Does Bisquick Go Bad? Does Bisquick Need To Be Refrigerated?

For those who love pancakes but are too lazy to prepare a batter from scratch, premixes like Bisquick are nothing like a boon. The reason why we love Bisquick is its versatility. The same product can be used to prepare a variety of dishes like waffles, biscuits, cakes, scones, cookies, etc.

Since it works as an instant fix, people hoard its packets without thinking about their expiration. But with the right storage techniques, it can last for at least three months.

But how should you store it? How can you recognize a bad Bisquick? Should you place it in your kitchen pantry or the refrigerator? If you have such questions, you have come to the right place as we shall be answering them thoroughly.

So, let’s quickly begin this delicious journey!

What are the Ingredients in Bisquick?

Bisquick may look like flour but is very different because of the extra set of ingredients it contains. Each component serves a different purpose. The Bisquick pre-made mix is made explicitly for pancakes and items that can be baked. Therefore, its storage and handling are very different compared to refined or all-purpose flour. 

Here is the list of ingredients that it contains:

• Enriched Bleached Flour – The flour mix contains refined wheat flour enriched with niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. 
• Vegetable oil- It includes mainly palm oil, canola oil, high oleic soybean oil, and sunflower oil. These oils are used primarily for binding and adding to the dish’s fat content and taste.
• Leavening agent – This includes a yeast-like substance added to flours to rise and become fluffy. The ingredients used as leavening agents also include baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, etc.
• Dextrose – Added sugars that improve the flavor of the pancakes
• Salt
• Monoglycerides – These are used for the oils and water to blend. Monoglycerides are usually used as preservatives to improve the shelf life of foods. 

How Long Does Bisquick last?

Let us understand the different scenarios of the shelf life of Bisquick.

How long does Bisquick last unopened?

If you have an unopened pack of Bisquick, it will last for a year. Even if you store the unopened package in the refrigerator, it won’t help much to increase the premix’s shelf life.

Usually, it comes with the best before date on the package. But, that does not mean that the Bisquick has gone bad after it crosses the date. You can still look for the signs discussed below and use them for another 3 to 6 months.

How long does Bisquick last once open?

However, it would be best if you stored the Bisquick appropriately once you had opened the package. Bisquick will easily stay for up to 3 months if stored correctly. 

There is not much you can do to increase the shelf life of Bisquick. Because of the ingredients, it contains, namely the leavening agents, vegetable oil, etc., it can spoil the mixture rapidly.

Read further to know how you can store and use Bisquick for a longer time to make the best use of this tasty premix.

How long does Bisquick last at room temperature?

You can store Bisquick for one year at room temperature. But to do so, it is essential to store it in favorable conditions.

How long does Bisquick last in the refrigerator? 

A packet of Bisquick lasts for 6 months over its best-by date. After that time frame, it might show signs of deterioration.

How long does cooked Bisquick last?

How long does cook Bisquick last totally depends on the food you are preparing using the Bisquick! As we know, Bisquick is mostly used for preparing baked goods and breakfast items. 

These cooked items contain milk, flour, butter, fruits, and other additional ingredients. Hence, the shelf life of cooked items depends on the other components included as well. 

Ideally, the items cooked using Bisquick would last for 24 hours if kept at normal temperatures. Else, the maximum they would last for is up to a week if stored in the refrigerator. 

How Can You Tell if Bisquick Is Bad?

It is very easy to detect if your Bisquick mix goes bad. Due to its ingredients, it is subjected to going bad easily and getting caught for spoilage signs. In fact, it is much easier to detect Bisquick spoilage than any other flour. 

Here are a few signs you need to look for to determine if your long-stored Bisquick has gone bad:

Appearance

There is no change in color in particular. You will see a few lumps, and the overall pancake mix may look off, but not as new! The texture may seem a bit sticky, as though it has caught moisture. 

It has definitely caught moisture if you also see any black or blue molds in the mixture. In fact, consuming a moldy pancake mix can make you sick! It would be best if you discarded it immediately.

Taste

Bisquick has a list of ingredients that includes leavening agents and vegetable oils. Usually, it has a very neutral and sweetish aftertaste. But, vegetable oils tend to go rancid if not stored well. 

Therefore, if you taste a pinch of the flour, it will seem sour and off. This means it is time to discard the Bisquick mixture! 

Smell

Bisquick generally has a flour-like or slightly sweetish smell. The presence of leavening agents and dairy ingredients makes it smell so. However, if you get spoilt milk or spoilt dairy smell from the mixture, then it is time to discard the mix. 

Expiry Date

If the Bisquick mixture has crossed 3-4 months beyond the expiry date, then you should discard it immediately. However, if it is just a month or so after the expiry date has crossed, you can check for the above signs and determine if it is safe to use. 

The expired Bisquick mixture is still safe to use, as long as it does not develop molds or taste rancid!

Is it okay to use expired Bisquick? What happens if you eat expired Bisquick?

Expired Bisquick does not kill you! 

Consuming expired Bisquick is not very dangerous unless it develops molds or spores. 

The pancake mix can turn rancid or lose its texture and vitamin content. This makes it less nutritious and not as tasty. However, you can still eat it.

If the mixture develops any molds, it can cause digestive issues and intestinal disorders. If the mixture has gone rancid, it may cause gastrointestinal disorders like acidity, indigestion, etc. 

How to Store Bisquick?

Storing Bisquick is not a hassle. As long as you store it correctly, you can make the mixture last longer without seeing any spoilage signs. 

Ideally, Bisquick comes inside a packet which is then placed in a cardboard box. The box acts as an additional layer of protection. It prevents the mixture from getting exposed to heat, light, and air. If your Bisquick pack is unopened, make sure not to remove the packet from inside the box. 

