There's something irresistibly cozy about warm, garlicky biscuits fresh from the oven, and this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe nails that comforting vibe perfectly. These soft, fluffy biscuits are packed with melty vegan cheddar and a buttery garlic finish — trust me, you won't miss the dairy at all!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly feel like these biscuits are a game changer for vegan comfort food. I first whipped them up for a casual dinner and every single person — vegan or not — went back for seconds. That rich, flavorful garlic butter topping really takes these from good to unforgettable.
- Comfort food classic, vegan approved: You get all the indulgence of cheesy, buttery biscuits with none of the animal products.
- Simple ingredients, big flavor: No complicated techniques here — just pantry staples combined for maximum satisfaction.
- Quick to prep and bake: From mixing to golden-brown biscuits in under 35 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Customizable and forgiving: You can easily tweak spices or cheese types to suit your taste, and the dough is very forgiving if you overwork it a bit.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Combining a few simple ingredients, this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe creates that perfect tender crumb and rich flavor we all crave. Each component plays its part — whether it’s the tangy "buttermilk" or the savory vegan cheese.
- Unsweetened soy milk: Works great to make vegan buttermilk when combined with apple cider vinegar; provides moisture and structure.
- Apple cider vinegar: Acid that curdles the soy milk, replicating classic buttermilk’s tang which helps tenderize the biscuits.
- All purpose flour: The base of the dough, providing structure and that familiar biscuit texture.
- Baking powder: The rising agent that gives the biscuits their fluffy lift.
- Garlic powder: Key seasoning for that signature cheddar bay flavor — I like to add a little extra on top too.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness from the vegan cheese.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): A subtle kick that adds depth without overpowering.
- Melted vegan butter: Both in the dough and brushed on top — adds richness and that irresistible buttery finish.
- Shredded vegan cheddar cheese: The star ingredient for cheesy flavor and melty, gooey bites inside the biscuit.
- Fresh parsley: Brightens the garlic butter topping with a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Make It Your Way
I love how flexible this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe is — you can tweak it easily to suit your taste or dietary needs. For instance, I sometimes swap vegan cheddar for smoked gouda-style shreds when I want a deeper smoky flavor, and it never disappoints.
- Variation: Adding a handful of chopped green onions to the dough gives a lovely fresh bite that complements the garlic butter topping really well.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Vegan Buttermilk
Start by pouring soy milk into a glass measuring cup and stirring in the apple cider vinegar. Set this aside for about 5 minutes while it curdles into your plant-based “buttermilk.” This little step is key because it helps tenderize the biscuits and adds that subtle tang we all associate with cheddar bay biscuits.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
While the “buttermilk” takes shape, whisk together your flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and optional cayenne pepper in a large bowl. The cayenne is totally optional but I love the gentle warmth it adds — you can leave it out if you prefer them milder.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients Gently
Pour the vegan buttermilk and melted vegan butter into your dry mixture. Stir just until the dough clumps together — you don’t want to overmix and risk dense biscuits. This dough should be thick and a bit sticky. Then fold in your shredded vegan cheddar cheese gently to spread that cheesy goodness evenly.
Step 4: Scoop and Bake
Lightly grease a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the dough—it helps release the batter neatly without sticking. Place the biscuits onto a greased baking sheet with a little room between each one. Bake in a preheated 450°F oven for about 12 to 15 minutes, watching for that golden brown top.
Step 5: Brush On the Garlic Butter Topping
Mix melted vegan butter, garlic powder, and chopped fresh parsley together, then brush this fragrant butter over the warm biscuits the moment they come out of the oven. This finishing touch seals in flavor and gives you that classic Cheddar Bay Biscuit aroma that’s so hard to resist!
Top Tip
When I first made this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe, I learned a few tricks the hard way—these tips truly help nail that perfect texture and flavor every time.
- Don't overmix: Stir the dough just until combined; overmixing can make dense biscuits, and nobody wants that!
- Grease your scoop: A lightly oiled measuring cup makes scooping dough easier, so your biscuits keep their shape and look uniform.
