Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Red Lobster. My parents used to take me there as a kid, until I realized that the lobsters I cooed at in the tank ended up on a dinner plate. I was devastated when I made the connection and we never went back.

Fast forward 30 years. My son, who is fascinated with sea creatures, asks to go to Red Lobster after seeing commercials on tv. He asked over, and over, and over. I finally gave in, thinking that I could surely find a somewhat healthy choice on the menu at a seafood restaurant.

Or not. The food was not even as good as I remembered as a kid. In fact, it was pretty bad! But the Cheddar Bay biscuits were still tasty. I ate just one, knowing that it was full of processed crap, but grateful that I had the opportunity to remember the flavor. Oh yes, I thought, I can make a healthier version of these at home!

After doing some research, I came up with this recipe. I think it tastes just like the cheddar bay biscuits at Red lobster, and my husband agrees! But even though they taste similar, they are distinctly different. Notice the ingredients of the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and keep in mind that this does not include the wet ingredients or cheese:
Enriched Bleached Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Malted Barley Flour, May Contain Enzymes, Ascorbic Acid), Palm Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and Cottonseed Oils. Contains 2% or Less of the Following: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Whey, Salt, Dextrose, Soy Lecithin, Buttermilk, Soy Flour, Ascorbic Acid, Enzymes. Garlic Herb Blend: Garlic Powder, Maltodextrin, Salt, Onion Powder, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Torula Yeast, Dehydrated Parsley, Malic Acid, Sugar, Natural and Artificial Flavors (Maltodextrin, Butter Oil), Silicon Dioxide (Anti-Caking Agent). Contains wheat, milk and soy. Made on equipment that makes products containing eggs, tree nuts and fish.

So besides lots of carbs from bleached wheat flour, the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits also contain partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil. That, folks, is trans fat. I know, I know, the label says that a 32.5 gram serving contains 0 grams of trans fat. But did you know that food manufacturers are allowed to round down to the nearest whole number? Partially hydrogenated oil is listed in the ingredients, so we know that the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuits contain trans fat. But if each 32.5 gram serving contains less than half a gram, it can be rounded down to zero. Think about that. If each biscuit contains 0.49 grams and you eat two, you are getting 0.98 grams - nearly 1 gram - of trans fat. That's not zero grams of trans fat. I don't know about you, but it seems pretty misleading to me!

In comparison, the ingredients in my Copy Cat Cheddar Bay Biscuits are honest and simple. They're egg-free (for those of you with an egg allergy), gluten-free, grain-free, low-carb and keto-friendly because they're made from real, nutritious ingredients!

Almond flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, herbs and spices, sour cream, melted butter, shredded cheese.

Because these Cheddar Bay Biscuits have good quality ingredients, they provide a lot more health benefits than the Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster. The almond flour provides healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, fiber and protein. The cheese also provides protein and calcium in addition to phosphorus. Don't they look delicious?

 

These Copy Cat Cheddar Bay Drop Biscuits are delicious and easy to make, but I like to provide helpful hints, ingredients and product suggestions that make my recipes even easier for you. Amazon links to products are included below as part of my helpful hints. Some of them are affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you purchase a product through one of my links. Thank you for supporting Taste Abounds!

• Almond flour can be expensive, but Costco has the best price on almond flour that I've seen. Check out my post on 30 Organic Pantry Essentials at Costco for more info! Natural Grocers' own brand of almond flour is a close second. Amazon also sells almond flour for a reasonable price.
• Be sure to use the best clean, unprocessed ingredients to make these biscuits. That means using the real thing instead of processed substitutes like margarine, which is made from trans fat, or fat free sour cream or cheese. Instead, choose ingredients in their most natural form, like real butter, sour cream and cheese from grass-fed cows. Not only is it better for the environment and cows, it contains a better fat profile and more nutrients for you (source).