Introduction
Oh, those Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits! Just the thought of them brings back so many happy memories, doesn’t it? That warm, cheesy, garlicky goodness that arrives at your table, practically begging to be devoured. For years, I’ve dreamed of recreating that signature flavor and texture right in my own kitchen, and guess what? I finally cracked the code! This recipe is so wonderfully simple, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up a batch of these iconic biscuits. They’re perfect for a weeknight dinner, a special occasion, or just because you deserve a little bit of cheesy happiness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready to bake in under 15 minutes!
- Easy: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this a beginner-friendly recipe.
- Giftable: Imagine bringing a tin of these warm, fragrant biscuits to a friend’s house – pure joy!
- Crowd-pleasing: Seriously, who doesn’t love a warm, cheesy biscuit? These are guaranteed to disappear fast!
Ingredients
Gather ’round, bakers! Here’s what you’ll need to bring that Red Lobster magic to your kitchen:
- 4 cups baking mix (such as Bisquick): This is our secret shortcut to fluffy, tender biscuits.
- 4 oz Cheddar cheese, grated: Go for a good sharp cheddar for the best flavor!
- 1 1/3 cups buttermilk: Buttermilk is key for that signature tang and tender crumb.
- 1/2 cup melted butter: For richness and a lovely golden crust.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Because no cheddar biscuit is complete without it!
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning: This is what gives them that unique, slightly savory, slightly spicy kick.
For That Irresistible Topping:
- 1/2 cup melted butter: More of that deliciousness!
- 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning: To amp up that classic flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Doubling down on the garlic is never a bad idea.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley: For a pretty pop of color and a hint of freshness.
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder: Adds another layer of savory goodness.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a touch to bring all those flavors together.
How to Make It
Alright, apron on? Let’s get baking! It’s easier than you think.
- First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Make sure your oven rack is in the middle position.
- In a big ol’ bowl, we’re going to combine our dry ingredients. Dump in the baking mix, the grated cheddar cheese, that fragrant garlic powder, and our star, the Old Bay Seasoning. Give it a good whisk to get everything nicely mixed.
- Now, gradually pour in the buttermilk. Stir it in gently until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough. Don’t overmix – we want tender biscuits, not tough ones!
- Here’s the fun part: using a couple of spoons or your hands (lightly floured if you like!), drop spoonfuls of the dough onto an ungreased baking sheet. They don’t need to be perfectly shaped; a little rustic charm is good!
- Pop them into the preheated oven and let them bake for about 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them – you’re looking for that beautiful golden brown color.
- While those beauties are baking, let’s whip up that glorious topping. Melt the butter in a small bowl (I usually pop mine in the microwave for 30 seconds). Stir in the Old Bay Seasoning, garlic powder, dried parsley, onion powder, and that little pinch of salt. Give it a good swirl until everything is combined.
- As soon as the biscuits come out of the oven, get ready to brush them generously with that amazing topping. The heat from the biscuits will help the flavors really soak in. Oh, the aroma!
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling creative? I love to play around with this recipe! Here are a few ideas:
- Cheese: While cheddar is classic, feel free to mix in some Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for an extra cheesy punch.
- Herbs: Fresh chives or a little fresh parsley chopped into the dough itself can add a lovely burst of flavor and color.
- Spice: If you like a little more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dough or the topping.
- Garlic: For an even more intense garlic flavor, you can use roasted garlic instead of garlic powder in the topping. Just mash it up and mix it in!
Tips for Success
Want your biscuits to be absolutely perfect? Here are a few things I’ve learned:
- Don’t Overmix: This is probably the most important tip! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough biscuits. Mix just until the ingredients come together.
- Buttermilk Temperature: Using room-temperature buttermilk will help it incorporate more smoothly into the dough.
- Baking Sheet Prep: The recipe says ungreased, and that’s usually fine. If you’re worried about sticking, you can use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prep Ahead: You can mix the dry ingredients (baking mix, cheese, spices) a day in advance and store them in an airtight container. Just add the buttermilk and bake when you’re ready!
How to Store It
These biscuits are truly best enjoyed fresh and warm. However, if you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 days. To reheat, pop them in a toaster oven or a low oven for a few minutes until warmed through. They won’t be quite as tender as when they’re fresh, but they’ll still be delicious!
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
A: You can, but it won’t give you quite the same tang or tender texture. To make your own buttermilk substitute, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 1/3 cups of regular milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.
Q: My biscuits spread a lot, what did I do wrong?
A: This can happen if the dough is too wet or if you overmixed it. Try adding a little more baking mix if the dough seems too sticky, and remember to mix gently!
Q: Can I freeze the dough before baking?
A: Yes, you can! Drop the biscuits onto a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, place the frozen biscuits directly onto a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes longer than the recipe states, until golden brown.
Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
Equipment
- Oven Preheat to 400°F (200°C)
- Baking Sheet Ungreased or lined with parchment paper/silicone baking mat
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- spoons For dropping dough
- Small bowl For topping
- Microwave Optional, for melting butter
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups baking mix (such as Bisquick)
- 4 oz Cheddar cheese, grated Good sharp cheddar for best flavor
- 1.33 cups buttermilk
- 0.5 cup melted butter For richness and golden crust
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning For unique, savory, slightly spicy kick
Irresistible Topping
- 0.5 cup melted butter
- 0.25 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon dried parsley For color and freshness
- 0.25 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt To bring flavors together
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) with oven rack in the middle position.
- In a large bowl, combine baking mix, grated cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and Old Bay Seasoning. Whisk to mix.4 cups baking mix (such as Bisquick)
- Gradually pour in buttermilk and stir gently until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.4 cups baking mix (such as Bisquick)
- Using spoons or lightly floured hands, drop spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While biscuits bake, melt butter in a small bowl. Stir in Old Bay Seasoning, garlic powder, dried parsley, onion powder, and salt.4 cups baking mix (such as Bisquick)
- Brush the hot biscuits generously with the topping immediately after removing them from the oven.4 cups baking mix (such as Bisquick)