Bisquick Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

The beauty of using Bisquick in this recipe lies in its incredible speed and beginner-friendly nature. There’s no need for special kitchen gadgets or extensive kneading. You simply combine the biscuit ingredients, drop generous scoops onto a baking sheet, and bake until they turn a beautiful golden brown. The sharp cheddar cheese infuses a rich, savory depth into each biscuit, while a quick brush of fragrant garlic butter glaze after baking elevates them to an extraordinary level of flavor and moistness.

These homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits genuinely taste just like the beloved originals from Red Lobster, but with the added advantage of being incredibly fresh and available whenever the craving strikes. They are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for both family meals and entertaining guests. Their effortless preparation makes them ideal for those moments when you desire a comforting, savory baked treat without dedicating a lot of time. For ultimate convenience, you can even prepare the dough in advance and bake them fresh right before serving, ensuring warm, gooey perfection every time.

Table of Contents

Why These Bisquick Cheddar Bay Biscuits Are a Must-Try

These cheesy Red Lobster copycat biscuits aren’t just a nostalgic treat; they’re a revelation in home baking. Imagine the warm, comforting taste of your favorite restaurant starter, but infused with the unmatched love and freshness of a homemade creation. This easy no-fail biscuit recipe is destined to become a staple in your kitchen, and here’s why:

• Unmatched Simplicity for a No-Fail Result: Similar to our incredibly popular classic drop biscuits, this recipe leverages the convenience of Bisquick baking mix to guarantee fluffy, tender biscuits every single time. It’s truly a no-brainer, perfect for even the most novice bakers.
• Effortless Preparation – No Special Equipment Required: Forget about tedious dough folding, chilling, or the need for biscuit cutters. These are authentic drop biscuits, meaning you simply stir the ingredients together and spoon the dough onto your baking sheet. This method saves you time and minimizes cleanup, making freshly baked biscuits an achievable reality any day of the week. While we adore our 3-ingredient biscuits for their sheer simplicity, these add that extra cheesy garlic punch without much more effort!
• Superior to the Restaurant Version: We firmly believe our copycat Red Lobster cheese biscuits made with Bisquick surpass what you often find in restaurants. Why? Because you’re getting them fresh from your oven, loaded generously with shredded cheddar, baked to a perfect golden hue, and immediately brushed with rich, melted butter. The difference in freshness and vibrant flavor is simply incomparable. They are served hot, fragrant, and bursting with flavor, delivering an experience that’s truly
  elevated.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you need a quick side for dinner, an impressive appetizer for guests, or a savory snack to curb a craving, these biscuits fit the bill perfectly. They’re hearty enough to stand alone and complement a wide range of dishes.
• Budget-Friendly Indulgence: Enjoying a basket of these biscuits at a restaurant can add up. Making them at home is not only more satisfying but also significantly more economical, allowing you to indulge in this cheesy delight more frequently without breaking the bank.

Essential Ingredients and Clever Substitutions

Creating these sensational cheesy garlic biscuits requires a handful of straightforward ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, along with some helpful notes and substitution ideas to ensure your success:

• Bisquick Baking Mix: The star of this quick biscuit recipe! Bisquick provides the perfect foundation for light and fluffy biscuits. If you don’t have a box on hand, don’t fret! You can easily make your own homemade baking mix from scratch using pantry staples like flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening. This DIY mix works beautifully in this recipe and any other that calls for a boxed baking mix.
• Garlic Powder: Absolutely crucial for achieving that signature savory, aromatic flavor of classic garlic cheese biscuits. While fresh minced garlic might seem appealing, garlic powder integrates more smoothly into the dough, ensuring even distribution and a consistent taste in every bite.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar is our go-to for its robust, tangy flavor that truly shines through. However, feel free to experiment! You can substitute with a milder cheese if you prefer a less intense flavor, or even a blend of cheeses. Excellent alternatives include Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican blend, all of which melt beautifully and add a delightful creaminess. For the best melt and flavor, we recommend shredding your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.
• Milk: The fat content in your milk plays a significant role in the texture of your biscuits. We highly recommend using whole milk (or at least 2% milkfat) for the richest flavor and most tender crumb. The higher fat content contributes to a softer, more luxurious biscuit. If you’re using 1%, 2%, or non-fat milk, consider increasing the amount of shredded cheddar cheese by about ¼ cup to compensate for the reduced richness and moisture, ensuring your biscuits don’t turn out dry.
• Melted Butter: This is brushed on top of the baked biscuits, adding a gorgeous golden sheen, an extra layer of richness, and that iconic buttery flavor. You can simply melt plain butter, or infuse it with more garlic powder, dried parsley, or a pinch of Italian seasoning for an elevated experience.
• Baking Powder (Optional): Bisquick already contains leavening agents, so this ingredient is technically optional. However, if you desire extra fluffy biscuits with a more pronounced rise, adding an extra teaspoon or two of baking powder will certainly give them that boost. It contributes to a lighter, airier texture that many biscuit enthusiasts adore.

