Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits with Garlic Butter Brush
Copycat Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits are warm, cheesy drop biscuits brushed with garlic butter, and they come together faster than a trip to the restaurant.
You just need flour, shredded cheddar, and buttermilk, plus 30 minutes total. Perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday tables. Save it for later!
| Prep | Cook | Total | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 15 min | 30 min | 12 biscuits | Medium |
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fast fix: You go from mixing bowl to golden biscuits in about 30 minutes.
- One bowl: No mixer, no fuss with layers, just stir and drop.
- Budget-friendly: Built from pantry basics you likely already have.
- Kid approved: Cheesy and buttery, these disappear fast at the table.
- Great with seafood: They pair naturally with shrimp, crab, or soup nights.
Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: The base and structure. Measure by spooning into the cup, not scooping.
- Baking powder: Gives the rise and that tall, craggy top. Check it's fresh for best lift.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderness. No buttermilk? Mix regular milk with a splash of lemon juice.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: Brings the sharp, salty bite that defines these. Freshly shredded melts better than the bagged kind.
- Unsalted butter: Used both in the dough and for the garlic brush on top. Salted butter works if you cut back added salt.
- Garlic powder: Flavors the dough and the brushed topping. Fresh minced garlic works too, just sauté it briefly first.
- Fresh parsley: Adds color and a grassy finish to the garlic butter. Dried parsley works in a pinch.
- Worcestershire-style seasoning (optional): Some versions add a drop for depth; swap in soy sauce with a splash of rice vinegar since classic Worcestershire often contains anchovies.
For exact amounts, check the recipe card below.
Ways to Change It Up
- Spicy kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeño to the dough.
- Protein boost: Fold in cooked, crumbled turkey bacon for a smoky note.
- Herb swap: Try chives or dill instead of parsley in the garlic butter.
- Lighter version: Use reduced-fat cheddar and swap half the butter for plain yogurt.
- Air fryer method: Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes in a single layer for a quicker batch.
How to Make Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt in a large bowl until combined.
- Cut in butter: Work cold, cubed butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in buttermilk and shredded cheddar just until the dough comes together; it should look shaggy, not smooth.
- Portion and bake: Drop rounded scoops onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes, until the tops turn golden and the edges look dry.
- Brush with garlic butter: While still warm, brush each biscuit generously with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and parsley.
- Serve warm: Let them rest 2-3 minutes so the butter soaks in before serving.
Pro Tips from Our Kitchen
- Keep butter cold: Cold butter creates steam pockets that make the biscuits rise tall and craggy.
- Don't overmix: Stir just until the flour disappears; overmixing makes the biscuits dense.
- Shred your own cheese: Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking coating that keeps it from melting smoothly.
- Brush twice: A second light coat of garlic butter after a few minutes of cooling deepens the flavor.
- Use a cookie scoop: It keeps the biscuits uniform so they bake evenly.
What to Serve With It
These biscuits are a natural match for seafood dinners. Try them alongside Easy Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi or a bowl of Panera Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup. For a heartier spread, set them next to Extra Creamy Lobster Mac and Cheese Delight or Lobster, Crab, and Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day, or refrigerate up to 4 days. Freeze baked biscuits (unbrushed) for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. To reheat, warm in a 325°F oven for 8-10 minutes, then brush with fresh garlic butter.
Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits FAQ
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes, you can mix the dry and wet ingredients separately up to a day ahead, then combine and bake when ready.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely, just use two baking sheets so the biscuits bake evenly instead of crowding one pan.
What if I don't have a baking sheet with parchment?
A lightly greased sheet pan works fine, just watch the bottoms so they don't brown too fast.
Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Fluffy, cheesy drop biscuits brushed with garlic butter, made at home in about 30 minutes to taste just like the restaurant favorite.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the biscuits release easily.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and half the garlic powder until evenly combined.
- Cut in cold butter: Add the cold cubed butter and work it into the flour with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Stir in buttermilk and cheese: Pour in the buttermilk and add the shredded cheddar, stirring just until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid overmixing or the biscuits will turn dense.
- Portion the dough: Use a large cookie scoop or spoon to drop mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake until golden: Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the tops turn golden and the edges look dry and set.
- Make the garlic butter: While the biscuits bake, mix the melted butter with the remaining garlic powder and parsley in a small bowl.
- Brush while warm: As soon as the biscuits come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter so it soaks into the warm tops.
- Rest briefly: Let the biscuits sit for 2-3 minutes so the butter settles in, then serve warm.
More Recipes You'll Love
- Easy Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi: another Red Lobster favorite that pairs perfectly with these biscuits.
- Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe: The Perfect Copycat: if you love copycat bread recipes, this one delivers too.
- Seared Snapper with Lobster Cream Sauce: a fancier seafood dinner that these biscuits complement nicely.
- Copycat KFC Famous Bowls: another comfort food copycat worth trying next.
