I love a good comfort meal and gluten free cheddar biscuits always hit the spot. Flaky, tender, and buttery with a touch of garlic. Do I have to say more? These gluten-free cheddar bay biscuits are packed with sharp cheddar and are topped with garlic butter while still hot. Believe me, your whole family will quickly fall in love with this flaky goodness.
If you love biscuits, make sure to check out my Gluten Free Sweet Potato Biscuits and Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcakes.

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Recipe Ingredient Notes
Gluten Free Flour: The best gluten-free flour blend to make Gluten-Free Cheddar Biscuits is Cup4Cup. The addition of cornstarch creates a lighter crumb and therefore allows the biscuits to rise. If you are in Europe, please use Schär Mix Pâtisserie. If you do not have access to Cup4Cup, you can tweak a blend like Bob's Red Mill with this Homemade Biscuit Flour blend. I can not guarantee it will be as nice and flaky as Cup4Cup.
Homemade Biscuit Flour Blend
– 250 g of your gluten-free flour blend containing xanthan gum such as Bob’s Red Mill (I do not recommend King Arthur Measure for Measure for this recip )
– 75 g of cornstarch
– 1 teaspoon of dry non-fat milk powder (whole milk powder works as well)
Combine all ingredients and mix together with a whisk. The non-fat milk powder will provide browning but is also an emulsifier.
Butter: I only use unsalted butter in my baking recipes. For the best results, make sure the butter is cold and comes straight from the fridge. This will help the biscuits to get flaky layers.
Dairy: I have tested this recipe with buttermilk, kefir, and "homemade buttermilk" (which is basically milk with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice). The cheddar biscuits made with buttermilk and kefir did rise a lot taller and had a better flavor than the ones made with "homemade buttermilk".
Cheddar: I use sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe. If you are looking for a milder flavor, you can always use a mild cheddar. Please be aware some pre-shredded cheeses may contain gluten. This is why I always buy blocks and grate the cheese at home.
Parsley: I like adding some dried parsley to my cheddar biscuits. Not only for taste but also for color. You can also use fresh parsley or fresh chives.

How to make Gluten Free Cheddar Biscuits
The key to making light and tender gluten-free biscuits are cold ingredients. You won't need any fancy tools to make this recipe - just a mixing bowl, a flexible rubber spatula, and clean hands.
Before you start make sure butter, grated cheddar, and buttermilk or kefir are as cold as possible. If you like you can cut or grate the butter ahead of time and stick it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
Step 1: Line a sheet tray with parchment paper and set it aside.
Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl sift together the gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and kosher salt. Sifting together the dry ingredients ensures there are no random “pockets” of baking powder in your gluten-free biscuits.
Step 3: Add the cut/grated cold butter and with your hands or a pastry cutter, work it into the dry ingredients until they resemble the size of peas and coarse crumbs. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and parsley.
Step 4: Add the buttermilk/kefir and with a flexible spatula stir everything together until a dough forms. The mixture will look very dry in the beginning but the more you mix it, it will start to look like dough.

Step 5: Transfer your gluten-free cheddar biscuit dough to a parchment-lined sheet tray and with your hands, shape it into a rectangular/square shape, around ¾ – 1″ thick.
Step 6: Fold the dough in half and carefully pat it down into a square. Rotate the dough 90° between each fold. Repeat this two more times – a total of THREE folds. If your dough has become sticky because of a warm kitchen or warm hands, feel free to place it in the fridge between folds for 5-10 minutes. These folds are the key to flaky biscuits with buttery layers.
Step 7: Pat out your dough in a rectangular around ¾” – 1″ thick. Do not go thinner than ¾” or you will end up with flat, sad biscuits. Place the uncut biscuit dough in your fridge for at least 10 minutes. This gives the butter in the dough to chill down again and will ensure light and flaky gluten-free cheddar biscuits. Chilling the dough also makes them easier to cut. In the meantime fully preheat your oven to 425F.

Step 8: Once the oven is fully preheated, use a sharp, clean knife and cut the biscuits into 6 equal pieces. Arrange the cut biscuits on a parchment-lined sheet tray and brush with additional buttermilk/kefir. Bake at 425F for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure not to burn them.
Step 9: While the gluten-free cheddar biscuits are baking, finely chop 1-2 cloves of garlic. You can also use a Microplane and grate the garlic. In a small saute pan melt butter. To the melted butter add the garlic and parsley and sautee for 1 minute over medium-low heat until fragrant. Remove from heat.
Step 9: Remove the biscuits from the oven and brush the garlic butter on top of the biscuits while still hot. Sprinkle with some flaky sea salt if you like. Allow the biscuits to rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes before trying the best gluten-free cheddar biscuits there are.
Clearly, those flaky gluten-free biscuits are the best enjoyed when they are freshly baked. Store any leftovers you may have in an airtight container for 2-3 days at room temperature.

