Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits: The Ultimate Copycat Recipe

Craving those warm, cheesy, garlicky Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits but don’t want to leave the house? You’re in luck! This copycat recipe will help you recreate those iconic biscuits in your own kitchen. Prepare to be amazed at how easy and delicious these homemade biscuits are. Get ready for a buttery, cheesy, and garlicky flavor explosion that will rival the original.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is designed to mimic the texture and taste of Red Lobster’s famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits. The key to achieving that light, fluffy texture lies in using self-rising flour and cold butter. The self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt, which helps the biscuits rise perfectly. Cold butter creates small pockets of air within the dough, resulting in a flaky and tender crumb. The generous amount of cheddar cheese adds that signature cheesy flavor, while the garlic butter topping takes these biscuits to the next level of deliciousness. It’s a simple recipe with a huge payoff!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Self-Rising Flour: 2 cups. This is crucial for the biscuit’s light and airy texture. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own (recipe below).
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 3/4 cup, shredded. Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor. You can also use a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack.
• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon. Adds that essential garlicky flavor.
• Dried Parsley: 1/2 teaspoon. For a touch of color and herb flavor.
• Milk: 3/4 cup, cold. Keeps the dough moist and helps it come together.
• Butter: 6 tablespoons, divided (4 tablespoons cold and cubed, 2 tablespoons melted). The cold butter is for the biscuit dough, and the melted butter is for the garlic butter topping.
• Garlic Salt: 1/4 teaspoon. Adds a salty and garlicky kick to the topping.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

• Self-Rising Flour Substitute: If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own by combining 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk together well before using.
• Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack would be delicious.
• Herb Variations: Instead of dried parsley, try using dried chives, dill, or Italian seasoning.
• Spicy Biscuits: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dough for a little heat.
• Buttermilk Biscuits: Substitute the milk with buttermilk for a tangier flavor.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large Mixing Bowl: For mixing the biscuit dough.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cheese Grater: For shredding the cheddar cheese.
• Pastry Cutter or Fork: For cutting the cold butter into the flour.
• Baking Sheet: For baking the biscuits.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: To prevent the biscuits from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Small Bowl: For melting the butter for the topping.
• Pastry Brush: For brushing the garlic butter topping onto the baked biscuits.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to make perfect Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits every time.

Making the Biscuit Dough

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, garlic powder, and dried parsley.
3. Add the cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
4. Cut in the cold butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be in small pieces, about the size of peas. This step is crucial for creating flaky biscuits.
5. Add the milk: Pour in the cold milk and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. It should be slightly sticky.
6. Drop onto baking sheet: Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. You should get about 8-10 biscuits.
7. Bake the biscuits: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top.

Making the Garlic Butter Topping

1. Melt the butter: While the biscuits are baking, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl. You can do this in the microwave or on the stovetop.
2. Add garlic salt: Stir in the garlic salt until well combined.
3. Brush the biscuits: As soon as the biscuits come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter topping. Make sure to get the tops and sides.

Tips for Perfect Biscuits

• Use cold ingredients: Cold butter and milk are essential for creating tender, flaky biscuits. The cold butter creates steam during baking, which helps the biscuits rise and become light.
• Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten, resulting in tough biscuits. Mix the dough until just combined. It’s okay if there are still some streaks of flour.
• Handle the dough gently: Avoid overworking the dough when dropping it onto the baking sheet. Gently scoop the dough and drop it onto the baking sheet.
• Bake at a high temperature: Baking the biscuits at a high temperature (450°F/232°C) helps them rise quickly and develop a golden-brown crust.
• Serve immediately: These biscuits are best served warm and fresh out of the oven. The garlic butter topping soaks into the biscuits, making them incredibly flavorful.

Serving Suggestions

Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions:

• With seafood: Serve these biscuits alongside your favorite seafood dishes, such as shrimp scampi, grilled salmon, or crab legs.
• With soup or chili: These biscuits are perfect for dipping into creamy soups or hearty chili.
• With salad: Add a warm biscuit to your salad for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
• As a snack: Enjoy these biscuits as a warm and cheesy snack anytime of day.
• Breakfast: Pair with eggs and bacon or sausage for a delightful breakfast treat.

Storage Instructions

These biscuits are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, wrap the biscuits in foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they may become slightly softer.

Freezing Instructions

To freeze the biscuits, let them cool completely after baking. Wrap each biscuit individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake the frozen biscuits in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Note: Nutritional information can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)

• Calories: 200-250 per biscuit
• Fat: 12-15 grams
• Saturated Fat: 7-9 grams
• Cholesterol: 30-40 mg
• Sodium: 400-500 mg
• Carbohydrates: 20-25 grams
• Fiber: 1-2 grams
• Sugar: 2-3 grams
• Protein: 5-7 grams

Troubleshooting

• Biscuits are flat: This could be due to using warm butter or overmixing the dough. Make sure to use cold butter and mix the dough until just combined. Also, ensure your baking powder in the self-rising flour is still active.
• Biscuits are tough: This is likely due to overmixing the dough, which develops the gluten. Mix the dough until just combined.
• Biscuits are dry: This could be due to not using enough milk or overbaking. Make sure to use the correct amount of milk and bake the biscuits until they are golden brown, but not dry.
• Biscuits are not cheesy enough: Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor. You can also add more cheese to the dough.
• Garlic butter topping is not flavorful enough: Use garlic salt instead of regular salt. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder to the topping for extra flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour? Yes, but you will need to add baking powder and salt. See the ingredient substitutions section for details.
2. Can I make these biscuits ahead of time? The biscuits are best served fresh, but you can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bake the biscuits just before serving.
3. Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can easily double or triple the recipe to make a larger batch of biscuits.
4. Can I use a different type of cheese? Yes, feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack would be delicious.
5. How do I keep the biscuits warm? You can keep the biscuits warm in a preheated oven at 200°F (93°C) for up to 30 minutes.
6. Why are my biscuits not rising properly? Make sure your baking powder is fresh, and you’re not overmixing the dough. Cold ingredients are also key for proper rising.

A Recipe Card for Your Convenience

Here is a concise recipe card you can print or save for easy reference.

Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits (Copycat)

Yields: 8-10 biscuits
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12-15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 3/4 cup cold milk
• 6 tablespoons butter, divided (4 tablespoons cold and cubed, 2 tablespoons melted)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, and parsley.
3. Stir in cheddar cheese.
4. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Add milk and stir until just combined.
6. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Melt remaining butter and stir in garlic salt.
9. Brush biscuits with garlic butter immediately after baking.
10. Serve warm and enjoy!

Conclusion

Now you have everything you need to make delicious Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits at home! This copycat recipe is easy to follow and produces incredibly flavorful and satisfying results. Impress your friends and family with these warm, cheesy, and garlicky biscuits. Happy baking!