Bisquick is an extremely popular and convenient pre-mixed baking mix that can be used to make a variety of baked goods like pancakes, waffles, biscuits, shortbread, and more. However, there may be times when you don’t have a box of Bisquick on hand and need a quick substitute for baking. Luckily, with just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, you can whip up a homemade Bisquick substitute in no time.
What is Bisquick?
Bisquick is an all-purpose baking mix that was introduced by General Mills in 1931. It is essentially a pre-mixed blend of flour, shortening, salt, baking powder, and dry milk. This combination of ingredients means that Bisquick can be used to prepare a variety of baked goods by just adding wet ingredients like milk, eggs, oil or butter. Some of the most popular recipes using Bisquick include pancakes, waffles, biscuits, shortbread, dumplings, scones, muffins, coffee cake, and more.
The convenience of being able to make so many baked goods with just one pre-mixed product is why Bisquick became so popular during the Great Depression and still remains a staple in many home kitchens today. The company’s catchy slogan “you’re just a Bisquick minute away from a homemade meal” highlighted how easy it was for home cooks to whip up fresh baked goods using Bisquick as the base ingredient.
Why Find a Substitute?
There are a few reasons why you may need or want to find a substitute for Bisquick at times:
- You don’t have a box of Bisquick in the pantry – Bisquick is not always a staple ingredient that every home cook has on hand at all times. You may find yourself in need of some but don’t have a box of the pre-mixed product.
- Dietary restrictions – Bisquick contains wheat flour and milk products, so it is not suitable for gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan diets. A substitute is needed for those with food allergies or intolerances.
- Want more control over ingredients – Bisquick is convenient but provides little ability to tweak the ingredients. Making your own mix allows you to customize the ingredients to your liking.
- Avoid preservatives/additives – Some home bakers prefer to avoid the preservatives and additives used in convenience mixes like Bisquick.
- Cost savings – Bisquick is one of the more expensive baking mixes. Making your own substitute can be less expensive.
Thankfully, with some basic pantry ingredients, it is easy to whip up a homemade mix that can stand in for Bisquick in most recipes.
Simple Bisquick Substitutes
Here are some easy ingredient substitutions you can use in place of Bisquick:
All-Purpose Flour
One of the simplest substitutions is to use all-purpose flour along with the other dry ingredients that Bisquick contains. For 1 cup of Bisquick, use:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar or honey (optional)
- 3 tablespoons butter, shortening, or oil
You can adjust the amounts as needed depending on how much Bisquick the recipe calls for. The only ingredient missing from this mix compared to Bisquick is dried milk, so you may want to slightly increase the liquid in the recipe to compensate. Otherwise, combining all-purpose flour with baking powder, salt, sugar or another sweetener, and fat makes a excellent Bisquick stand-in.
Pancake/Baking Mix
Another option is to stir together a DIY pancake and baking mix using:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Use 1 cup of this mix as a substitute for 1 cup of Bisquick. Since this recipe also omits dried milk, you may need to slightly adjust the wet ingredients in the recipe.
Self-Rising Flour
Self-rising flour is flour that has leavening agents already added to it. You can make your own by combining:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
Again, use 1 cup of this self-rising flour blend in place of 1 cup Bisquick.
Homemade Bisquick
For an even closer Bisquick replica, you can mix up your own using:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 cup shortening
- 1 cup dry milk powder
Mix the ingredients together thoroughly until you have a uniform dough. Store in an airtight container. Use as you would Bisquick by scooping out the amount the recipe calls for.
This recipe mimics the exact ingredient list of Bisquick. You can even tweak it to suit your dietary needs by using non-dairy milk powder, whole wheat pastry flour instead of all-purpose, or substituting the shortening for butter or oil. Having a batch of homemade Bisquick mix on hand can be a great time saver!
Gluten-Free Bisquick
Here is a gluten-free and dairy-free Bisquick substitute:
- 1 1⁄2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 cup tapioca flour or cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 cup coconut oil or butter
- 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water)
The flax egg adds binding power to help mimic the role of eggs in regular Bisquick. Use 1 cup of this GF mix for every 1 cup Bisquick.
Tips for Using Bisquick Substitutes
When using a homemade substitute in place of Bisquick, keep these tips in mind:
- Some adjustments may be needed for wet ingredients in the recipe since most substitutions omit the dried milk in Bisquick. You may need to increase the milk or liquid called for slightly.