Recipe Variations to Explore

While the classic Bisquick Cheddar Bay Biscuit is perfect as is, it also serves as an excellent base for creative culinary experiments. Here are a few exciting variations to customize your homemade cheese biscuits:

• Gluten-Free & Healthier Options: Easily make gluten-free cheese biscuits by simply swapping in gluten-free Bisquick mix. Always check the package directions for any specific liquid adjustments. For a slightly lighter version, use Heart Smart Bisquick, offering a healthier twist to this beloved easy cheese biscuit recipe without sacrificing flavor.
• Garlic Herb Biscuits: For an aromatic enhancement, add a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, dried parsley, or fresh chopped chives to the dough. This introduces a lovely herbaceous note that complements the garlic and cheese beautifully.
• Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper, a quarter teaspoon of red pepper flakes, or finely diced jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat) to the dough. This adds a delightful warmth that perfectly balances the rich cheese.
• Bacon Bliss: For an extra layer of savory indulgence, fold in about a quarter cup of cooked and crumbled bacon bits into the dough. The smoky bacon pairs exceptionally well with the sharp cheddar and garlic.
• Mini Bites: Instead of regular-sized biscuits, use a smaller cookie scoop or two teaspoons to create bite-sized biscuits. These “mini” versions are fantastic for appetizers, party snacks, or as a charming accompaniment to a soup or salad. You can also explore our dedicated cheesy mini biscuits recipe for more ideas.
• Different Cheese Blends: Don’t limit yourself to just cheddar! Try a blend of cheddar and mozzarella for an extra gooey texture, or a mix of cheddar and Parmesan for a nuttier, sharper flavor profile.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip

If you find yourself without Bisquick, fear not! You can still enjoy homemade biscuits. Simply use our tried-and-true recipe for fluffy buttermilk biscuits or our zesty cheesy jalapeño biscuits as delicious alternatives.

Key Equipment for Perfect Biscuits

One of the many reasons this easy Bisquick biscuit recipe is so appealing is the minimal equipment required. You likely already have everything you need in your kitchen:

• Baking Sheet: A standard large baking sheet is essential for arranging your biscuits. For easy cleanup and to prevent sticking, we highly recommend lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Mixing Bowl: A medium to large mixing bowl is all you need to combine your ingredients. Opt for one that gives you enough room to stir comfortably without making a mess.
• Pastry Brush: This handy tool is used to gently brush the melted garlic butter over the warm, freshly baked biscuits, ensuring every nook and cranny gets coated for maximum flavor and shine. If you don’t have one, a spoon can work in a pinch, but a brush provides better, more even coverage.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key in baking, so ensure you have your standard set of measuring cups and spoons ready.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Bisquick

These Bisquick cheese biscuits are a testament to how simple delicious baking can be. The beauty of drop biscuits is that they embrace imperfection – there’s absolutely no need to stress over folding, rolling, or perfectly shaping the dough. Instead, you’ll prepare a delightfully rough, sticky dough and simply drop it by spoonfuls onto your baking sheet. Say goodbye to cutters and complicated techniques!

