Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe is one of those little joys that makes any meal feel like a treat. Fluffy, garlicky, and loaded with melty vegan cheddar, these biscuits bring a cozy, buttery flavor without any animal products. Trust me, once you try them, they might just become your new comfort food staple.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made these vegan cheddar bay biscuits. I was skeptical—could they really match the buttery, cheesy magic of the original? Spoiler: they do, and then some. They’re perfectly tender inside with a subtle garlic kick and just the right amount of meltiness from the vegan cheddar. I love how approachable this recipe is and how it jazzes up any dinner table.
- Easy to Make: The recipe uses simple pantry staples and comes together quickly, which means less fuss and more tasty biscuits.
- Deliciously Vegan: You get all the flavor without any dairy, making it perfect for plant-based eaters or those with lactose intolerance.
- Versatile Flavor: The garlic and parsley butter topping adds a pop of freshness that elevates these from good to unforgettable.
- Perfect Texture: Soft and flaky on the inside, with a golden crust that’s just begging to be torn apart and smeared with more vegan butter.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe plays a part in building that classic biscuit texture and flavor, all while keeping it plant-powered. Let’s break down why these choices make the recipe shine.
- Unsweetened soy milk: Acts as the base for our “buttermilk” when combined with apple cider vinegar, helping tenderize the biscuits and giving them that slight tang.
- Apple cider vinegar: This sours the soy milk to mimic buttermilk's acidity—key for fluffy, soft biscuits.
- All purpose flour: The backbone of the structure; it’s tried and true for biscuits, providing the right balance of tenderness and integrity.
- Baking powder: Our leavening agent that helps these babies puff up beautifully in the oven.
- Garlic powder: Brings the savory signature flavor the “Cheddar Bay” style is famous for.
- Salt: Enhances and balances flavors so everything tastes delicious.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Adds a gentle hint of warmth for a subtle spicy edge—perfect if you want a little extra kick.
- Melted vegan butter: Adds richness and moistness inside the dough and later used in the topping for that golden finish.
- Shredded vegan cheddar cheese: Provides melty, cheesy pockets that make each bite mouthwateringly good.
- Fresh parsley: Lifts the finishing touch with bright herbal notes in the buttery topping.
Make It Your Way
I love tinkering with this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe to suit different moods. Sometimes I mix in extra herbs or swap the cheese for nutritional yeast when I want something a bit lighter. Feel free to play with it and make it your own—you can't go wrong!
- Variation: I’ve tried adding chopped jalapeños for a spicy twist, which gives the biscuits a fun unexpected bite.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Buttermilk
First things first—preheat your oven to 450°F and lightly grease your baking sheet. Then, pour the soy milk into a glass measuring cup and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes to curdle and turn into that perfect vegan “buttermilk.” This step really sets the stage for tender biscuits.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper (if you’re using it). Mixing them well here helps your biscuits rise evenly and get that amazing flavor throughout.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the vegan buttermilk and melted vegan butter to the dry ingredients and stir gently until you have a thick dough. One of my biggest tips is not to overmix here—you want the biscuits tender, not tough! Finally, fold in the shredded vegan cheddar. Don’t hesitate to use your hands; it makes incorporation easier and keeps the cheese nicely distributed.
Step 4: Scoop and Bake
Lightly grease a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop out the dough—trust me, it makes things much easier and keeps a nice uniform size. Place the biscuit dough on your greased baking sheet, leaving some space between each one so they can puff up. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown on top. I love peeking in at the 12-minute mark—you want those tops beautifully golden without drying out.
Step 5: Prepare Topping and Finish
While the biscuits bake, mix melted vegan butter, garlic powder, and chopped fresh parsley in a small bowl. The moment the biscuits come out of the oven, brush this garlicky, herbaceous butter over the tops generously. The smell alone will make you want to dive right in!
Top Tip
Through trial and error, I’ve learned that a light hand during mixing and careful timing in baking make all the difference with this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir just until everything comes together. Overmixing develops gluten and can make your biscuits tough instead of flaky.
