Introduction
Hello, my fellow bread lovers and cheese aficionados! If you’ve ever found yourself dreaming of warm, buttery, cheesy biscuits without the time or energy to knead and proof dough, then you are in for a treat. These Easy Cheddar Bay Biscuits (4 Ingredients) are exactly what I turn to when I crave that savory, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth comfort — without spending hours in the kitchen.
I discovered this recipe on a particularly lazy Sunday afternoon. I had a craving: garlicy, cheesy biscuits like the ones from that favorite seafood chain (you know which ones). But I didn’t want to make dough from scratch, waited for it to rise, or totally commit to a long bake. Instead, I rummaged through my pantry and fridge and grabbed four ingredients — and after just a few minutes of mixing and a short stint in the oven, I had hot, cheesy bites that made my entire apartment smell like heaven.
Since then, these Easy Cheddar Bay Biscuits (4 Ingredients) have become my go-to for everything from potlucks to weeknight dinners. They’re popular because of their simplicity — but don’t let that fool you. These biscuits are rich, cheesy, buttery, and so satisfying. And if you’re a fan of shortcuts that taste like you did something impressive — you’re going to love them.
Ingredients
Here’s your shopping list for Easy Cheddar Bay Biscuits (4 Ingredients) — plus ideas to customize or adapt them:
- 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough — plain, flaky-style biscuits
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1–2 teaspoons garlic powder (depending on how garlicky you want them)
Substitution Ideas
Healthier Options
- Use light or reduced-fat cheddar cheese to cut calories while preserving the cheesiness.
- Opt for reduced-fat butter or half butter / half olive oil to reduce saturated fat.
Vegan Options
- Use vegan biscuit dough (store-bought or homemade) in place of the canned biscuit dough.
- Substitute vegan cheddar shreds for the cheese.
- Use vegan butter (or margarine) for the garlic butter mixture.
Gluten-Free Options
- Use a brand of gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough if available.
- Alternatively, make your own gluten-free biscuit dough using a gluten-free baking mix and then proceed with the recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s exactly how I make these Easy Cheddar Bay Biscuits (4 Ingredients), with tips to help even beginners nail them perfectly:
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to catch any drips (and make cleanup easier). - Open & Prepare the Biscuit Dough
Open the can of refrigerated biscuit dough and pull the biscuits apart. Depending on the brand, you may see pre-cut circles or flattened biscuit shapes — just separate them gently. - Place Biscuits on the Sheet
Arrange the biscuit rounds on the prepared baking sheet so they’re about 1 to 1.5 inches apart. They don’t need tons of room — these aren’t going to double in size like yeast dough. - Mix the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and garlic powder. Stir well to evenly distribute the garlic. If you like more garlic flavor, you can add up to 2 teaspoons; for a milder buttery flavor, stick closer to 1 teaspoon. - Brush Biscuits with Garlic Butter
Use a pastry brush (or the back of a spoon) to generously brush the garlic butter over the tops of each biscuit. You want each bite to be buttery, flavorful, and slightly garlicky. - Sprinkle on the Cheddar
Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the tops of the buttered biscuits. Be generous, but don’t pile it so high that the cheese smothers the biscuit shape. - Bake
Bake in your preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden on the edges and the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly. Keep an eye on them — cheese can go from melty to over-browned pretty quickly. - Serve Warm
As soon as you pull them from the oven, let the biscuits rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. This helps the cheese settle a little so it’s not sliding off when you pick one up. Then serve warm and cheesy.
Extra Tips
Serving Suggestions
- These biscuits are perfect next to soup — think tomato soup, chili, or creamy potato soup.
- Use them as a side for a weeknight pasta dinner.
- Serve them at gatherings: they make a killer appetizer or party snack, especially when paired with marinara or ranch for dipping.
- They’re also fantastic for breakfast — cut in half, buttered extra, maybe even stuffed with scrambled eggs.
Storage & Reheating
- At room temperature: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Because of the cheese, they’re best when eaten fresh.
- Refrigerator: Keep them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Yes, you can freeze them! Let them cool completely, then place in a double layer of plastic wrap or a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheat: To reheat, pop biscuits in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes until warm. Or microwave for 20–30 seconds (but they won’t be as crisp).
Variations & Ingredient Swaps
- Herbed version: Add ½ teaspoon dried parsley, basil, or even rosemary to the garlic butter for a herby twist.
- Spicy cheddar: Use pepper jack or cheddar mixed with a pinch of cayenne or chili powder for heat.
- Everything bagel biscuits: Sprinkle some “everything bagel seasoning” on top before baking instead of (or in addition to) the cheddar.
- Triple cheese: Combine cheddar with mozzarella and parmesan for a cheesy trifecta.
- Mini sliders: Use large biscuits, bake them, and then slice in half to make small biscuit sliders with meats, greens, or eggs.
Nutritional Information
Based on the recipe from Hungry Happens, here is an approximate breakdown per biscuit (assuming 10 biscuits):
- Calories: ~210
- Protein: ~6 g
- Carbohydrates: ~13 g
- Fat: ~16 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Sodium: ~430 mg
Keep in mind that these values will vary depending on the exact brand of biscuit dough, cheese, and butter you use.
FAQ
How long does it take to make Easy Cheddar Bay Biscuits (4 Ingredients)?
From start to finish, these biscuits take about 15 minutes:
- 3–4 minutes for prep (opening the dough, mixing butter, brushing, and sprinkling cheese)
- ~10–12 minutes to bake
- A couple of minutes to cool slightly before serving
Can I substitute the butter or cheese?
Yes! You can use:
- Oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter
- Reduced-fat or light cheddar to lower fat content
- Vegan cheddar shreds if you’re avoiding dairy
Can I make these gluten-free?
Definitely — just pick up gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough (if available) or make your own gluten-free biscuit dough using a gluten-free baking mix. Then proceed with the recipe as directed.
Can I freeze Easy Cheddar Bay Biscuits (4 Ingredients)?
Yes, you can! After baking and cooling, wrap them tightly (individually or in pairs) and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, reheat in the oven for best texture.
Conclusion
There you have it: a seriously delightful and utterly simple recipe for Easy Cheddar Bay Biscuits (4 Ingredients). These biscuits have the rich, cheesy flavor of a restaurant chain favorite, but without the fuss, the long prep, or the need for a dozen ingredients. They’re perfect for sharing, snacking, or pairing with your favorite cozy meals.
If you try these, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Comment below with your tweaks (did you swap in spicy cheese or herby garlic butter?), or tell me what you served them with. And if you whip up a batch for friends or family, don’t be surprised if they ask for seconds (or the recipe).
Happy baking, cheesy friends — may your kitchen smell of buttery garlic goodness! 🧀🥐✨