Name: Cheesy Garlic Biscuits Copycat Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 c flour; 4 t baking powder; 1 t salt; 1 T sugar; 4 T cold butter; 3/4 t garlic powder (divided); 1 c cheddar cheese (finely grated); 1 1/4 c whole milk (cold); 2 T melted butter; 1/4 t dried parsley flakes

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When I go to Red Lobster, I’m mostly there for the biscuits. The seafood is good, don’t get me wrong, but those warm Cheddar Bay Biscuits they bring to the table? That’s what I’m really thinking about on the drive over.

The problem is, I can’t justify a whole restaurant trip every time I want those cheesy, garlicky little bites of heaven. So I figured out how to make them at home, and honestly? They’re pretty darn close to the real thing. Just don’t skip the garlic-butter dabbed on all the warm biscuit tops at the end; it’s where the magic happens!

Table of Contents

Where did Cheddar Bay biscuits originate?

Today, die-hard Red Lobster fans can’t imagine the restaurant without a basket or two of this beloved side, but the biscuits were actually only introduced in 1988 while the restaurant first came to be in 1968 (the restaurant grew in popularity and became a chain around the same time the biscuits were created. Coincidence?).

They were only created originally as an alternative to the restaurant’s main appetizer of hushpuppies, but the demand grew so much that it was quickly placed as a menu staple.

Here’s some bonus trivia for all you foodie geeks out there: when it was first placed on the menu, it had the (quite bland) name “freshly-baked, hot cheese garlic bread”.

The trademarked official name was given to them about five years later.

What are Red Lobster biscuits made of?

While the exact and “original” Red Lobster cheese biscuits recipe is a closely guarded secret, some of the ingredients are pretty easy to determine based on the taste, texture, and appearance of the biscuit.

These ingredients are all-purpose flour, milk, butter, plenty of garlic powder, and cheddar cheese.

Helpful tips to make Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits Copycat

Here are some helpful tips you can use while making your own Red Lobster biscuit recipe at home:

Use Your Hands

Don’t be afraid to get in there and use your clean hands when mixing this recipe. A sturdy wooden spoon would be ok too, but don’t use a handmixer since you just want to combine without overmixing.

Quality, Quality, Quality

If you want those melt-in-your-mouth, flaky, fluffy biscuits, invest in high-quality ingredients, especially with your butter and cheddar cheese.

You’ll definitely taste the difference!

How long will the cheddar bay biscuits last?

If you plan to store leftover biscuits (we’re in awe of your willpower, by the way), they can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.

Can I freeze cheddar bay biscuits?

If you plan to store them for longer, make sure to cool the biscuits completely on the counter, place them in an airtight container or baggie, and then in your freezer. They will keep for around 3-4 months.

How to reheat the biscuits without drying them out

In a conventional oven:

If you’re reheating cold biscuits from the fridge, simply place them in a 350⁰F oven for around 6 minutes.

For frozen biscuits, wrap them in foil and reheat them for 20 minutes in a 300⁰F oven.

In a microwave:

If you’re reheating cold biscuits from the fridge, simply use the reheat setting or on High for around 7 seconds each. It doesn’t take long to soften the fats in baked goods, so if you overdo it, they get tough and chewy.

In an air fryer:

You may be asking yourself, “Can I reheat biscuits in an air fryer?” You can either put them right on the basket, which is what I do, or if they are very crumbly, you can add them to foil first.

Set to 375F and preheat for 3 minutes. Add the biscuits and heat for 2 minutes (so 5 minutes total). Use tongs or hot pads to remove the foil packet from the air fryer.

Serve immediately so they don’t cool and get chewy or tough. Most baked goods don’t reheat more than once and retain a good texture.

Cheesy Garlic Biscuits (Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits)

These amazing garlic cheddar biscuits are a delicious addition to any meal, whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or a side. They’re perfectly golden-brown on the outside, with a crisp and flaky exterior.

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