Follow these 5 simple steps to achieve fluffy, cheesy biscuit perfection:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to a precise 425°F (220°C). A hot oven is crucial for biscuits to rise quickly and achieve that desired light, fluffy texture. Prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all your dry ingredients: the Bisquick mix, baking powder (if using), and garlic powder. Stir them together thoroughly until well combined, ensuring all components are evenly distributed. Next, create a small well in the middle of this dry mixture. Into this well, pour in the milk and add the shredded cheddar cheese.

Delightful Serving Suggestions

These versatile Red Lobster copycat biscuits are far more than just a side dish; they can elevate almost any meal! Their savory, cheesy profile makes them an exceptional accompaniment for a wide array of dishes. Here are some ideas for pairing these delectable biscuits:

• Classic Comfort Food Pairings: They are a fantastic partner to hearty soups, stews, and chili, perfect for dipping and soaking up rich broths. Imagine them alongside a creamy tomato soup or a robust beef stew.
• Main Course Enhancers: These biscuits effortlessly complement various main courses. Serve them with our mouthwatering pan-seared chicken breast recipe, crispy Bisquick chicken tenders, an easy one-pan chicken thighs dinner, or juicy buttermilk pork chops. They truly are the perfect bread for nearly every entree imaginable!
• Seafood Sensation: Staying true to their Red Lobster inspiration, these biscuits are an ideal match for any seafood dish, from baked salmon to shrimp scampi or a classic clam chowder.
• Breakfast and Brunch: Don’t overlook them for morning meals! Enjoy them with scrambled eggs, alongside a breakfast casserole, or even as the base for a savory breakfast sandwich.
• Appetizer Powerhouse: Cut them smaller before baking, or make our mini variations, and serve them with a cheese board, a savory dip, or as a component of a party spread.
• Bring-Along Dish: Looking for something impressive and easy to bring to a potluck or gathering? A basket of these warm, homemade cheddar biscuits is always a huge hit and guaranteed to disappear fast!

While you technically can substitute water for milk in a 1:1 ratio for Bisquick cheese biscuits, we strongly recommend against it for the best results. Milk contributes significantly to the flavor, richness, and tender texture of the biscuits. If dairy milk isn’t an option, a milk substitute like unsweetened almond milk or soy milk would yield much better results in terms of texture and taste compared to plain water. The overall quality, especially the moistness and golden browning, will be diminished with water.

The most common culprit for dry and crumbly biscuits is overmixing the dough. Bisquick already contains gluten, and excessive stirring develops this gluten, leading to a tough, dry texture. Be sure to bring the dry and wet ingredients together quickly, mixing just until they form a tacky dough and no streaks of dry flour remain. A few lumps are perfectly acceptable and actually desirable for tender biscuits. Another factor could be too much flour or not enough liquid; ensure accurate measurements.

These delicious biscuits are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but they can certainly be made ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, freezing is the best option.

To freeze homemade biscuits for optimal freshness, allow them to cool completely first. Then, individually wrap each biscuit tightly in aluminum foil. Once wrapped, place them together in a freezer-safe zipper bag, removing as much air as possible. They will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 weeks. When you’re ready to enjoy them, reheat them directly from frozen by baking in a 350°F (175°C) preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and slightly crisp.

For short-term storage, place your cooled biscuits in an airtight container. They will remain fresh and soft at room temperature for 2-3 days. If you need to keep them longer, up to 5 days, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before serving, a quick reheat in the microwave or oven will restore their warmth and tender texture.

Yes, you can prepare the dough a few hours in advance. Mix the dough as directed, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2-3 hours. When ready to bake, scoop the dough onto the baking sheet and proceed with baking as usual, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time if the dough is very cold.

Flat biscuits can be caused by a few factors. First, ensure your Bisquick is fresh and hasn’t expired, as old leavening agents lose their potency. Second, make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature; a hot oven helps activate the leavening quickly. Lastly, resist the urge to overmix the dough, as this can hinder the rise. Using whole milk and an optional extra pinch of baking powder can also contribute to a better rise.

Bisquick Cheddar Biscuits (Red Lobster Copycat Recipe)

Renae Gerhardstein