Homemade Bisquick is a premade baking mix that is commonly used to make pancakes, biscuits, and other baked goods. By making your own Bisquick, you have full control over the ingredients, excluding any additives that are sometimes found in pre-packaged mixes. And, it can save you money in the long run! Have some on hand to make my Impossible Pumpkin Pie (which is actually super easy)!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Flour: All-purpose flour provides a balance between structure and tenderness in baked goods. You could substitute whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour. Just keep in mind that altering the flour may require adjustments to the other ingredients or proportions in the recipe to maintain the desired texture and consistency.
Baking Powder: Baking powder is a key ingredient in homemade Bisquick because it helps the baked goods rise and provides them with a light and fluffy texture.
Salt: Salt enhances the flavor and helps with the overall taste of baked goods.
Shortening: Shortening (hydrogenated vegetable oil) is any fat or oil that is solid at room temperature. If you have heard of or seen a big can of Crisco, that is shortening. It has a longer shelf-life when compared to butter, allowing you to store the mix for an extended period of time without spoiling. You could substitute cold, unsalted butter or vegetable oil, but they may affect the final texture and flavor of baked goods.
Shortening vs. Butter in Homemade Bisquick
Shortening has a higher melting point compared to butter, which means it remains solid at higher temperatures. This can be beneficial in recipes that require high heat, such as biscuits or pie crusts. Shortening helps create a flaky texture by creating small air pockets as it melts during baking, resulting in a lighter and tenderer final product.
Shortening has a more neutral flavor compared to butter. It also tends to have a longer shelf life than butter. Shortening contains fewer perishable components, making it more resistant to spoilage.
Butter in homemade Bisquick provides a rich and buttery flavor that folks enjoy. It adds a distinct taste to baked goods, enhancing their overall flavor profile. It also contributes to a slightly denser texture, which can be desirable for certain recipes like scones or shortbread.
Butter contains a small amount of water, which can create steam during baking. This steam contributes to the leavening process and helps create a slightly lighter and more delicate texture in the final product.
Using butter in homemade Bisquick means it has a shorter shelf life due to its perishable nature. Butter contains milk solids and water, which can lead to faster spoilage. Homemade Bisquick made with butter should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
How To Store Homemade Bisquick
Store homemade Bisquick in an airtight container like a mason jar. Be sure to label and date. It will last up to 3 months in a cool, dark place.
Bisquick™ Pancakes
Bisquick™ Pancakes are light, fluffy, easy-to-make pancakes that are made with homemade Bisquick for a personal touch. Using made-from-scratch Bisquick allows you to control what ingredients are added to the mix so you can feel good about serving a plate of pancakes to your family!
Bisquick™ Banana Bread
Homemade Bisquick Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful variation of classic banana bread recipes, using homemade Bisquick in the batter. It’s an easy and convenient way to enjoy banana bread, getting the batter mixed in just a couple of minutes before it bakes to perfection!
Bisquick™ Blueberry Cobbler
Bisquick Blueberry Cobbler is a quick and simple way to enjoy the classic combination of fresh blueberries and biscuits in a warm, comforting dessert. It’s made with just five ingredients! Using homemade Bisquick makes this recipe so easy, but still so delicious!
Homemade Bisquick
Ingredients
- 6 cups (750 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (205 g) shortening, chilled and cubed
Instructions
- To the bowl of a food processor, add flour, baking powder, and salt. Pulse together to combine.
- With the food processor on low speed, add shortening, cube by cube, until you have a soft, grainy mixture.
- Add the mixture to an airtight container. Store in a cool dry place for up to 3 months.
Video
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How To Use Homemade Bisquick
Besides biscuits, pancakes, and waffles, there are so many other ways to use the mix. Here are some recipes you may find that have Bisquick as an ingredient:
- Muffins – (for example) 2 cups Homemade Bisquick Mix, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2/3 cup milk, 2 Tablespoons melted butter, 1 whole large egg
- Quickbreads – 3 cups Bisquick, 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar, 1 egg, 1 1⁄4 cups milk
- Appetizers like my Sausage Balls
- Pizza Crusts – 1 2/3 cup Homemade Biscuick, 1/2 cup hot water
- Dumplings
- Fried Foods
The texture is, as good, if not better than the boxed. I was making blueberry biscuits every other day for my husband. I ran out of the boxed, found your recipe. Needless to say, I won’t be returning to the boxed!
I’m glad to see your homemade recipe. I was prepping and had my name-brand Bisquick in original, unopened plastic sacks in a 5-gal. gamma lid, food grade bucket. I don’t think it lasted the normal 3 months. It was in a cool, dark, dry place, but didn’t last, and had one of the worst tastes I’ve ever put in my mouth. Do not store Bisquick brand. The shortening did rancid. If you make your own to be shelf stable, be sure and use a dehydrated shortening powder, or dehydrated butter powder would be best. I cannot find a healthy dehydrated shortening powder. Also the Essential brand of dehydrated shortening powder does not list the ingredients naming their shortening type.
Great info. I was wondering if you could substitute butter, as I don’t use shortening. Good to know to use dehydrated butter powder. Thanx!!!
Can you use this recipe for pancakes also?
Yes https://iambaker.net/bisquick-pancakes/
ask yourself why shorting has a longer shelf life and when you realize why, use real butter or lard.
What can you use for shortening we don’t have the Crisco people talk about here
I am eager to try this recipe, especially after learning today that the “Original” Bisquick has changed ingredients, which is why the tried and true recipes we remember on the box, don’t come out the same. I saw online, a split photo of ingredients on the old box and on the new packaging, which confirmed my suspicions. I don’t have permission to post the photo, but there are big discussions about the formula change on Reddit and on the Betty Crocker Bisquick product page; probably lots of other food forums as well. THANK YOU for this recipe!
Can you make any of these recipes gluten free
I’m curious. If shortening is shelf stable virtually forever, why is this only shelf stable for a few months? Thank you.
Great question! While shortening itself is highly shelf-stable, the flour in the Homemade Bisquick mix is the limiting factor. Here’s why:
Flour Can Go Rancid – Even though all-purpose flour has a long shelf life, when mixed with fat (like shortening), it can oxidize over time, especially if exposed to air, heat, or humidity. This can lead to a stale or off flavor.
Moisture Absorption – Flour can absorb moisture from the air, which could cause clumping or spoilage over time.
Shortening Distribution – Once mixed, shortening is no longer in its pure, protective form. Tiny fat particles are exposed to air and can break down faster than if they were stored separately.
How to Extend Shelf Life:
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
For longer storage (6+ months), keep it in the refrigerator or freezer. Just let it come to room temp before using.
So, while shortening alone can last for years, once it’s mixed with flour, the shelf life drops to about 3 months at room temp due to these factors. Hope that helps! 😊
I don’t have a food procesor, can a regular mixer do it?