- Let batters made with substitutes sit for 5-10 minutes before cooking or baking to allow the baking powder time to react and leaven the batter.
- Baked goods made with substitutions may take a few minutes longer to bake than the recipe states since homemade mixes react a bit differently than commercial ones.
- Texture and flavor will be slightly different than if using Bisquick. Tweak recipes as needed if you want to adjust the thickness or flavor profile.
- Properly measure your homemade mix using the same cups or scoops used for the Bisquick for best results.
With a bit of tweaking and experimentation, you can produce delicious baked goods with your DIY Bisquick swap. Get creative and customize your own mix to suit your dietary needs or tastes.
Bisquick Recipe Adjustments
When substituting for Bisquick in recipes, you may need to make minor adjustments depending on the specific recipe. Here are some tips:
Pancakes and Waffles
- Add an extra tablespoon of milk or water since the substitute lacks dried milk.
- Let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes before cooking to allow leavening to occur.
- Cook batter a minute or two longer than recipe states to account for differences in homemade mix vs. commercial mix.
Biscuits
- Use melted butter or oil rather than cold to get best texture.
- Knead the dough gently before rolling out.
- Add 1-2 minutes to baking time and watch closely to avoid over-browning.
Scones
- Mix wet and dry gently to avoid over-mixing.
- Shape dough into round rather than oval shape for better rise.
- Brush tops with milk or cream before baking.
Shortbread Cookies
- Chill dough for 30 minutes prior to rolling and cutting for best handling.
- Use superfine sugar or powdered sugar for dusting cookies to avoid graininess.
- Bake 1-2 minutes less than the recipe directs.
With a bit of tweaking, you can adapt just about any Bisquick recipe to work beautifully with a homemade substitute. Feel free to experiment to get the flavors and textures just right for your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my homemade biscuit or scone recipe not rising properly?
If your biscuits or scones are not rising properly it could be a couple of issues with your homemade Bisquick substitute:
- Old baking powder – Make sure your baking powder is fresh and has not expired or lost potency.
- Not enough leavening – Try increasing the baking powder to 2 teaspoons per 1 cup of flour.
- Overmixed – Gentle handling is key. Don’t overmix biscuit or scone dough.
- Not enough liquid – Dried milk in a recipe helps bind moisture. Add an extra tablespoon of milk or water.
What can I do if my pancakes are dense rather than fluffy?
If your homemade pancake mix results in dense pancakes, try these fixes:
- Let batter rest – Allow pancake batter to sit for 5-10 minutes after mixing to let the leavening agents work.
- Don’t overmix – Gentle mixing prevents over-developing gluten which can lead to dense pancakes.
- Check baking powder age and increase amount slightly.
- Add an extra tablespoon of milk or water to help create a fluffier texture.
What can I substitute for shortening in a homemade Bisquick recipe?
If you want to avoid shortening, these alternatives work well:
- Butter – Use melted butter rather than solid for best incorporation into dry ingredients.
- Coconut oil – Has similar properties to shortening. Measure melted coconut oil.
- Vegetable oil – Neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil can be substituted.
- Lard – Provides flaky texture but imparts a distinctive flavor.
Be sure to use solid fat alternatives like butter and coconut oil in their melted form to ensure even distribution throughout the dry ingredients.
Is homemade Bisquick safe to store and keep on hand?
Yes, homemade Bisquick made with pantry staples like flour, baking powder, salt and shortening can safely be kept on hand for convenience. Store an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will stay fresh for several weeks. For longer storage, keep homemade Bisquick mixes in the refrigerator or freezer. Be sure to label containers with recipe and date.
Key Takeaways
- All-purpose flour combined with baking powder, salt, sugar, and shortening makes an excellent homemade Bisquick.
- Pancake mix and self-rising flour also work well substituted in a 1:1 ratio.
- You can customize homemade mixes to be gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan.
- Recipes may require a little tweaking such as extra liquid or an increased bake times.
- Let batters sit before cooking, handle dough gently, and watch bake times closely.
- Store homemade Bisquick substitute in a sealed container in a cool, dry spot for weeks.
With some simple pantry ingredients and a bit of recipe tweaking, it’s easy to replicate the convenience and versatility of Bisquick for your homemade baking needs.