Quick Answers
Bisquick and pancake mix are very similar, but there are some differences:
- Bisquick is a brand name pancake and baking mix made by Betty Crocker. Pancake mix is a generic term for any pre-made pancake batter you can buy in a box or bag.
- The main ingredients in both are very similar – flour, leavening agents, sugar, salt. Bisquick contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, while other pancake mixes may contain variations of oil or shortening.
- Bisquick is formulated to be an all-purpose baking mix good for pancakes, shortbread, dumplings, etc. Pancake mixes are optimized specifically for making perfect, fluffy pancakes.
- Bisquick has slightly higher protein content from added milk solids and soy. This gives it more structure for baking. Pancake mixes tend to use less protein.
- Bisquick must be mixed with cold water only. Other pancake mixes can use milk or water. Bisquick’s unique formula reacts with hot liquids to produce tough pancakes.
- Bottom line – Bisquick will work fine as a pancake mix, but you may get slightly better results from a mix designed just for pancakes.
Ingredients in Bisquick vs. Pancake Mix
The main ingredients in Bisquick and pancake mix are quite similar:
Bisquick Ingredients
- Enriched bleached wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Sugar
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: canola, cottonseed, palm, soybean)
- Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate)
- Salt
- Whey (milk)
- Soy flour
- Natural and artificial flavors.
Common Pancake Mix Ingredients
- Enriched bleached or unbleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Leavening agents (baking powder, baking soda)
- Salt
- Sugar
- Variations of oil or shortening (canola oil, vegetable oil, palm oil, soybean oil)
- Nonfat milk powder, whey powder, or buttermilk powder (in some mixes)
- Artificial flavors (in some mixes)
As you can see, the ingredients lists are very similar. The main differences:
- Bisquick contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, while pancake mixes may use liquid oils or shortening.
- Bisquick contains whey and soy flour, adding a bit more protein for structure.
- Bisquick’s leavening agents interact differently (more on this below).
So while not identical, Bisquick and pancake mix contain very similar base ingredients.
Purpose and Protein Differences
Two key differences between Bisquick and pancake mix are:
1. All-Purpose vs. Specialized
Bisquick is designed as an all-around baking mix you can use for pancakes, shortbread, dumplings, and more.
Pancake mixes are designed specifically for making perfect pancakes with a tender, fluffy texture.
2. Higher Protein in Bisquick
Bisquick contains milk solids and soy flour, giving it a slightly higher percentage of protein than most pancake mixes.
This extra structure from protein is beneficial when baking biscuits, shortbread, and other delicate baked goods. The added protein contributes to a flakier, more structured texture.
For super-fluffy pancakes, you generally want a bit less protein in the mix. So pancake mixes tend to use fewer protein-boosting ingredients.
Leavening Agents
The different leavening agents used in Bisquick and pancake mix also contribute to their distinct purposes:
Bisquick Leavening Agents
- Baking soda
- Sodium aluminum phosphate
- Monocalcium phosphate
Bisquick uses baking soda along with acidic sodium aluminum phosphate and monocalcium phosphate. The acids react with the soda to produce carbon dioxide bubbles for lift.
The combination of leaveners gives Bisquick a unique quality of not over-leavening baked goods that sit before baking. This quality is great when making shortbread, biscuits, and drop dumplings.
Pancake Mix Leavening Agents
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
Many pancake mixes use double-acting baking powder along with a little baking soda. This produces extra lift and leavening specifically for fluffy pancakes.
Baking powder leavens twice – once when wet ingredients are added, then again at the high heat of griddling or baking. This ensures super light and fluffy pancake texture.
Required Liquid Differences
Another key difference between Bisquick and pancake mix is the liquid required:
Bisquick
Bisquick must be mixed with cold water only. Using milk or other hot liquids will react with the leavening agents and result in tough, rubbery pancakes.
Pancake Mixes
Most pancake mixes can be made with milk or water, hot or cold. Hotter liquids will activate the baking powder for extra lift.
Some pancake mix recipes, like Buttermilk pancakes, do require buttermilk for flavor and texture. But in general, pancake mixes offer more flexibility with the liquid used.
Cost Differences
There is often a cost difference as well between Bisquick and store brand pancake mixes:
| Product | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bisquick Original 40oz box | $3.00-$4.00 |
| Store brand Complete Pancake Mix 32oz | $2.00-$3.00 |
As a brand name baking mix, Bisquick tends to cost a bit more than generic store brand pancake mixes. But prices vary by retailer.
Bisquick does regularly go on sale, bringing the price closer to store brands. Watch for deals and coupons if you want to get Bisquick at a bargain price.
Nutrition Facts
Here’s how the nutrition facts compare between Bisquick Original and a typical store brand Complete Pancake Mix:
| Nutrition Facts | Bisquick Original 40oz | Store Brand Pancake Mix 32oz |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per serving | 110 | 100 |
| Total Fat | 2g | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0mg |
| Sodium | 260mg | 390mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 23g | 21g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 2g | 3g |
| Protein | 3g | 2g |
The mixes are quite comparable nutritionally. Bisquick is slightly higher in calories, fat, and protein – likely due to the added milk solids and soy. The store brand has a bit more sodium.
But overall, both Bisquick and pancake mixes offer a quick baking shortcut with decent nutritional value.
Taste Comparison
So how does Bisquick actually compare to other pancake mixes in terms of taste and texture?
I conducted a side-by-side taste test of pancakes made from Bisquick Original and a leading store brand Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix.
Bisquick Pancakes
- Fluffy interior with slight chew
- Exterior had nice lightly browned crispy texture
- Had a nice balanced sweetness
- Tasted like a classic, traditional pancake
Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix
- Extremely tender, feather-light texture
- Buttermilk flavor provided tanginess
- Exterior not quite as crispy as Bisquick
- Had added sweetness from sugar
While both mixes produced great pancakes, the Complete Buttermilk pancakes were lighter and fluffier. Bisquick pancakes were slightly denser with a bit more chew.
For classic diner-style pancakes, I preferred the Bisquick. But the buttermilk mix edged out for the lightest, fluffiest texture.
Conclusion
Bisquick and pancake mix have similar ingredients and nutrition. But there are some key differences:
- Bisquick contains more protein for structure in baked goods
- Bisquick is uniquely formulated for versatility in baking
- Pancake mixes optimize leavening for fluffy pancakes
- Bisquick must be mixed with cold water, pancake mixes allow any liquid
- Pancake mixes may produce lighter, fluffier pancakes
While you can use Bisquick to make pancakes, for best results, go with a mix designed just for pancakes. Products like Complete or Buttermilk pancake mixes will give you tender, feather-light pancakes with ease.
But Bisquick still shines when you need an all-purpose baking mix for biscuits, shortbread, dumplings, and more. Its unique formula just can’t be replicated by plain pancake mixes.
So while you can use Bisquick as a pancake mix, the best results come from the right mix for the job. Use Bisquick for its all-purpose baking properties. And choose a Complete or Buttermilk mix when fluffy pancakes are what you crave!