We Taste Tested Red Lobster’s New Gluten-Free Cheddar Bay Biscuits and We Have Zero Regrets

Every year, Red Lobster serves up more than 350 million cheddar bay biscuits. Their signature recipe yields a decadent cheesy biscuit that’s so popular the internet has dozens of copycat recipes for home cooks to try. Now, gluten-free diners can share the love. The company released a baking mix for gluten-free cheddar bay biscuits!

Red Lobster already sells a cheddar bay baking mix made with traditional wheat flour. Starting right about now, Red Lobster announced that it will sell a mix made without gluten, too. It’s simple to prepare, because you just add water, butter and grated cheese. The GF mix is already at Walmart stores nationwide.

We baked a batch to sample the goods. Here’s what we thought,

Our Review

OK, a fresh-from-the-oven biscuit is pretty much always good. The gluten-free Red Lobster biscuits are no exception: They’re tender and absolutely packed with cheddar flavor. A touch of melted butter drizzled over the top added moisture, a crucial consideration for gluten-free baked goods, which can be a little dry. Some tasters found them crumblier than the gluten-containing versions, but not in a deal-breaker way.

Editor’s Tip: Make biscuits and other gluten-free baked goods a little smaller than you might make a wheat version. They’ll be less delicate and prone to crumbling or breaking. Find more gluten-free baking secrets here.

In short, our editors found the biscuits delicious, even those who don’t follow a gluten-free diet. That makes the biscuit mix a great choice for families with both gluten-avoiders and wheat-eaters, since everyone will enjoy them.

Should everyone eat gluten-free? The answer might surprise you.

Will the Biscuits Be in Restaurants?

When Red Lobster announced the mix on Twitter, fans were excited—and immediately wondered if they could expect to try the biscuits in restaurants. Sadly, there’s no plan yet to offer a gluten-free biscuit basket to diners. (The restaurant does offer other allergy-friendly menu options, however.) Home bakers enjoy exclusive access to the gluten-free mix.

Our Fave Red Lobster Copycat Recipes

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Inspired by: Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp

Panko crumbs give this spicy baked coconut shrimp its crunch. It’s great for an appetizer or for your main meal. — Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas

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Inspired by: Garlic Shrimp Scampi

This shrimp scampi recipe looks elegant enough to serve to company, but it’s easy to prepare. The bright flavors of lemon and herbs enhance the shrimp. Serve it over pasta and wait for the compliments. —Lori Packer, Omaha, Nebraska

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Inspired by: Hand-Battered Fish and Chips

For an awesome crunch and golden color without deep frying, we coat fish with cornflake crumbs and bake it. Try it with homemade french fries for a fun spin on fish and chips. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado

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Inspired by: Roasted Maine Lobster Bake

I’ve cooked lobster “alla diavola” (devil’s style) since I was first married. We serve lobster at family celebrations, usually with linguine or capellini. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida

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Inspired by: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

My biscuits won the Best Quick Bread division at my county fair. One of the judges liked it so much, she asked for the recipe! These buttery, savory biscuits go with just about anything. —Tall Pines Farm, Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio

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Inspired by: Walt's Favorite Shrimp

Talk about fuss-free! These skewers are simple to assemble, and they grill to perfection in minutes. My guests enjoy them with a spicy seafood sauce. —Dianna Knight, Clayton, North Carolina

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Inspired by: Soy-Ginger Salmon

Ginger, garlic powder and green onion blend nicely in an easy marinade that gives pleasant flavor to salmon. We also like to use this versatile mixture when grilling chicken, but we've found it tastes even better when marinated in the fridge overnight. —Dan Strumberger, Farmington, Minnesota

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Inspired by: New England Clam Chowder

I ran across this recipe in one of my antique cookbooks. It's a timeless classic I like to prepare for friends and family throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. —Betty Ann Morgan, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

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Inspired by: Crab Linguine Alfredo

When I was pregnant with my first daughter I had to limit my fat intake due to health problems. I still wanted delicious meals that were great for entertaining so I started making this Alfredo for special occasions. —Jackie Price, Trenton, Missouri

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Inspired by: Parmesan-Crusted Fresh Tilapia

I love that simple Parmesan cheese brings such richness to an otherwise mild-tasting fish. It's one dish where leftovers are never a problem! —Tracy Locken, Gillette, Wyoming

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Inspired by: Mediterranean Shrimp

Any recipe that is special enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight meal is a favorite in my book. All you need to finish off the meal is a side salad and crusty French bread to sop up the delicious tomato and wine juices. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York