Even slight exposure to light and air can possibly deteriorate the mixture due to its blend of ingredients. 

Make sure to store the box in a cool, dry place, away from moisture. Otherwise, the mixture may develop molds and clumps, spoiling it before its expiry date.

If the packet is opened:

Make sure to roll the packet down and clip it. Store the package inside the cardboard box and keep it in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and light.

You can also store the opened package in a zip lock bag for additional safety. A Ziplock bag ensures that there is no air entering the packet and gives an extra layer of protection. 

You can even store the mixture packet inside a refrigerator or freezer to increase its shelf life. The conditions inside the fridge remain dry and stable, which will prevent the Bisquick mixture from getting spoilt easily.

How long can you store homemade Bisquick?

Since homemade Bisquick is free from ant preservatives, it shall only last for around 3 months in the refrigerator.

Can you Refrigerate/Freeze Bisquick?

Yes! 

In fact, if you want to store Bisquick for a longer time, it is recommended that you freeze/refrigerate it. Storing Bisquick in the freezer is safer than keeping it in outer conditions. 

The temperature remains dry and stable inside the freezer/refrigerator, which prevents the development of moisture in the mixture.

Here are a few steps you can follow to refrigerate or freeze an opened Bisquick packet:

• Store the package containing the mixture in a ziplock pouch 

OR

• Pour the contents of the package into an airtight container or a covered bowl.
• Label the date of storage on the container 
• Put the container in the freezer.

This process will easily extend the life of Bisquick by a month or two.

A few tips to keep in mind:

• It would be advisable to divide the mixture into small portions, which would make it easy to thaw it.
• Lay the powder flat for even freezing of the powder in the packet or container.

If you want to defrost frozen Bisquick, then:

• Remove the portion you want to use beforehand and keep it at room temperature overnight.
• In case you are worried about moisture coming in contact with the mixture, keep it in the refrigerator instead of the freezer.
• For faster thawing, you can always place the container/packet having the mixture in a bowl of warm water. It should take around 30 minutes to an hour to defrost based on the portion size.

What are the Alternatives to Bisquick if it has gone bad? 

In case you are unable to find Bisquick but you can’t help but think about those delicious pancakes, you can try the following alternative:

• Jiffy Baking Mix
• Krusteaz Baking Mix
• Pancake Mix
• All-purpose flour
• Almond Flour

FAQs

What can we use Bisquick for?

Bisquick is a pre-made baking mix that can be used for several food preparations. You can use it to make tacos or even use it as a thickening agent in soups and gnocchis. 

You can use Bisquick to prepare pies, churros, pretzels, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, flaky biscuits, shortcakes, and a lot more.

You can also use it as a coating over dishes when necessary.

Can we use Bisquick in place of all-purpose flour?

Not always. Bisquick is a pre-made mix containing oil, leavening agents, and other vitamins apart from all-purpose flour. If you are using it for specific preparations that require all the mentioned ingredients other than all-purpose flour, then Bisquick can be used as an easy substitute.

Else, you cannot directly use Bisquick in place of all-purpose flour!

Can we make Bisquick at home?

Yes! All you need is a blender and the basic ingredients used in Bisquick – flour, yeast and baking powder (leavening agent), oil, and salt. In fact, Bisquick made at home is healthier. But, it may not contain the vitamins and minerals that the original Bisquick contains.

Is Bisquick healthy?

Not necessarily! Bisquick contains hydrogenated vegetable oils like cottonseed oil and soyabean oil. These oils have high LDL levels and low HDL levels. This increases the bad cholesterol and reduces good cholesterol levels in your body. 

Therefore, Bisquick may be a faster solution to pancakes, but not for people suffering from atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, obesity, and diabetes.

Can we revive old Bisquick?

Yes! Although it is not very advisable but definitely possible to revive old Bisquick. You can add baking soda to the Bisquick mix. Also, check if it has not caught bugs or if it’s smelling or tasting bad. 

Use a small amount to make pancakes or biscuits and see if the flour rises. If it does, it is still suitable for use.

Is Bisquick the same as pancake mix?

Almost! Bisquick and pancake mix contain the same set of ingredients. Usually, they are flour, leavening agent, sugar, hydrogenated oil, and salt. The amount of sugar in pancake mix may be slightly high, making them taste sweeter. 

On the other hand, pancake mix is specifically suitable for pancakes. In comparison, Bisquick can be used for cakes, as thickening agents, biscuits, and many other preparations!

Can expired Bisquick make you sick?

Unless it is covered with mold or a foul smell, using expired Bisquick will not do any harm to your health. You might experience some changes in the taste and texture, but nothing that alarming.

Why does my pancake batter turn grey?

Pancake batter contains baking powder and baking soda to create fluffy pancakes. When this batter is refrigerated, these chemicals react with the flour and turn the color of the batter into grey.

How long can I keep foods made from Bisquick? 

If it is a batter, it can be retained for 3-4 days. But if you have already made the food from Bisquick, it is best to consume it within a day or two.

The Bottom Line

Bisquick is an instant remedy for many kinds of preparations. Be it cakes, biscuits, tortillas, pretzels, etc., Bisquick is a versatile product. It combines several ingredients, like flour, leavening agents, oil, etc., all mixed in one packet.

Therefore, Bisquick is subject to getting spoilt easily. Luckily, our article above would help you savor delicious pancakes and baked items without having to worry about the Bisquick getting spoilt.

The basic way to test is appearance, taste, and smell. If stored correctly, outside, or in the refrigerator, you can increase the shelf life of this volatile premix easily.

Read our article above and tell us if it helped you keep your Bisquick safer for a longer time!

Until then, Happy Baking!!