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Homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits

This popular side dish a big part of the reason why Red Lobster will always be one of my favorite restaurants. It was my first introduction to seafood, in Northern Minnesota, and if you haven’t tried a Cheddar Bay Biscuit dipped in French dressing (a thing that seems to not even exist here on the West coast), you haven’t really lived. Our Homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits copycat recipe is a made-from-scratch version that you probably have all the ingredients

Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Our Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits recipe is a made-from-scratch version of the popular restaurant favorite. The sour cream adds just the right tang, and you get these iconic biscuits right in the comfort of your own home!

When Red Lobster started selling the box mix for Cheddar Bay Biscuits I literally fist-pumped in the grocery store. I love these things. The mix also tastes great and is super convenient, but this recipe pre-dates the mix by quite a bit, and sometimes you want some Cheddar Bays but maybe don’t have a box of this mix waiting for you in your pantry. Or maybe you don’t want to deal with some of the unpronounceable ingredients or someone is allergic to one of them. Enter, homemade Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

(Post updated June 2022. These photos are borrowed from my Traeger Cheddar Bay Biscuit post, linked below. The original pictures were from 2011, and hadn’t even migrated over properly from my old blogger blog, and don’t exist on my computer anywhere I can find them. The Traeger is basically a big outdoor oven at high temps, so the looks of the biscuits will be the same no matter if they are pellet grilled or baked. Enjoy!)

You can make Cheddar Bay Biscuits on the pellet grill too!

Cheddar Bay Biscuits shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Bread flour
  • Baking powder
  • Sugar
  • Cream of tartar
  • Salt
  • Cayenne
  • Garlic powder
  • Butter
  • Sharp cheddar
  • Sour cream
  • Milk
  • Parsley

Try our Garlic Breadsticks too!

How to make Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits from scratch

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1

Preheat & Combine

All the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Preheat your oven to 450°.

2

Add Butter

Cut it in with a pastry blender, your hands, a dough attachment for a food processor, or your hands. Whatever works. Just make sure to leave some lumps.

3

Mix and “Drop”

The sour cream, milk, and shredded cheese gets mixed in next. JUST until combined. Don’t overmix!

Drop large spoonfuls about 1/4 cup in size onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4

Garlic Butter + Bake

Melt the butter and stir in the garlic powder, parsley, and salt. Spoon 1/2 over the biscuits. Bake at 450° for 18-20 minutes. They should be golden brown on the top and bottom.

5

MORE Garlic Butter!

Brush the cooked biscuits with the rest of your garlic butter. Enjoy while warm!

Try our Butter Swim Cheddar Bay Biscuits too!

Homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits FAQ

How do you store leftovers?

In a baggie or sealed storage container on the counter.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

In the oven or airfryer is best, but a quick trip in the microwave also does the trick in a pinch!

Get our 75 ESSENTIAL Traeger Recipes here!

Traeger Grilled Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Great dishes to serve these Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits next to!

Yield: 12 servings

Cheesy Garlic Drop Biscuits

Traeger Grilled Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits are made from scratch and flaky, garlicky, and delicious!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

Biscuits

  • 2 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 stick salted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/4 cup milk

Garlic Butter

  • 1 stick salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°.
  2. Put flour, baking powder, sugar, cream of tartar, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder into a mixing bowl and stir until combined.
  3. Add the softened butter and cut into flour mixture with a pastry blender, two forks, or your hands. Leave some lumps!
  4. Add in sour cream, cheddar cheese, and milk. Stir until the dry ingredients are moistened. Don't overmix!

Make Garlic Butter

  1. Melt 1 stick of butter and add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, parsley, and salt. Place spoonfuls of dough mixture onto a prepared baking sheet with sides. Spoon 1/2 of melted butter mixture over biscuits.
  2. Bake at 450 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Pull them out when the biscuits are golden brown. Spoon the rest of the butter mixture over the baked biscuits.
  3. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 331Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 483mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

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Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

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