Cheddar Bay Butter Swim Biscuits

These Cheddar Bay butter swim biscuits combine the cheesy, garlicky flavor of Cheddar Bay biscuits with the easy butter swim method. Sharp cheddar, garlic, onion powder, parsley, and buttermilk are mixed into the biscuit dough, then baked in melted butter for buttery edges and a soft center.

Once baked, the biscuits are brushed with a garlic herb butter for that familiar Red Lobster-inspired finish—without rolling dough or using a biscuit cutter.

What Makes These Cheddar Bay Butter Swim Biscuits Different

I’m a huge fan of Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits—I’ve even stopped by the restaurant just to order the biscuits to go. After making versions of them at home for years, I’ve found that the garlic-herb butter brushed over the top is what gives them that unmistakable Cheddar Bay flavor.

For these butter swim biscuits, I take that a step further by adding the garlic, onion powder, and parsley directly to the biscuit dough instead of relying only on the topping. That gives you the garlic and herby flavor in every bite, even before the biscuits are brushed with the seasoned butter.

Sharp cheddar is also important here. I don’t recommend swapping it for another cheese if you want that familiar Cheddar Bay flavor. Pre-shredded cheddar will work, but freshly grated cheddar melts into pockets throughout the biscuits and creates especially crispy, cheesy edges while they’re hot.

Ingredient Tips

Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Use sharp cheddar for the closest Cheddar Bay flavor. Pre-shredded cheddar works, but freshly grated cheese melts much better, creating pockets of melted cheddar throughout the biscuits and crisp, cheesy edges as they bake.

Garlic, Onion Powder, and Parsley

These seasonings go directly into the biscuit dough instead of being reserved only for the topping. This keeps the garlic and herb flavor consistent throughout every bite.

Garlic Herb Butter

Don’t treat the butter brushed over the hot biscuits as an afterthought. That seasoned topping provides the distinctive pop of flavor associated with Cheddar Bay biscuits and finishes the recipe after baking.

How To Make Cheddar Bay Butter Swim Biscuits

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, and sharp cheddar cheese.
2. Add the buttermilk and stir until the biscuit dough is combined.
3. Melt the butter in the baking dish. Add the butter to a 9×9-inch baking dish and place it in the oven until melted.
4. Add and score the dough. Carefully remove the hot baking dish, spread the dough evenly over the melted butter, then score it into 9 squares.
5. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the biscuits are golden on top.
6. Make the Cheddar Bay topping. Mix melted butter with garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and salt.
7. Brush the biscuits while hot with the seasoned butter, then let them cool for 10–15 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What To Serve With Cheddar Bay Butter Swim Biscuits

These biscuits are especially good with seafood dinners, which fits the classic Red Lobster-inspired flavor. Try them with:

• Tuscan Butter Salmon – A rich, creamy salmon dinner that pairs well with the garlic-herb biscuits.
• Shrimp and Corn Soup – Use the biscuits for dipping into the creamy soup.
• Pecan Crusted Salmon – A flavorful salmon dinner with the biscuits served alongside.
• Salmon Risotto – A creamy seafood meal that works well with the sharp cheddar and garlic flavors.

More Butter Swim Biscuit Recipes

• Butter Swim Biscuits – The classic version with buttery edges and a soft center.
• Garlic Parmesan Butter Swim Biscuits – A savory variation with garlic, parmesan, and mozzarella.
• Honey Butter Swim Biscuits – A sweeter version with honey baked into the dough.
• Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits – A blueberry-filled variation finished with a sweet glaze.
• Lemon Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits – A bright lemon and blueberry version with a sweet glaze.

Looking for a more traditional Southern biscuit? Try my Cathead Biscuits, made big, fluffy, and rustic in a cast-iron skillet.