Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
Introduction
Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a buttery, cheesy treat with a hint of garlic and a touch of cayenne for a subtle kick. Perfectly golden and tender, they make a great side or snack that’s easy to whip up at home.

Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 oz.)
- 1 cup cold buttermilk
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled for 5 minutes)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (for brushing)
- ¼ teaspoon dry parsley (for brushing)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450° F.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and set this mixture aside.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the cold buttermilk and melted butter until small lumps form.
- Step 4: Pour the buttermilk and butter mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until a dough forms and no dry flour remains, being careful not to overmix.
- Step 5: Lightly grease a ¼-cup measuring cup and use it to scoop the dough. Place each scoop onto a lightly greased, light-colored baking sheet, leaving just over an inch between each. You should have about 10 biscuits.
- Step 6: Bake the biscuits for around 12 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
- Step 7: While the biscuits bake, mix the 2 tablespoons of melted butter with ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon dry parsley. Brush this mixture over the warm biscuits as soon as they come out of the oven, then serve.
Tips & Variations
- For a dairy-free option, substitute buttermilk with a cup of almond milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Add fresh chopped chives or green onions to the dough for an extra burst of flavor.
- Use a mix of sharp and mild cheddar for a balanced cheesy taste.
- Serve these biscuits warm with your favorite soup or salad for a comforting meal.
Storage
Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them longer, refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat by warming in the oven at 350° F for 5-7 minutes to maintain their crisp exterior and soft interior. Biscuits can also be frozen in a sealed container for up to 2 months; thaw before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute regular milk by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes. This mimics buttermilk’s acidity and helps create tender biscuits.
Why should I not overmix the biscuit dough?
Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the biscuits tough instead of tender and flaky. Mixing just until combined ensures a light, soft texture.
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Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 10 biscuits 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a savory, cheesy delight with a hint of garlic and a touch of cayenne pepper for subtle heat. Perfectly golden and fluffy on the inside, these biscuits are brushed with a flavorful butter-garlic-parsley mixture for that signature irresistible taste, ideal as a snack or side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 oz.)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup cold buttermilk
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled for 5 minutes)
Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dry parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450° F (232° C) to ensure it’s hot enough to give the biscuits a golden, slightly crispy crust.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, granulated sugar, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir in the sharp cheddar cheese and set the mixture aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the cold buttermilk with melted and cooled unsalted butter until you see small lumps. This adds tenderness and moisture to the dough.
- Form Dough: Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir until a dough forms and no dry flour remains. Be careful not to overmix, which could toughen the biscuits.
- Scoop Biscuits: Lightly grease a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop out the dough, and place each portion on a lightly greased, light-colored baking sheet. Space the biscuits just over an inch apart. You should get about 10 biscuits.
- Bake: Bake the biscuits for approximately 12 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
- Prepare Butter Topping: While the biscuits bake, combine melted butter, garlic powder, and dry parsley in a small bowl.
- Brush and Serve: As soon as the biscuits come out of the oven, brush their tops generously with the garlic-parsley butter mixture. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Salt amount can be adjusted to taste, but ¾ teaspoon provides balanced flavor in these biscuits.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, you can substitute 1 cup of milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Use cold buttermilk and butter to help maintain the flakiness of the biscuits.
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid dense biscuits; mix just until no dry flour remains.
- Use a light-colored baking sheet to prevent the bottoms from browning too quickly.
- These biscuits are best enjoyed fresh and warm but can be reheated for a short time in the oven to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cheddar Bay Biscuits, cheesy biscuits, garlic biscuits, easy biscuit recipe, homemade biscuits

