Quick & Easy Cheddar Garlic Biscuits: Ready in Under 20 Minutes!
Craving warm, cheesy, garlicky goodness but short on time? Look no further! These quick cheddar garlic biscuits are the answer to your prayers. They’re incredibly easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and are ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight side dish, a cozy weekend brunch, or even a last-minute appetizer. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy: From start to finish, you’ll have warm biscuits on the table in less than 20 minutes.
- Easy: No complicated techniques or fancy ingredients are required. This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers.
- Flavorful: The combination of cheddar cheese and garlic creates an irresistible savory flavor.
- Versatile: Serve them as a side dish, appetizer, or even as a base for mini sandwiches.
- Comforting: Nothing beats the warm, comforting feeling of biting into a freshly baked biscuit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delectable cheddar garlic biscuits:
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the biscuits. Make sure to measure accurately; spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off.
- 4 teaspoons Baking Powder: This is what makes the biscuits rise and become light and fluffy. Use fresh baking powder for the best results.
- 1 teaspoon Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor throughout the biscuits.
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper: Adds a touch of spice and complexity.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) Cold Unsalted Butter, cut into small cubes: Cold butter is crucial for creating flaky biscuits. Keep it as cold as possible until you’re ready to use it.
- 3/4 cup Milk: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture. You can use whole milk, 2% milk, or even buttermilk for a tangier flavor.
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds cheesy goodness and flavor. Sharp cheddar is recommended for the best flavor, but you can use mild or medium cheddar if you prefer.
- 2 tablespoons Melted Butter: For brushing the tops of the biscuits to create a golden-brown crust.
- 1 clove Garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder): Adds a punch of fresh garlic flavor to the melted butter topping. Use fresh garlic for the most intense flavor.
- Optional: Fresh Parsley, chopped: For garnish, adding a pop of color and freshness.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large Mixing Bowl: For combining the dry ingredients.
- Pastry Blender or Food Processor: For cutting the butter into the flour. A pastry blender is a manual tool that works great, but a food processor can also be used for a quicker process (be careful not to over-process).
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measurements.
- Baking Sheet: For baking the biscuits.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: To prevent the biscuits from sticking to the baking sheet.
- Whisk: For combining the dry ingredients.
- Liquid Measuring Cup: For measuring the milk.
- Small Bowl: For melting the butter and mixing it with garlic.
- Pastry Brush: For brushing the melted butter mixture onto the biscuits.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create perfect cheddar garlic biscuits every time:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisking ensures that the baking powder is evenly distributed, which is crucial for a good rise.
- Cut in the Cold Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips 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 is the most important step for creating flaky biscuits. The cold butter will create pockets of steam as the biscuits bake, resulting in layers of flakiness. If using a food processor, pulse the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Be careful not to over-process, as this can melt the butter and result in tough biscuits.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Make sure the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
- Add Milk: Gradually add the milk to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough biscuits. The dough should be slightly shaggy and sticky.
- Drop Biscuits onto Baking Sheet: Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each biscuit. You can use a cookie scoop for more uniform biscuits, or simply use two spoons.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Topping: In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Stir in the minced garlic (or garlic powder).
- Brush with Garlic Butter: Brush the tops of the biscuits with the melted garlic butter mixture. Be generous with the butter, as it will add flavor and help the biscuits brown nicely.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven.
- Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve: Serve the biscuits warm and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Biscuits
- Keep the Butter Cold: This is the most important tip for making flaky biscuits. Cold butter creates pockets of steam as the biscuits bake, resulting in layers of flakiness.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough biscuits. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Use Fresh Baking Powder: Baking powder loses its potency over time, so use fresh baking powder for the best results.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Leave enough space between the biscuits so they can bake evenly.
- Adjust Baking Time: Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Keep a close eye on the biscuits and adjust the baking time as needed.
- For a Golden-Brown Top: Brushing the biscuits with melted butter before baking helps them brown nicely.
- Don’t Open the Oven Door Too Often: Opening the oven door too often can cause the oven temperature to drop, which can affect the rise of the biscuits.
Variations and Substitutions
Here are some variations and substitutions you can try to customize these biscuits to your liking:
- Buttermilk Biscuits: Substitute buttermilk for the milk for a tangier flavor.
- Herb Biscuits: Add 1-2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or chives, to the dough.
- Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits: Add 1-2 finely chopped jalapeños to the dough for a spicy kick.
- Bacon Cheddar Biscuits: Add 1/2 cup of cooked and crumbled bacon to the dough.
- Gluten-Free Biscuits: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and follow the recipe as directed. You may need to add a little more milk to get the dough to come together.
- Vegan Biscuits: Use plant-based butter and milk. You can also use vegan cheddar cheese or omit the cheese altogether.
- Garlic Herb Butter: Add chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, chives, or rosemary, to the melted garlic butter topping.
- Spicy Garlic Butter: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the melted garlic butter topping for a spicy kick.
- Honey Garlic Butter: Add a teaspoon of honey to the melted garlic butter topping for a touch of sweetness.
- Different Cheese: Use other types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or Gruyere.
Serving Suggestions
These cheddar garlic biscuits are delicious on their own, but they’re also great served with:
- Soup: Serve them alongside your favorite soup, such as tomato soup, chicken noodle soup, or chili.
- Salad: Serve them with a fresh salad for a light and satisfying meal.
- Eggs: Serve them with scrambled eggs, fried eggs, or an omelet for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
- Roast Chicken or Turkey: Serve them as a side dish with roast chicken or turkey.
- Pulled Pork or BBQ: Serve them with pulled pork or BBQ for a classic Southern meal.
- Gravy: Serve them with gravy for a hearty and comforting dish.
- Sandwiches: Use them as a base for mini sandwiches with your favorite fillings.
- Appetizer: Serve them as an appetizer with dips or spreads.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat them in the microwave or oven before serving.
Freezing Instructions
These biscuits can be frozen for longer storage. To freeze, place the baked biscuits in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Reheat them in the microwave or oven before serving.
You can also freeze the unbaked biscuit dough. Drop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 1-2 hours, or until the dough is solid. Then, transfer the frozen dough to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, bake the frozen biscuits directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition Information (Approximate)
The nutrition information for these cheddar garlic biscuits will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use and the portion size. However, here is an approximate breakdown per biscuit (based on a recipe yielding 12 biscuits):
- Calories: 200-250
- Fat: 10-15g
- Saturated Fat: 6-9g
- Cholesterol: 30-40mg
- Sodium: 300-400mg
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
- Fiber: 1-2g
- Sugar: 2-3g
- Protein: 5-7g
This is just an estimate. For more accurate nutrition information, you can use a nutrition calculator or app.
Enjoy!
These quick cheddar garlic biscuits are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a batch of warm, cheesy, garlicky goodness!
Let me know in the comments below if you try this recipe and what you think! Happy baking!