Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
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These copycat biscuits are so easy to make in just 30 min! So buttery, so flaky, and so irresistibly good!

Featured Comment
I have the fondest memories of Red Lobster. It was always our go-to place for big familial celebrations, particularly for our birthdays. And since we never went out for dinner, it was always a huge deal to eat out. It was as if we had won the lottery. But other than the lobster, there was something else on the menu that was just as lottery-worthy. It was, of course, the cheddar bay biscuits.
why i love this recipe
- Copycat recipe. This is a complete copycat recipe of Red Lobster’s most popular (and famous) biscuits. You’ll have the flakiest, most fluffy biscuit you could possibly dream of. Dare I say it’s even better than the restaurant version?
- No more store-bought mix. You can skip the store-bought biscuit mix with easy-to-find ingredients, most of which are pantry staples.
- So fast and easy. These buttery, flaky biscuits come together in just 30 minutes, start to finish.
- Crowd-favorite. These copycat biscuits are a huge crowd-favorite for both kids and grown ups, great as an appetizer or snack, or served alongside any meal – from soups, stews, pastas and everything in between.
- Freezer-friendly. Freeze before or after baking, ideal for stocking your freezer or saving leftovers.

tips and tricks for success
- Use buttermilk. While adding a slightly tangy flavor, buttermilk is a key ingredient here contributing to the flavor, texture and rise. Using milk will lead to more neutral flavors along with flat and dense biscuits. You can also make a buttermilk substitute using milk, adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk.
- Use your favorite cheese. The recipe lists sharp cheddar cheese but feel free to mix it up with white cheddar, gouda or pepper jack cheese.
- Avoid overworking the dough. Knead the dough just until it comes together. Overworking the dough can lead to dense, dry biscuits.
- Use a floured biscuit cutter. Flouring the biscuit cutter beforehand will prevent sticking. Avoid twisting the cutter as the biscuits may slope and rise unevenly.
- Freeze before baking. Although biscuits can be frozen before or after baking, freezing before baking is preferred to preserve texture and for optimal freshness.
FREEZING AND STORAGE
Storage
Leftover biscuits can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350°F, covered in aluminum foil until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.
Freeze before baking
Place the biscuits on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper, freezing for 1 hour until solid. Transfer the biscuits to an airtight, resealable freezer bag. Label, date and freeze up to 3 weeks. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
Freeze after baking
Let the biscuits cool completely. Transfer the biscuits to an airtight, resealable freezer bag. Label, date and freeze up to 3 weeks. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F, covered in aluminum foil until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.

what to serve with red lobster cheddar bay biscuits
Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits: Frequently Asked Questions
A quick and easy buttermilk substitute is creating your own buttermilk with whole milk and something acidic such as lemon juice or distilled white vinegar.
You can add 1 tablespoon acid (lemon juice or vinegar) to 1 cup milk, letting it stand for 5-10 minutes.
Absolutely! But because dried herbs are often more potent/concentrated than fresh herbs, you need less when using dry. The correct ratio is 1 tablespoon fresh herbs to 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
A sharp knife should do the trick using a downward motion. Using a dull rim, such as a glass or mason jar, can prevent the biscuits from rising.
Yes! Biscuits are very freezer-friendly, flash freezing once assembled (before baking) and storing in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
For the topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper, if using.
- In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together buttermilk and butter. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir using a rubber spatula just until moist. Gently fold in cheese.
- Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times until it comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 1 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Cut out 10-12 rounds using a 2 1/2-inch biscuit or cookie cutter.
- Place into oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
for the topping
- Whisk together butter, parsley and garlic powder in a small bowl. Working one at a time, brush the tops of the biscuits with the butter mixture.
- Serve immediately.
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So much more flavorful than red lobster biscuits! My go to biscuit and everyone I make it for always loves them. Thanks for the recipe!
These are NOT a million times better then Red Lobsters. I tried this one because I cant find my recipe for it. And although they are good, they are not like Red Lobsters. Sorry, but I am pretty picky about food, and if it says its a copycat I expect it to taste like it. They were good but not expected.
Keep your opinions to yourself, especially if their wrong. I know it’s a comment section, but this is the only negative comment that I have read so far. These biscuits are better then the red lobster ones. Plus because of COVID it’s not like you have tried red lobster in a while to compare them anyway.
Delicious! Pretty darn close to the real thing. I subbed sourdough starter for buttermilk since I didn’t have it and added extra garlic powder and some onion powder. Hubs loved them!
Used milk that was turning instead of buttermilk, and subbed mexican chili powder for the cayenne. My husband said they were even better than red lobster! Thanks for this recipe! So good! 🙂
Absolutely amazing!!! My four sons and husband and I all LOVE these. I have made them twice now and will be making many more times. I never have buttermilk on hand so I used milk with a 1/4 t of lemon juice, and didn’t have sharp cheddar so used mild. Loved it anyway. Thank you for sharing!
Made these this morning and they were great but I would advise using half the cayenne but I’m just not. Heat type of a person but it was good! Thanks!
I love this recipe. Delicious.
These were fantastic!!! Made just “as written”. Maybe left them cook an extra minute or two.
I made this last night for my family after my brother had light bulb in the brain. I didn’t have buttermilk so I looked up a recipe to make my own and I have to say it was delish! This recipe overall I think could be a great biscuit recipe! I’ll definitely be making this for years to come. I’m never buying that boxed crap again! Thank you!!!
Amazing recipe! I use it all the time.
So good and so easy and quick! Will definitely make again!
Easy to make but the baking soda proportion is so wrong — the end result tasted very metallic and inedible unless if you pour lots of honey or butter on top. It’s only a good recipe if kids can eat it — they are ruthless recipe critics 🙂
The recipe calls for baking ‘powder’, Alice.
This is almost as bad as people who make their own substitutions and then claim the recipe is poorly written.
I made these for dinner tonight and they were a hit with my family. I didn’t have buttermilk so I substituted a cup of whole milk mixed with a tablespoon of white vinegar and they turned out great. Very soft and moist inside with a nice crust on the bottom. So much flavor and no need for extra butter before eating. Will be making this often! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipe!!!
These are awesome and easy to make
very very good!!! soft, flavorful and yummy! though it doesnt taste exactly like Red Lobsters!!! i wish i knew what red lobster’s secret ingredient is!
It’s Old Bay seasoning (hense the name Cheddar Bay Biscuits).
Hello, i know it will taste different but could i use almond flour?
Fabulous recipe, have 6 in the oven right now! Can I freeze half of the dough? Just the two of us, so wanting to perhaps freeze some uncooked and then defrost and cook?
Definitely can freeze, this is my kids favorite side dish and I have two teenage boys and a preteen daughter so they eat me out of house and home lol! I make quite a few up ahead of time and freeze several. You have to take them out of the freezer for about 20 to 30 mins before you cook them but it works great!
Best. Biscuits. Ever. My family said they were BETTER than Red Lobster’s!
I almost never review recipes but god, these were so good. Follow the recipe as is and if you do, I don’t see why you would have any problems. I am allowed to say this because I am only mediocre at cooking and I did an amazing job with these! They taste like the real deal.
AMAZING! These are so good that they were gone in seconds. No one waited for them to cool and asking for more already. I did change the milk to oat and the butter to a dairy free and still came out perfect and delicious!