Easy Cheddar Garlic Biscuits Recipe (Ready in 30 Minutes)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 - 17 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Servings: 10 biscuits
Warm, buttery biscuits filled with melted cheddar cheese are one of the easiest ways to make an ordinary dinner feel special. These easy cheddar garlic biscuits are soft and tender inside, lightly crisp around the edges, and brushed with irresistible garlic herb butter while they are still warm from the oven.
Best of all, this is a simple drop biscuit recipe. You do not need yeast, and there is no kneading, rolling, cutting, or waiting for dough to rise. Simply combine the ingredients, drop the dough onto a baking sheet, and bake until the biscuits are beautifully golden.
The entire recipe can be ready in approximately 30 minutes, making these cheesy biscuits an excellent last-minute side dish for busy weeknight dinners. They are delicious with soups, stews, pasta, chicken, ribs, seafood, and holiday meals. You can even split leftover biscuits and use them to make savory breakfast sandwiches.
Once you see how easy it is to make cheddar biscuits from scratch, you may never feel the need to use a boxed biscuit mix again.
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Why You’ll Love These Cheddar Garlic Biscuits
These homemade cheddar garlic biscuits deliver plenty of flavor without requiring complicated baking techniques. Even someone who has never made biscuits before can successfully prepare this recipe.
The biscuits are made with ordinary ingredients and require only a mixing bowl, baking sheet, pastry cutter or fork, and a spoon. Since they are drop biscuits, their rustic appearance is part of their appeal. There is no need to shape every biscuit perfectly.
Here are a few more reasons to love this recipe:
No yeast or rising time
No kneading, rolling, or biscuit cutter required
Ready in approximately 30 minutes
Made completely from scratch
Filled with sharp cheddar cheese
Finished with homemade garlic herb butter
Soft and fluffy inside
Lightly golden and crisp around the edges
Easy to customize with different cheeses and seasonings
Delicious with countless main dishes
These biscuits are easy enough for a casual family dinner but flavorful enough to place on a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter table.
What Are Drop Biscuits?
Drop biscuits are made from a soft, slightly sticky biscuit dough that is dropped directly onto a baking sheet with a spoon or scoop. Unlike traditional rolled biscuits, drop biscuits do not need to be rolled flat, folded, or cut into circles.
That makes them one of the quickest and most beginner-friendly types of homemade bread.
Drop biscuits normally have craggy, uneven tops that become golden and lightly crisp in the oven. The centers remain soft, tender, and buttery. In this recipe, shredded cheddar melts throughout the dough, creating little pockets of rich, cheesy flavor.
The finished biscuits are somewhere between a classic buttermilk biscuit and a cheesy restaurant-style dinner biscuit. They are hearty enough to serve with dinner but soft enough to pull apart easily.
Ingredients for Cheddar Garlic Biscuits
This recipe uses simple baking ingredients that you may already have at home.
All-Purpose Flour
Regular all-purpose flour creates the structure of the biscuits. For the most accurate results, spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level the top with a knife.
Scooping flour directly from the container can pack too much into the cup, potentially producing heavy or dry biscuits.
Baking Powder
Baking powder is responsible for helping the biscuits rise. Because this is a yeast-free recipe, it is important to use fresh, active baking powder.
If your container has been sitting in the cupboard for several years, replacing it can make a noticeable difference in the height and texture of the biscuits.
Granulated Sugar
A small amount of sugar balances the salt, garlic, and sharpness of the cheese. It does not make the biscuits taste sweet.
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder seasons both the biscuit dough and the melted butter topping. It distributes evenly throughout the mixture and provides garlic flavor without adding moisture or pieces of fresh garlic that could burn.
Salt
Salt brings out the flavors of the butter, cheddar, and garlic. The recipe uses a moderate amount because cheddar cheese also contains salt.
Paprika
Paprika adds subtle warmth and enhances the golden color of the biscuits. It does not make them spicy. You can leave it out if you do not have any available.
Unsalted Butter
Cold unsalted butter is cut into the dry ingredients to create a tender biscuit texture. Small pieces of butter melt in the oven and release steam, helping the biscuits become light rather than dense.
Keeping the butter cold until the biscuits enter the oven is one of the most important parts of the recipe.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Sharp cheddar provides a stronger cheese flavor than mild cheddar. For the best melting and texture, shred a block of cheese at home.
