Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe

If you’ve ever found yourself swooning over those warm, garlicky, delightfully cheesy Cheddar Bay Biscuits at a certain famous seafood restaurant, you’re in for a treat! This recipe brings that magic straight to your own kitchen with tender, buttery biscuits just begging to be pulled apart and devoured while still warm. Trust me, making homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits is dangerously easy—you may never go back to store-bought again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cheddar Bay Biscuits are all about bold flavors and an ultra-tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite, and you don’t need anything fancy to make them happen. Each ingredient plays a small but mighty role in delivering that craveable taste and irresistible texture!

• All-purpose flour: Creates a fluffy, soft crumb and is the backbone of the biscuit.
• Baking powder: Key for getting those biscuits to rise tall and airy—don’t skip it!
• Sugar: Just a touch balances the savory flavors and boosts browning.
• Garlic powder: For a fragrant, savory depth that’s signature to Cheddar Bay Biscuits—use powder, not salt.
• Table salt: Rounds out the flavors and makes those cheesy notes pop.
• Unsalted butter: Adds rich, classic biscuit flavor; using it cold gives you the best, fluffiest texture.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: The cheddar is the star! Opt for mild or medium for meltiness and punchy flavor.
• Buttermilk: Delivers just the right tang and tenderness, resulting in that essential soft crumb.
• Butter topping (melted butter, minced garlic, dried parsley, garlic powder): This mixture gets brushed on right as the biscuits emerge from the oven, giving them a glossy finish and that mouthwatering bakery aroma.

Variations

One of the reasons Cheddar Bay Biscuits are so beloved is how easily you can tweak them to match your mood, pantry, or guests’ preferences. Don’t be afraid to get creative—these biscuits are wonderfully forgiving and flexible!

• Make Them Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or finely chopped jalapeños to dial up the heat.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Swap in a good cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the regular flour, and keep everything else the same.
• Different Cheeses: Try shredded pepper jack, Gruyère, or a combo of whatever cheese you love most!
• Herb Upgrade: Blend in fresh chives, thyme, or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning for extra color and depth.

How to Make Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Begin by preheating your oven to a toasty 450°F—these biscuits love high heat for maximum rise and golden edges. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to make clean-up a breeze and prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, garlic powder, and salt. Whisking not only combines everything evenly but aerates the mixture for fluffier Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Add cubed, room-temperature unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter in until the mixture looks crumbly, with pea-sized pieces. This technique is what turns ordinary biscuits into light, layered delights.

Step 4: Add the Cheese and Buttermilk

Fold in the shredded cheddar, then gently stir in the buttermilk just until everything comes together. Be careful not to overmix—stop as soon as no streaks of flour remain, and the dough is a little shaggy.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Use a cookie scoop or large spoon to portion the biscuit dough onto your baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes until puffed, crisp-edged, and deliciously golden on top.

Step 6: Make and Brush the Butter Topping

While the biscuits bake, whisk melted butter with minced garlic, dried parsley, and a sprinkle of garlic powder. The second those biscuits emerge piping hot from the oven, lavish them with this irresistible topping. Serve warm—they’re absolutely heavenly at this point!

How to Serve Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Garnishes

For an extra pop of freshness and color, shower your Cheddar Bay Biscuits with a pinch more dried parsley or snip over some fresh chives. A little extra melted butter for drizzling never hurts, especially if you want them looking as irresistible as possible.

Side Dishes

These biscuits are unstoppable alongside a bowl of soup (try creamy tomato or classic chowder), with barbecue, or nestled beside a hearty breakfast spread. They’re also right at home on a holiday dinner table or as a cozy side for chili night.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack biscuits in a rustic basket lined with a cloth napkin for a family-style vibe, or pile mini Cheddar Bay Biscuits on a board with jam, honey, or whipped butter for brunch. For parties, consider serving them slider-style with savory fillings like ham or pulled pork.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Simply cover any leftover Cheddar Bay Biscuits or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For best texture, keep them in a cool, dry spot—avoid plastic bags to prevent sogginess.

Freezing

Freeze baked (and cooled) biscuits in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. You can also freeze unbaked dough scoops—just bake from frozen, adding an extra 2–3 minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

To revive biscuits to fluffy, oven-fresh glory, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes. For a faster fix, microwave for 10–15 seconds—then brush with a little extra melted butter to restore their signature sheen.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s just something special about a batch of warm, homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits—the way they fill your kitchen with the scent of buttery garlic and promise of cheesy comfort in every bite is downright irresistible. If you haven’t tried making them from scratch before, now’s the perfect moment to treat yourself and your favorite people. Bake up a batch, and watch joy rise right along with your biscuits!

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