- Use a Well-Greased Scoop: Greasing your measuring cup makes scooping a breeze and helps keep biscuits uniform in size, so they bake evenly.
- Brush Butter Immediately: Applying the garlic parsley butter while the biscuits are hot ensures the flavors soak in beautifully and the tops stay shiny.
- Avoid Crowding: Give your biscuits some breathing room on the baking sheet to ensure they rise and brown properly.
How to Serve Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
I like to add a sprinkle of extra fresh parsley after brushing the butter—it gives such a pretty, fresh pop of green and a burst of herbaceous brightness against the rich biscuits. Sometimes, a light dusting of smoked paprika amps up the smoky flavor, especially if you’ve added cayenne to the dough.
Side Dishes
These biscuits pair wonderfully with creamy tomato soup, hearty chili, or a crisp green salad. I’ve also enjoyed them alongside vegan mac and cheese or roasted veggies for a comforting, filling meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or a cozy brunch, I arrange these biscuits in a round casserole dish or on a rustic wooden board, surrounded by small bowls of vegan butter, jam, and dipping oils. It makes for a beautiful, inviting display that your guests will love diving into.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Wrapping them in a clean kitchen towel inside the container keeps them from drying out, preserving that fresh-baked texture surprisingly well.
Freezing
These biscuits freeze beautifully! I let them cool completely, then wrap each in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When I’m ready to enjoy, I pull out a few, thaw them on the counter, and reheat – it’s like I just baked fresh batch.
Reheating
For leftover or frozen biscuits, I reheat them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This restores their golden exterior and soft inside much better than microwaving, which can make them rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! I’ve used unsweetened almond milk and oat milk successfully. Just avoid any sweetened or flavored versions to keep the flavor balanced.
You can substitute about ¼ cup of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, though the texture will be a bit different. Sometimes I mix some vegan parmesan as well to up the savoriness.
I haven’t personally tested this recipe with gluten-free flour, but many readers have had success using a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose blend. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binding agent for structure.
The best way is to keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. Wrapping them in a kitchen towel inside the container helps maintain softness too. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
I can honestly say that making this Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe was a game-changer in my kitchen. The smile on my family’s faces as they tore into those warm, garlicky, cheesy bites is priceless. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but is easy enough to whip up anytime. So, go on—give it a try. I promise you’ll be craving these biscuits long after your first batch!
Print
Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 biscuits
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits are soft, flavorful, and perfect for a delightful snack or side dish. Made with a dairy-free buttermilk blend, vegan cheddar cheese, and a garlicky parsley topping, they offer a delicious dairy-free alternative to the classic biscuits.
Ingredients
Cheddar Biscuits
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 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 for the biscuits.
- 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 curdle, creating a vegan buttermilk.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Mix in wet ingredients: Add the vegan buttermilk and melted vegan butter to the dry ingredients and gently stir until a thick dough forms. Avoid over mixing. Carefully fold in the shredded vegan cheddar cheese, using your hands if necessary to evenly distribute the cheese.
- Scoop dough: Lightly grease a ¼ cup measuring cup and scoop the biscuit dough, placing each portion onto the prepared baking sheet with space between them.
- Bake: Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted vegan butter, garlic powder, and chopped fresh parsley.
- Finish: Brush the garlic butter topping over the warm biscuits immediately after baking for extra flavor.
- Serve: Serve the biscuits warm. Store any leftovers in a covered container for 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- You can substitute unsweetened almond milk or another unsweetened plant milk in place of soy milk, but avoid any with added sugar or flavorings.
- The recipe has not been tested with gluten-free flour; however, a high-quality gluten-free blend may work as a substitute.
- If vegan cheese is not available, substitute approximately ¼ cup of nutritional yeast to maintain a cheesy flavor.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the biscuits light and fluffy.
- To store, keep biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze them for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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