! Glad you enjoy this recipe!