How to freeze biscuits
This is my favorite way to have “gluten-free cheddar biscuits on demand”. Arrange the unbaked, CUT biscuits on a sheet tray and freeze for 2hrs. Transfer them to a ziplock bag and bake from frozen as needed. You may need to increase baking time by a few minutes.
You may also freeze baked cheddar biscuits for future use. I recommend wrapping each individual in plastic wrap and sticking them in a ziplock bag or Tupperware container and freezing that way. When you are ready to enjoy a biscuit allow for it to thaw at room temperature and rebake in the oven or toaster oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes.
How to serve Gluten Free Cheddar Biscuits
These gluten-free cheddar bay biscuits are delicious on their own (especially when still warm from the oven) but they make a fabulous addition to any brunch table. Serve them with scrambled eggs or omelets. You can also turn them into delicious sandwiches by cutting them in half and adding a slice of country ham. Of course, you can also serve these gluten-free biscuits as a side dish for dinner. A personal favorite is serving them along with a big bowl of Homemade Gluten-Free Tomato Soup.

FAQ about Gluten Free Cheddar Biscuits
Why are my biscuits flat?
You most likely overworked the dough. The three folds are important to achieve flaky layers. Room temperature butter won’t work here since it will melt into the dry ingredients and won’t create flaky layers. Is your baking powder fresh? If it’s been sitting in your cupboard forever it’s probably overdue to be replaced.
Are cheddar bay biscuits gluten free?
Cheddar Bay Biscuits served at Red Lobster are not gluten-free. While they do offer a gluten cheddar bay biscuit mix, my recipe for gluten-free cheddar biscuits is more affordable and better than the red lobster biscuits.
Can I also add in jalapeños?
If you like a little extra oomph to your gluten-free cheddar biscuit, feel free to add some finely diced jalapeño to the dough along with the cheese. A little can go a long way here.
Can I make this recipe with regular flour?
If you are not celiac and would like to make this recipe for cheddar biscuits, please replace the gluten free flour with 260 grams of all-purpose flour.
Baking in grams
I share my recipes in grams and by weight since baking by weight is the most accurate way to bake. Digital Scales are very affordable and very affordable. You can purchase them on Amazon for less than a set of measuring cups. Measuring cups are very inaccurate and can cause significant errors when it comes to gluten-free baking or baking in general. Especially since I bake with gluten-free flours which weigh differently than “regular” flours. I do provide some ingredients like spices and leavening agents in measuring spoons. To learn more about Baking with a digital scale, make sure to check out my post about Baking by weight.
Note about Ovens and Oven Temperatures
All my recipes are tested and developed with a conventional oven. I always bake my baked goods on the rack placed in the MIDDLE of my oven. This way the heat coming from the bottom will not burn my baked goods.
If you are baking with convection (fan-forced), please adjust the recipes accordingly. Be also prepared that the convection oven can cause your baked goods to dry out quickly and still be raw inside. Be aware that it takes at least 15-20 minutes for a standard American Oven to be fully preheated. I highly recommend investing in an Oven Thermometer.
Substitutions and Modifications
Any dietary or ingredient modifications/substitutions to this recipe may alter the end result in appearance and taste. I test my recipes several times as published in this post and The Gluten Free Austrian Blog is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you find on our website.

📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Cheddar Biscuits

Ingredients
Gluten Free Cheddar Biscuits
- 320 grams Cup4Cup Multipurpose flour (*see Note!)
- 15 grams granulated white sugar
- 14 grams baking powder (1 tbsp)
- 2 grams kosher salt (a little less than ½ teaspoon)
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 113 grams unsalted butter, COLD
- 165 grams buttermilk or plain kefir, COLD (plus more for brushing)
- 120 grams grated sharp cheddar
- 2 teaspoons dry parsley flakes or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
For Garlic Butter
- 30 grams unsalted butter
- 1-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated
- 1 teaspoon dry parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
How to make Gluten Free Cheddar Biscuits
- In a medium mixing bowl sift together the gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and kosher salt.
- Cut your cold butter into small chunks and with your hands, work it into the dry ingredients until they resemble the size of peas. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and parsley.
- Add the buttermilk/kefir and with a flexible spatula stir everything together until a dough forms.
- Transfer your dough to a parchment-lined sheet tray and with your hands, push it together in a rectangular/square shape - you want this around ¾ - 1" thick.
- Fold the dough in half and carefully pat it down into a square again. Pat it down with your hands in a rectangular/square again and fold it in half. Repeat this one more time - a total of THREE folds. If your dough has become sticky because of a warm kitchen or warm hands, feel free to place it in the fridge between folds for 5-10 minutes.
- Pat out your dough in a rectangular around ¾" - 1" thick and place the uncut biscuit dough in your fridge for at least 10 minutes
- In the meantime preheat your oven to 425F.
- Once your oven is fully preheated, use a sharp, clean knife and cut the biscuits into 6 equal pieces.
- Arrange your biscuits on a parchment-lined sheet tray and brush with additional buttermilk/kefir. Bake at 425F for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the gluten-free cheddar biscuits are baking, finely chop 1-2 cloves of garlic. You can also use a Microplane and grate the garlic. In a small saute pan melt 30 grams of butter. To the melted butter add the garlic and parsley and sautee for 1 minute over medium-low heat until fragrant. Remove from heat,
- Once fully baked, remove the gluten-free cheddar biscuits from the oven, and while still hot, brush each hot biscuit with the garlic butter.
- Serve right away or store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature 2-3 days.
Notes
Flour: I have tested this recipe with 4 different gluten-free flour kinds and the only product that worked the best here is Cup4Cup. See Recipe Ingredient Notes for more information.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 400
Calories are a guestimate.
Dennis Littley says
I sent this recipe to my cousin who is Gluten Free and she reported back they were the best biscuit she ever had!
thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
Daniela says
Dennis, this makes me SO happy to hear! But I am even more honored to see you visiting my website. Thank you for your support
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli says
These gluten-free cheddar biscuits were beautifully flaky and so rich in flavor. A keeper!
Daniela says
I have to admit - I ate my fair share of these gluten-free cheddar biscuits.
Mikayla says
Really like the square shape of these and they are so good that I found a hearty green salad and a couple of these biscuits were all I needed for dinner.
Anna says
These were crazy delicious! Made them yesterday and my other half is still raving about them! So flaky and soo cheesy! Delicious!
Amanda says
I love cheddar biscuits and was so excited to make them. They turned out great -- perfectly flaky and cheesy! I love the hint of garlic too. Wonderful biscuits.
veenaazmanov says
Cheese is my all time favorite. This is definitely a yummy snack option. Looks delicious.
Leslie says
Thank you for including which gluten free flour you use. I've struggled to find a good flour in the past, so this is helpful!
Daniela says
Of course! I try to share as many details as possible so everyone can create good food at home
Freya says
These biscuits rose beautifully in the oven and were so flakey and cheesy, no one knew they were gluten free!
Sharon says
These gluten-free cheddar biscuits come out so flaky and savory every time. They are the perfect side to any main dish.
Jacqueline Debono says
We don't have biscuits like these here in Europe but I've been wanting to make them for ages. These cheddar biscuits are so good and perfect as a side with salad for a light lunch!
Chenée says
These cheddar biscuits were so flaky and delicious I can't believe they're gluten-free! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Julie says
These are truly AMAZING! Didn’t think it’d be possible to eat a biscuit that tasted and felt like a gluten-filled one. So so good!!! Crunchy on the outside, buttery soft on the inside.
Maria says
Made these biscuits today with a different flour and homemade buttermilk and they are delicious! Just not as flaky. 5/5 loved it
Hanne says
These look so good. Can’t wait to try and make them. But I have a question. Have you ever tried to make GF croissants? Or are you going to try some time in the future?
Daniela says
Hanne, personally I don’t care for croissants because a true croissants needs to flaky with all the layers. So with this being said, no. I don’t have a recipe nor consider working on something I personally don’t care for and have unreachable standards
Christine says
This recipe looks delicious. I cannot access either of the flours you suggest. Do you have a homemade mix that you feel would work well? I usually mix my own flours.
Daniela says
Hello, I have a Homemade flour mix but it will not work as well as Cup4Cup does in this recipe. Since I don't know where you are located, it is hard to make recommendations.
Courtney L. says
Hi Daniela,
Just hoping to see what recommendations you have on cooking at high altitude with your recipes. Thanks so much for your blog and sharing your expertise!
Sincerely,
Courtney
Daniela says
Courtney, I am not a pro when it comes to high-altitude baking.
Courtney L says
No problem, just thought I would ask. I’ll keep experimenting with the liquids and leavening agents. Thanks!