Pre-shredded cheese will still work, but it is often coated with ingredients that prevent the pieces from clumping. These coatings can also keep the cheese from melting as smoothly.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk adds moisture, flavor, and tenderness to the biscuit dough. Its acidity also works with the baking powder to encourage a light texture.
If you do not have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute with regular milk and lemon juice or white vinegar. Instructions are included below.
Parsley
Dried or fresh parsley adds color and mild herb flavor to the garlic butter. It is optional, but it gives the finished biscuits a particularly attractive appearance.
How to Make a Buttermilk Substitute
You do not need to purchase an entire carton of buttermilk just for this recipe.
To make a simple substitute, place 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar in a measuring cup. Add enough milk to equal 3/4 cup. Stir and allow the mixture to rest for approximately five minutes before using it.
The milk may look slightly curdled. This is completely normal.
Whole milk or 2% milk will produce the richest results, although 1% milk can be used if necessary. Plant-based milk may work, but the flavor and consistency of the biscuits can vary depending on the product.
How to Make Cheddar Garlic Biscuits
Begin by preheating the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and paprika together in a large mixing bowl. Mixing the dry ingredients thoroughly helps distribute the baking powder and seasonings evenly.
Add the cold cubed or grated butter. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture. Stop when the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some small, pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
Do not continue mixing until the butter completely disappears. Those visible pieces help create a soft and tender texture.
Add the shredded cheddar and gently toss it through the flour mixture. Coating the cheese with flour helps prevent it from gathering in one section of the dough.
Pour in 3/4 cup of cold buttermilk. Stir gently until the ingredients are just combined. The dough should be thick, moist, and slightly sticky.
If dry flour remains at the bottom of the bowl, add another tablespoon of buttermilk. Add a second tablespoon only if it is still necessary. The exact amount can vary slightly depending on how the flour was measured and the humidity in your kitchen.
Use a large spoon or approximately 1/4-cup cookie scoop to divide the dough into 10 portions. Place them about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 14 to 17 minutes, or until the biscuits have risen and the tops and edges are lightly golden. Avoid baking them until they are deeply browned, as this can dry out the centers.
While the biscuits bake, combine melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley. Brush the garlic herb butter generously over the biscuits as soon as they come out of the oven.
Serve the biscuits while they are still warm.
Tips for the Best Cheddar Biscuits
Although this is an easy recipe, a few simple techniques will help you create exceptionally soft and flavorful biscuits.
Keep the Ingredients Cold
Cold butter and cold buttermilk are important. When cold pieces of butter enter the hot oven, they melt and produce steam. This helps create little air pockets inside the biscuits.
If your kitchen is warm or the prepared dough feels soft and greasy, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for approximately 10 minutes before baking.
Do Not Overmix the Dough
Stir the dough only until the ingredients come together. Vigorous or prolonged mixing develops gluten in the flour and can make the biscuits tough.
A few small patches of flour are preferable to overmixed dough. They can be gently incorporated while you portion the biscuits.
Grate the Cheese Yourself
Freshly shredded cheddar usually melts more smoothly and has a fresher flavor than packaged shredded cheese.
A medium or coarse grater works well. You can also place the block of cheese in the freezer for 10 minutes to make it easier to grate.
Use Sharp Cheddar for More Flavor
Extra-old or sharp cheddar gives the biscuits a strong cheesy flavor without requiring an excessive amount of cheese. Mild cheddar can be used, but its flavor may be less noticeable after baking.
Measure the Flour Carefully
Too much flour is one of the most common causes of dry biscuits. Spoon the flour loosely into the measuring cup instead of packing it down. Sweep away the excess with the straight side of a knife.
A kitchen scale provides even greater accuracy. Two cups of all-purpose flour should weigh approximately 240 to 250 grams, depending on the measuring standard used.
Bake the Biscuits Immediately
Baking powder begins reacting once it becomes wet. For the best rise, place the biscuits in the preheated oven shortly after mixing the dough.
Brush Them While They Are Hot
The garlic butter soaks into the surface most effectively when the biscuits are fresh from the oven. It also keeps the tops soft and adds a beautiful golden sheen.
Optional Flavor Additions
The basic cheddar garlic biscuit recipe is delicious as written, but it can also serve as a starting point for other flavors.
Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of finely diced, drained jalapeño peppers to the dough. Fresh jalapeños provide a brighter flavor, while pickled jalapeños add a pleasant tanginess.
For mild biscuits, remove the seeds and white membranes from fresh peppers before chopping them.
Bacon Cheddar Biscuits
Fold approximately 1/3 cup of cooked and crumbled bacon into the dough with the shredded cheese. Make sure the bacon has cooled before adding it.
A little sliced green onion is also delicious in this variation.
Herb and Cheddar Biscuits
Add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning or a combination of dried parsley, thyme, and chives.
Fresh herbs can also be used. Try adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh chives, parsley, or rosemary.
Spicy Cheddar Biscuits
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the dry ingredients.
Pepper Jack cheese can replace some or all of the cheddar for additional heat.
Parmesan Cheddar Biscuits
Replace 1/4 cup of the shredded cheddar with finely grated Parmesan. Parmesan intensifies the savory flavor and creates slightly crispier edges.
Everything-Seasoned Biscuits
Sprinkle a little everything bagel seasoning over each portion of dough before baking. Since this seasoning usually contains salt, slightly reduce the salt in the biscuit dough.
Old Bay Cheddar Biscuits
Add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning to the dry ingredients. This variation is especially delicious with shrimp, crab, fish, chowder, or other seafood dishes.
Three-Cheese Biscuits
Use a mixture of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan. Keep the total amount of cheese at approximately 1 1/4 cups so the dough does not become too heavy.
What to Serve With Cheddar Garlic Biscuits
Cheddar garlic biscuits can be served anywhere you would normally serve dinner rolls, garlic bread, or cornbread.
They are especially good with meals that include sauce, gravy, or broth because the tender biscuits are perfect for soaking up every last bit.
Soups and Stews
Serve the biscuits with beef stew, chicken soup, vegetable soup, broccoli cheddar soup, chili, or creamy potato soup.
A warm biscuit dipped into a rich, flavorful broth makes a comforting cold-weather meal.
Chicken Dinners
These biscuits pair beautifully with roasted chicken, fried chicken, creamy chicken dishes, chicken pot pie, or Marry Me Chicken.
The garlic and cheddar flavors complement creamy sauces particularly well.
Pasta
Use cheddar garlic biscuits instead of regular garlic bread with spaghetti and meatballs, baked ziti, lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, or creamy pasta.
They are also delicious with a simple bowl of macaroni and cheese, although this creates an especially cheese-filled meal.
Beef and Pork
Serve the biscuits with pot roast, meatloaf, barbecue ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, steak, or pork chops.
They are excellent for soaking up barbecue sauce or rich roast gravy.
Seafood
Cheddar garlic biscuits are a natural pairing for coconut shrimp, baked salmon, garlic butter shrimp, crab legs, fried fish, seafood chowder, or a traditional seafood boil.
Adding a little Old Bay seasoning to the biscuit dough makes them especially suitable for seafood.
Holiday Dinners
These biscuits are easy enough to prepare at the last minute for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Serve them beside roast turkey, glazed ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and vegetables.
Because they do not need to rise, you can mix them while the main dish rests and bake them shortly before the meal is served.
Can You Prepare the Biscuits Ahead of Time?
Cheddar garlic biscuits taste best when served warm on the day they are made. However, several parts of the recipe can be prepared in advance.
The dry ingredients can be whisked together and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The cheese can also be shredded and refrigerated in a covered container.
When you are ready to bake, cut in the cold butter, add the cheese and buttermilk, and proceed with the recipe.
You can also portion the unbaked biscuits onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them. Once solid, transfer the portions to a freezer bag or airtight container.
Bake the frozen biscuits directly from the freezer at 425°F. They may need approximately three to five additional minutes in the oven.
Prepare the garlic butter while they bake and brush it over the biscuits after they come out.
How to Store Leftover Biscuits
Allow leftover biscuits to cool completely before storing them. Place them in an airtight container or resealable food-storage bag and keep them at room temperature for up to two days.
For slightly longer storage, refrigerate the biscuits for up to four days. Refrigeration can make biscuits feel firmer, so reheating is recommended.
Do not store warm biscuits in a sealed container. Trapped steam can create condensation and make the surfaces damp.