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Inspired by: Lobster Bisque

We live on the Gulf Coast, where fresh seafood is plentiful. I adapted several recipes to come up with this rich bisque. It's great as a first course or an entree, and it can be made with just shrimp or crabmeat. —Pat Edwards, Dauphin Island, Alabama

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Inspired by: Farm-Raised Catfish

You can use this recipe with any thick fish fillet, but I suggest catfish or haddock. The Cajun flavor is great! —Traci Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania

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Inspired by: Crispy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce forms a crispy shell that's full of possibilities, depending on what's in your fridge. Swap shrimp for cooked chicken, pork or tofu. Mix in any veggies you want: carrots, broccoli, snow peas and chopped zucchini are all fantastic add-ins. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Inspired by: Seafood-Stuffed Flounder

The delicious shrimp-herb stuffing makes this fish recipe special enough for company. But it really isn’t hard to make, and since our family enjoys fish, we eat it often. —Marie Forte, Raritan, New Jersey

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Inspired by: Garlic-Grilled Shrimp

This is easy and delicious! These shrimp are great with steak, but for a special occasion, brush the sauce on lobster tails and grill. —Sheryl Shenberger, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Inspired by: Crunch-Fried Fish Sandwich

Fishing for a burger alternative? Consider it caught. A hint of cayenne is cooled by a creamy yogurt and mayo sauce in this fish sandwich that will put your local drive-thru to shame. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Inspired by: Key Lime Pie

For a taste of paradise, try this no-bake Key lime pie recipe. It's low in fat, sugar and fuss. It truly is the best Key lime pie recipe ever! —Frances VanFossan, Warren, Michigan

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Inspired by: Cajun Chicken Linguine Alfredo

My family loves pasta, so I decided to get in the kitchen and come up with my own chicken pasta bake. This recipe is quick and simple to make, and it tastes so good, they all go back for seconds. I serve it with a tossed salad and garlic bread. —Kim Weishuhn, Pensacola, Florida

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Inspired by: Seafood Gumbo

Gumbo is one dish that makes Louisiana cuisine so famous. We live across the state line in Texas and can’t seem to get enough of this traditional Cajun dish that features okra, shrimp, spicy seasonings and the “holy trinity”—onions, green peppers and celery. This recipe calls for seafood, but you could also use chicken, duck or sausage. —Ruth Aubey, San Antonio, Texas

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Inspired by: NY Strip and Rock Lobster Tail

For an intimate dinner with close friends, serve this stunning dinner of tenderloin steaks and lobster tail. Your guests will think they are dining at a fine restaurant when you serve them this surf and turf dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Inspired by: Sweet Chili Shrimp

These finger-lickin' shrimp practically fly off the platter at my get-togethers. Play with the amount of sriracha to get the spice level just the way you like it. —Susan Harrison, Laurel, Maryland

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Inspired by: Wood-Grilled Tilapia Tacos

Fish tacos are my new favorite thing—lighter and healthier than beef tacos smothered in cheese. Try adding tomatoes, green onions and chopped jalapeno on top. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan

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Inspired by: Creamy Potato Bacon Soup

My husband and I enjoyed a delicious baked potato soup at a restaurant while on vacation and I came home determined to duplicate it. It took me five years to get the taste right! —Joann Goetz, Genoa, Ohio

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Inspired by: Maple-Glazed Chicken

When I became a new mother, my mom helped me find comforting and simple recipes to have on hand. This terrific roast chicken is a happy discovery. —Sara Eilers, Surprise, Arizona

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Inspired by: Shrimp Linguini Alfredo

After tasting fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant, I tried to duplicate the recipe at home. You can't imagine how pleased I was when I came up with this delicious version. Not only does my family love the creamy dish, but my husband prefers it to the one at the restaurant. —Rae Natoli, Kingston, New York

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Inspired by: Salmon New Orleans

We eat this salmon a lot, along with couscous and fresh veggies. Even my 2-year-old devours it. —Lyndsay Rensing, Katy, Texas

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Inspired by: Rock Lobster Tail

I had never tried grilling lobster tails at home until I tried this convenient and deliciously different recipe. It turned out amazing, and has left me with little reason to ever order grilled lobster tail at a restaurant again. Here's how to cook lobster tails on the grill. —Katie Rush, Kansas City, Missouri

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The post We Taste Tested Red Lobster’s New Gluten-Free Cheddar Bay Biscuits and We Have Zero Regrets appeared first on Taste of Home.

Kelsey Rae Dimberg