Imagine biting into warm, fluffy biscuits bursting with melty vegan cheddar and that unforgettable garlic-parsley butter glaze. This Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe brings all the cozy, indulgent vibes—without any dairy. It’s honestly one of my favorite plant-based twists on a classic side.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
From the first time I baked these biscuits, I was hooked. They capture that familiar comforting flavor we all adore but are totally vegan-friendly. Plus, they come together quickly, which makes them a go-to for cozy dinners or impressing friends.
- Authentic Flavor: These biscuits taste just like the beloved original, thanks to vegan cheddar and garlic butter.
- Simple Ingredients: Easy pantry staples and straightforward steps mean no fancy shopping trips or complicated prep.
- Versatile Side Dish: They pair beautifully not just with soups and salads but also with your favorite vegan main courses.
- Quick to Make: Ready from start to finish in just about 35 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute hosting.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe lies in its simple yet harmonious combination of ingredients. Each one plays a role in texture, flavor, and that perfect golden crust you crave. I always try to use quality vegan cheese for a melty bite and a good vegan butter for richness.
- Unsweetened soy milk: Creates the base for the vegan buttermilk that tenderizes the dough.
- Apple cider vinegar: Reacts with the soy milk to mimic that tangy buttermilk taste essential for biscuits.
- All-purpose flour: Standard biscuit base that provides structure and fluffiness.
- Baking powder: Helps the biscuits rise and get fluffy without yeast.
- Garlic powder: Adds the essential savory garlicky note inside and on top.
- Salt: Balances flavors and brings out the cheese’s depth.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Gives an optional gentle kick that brightens the flavor.
- Melted vegan butter: Adds indulgent richness and helps bind the dough.
- Shredded vegan cheddar cheese: The star of the show—melty, sharp, and packed with flavor.
- Fresh parsley: Brightens the buttery topping with a fresh herbal touch.
Make It Your Way
One thing I love about this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Sometimes I add extra herbs or swap the parsley for chives, depending on what I have on hand. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!
- Variation: For a smoky twist, I like adding a pinch of smoked paprika or swapping the vegan cheddar for smoked vegan gouda. It gives a subtle smoky flavor that’s amazing alongside hearty stews.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Buttermilk Substitute
Start by pouring unsweetened soy milk into a glass measuring cup, then stir in apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes until it curdles—that’s your vegan buttermilk! This tangy base is what gives the biscuits their tender crumb.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and the optional cayenne pepper. This blend gives your biscuits that classic savory and lightly spicy flavor.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry
Add the melted vegan butter (cooled for about 5 minutes, so it doesn’t cook the batter) and the vegan buttermilk to your dry mix. Stir gently just until the dough comes together and looks thick. Overmixing can make the biscuits tough, so be gentle here.
Step 4: Fold in the Cheese
Now, fold the shredded vegan cheddar into the dough. Sometimes I find the dough is too thick to stir easily, so I just get in there with clean hands to evenly distribute the cheese without crushing the dough.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Lightly grease a ¼ cup measuring cup (this helps the dough release easily) and scoop the dough onto a greased baking sheet, spacing the biscuits an inch or two apart. Bake at 450°F for 12-15 minutes until they’re puffed up and golden on top.
Step 6: Butter Them Up
While the biscuits are hot from the oven, mix melted vegan butter with garlic powder and fresh parsley. Brush this luscious garlic butter over each biscuit’s top to lock in flavor and add a gorgeous glossy finish. Serve warm and watch them disappear!
Top Tip
Having made this recipe countless times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make a big difference. These tips will help you get those pillowy soft biscuits we all dream about:
- Measure Flour Correctly: Fluff the flour before scooping and spoon it lightly into your measuring cup. Too much flour can make the biscuits dense.
- Don’t Overmix: Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are combined with wet. Over-kneading develops gluten and leads to tougher biscuits.
- Butter Timing: Let melted vegan butter cool slightly before mixing in; hot butter can affect your rising agents.
- Use Fresh Parsley: It brightens the buttery topping more than dried herbs ever could.
How to Serve Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little extra chopped parsley right before serving for a fresh pop of color. Sometimes, I add a pinch of smoked paprika on the garlic butter for a subtle smoky aroma—it’s an easy twist that guests always notice.
Side Dishes
These biscuits shine with vegan chili, creamy soups like tomato basil or mushroom, and my favorite roasted vegetable medleys. They soak up sauces beautifully too, making them perfect alongside hearty vegan stews or BBQ jackfruit.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like serving these biscuits stacked with a small dollop of vegan herb butter between each one on a decorative platter. Adding edible flowers or additional fresh herbs can elevate the rustic charm for dinner parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They maintain softness well, but I always reheat gently to revive that fresh-baked texture.
Freezing
These freeze beautifully—just cool completely, then wrap individually or in a sealed freezer bag. I usually freeze them before baking if I want super fresh biscuits later, or after baking if I have extras. To bake from frozen, add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the biscuits in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes, often covered loosely with foil so they stay moist but regain a slight crisp on top. The garlic butter topping can be refreshed with a quick brush of warmed vegan butter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Unsweetened almond or oat milk both work well. Just make sure it’s unsweetened and add the apple cider vinegar the same way to curdle it.
You can experiment with vegan mozzarella or a blend of nut-based cheeses, but keep in mind the flavor profile will shift. The sharpness of vegan cheddar is key here, so if possible, pick a good-quality brand.
Gluten-free baking can be tricky with biscuits, but you can try a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Expect slightly different texture, but the flavor should still be delicious.
Store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to keep moisture locked in and crust slightly crisp.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe has become such a beloved part of my kitchen routine because it captures that comforting warmth and garlicky cheesy goodness we all crave — but without any dairy. I promise, once you make these, they’ll become your quick-fix side dish you’ll turn to again and again. So go ahead, give them a try, and treat yourself to that lovely golden-buttery magic.
Print
Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 biscuits
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits are soft, fluffy, and packed with vegan cheddar cheese, perfectly seasoned with garlic and parsley. They’re an irresistible plant-based twist on the famous Red Lobster biscuits, ideal as a side dish or appetizer.
Ingredients
Buttermilk
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Wet Ingredients & Dough
- ½ cup melted vegan butter (cooled for 5 minutes)
- 1 ½ cups shredded vegan cheddar cheese
Topping
- 3 tablespoons melted vegan butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and lightly grease a baking sheet to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the buttermilk: In a glass measuring cup, pour in the unsweetened soy milk. Stir in the apple cider vinegar and set aside to curdle for a few minutes to create a vegan buttermilk substitute.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using) until evenly mixed.
- Mix in wet ingredients: Add the curdled vegan buttermilk and melted vegan butter to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until a thick dough forms but do not overmix to keep the biscuits tender. Fold in the shredded vegan cheddar cheese, using your hands if needed to incorporate evenly.
- Scoop dough: Lightly grease a ¼ cup measuring cup, then scoop the dough and place dollops on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each for expansion.
- Bake: Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted vegan butter with garlic powder and chopped fresh parsley. Brush this garlic butter topping on the warm biscuits as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Serve: Serve the biscuits warm and enjoy. Store leftovers in a covered container for 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Using unsweetened soy milk and apple cider vinegar creates a vegan buttermilk that adds tanginess and helps the biscuits rise.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough to keep the biscuits light and fluffy.
- You can substitute vegan butter with coconut oil or another plant-based spread if preferred.
- The cayenne pepper is optional but adds a mild spicy kick that enhances flavor.
- These biscuits can be made gluten free by using a gluten free all purpose flour blend.
- Leftover biscuits freeze well; reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit
- Calories: 206 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 281 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Leave a Reply