- Use fresh vegan cheese: I find shredded vegan cheddar from the refrigerated section works best here — it melts and flavors the biscuits beautifully.
- Brush while hot: Brushing the garlic butter mixture right out of the oven locks in moisture and flavor that cool biscuits just can’t match.
How to Serve Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick to fresh chopped parsley right on top for color and a hint of herbaceous brightness, but sometimes a sprinkle of nutritional yeast adds a lovely cheesy note if I want to amp it up even more.
Side Dishes
These biscuits go perfectly with vegan chili, hearty stews, or even a fresh green salad for a lighter meal. I've also served them alongside creamy mushroom gravy for a weekend brunch that was a total hit.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I love arranging these biscuits in a circular basket lined with a red-checked cloth for a rustic feel. Sometimes I'll drizzle a little extra garlic butter over them right before serving — it makes them look so much more tempting and keeps guests coming back for more.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay soft and delicious for up to 3-4 days. I usually pop them in a warm oven briefly before serving to refresh that crisp-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture.
Freezing
If I want to save some for later, I freeze these biscuits individually wrapped in foil or plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to 2 months, which is perfect for busy days when I want a quick comforting snack.
Reheating
To reheat, I thaw frozen biscuits at room temp for about 20 minutes, then pop them in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes. This method revives their softness and keeps the edges delightfully crisp — no microwave needed here!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can use almond, oat, or cashew milk to make the vegan buttermilk. Just make sure it’s unsweetened to avoid altering the flavor of the biscuits.
I recommend using a shredded vegan cheddar cheese that melts well — brands like Follow Your Heart, Daiya, or Violife are favorites of mine. Make sure you pick one with a rich flavor and good meltability for best results.
You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, but results may vary. The texture might be a little different, so you may need to add a bit more liquid or a binder like xanthan gum.
The cayenne pepper is optional and adds just a gentle warmth — it’s not overpowering. If you prefer no heat, simply omit it and you’ll still get plenty of flavor from the garlic and vegan cheddar.
Final Thoughts
Making these Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe has become one of my favorite culinary rituals — it feels like comfort wrapped up in every fluffy, garlicky bite. I hope you give them a try and find them as delightfully addictive as I do. Seriously, once you've had these, you'll want to keep this recipe handy for all your cozy dinners!
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Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 biscuits
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits are soft, fluffy, and bursting with savory flavors. Made with vegan cheese and a buttery garlic topping, they offer a delicious plant-based twist on the classic Red Lobster biscuits, perfect as a side dish or appetizer to complement any meal.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup melted vegan butter (cooled for 5 minutes)
- 3 tablespoons melted vegan butter (for topping)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Cheese & Garnish
- 1 ½ cups shredded vegan cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and lightly grease a baking sheet to ensure the biscuits don’t stick.
- Make the buttermilk: In a glass measuring cup, combine the unsweetened soy milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir and set aside for a few minutes to allow the mixture to curdle, creating vegan buttermilk.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the all purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
- Mix in wet ingredients: Add the vegan buttermilk and melted vegan butter to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until a thick dough forms, taking care not to overmix. Carefully fold in the shredded vegan cheddar cheese using your hands or a spatula to evenly distribute it.
- Scoop dough: Lightly grease a ¼ cup measuring cup and use it to scoop portions of the dough. Place each biscuit on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them to allow for rising.
- Bake: Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine the melted vegan butter, garlic powder, and chopped fresh parsley. Once the biscuits are out of the oven and still warm, brush this garlic butter mixture generously over their tops.
- Serve: Enjoy the biscuits warm. Store any leftovers in a covered container for 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- For best results, do not overmix the dough to keep the biscuits light and fluffy.
- To add extra flavor, use smoked paprika or Italian seasoning instead of cayenne pepper if you prefer less heat.
- If vegan cheddar cheese is unavailable, you may substitute with your favorite vegan cheese alternative.
- These biscuits pair excellently with vegan soups, stews, or salads making them versatile for many meals.
- Leftover biscuits can be reheated in a toaster oven or conventional oven for a crisp exterior.
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

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