If you’re a fan of the famous biscuits from Red Lobster and have been dreaming of making them at home, your search ends here with this Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits Recipe. These biscuits are perfectly flaky, bursting with sharp cheddar flavor and a beautiful touch of garlic butter that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re serving them with a family dinner or just craving a delicious snack, these biscuits bring that warm, buttery goodness straight to your kitchen without the restaurant wait.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting these biscuits just right depends on a handful of simple but essential ingredients, each carefully chosen to create the ideal flavor, texture, and golden color you love. From sharp cheddar cheese for that tangy kick to buttermilk that adds tenderness, every component plays a starring role.
- Sharp white cheddar cheese: Use freshly grated cheese for maximum flavor and the perfect melt throughout the biscuits.
- Unsalted butter: Divided between the dough and garlic butter; ensures buttery richness without overpowering saltiness.
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang that keeps the biscuits tender and flaky.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives structure without toughness.
- Baking powder: Your key to fluffy, risen biscuits.
- Garlic powder: Brings that subtle garlic flavor that’s essential to this copycat recipe.
- Kosher salt: Balances flavors and enhances all the other ingredients.
- Baking soda: Works alongside baking powder to improve texture.
- Dried parsley: Adds a pop of green and a hint of herbal freshness to the garlic butter.
How to Make Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
First things first, preheat your oven to 450ºF and position a rack in the center. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. This setup primes you for beautifully browned biscuits.
Step 2: Grate the Cheese and Melt the Butter
Grate 4 ounces of sharp white cheddar using the large holes on a box grater to ensure lovely melting throughout the dough. Melt 1 stick of unsalted butter in the microwave or on the stove, then mix it with 3/4 cup of buttermilk. This warm mixture is crucial for combining the dry ingredients into a soft, workable dough.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Form the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and baking soda until evenly mixed. Add the butter and buttermilk blend, stirring gently with a flexible spatula until no dry spots remain. Fold in the grated cheese last to evenly distribute cheesy goodness.
Step 4: Shape and Bake the Biscuits
Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup, scoop out portions of dough and roll each lightly between your palms to form soft balls. Space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet because they’ll puff up beautifully. Pop them into the oven and bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 5: Make the Garlic Butter and Brush on Top
While baking, melt the remaining 1/2 stick of butter and mix in dried parsley, garlic powder, and a pinch of kosher salt to create the aromatic garlic butter. As soon as your biscuits come out of the oven, brush them generously with this buttery mixture to add an irresistible shine and flavor boost that elevates each bite.
How to Serve Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
To bring a little extra vibrancy, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or a light dusting of extra cheddar on top just before serving. This adds a fresh pop of color and reinforces those wonderful cheesy and herbal notes.
Side Dishes
These biscuits are perfect served alongside creamy soups like broccoli cheddar or classic clam chowder, or paired with your favorite seafood dishes. Their buttery, cheesy flavor complements everything from crispy fried shrimp to a fresh garden salad.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, arrange the biscuits in a warm basket lined with a colorful napkin and serve with a small bowl of garlic herb butter for dipping. Alternatively, slice them in half and stuff with bacon or ham and a slice of tomato for a tasty biscuit sandwich treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain their softness. If you want to keep them longer, refrigeration is an option but can dry them out slightly.
Freezing
To enjoy this Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits Recipe later, freeze fully cooled biscuits in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. This way, you can have these comforting biscuits on hand whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or stored biscuits by wrapping them in foil and warming in a 350ºF oven for about 10 minutes. This method helps restore their soft, flaky texture while warming them evenly without drying out.
FAQs
Can I use shredded cheddar from the store instead of grating fresh cheese?
Absolutely! Pre-shredded cheddar is convenient and works well, but freshly grated cheese tends to melt more evenly and gives the biscuits a fresher cheddar flavor.
What can I substitute for buttermilk if I don’t have any?
You can make a quick buttermilk substitute by stirring 3/4 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Can I make these biscuits gluten-free?
With some experimentation, a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend could work, but the texture may vary from the traditional biscuits. It’s best to use a high-quality blend designed for baking.
Why do the biscuits need both baking powder and baking soda?
Using both creates a balanced rise and tenderness; baking powder provides lift, and baking soda reacts with the acidic buttermilk for a perfect crumb and slight tang.
Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
Yes! Just double each ingredient and use a larger baking sheet or two sheets to ensure the biscuits bake evenly without overcrowding.
Final Thoughts
This Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits Recipe is a wonderful way to bring that iconic, comforting flavor right into your home kitchen. The combination of sharp cheddar, tender buttermilk dough, and garlicky butter topping is pure magic and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Give it a try and prepare to impress with biscuits that taste just like the ones you love at Red Lobster but made fresh and warm just for you.
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Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits Recipe
This Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits recipe recreates the iconic flaky, cheesy, and garlicky biscuits that fans love from the restaurant. They are soft inside with a golden crust, filled with sharp white cheddar cheese, and brushed with a flavorful garlic butter glaze right out of the oven. Perfect as a savory side or snack, these biscuits come together quickly and bake at a high temperature for a perfect rise and browning.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 biscuits
Ingredients
For the Biscuits:
- 4 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese (about 1 cup shredded)
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
For the Garlic Butter:
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 450ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Grate the Cheese: Grate 4 ounces of sharp white cheddar cheese using the large holes of a box grater to measure about 1 packed cup, or alternatively use pre-shredded store-bought cheddar.
- Melt Butter and Combine with Buttermilk: Cut 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter into pieces and melt in a microwave-safe bowl by heating in 30-second intervals until fully melted (around 60 seconds), or melt over medium heat in a saucepan. Stir in 3/4 cup of buttermilk until combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda until thoroughly blended.
- Form the Dough: Pour the buttermilk and butter mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir with a flexible spatula just until no dry flour remains and a soft dough forms. Fold in the grated cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
- Shape the Biscuits: Using a 1/4 cup measuring scoop, portion out scant 1/4 cup dough balls. Roll each portion gently between your palms to form a ball and place them spaced at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Biscuits: Bake the dough balls on the middle oven rack until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 10 minutes.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: While the biscuits bake, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a small microwave-safe bowl in 15-second intervals until liquid (about 30 seconds), or melt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt until fully combined.
- Brush Biscuits and Serve: As soon as biscuits come out of the oven, generously brush the tops with the prepared garlic butter mixture for that signature savory finish. Serve warm immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute sharp white cheddar with mild cheddar or a mix of cheeses for variation.
- Make sure not to overmix the dough to keep the biscuits tender and flaky.
- Chilling the dough for 15 minutes before baking can enhance texture but is optional.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 3/4 cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Use kosher salt as it has a coarser grain that is less intense than table salt; adjust to taste if substituting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
