Buttery, garlicky, and laced with melted cheddar, these easy Air Fryer Red Lobster Biscuits bake up light and fluffy in no time!

Flakey Air Fryer Red Lobster Biscuits

Okay, so maybe you’ve never tried a Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit. If that’s you, maybe you’re wondering what’s so special about them, right? Like, why do they deserve their own copycat recipe? 

I’ll give you three words: Soft. Buttery. Cheesy.

Actually, let’s make it four words, and throw “fluffy” in there! Cheddar Bay biscuits are so fluffy and soft, so flaky and buttery, so melty and cheesy, that they are possibly the best thing on the whole menu! And, to top it all off, they’re brushed with a wonderful garlic-and-herb melted butter.

I know people who literally don’t eat seafood at all, but will go to Red Lobster happily to nosh on those yummy biscuits, all night long.

The great thing about this easy recipe is that you can create the same delectable biscuits in your own kitchen, and it’s actually really easy! Since these are drop biscuits, there’s no need to roll or cut them. All you need are a few basic ingredients.

Why Use the Air Fryer?

I love baking my biscuits in my Air Fryer, because it essentially functions like a mini convection oven. Convection ovens are often preferred by professional chefs and bakers, because unlike a regular oven, convection ovens circulate the heat around the food for even, perfect results.

It’s super easy to bake a batch of biscuits in your Air Fryer, or even two batches if you use a large Air Fryer. And since it’s a smaller, more efficient appliance, you’ll be generating less heat in the kitchen (that’s important to me in these warm summer months!).

Don’t have an Air Fryer? No problem! You can also bake these in a regular oven (see recipe notes for instructions).

What You’ll Need

There are two components to this biscuit recipe, but don’t worry – they’re both extremely simple and come together in minutes! Let’s dive in and check out these ingredients.

For the Red Lobster Biscuits

• Bisquick: This ultra-handy baking mix can be used to make all kinds of quick sides and meals, from pancakes and waffles, to these flaky biscuits.
• Butter: Two tablespoons of melted butter add flavor and texture to the soft biscuit dough. 
• Milk: You’ll need ⅔ cup milk, chilled, to bring the dough together.
• Garlic Powder: Just half a teaspoon of garlic powder adds ALL. The. Flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: I recommend using a mild or medium cheddar; it goes well with the buttery, carby nature of this recipe. Sharp cheddar is fine though, if you prefer it.

For the Garlic Butter

• Butter: To make this melted butter spread, you’ll need ⅓ cup of real butter. While I use unsalted butter in the biscuit dough, I think salted is also a good choice here (or you can add a pinch of salt if you think it needs it).
• Garlic Powder: Just like the biscuit dough, we’re using half a teaspoon of garlic powder here, for quick and intense flavor.
• Dried Parsley: Don’t skip the dried parsley! It adds that special something to this little recipe.
• Dried Oregano & Thyme: You’ll need ¼ teaspoon of each, for the familiar herbal fragrance and taste of Cheddar Bay biscuits.

How to Make Red Lobster Biscuits

Again, this is actually a recipe for “drop biscuits” as opposed to standard biscuits. Drop biscuits are literally dropped onto the baking surface with a spoon – no need for rolling or cutting!

• Prep Air Fryer: Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F. Line the bottom of the Air Fryer basket with liners or pieces of parchment paper that you’ve cut to fit.
• Make Biscuit Dough: In a medium bowl, mix together the Bisquick, garlic powder and melted butter. Gently fold in the milk and shredded cheddar cheese. Don’t overmix the dough; you want it to just come together. Overmixing can make your biscuits turn out tough and flat.

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• Drop Biscuits into Basket: Using a tablespoon, scoop large spoonfuls of biscuit batter out of the bowl and drop them gently onto the bottom of the Air Fryer basket, about one inch apart.
• Fry Biscuits & Make Garlic Butter: Place the basket in the fryer and fry for about 10 minutes, or until golden-brown on top. While the biscuits are frying, mix together the Garlic Butter ingredients.

• Brush Butter Over Biscuits: When the biscuits are done, remove them from the Air Fryer and brush them with Garlic Butter before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

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Tips for Success

What else should you know about baking biscuits in an Air Fryer? Keep reading for some important tips and precautions, and happy baking! 

• Use Real Butter: While I know many people have great results cooking with vegan butter substitutes, coconut oil and other ingredients, I think that this recipe works best if you use real butter. The unique, buttery flavor and texture is the star of the show, and it’s easiest to get that flavor and texture using genuine high-quality butter.
• Check Your Air Fryer Instructions: Make sure to follow any and all safety tips, instructions for baking, and instructions for using (or not using) cooking spray. Air Fryers are not all made the same, and it’s important to follow manufacturer recommendations in order to get the best result and avoid burns or damage.
• Times Are an Estimate: Depending on the size of your Air Fryer, the size of your biscuits, the efficiency of the fryer and other factors, you may find that your biscuits take a little less time or a little more time to cook. Just keep an eye on them and take them out when they’re golden-brown.

Serving Suggestions

I like to serve these biscuits with just about any dinner, but these are a few of my very favorites. I think the flavors work really well together, and my family loves them too!

• Chowder: A lovely clam chowder would go perfectly with these biscuits, or you could do something a bit more summery and make Quick & Easy Instant Pot Corn Chowder! Yum!
• Meatloaf: A classic American weeknight dinner, this Easy Meatloaf goes perfectly with warm, cheesy biscuits. This is a comforting meal that will make your whole family smile.
• Salmon: My Old Bay Roasted Salmon is a healthy meal option, with the classic New England flavor of Old Bay. It’s perfect with these fluffy and delicious biscuits.

How to Store Homemade Biscuits

• These biscuits can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• To refrigerate them for longer storage, place the biscuits into ziploc bags or containers and enjoy them within 1 week.
• Reheat biscuits in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Can I Freeze Red Lobster Biscuits?

• Definitely! Just cool them thoroughly, first (a wire rack works well for this). When they’re completely cool, wrap each biscuit tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Freeze for up to two months.
• To reheat, just put them in the oven at 350°F until they’re warm all the way through.

More Quick Bread Recipes

Homemade bread doesn’t have to be difficult. These crowd favorite recipes make it easier than ever to perfect!

• Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
• Spinach and Feta No-Yeast Bread
• Easy Homemade Flatbread