My Red Lobster biscuits are a fan favorite. Now you can make them even faster in your air fryer. These cheesy, buttery bites come together with simple ingredients and deliver restaurant flavor in minutes.
There is something about the smell of homemade bread with delicious homemade butter. These two are family favorites: my pizza pull apart bread and my homemade garlic butter.
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Why this Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe is a Keeper
My copycat recipe is perfect for making the famous Red Lobster cheddar biscuits recipe at home. It’s super easy and results in flaky biscuits loaded with cheddar cheese.
- Crispy & Fluffy: The air fryer gives the best golden tops and tender insides.
- So Fast: There’s no oven time to make this easy air fryer recipe, making it perfect for quick weeknight meals.
- Family Favorite: Everyone loves the cheesy-garlic flavor. Red Lobster biscuits are loaded with cheddar cheese and brushed with seasoned butter in this easy recipe.
- Better Than the Box: Homemade taste with pantry ingredients.
Can I Use Bisquick to Make Red Lobster Biscuits?
Yes! Bisquick makes a great shortcut. Just add shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and a little milk. But for the best copycat flavor, a from-scratch mix is even better.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Best biscuits around!!”
~ Laura
Ingredient Needed for this Air Fryer Recipe
All of the required ingredients for this recipe are easy to find at the store, but some of the ingredients for air fryer biscuits may already be around your kitchen.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar gives the cheesy biscuits the classic flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Adds that signature zing to the drop biscuits, so don’t skip it.
- Butter: Melted unsalted butter brushed on top is key for that Red Lobster finish.
- Parsley: Optional but great for color and restaurant-style look.
Variations and Substitutions for Copycat Cheddar Biscuits
Feel free to change up the flavor of these Red Lobster copycat biscuits by adding different ingredients.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeños.
- Use Gluten-Free Mix: Works well with GF baking mix—just adjust moisture.
- Add Bacon: Fold in cooked crumbled bacon for a smoky twist.
- Go Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cheese and plant-based butter if needed..
Special Equipment Needed to Make Air Fryer Cheddar Biscuits
In this red lobster biscuits recipe, you will find a couple things to be helpful.
- Air Fryer: Essential for getting the biscuit texture just right—golden and crisp without drying out.
- Parchment Rounds or Liners: Prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
How to Make Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits
This recipe comes together in 5 easy steps. This side is so good, it quickly became one of my favorite bread recipes.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Biscuit Mix: Preheat the air fryer. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and garlic in a large bowl. Cut up the butter into small cubes.
- Make the Dough: Use a stand mixer or blender to combine cubes of butter into the dry ingredients. Stir in the shredded cheese and parsley, and mix in the buttermilk.
- Fill the Air fryer: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and drop the biscuit dough with an ice cream scoop into the basket. Repeat to fill the basket.
- Air Fry the Biscuits: Spray the tops of the biscuits and air fry. Mix the garlic powder and melted butter, and brush butter on the tops of the cooked biscuits. Serve warm.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Cheddar Cheese Quick Bread Biscuits
I like to prepare ingredients ahead of time so that I don’t have to do all of the steps at once when I’m making dinner.
- Make the Dough: Mix the dough up to 1 day ahead—store in fridge.
- Portion Ahead: Use a scoop to make ready-to-cook dough mounds.
- Pre-mix Topping Butter: Store in fridge and reheat to brush on later.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Cheddar Cheese Biscuits
If you don’t happen to have an air fryer, or it’s dirty, there’s another way to make this classic recipe.
- Oven Baked Version: Bake on a baking sheet in the oven at 425°F for 10–12 minutes until golden brown.
- Mini Muffin Tin: Try baking as mini biscuit bites in the oven or air fryer.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Homemade Biscuits
- Storing: Keep cooled biscuits in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm in the toaster oven, air fryer or oven for 2–3 minutes at 350°F.
- Using Leftovers: Serve with soups, reheat for snacks, or use as sliders.
Common Questions About This Biscuits in the Air Fryer
Yes! Freeze raw scoops on a tray, then store in a zip-top bag. Bake from frozen by adding 2–3 extra minutes to cook time.
It helps for even cooking, especially if your model recommends it. Preheat for 3–5 minutes if needed.
Expert Tips for Making Red Lobster Biscuits in the Air Fryer
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Stir just until combined to avoid dense biscuits. A gentle hand yields tender, fluffy results.
- Use Cold Butter: Keep butter cold and cut into small cubes or grate it in. This helps create flaky layers and better texture.
- Chill the Dough: Letting the shaped biscuits rest in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before air frying helps them hold their shape and rise higher.
- Line the Air Fryer Basket: Use parchment paper with holes punched in or a silicone liner to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Air circulation is key—leave space between biscuits so they can crisp and rise properly.
- Garlic Butter: To the butter with garlic topping, feel free to add onion powder or old bay seasoning.
- Serve With: Serve this recipe with Air Fryer Garlic Bread, Shrimp Scampi without Wine or Lemony Ricotta Pasta.
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Air Fryer Cheddar Bay Biscuits
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Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 8 Tablespoons Butter, 1 stick
- 1 Tablespoon Parsley
- 1 cup Shredded cheese
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 2 Tablespoons Melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380℉.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and garlic.
- Cut the stick of butter in small, pea size cubes.
- Using a stand mixer or blender, mix the butter into the dry flour mixture until butter crumbles form.
- Stir in cheese and parsley.
- Using your hands or stirring paddle for stand mixer, mix in the buttermilk. Do not over knead the batter; you want it firm enough to form into a mound but not too firm.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil and using an ice cream scoop, spoon out a clump of batter and place in air fryer basket. Repeat to fill your basket.
- Spray biscuits and cook in the preheated fryer for 5 minutes. Turn and cook for 2 more minutes
- Stir the garlic powder into the melted butter and brush over top of the baked biscuits.
Christina’s Notes
-
Brush with Garlic Butter Twice
Brush the first layer of garlic butter as soon as they come out of the air fryer, then again after a minute or two for an extra savory kick and glossy finish. - Check Early for Doneness: Air fryer models vary—start checking 1–2 minutes before the recipe time ends to avoid overbaking.
- Use Buttermilk for Tang: If using a baking mix, swap water or milk for buttermilk to add richness and subtle tanginess.
- Add a Cheese Crust: Sprinkle a bit of extra cheddar on top before cooking for a crispy, golden cheese crown.
- Reheat Like a Pro: To re-crisp leftovers, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes—just like fresh!
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Best biscuits around!!