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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I have spent years and years trying clones of this recipe, and you have a very good version here. But my memories of Cheddar Bay are of a much more tender biscuit. Cooks in the south achieve this texture by using White Lily flour. I can’t find White Lily where I live, but it can be substituted by using 1/2 all purpose flour and 1/2 cake flour in your recipe. I made them today …. your recipe but with substitute flour. They were amazingly good. At long last, success has been achieved!
I have made these twice and both times I’m left with about 1/4 cup of milk butter mixture. If I were to add all of it, I’m afraid the recipe would be a flop. Otherwise, this is my go to biscuit recipe going forward. It’s so buttery and light and we love having it with soup.
Easy to make and they are just as good as red lobster biscuits, they are damn delicious, I use a lot of your recipes and they are amazing , Thankyou.
My favorite food blogger EVER. Every single recipe I’ve tried from you is fantastic and never lets me down. I made these today for my family’s Easter dinner and they were the star of the show! Amazing flavor, so flaky and perfect. I can’t thank you enough for all you do. You make cooking for my family so enjoyable and they think I’m the best cook because of you hahaah.
Wow. They are perfect.
Amazing! I’m so happy with the results of these biscuits. The texture and taste are spot on and way better than anything from outside the home. I used a buttermilk substitute of 1 tbs white vinegar and 1 c whole milk, as well as salted butter, and 1/4 tsp table salt, 1/2 tsp dried parsley and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar on top. Cooked at 450 for 14-15 minutes on middle rack with a baking stone on bottom rack (not sure if this helps but the bottoms were yummy browned! Thanks for the keeper !!
Forgot to add – had to use up Heart Smart Bisquick mix for the base.
They taste incredible. I made dairy-free buttermilk, put these on top of pate au poulet (chicken and gravy). Thank you!
These were AMAZING! I did end up having to cook mine for about 14 minutes, but they taste so incredible. I am so excited to make them again.
This recipe is amazing! Even though I will admit I have not followed it in its entirety yet. I had already planned to make some quick biscuits for my hungry l.o.’s with a box biscuit mix from Lidls when I had the idea to make RL Cheese biscuits instead. I incorporated some white cheddar and mozzarella into the mix along with all the spices you recommended. Then followed the box instructions for the amount of milk. After they were baked I buttered per your instructions and they were MARVELOUS! Bravo. I am definitely ready to try it from scratch next.
I just made these and they turned out great! So fast and easy. My family gobbled them up. Thanks for the recipe!
I made this vegan because I am allergic to dairy but it was so amazing. I substituted the unsalted butter and used vegan butter, The cheese for chao vegan shreds cheese, and the buttermilk for almond milk. Oh my Goodness it was amazing.
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. It was a great find
Yay! I’m so happy you shared your dairy-free version! My daughter is allergic to dairy as well and I try to make everything without dairy, if possible. Thanks for sharing!
*thumbsup*
These are lovely although I prefer them with just melted butter on the top as they are a bit too garlicky otherwise. I followed the recipe exactly, except my buttermilk was actually milk & white vinegar. I only needed about 2/3rds of the buttermilk/butter mixture. I was amazed how quick and easy these are and how perfect they turned out! In less than 35 minutes, we had piping hot biscuits on our table.
I used sour cream in place of the buttermilk and was delish! I also added a pinch of salt to the topping mixture, so good! These are far better than the original. Thank you for the recipe! ❤️
Did you use 1 cup? Also, did you use regular sour cream, low fat, or fat free? Thanks!
These are amazing! Family loved them and I’ve already made several times. My oven will burn the bottom of biscuits at 450, so lowered to 400 and they came out perfect.
As advertised. Added some finely chopped jalapeño to the batter. Adjust amount to taste of course. Alternatively, one could add chopped scallions, especially the green parts, either in the batter or in place of the parsley. Don’t cheat on the buttermilk, use the real deal.
Literally THEEE best biscuits ever!!
Instead of melting my butter, I leave it cold from the fridge and use a cheese grater to grate it into the flour mix – These biscuits are my family’s most favorite, even the Littles! You won’t be disappointed!
Amazing biscuits and easy to make. I hate having to cut in butter so this is the way I’m doing it forever now.
I’ve never been to Red Lobster but I’m sure these are better. Oh yeah, I cooked mine for about 15 min