How to Reheat Cheddar Biscuits
For the best texture, reheat the biscuits in a 325°F oven for approximately five to eight minutes. Loosely wrapping them in foil will help keep them soft.
You can also reheat an individual biscuit in the microwave for approximately 10 to 15 seconds. Be careful not to microwave it for too long, or the biscuit can become rubbery.
Brush the reheated biscuit with a little melted butter before serving to restore some of its fresh-from-the-oven flavor.
Can You Freeze Cheddar Garlic Biscuits?
These biscuits freeze very well.
Allow the baked biscuits to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. If stacking them, separate the layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to three months.
Thaw the biscuits at room temperature or reheat them directly from frozen. Place frozen biscuits in a 325°F oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Regular Milk Instead of Buttermilk?
Yes. Regular milk will work, although the biscuits may have slightly less tang and tenderness.
Whole milk or 2% milk provides the best results. You can also turn regular milk into a quick buttermilk substitute by adding lemon juice or white vinegar.
Can I Use Salted Butter?
Salted butter can be used. Reduce the salt in the biscuit dough to approximately 1/4 teaspoon, especially if your cheddar is also quite salty.
Can I Use Pre-Shredded Cheese?
Yes. Pre-shredded cheddar is convenient and will work in this recipe. Freshly grated cheese is preferable because it generally melts more evenly, but the difference is not enough to prevent you from making the biscuits.
Why Did My Biscuits Turn Out Dry?
Dry biscuits are most commonly caused by using too much flour, adding too little liquid, or baking them too long.
The dough should look moist and slightly sticky. If it is crumbly and will not hold together, gently mix in additional buttermilk one tablespoon at a time.
Why Did My Biscuits Spread?
Biscuits may spread if the butter became too warm or if the dough contained too much liquid. Chill the portioned dough for 10 to 15 minutes before baking if it seems unusually soft.
Also check that your baking powder is fresh and that the oven is fully preheated.
Can I Make the Biscuits Gluten-Free?
A high-quality one-to-one gluten-free baking flour may be used in place of all-purpose flour. Choose a blend designed to replace wheat flour cup for cup and containing xanthan gum.
The texture may differ slightly depending on the flour blend.
Can I Double the Recipe?
Yes. Double every ingredient and use two baking sheets, leaving enough space between the biscuits.
If both pans are baked at the same time, rotate them and switch their oven positions halfway through baking so the biscuits brown evenly.
Easy Cheddar Garlic Biscuits Recipe
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 - 17 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Servings: 10 biscuits
Course: Bread, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Cheddar Biscuits
2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed or grated
1 1/4 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup cold buttermilk, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons if needed
For the Garlic Herb Butter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
Small pinch of salt, optional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and paprika.
Add the cold butter. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Some pea-sized pieces of butter should remain.
Add the shredded cheddar and toss gently until it is evenly distributed and lightly coated with flour.
Pour in 3/4 cup of cold buttermilk. Stir gently until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms. If dry flour remains, add more buttermilk one tablespoon at a time. Do not overmix.
Use a large spoon or approximately 1/4-cup scoop to divide the dough into 10 portions. Place the portions about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 14 to 17 minutes, or until the biscuits have risen and the tops and edges are lightly golden.
While the biscuits bake, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, parsley, and optional pinch of salt.
Remove the biscuits from the oven and immediately brush the tops generously with the garlic herb butter.
Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
For the softest biscuits, keep the butter and buttermilk cold and avoid overmixing the dough.
If the dough becomes warm while you are working, refrigerate the portioned biscuits for approximately 10 minutes before baking.
Freshly shredded sharp cheddar provides the strongest flavor and smoothest melting. Mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Gouda, or a mixture of cheeses may also be used.
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate them for up to four days.
The Perfect Easy Cheesy Side Dish
These easy cheddar garlic biscuits prove that homemade bread does not need to be difficult or time-consuming. In approximately 30 minutes, you can have a basket of warm, buttery biscuits filled with melted cheddar and topped with flavorful garlic herb butter.
They are simple enough to make on a busy evening, versatile enough to accompany almost any savory meal, and impressive enough to serve during the holidays.
Whether you enjoy them with a bowl of soup, a creamy chicken dinner, barbecue ribs, pasta, or seafood, these tender cheddar biscuits are likely to disappear quickly. Serve them warm, add an extra brush of garlic butter, and watch everyone reach for another.
