What Exactly is Bisquick Made Of?

November 28, 2025 •

2 min read

First introduced in 1931, the original Bisquick formula was a game-changer for home cooks, and its key components have remained foundational ever since. What exactly is Bisquick made of? At its core, the mix consists of a blend of flour, fat, leavening agents, and salt, creating a versatile base for everything from biscuits to pancakes.

Quick Summary

A detailed analysis of Bisquick's components, including its enriched flour, vegetable oils, leavening agents, and additives. Comparisons with homemade alternatives and other varieties highlight the nuanced differences in their composition and function.

Key Points

Core Components: The primary ingredients in Bisquick are enriched bleached flour, shelf-stable fat (like palm and canola oil), leavening agents (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate), salt, and dextrose.
The Function of Fat: The fat in Bisquick is cut into the flour to create a tender, flaky texture in baked goods, preventing excessive gluten development.
Leavening System: Bisquick uses a complex blend of leavening agents that react with liquids to produce a consistent and reliable rise for pancakes, biscuits, and more.
Homemade Alternatives: While Bisquick is convenient, a homemade version can be made with all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and either vegetable shortening or cold butter.
Original Formula vs. Today: The original 1930s formula used lard and had to be refrigerated; the modern, shelf-stable version was made possible by adapting the fat to hydrogenated oil, later replaced with healthier vegetable oils.
Different Varieties: General Mills offers different Bisquick versions, such as Gluten-Free and Heart Smart, with ingredient adjustments like using rice flour or different oils.
Beyond Breakfast: Bisquick's formula is so versatile that it can be used for far more than just pancakes and biscuits, extending to dinners like pot pie and dumplings.

The Core Ingredients of Bisquick

Bisquick is a balanced mix designed for reliable results, primarily consisting of enriched bleached flour, vegetable oil, leavening agents, dextrose, and salt. The flour provides structure, while a blend of vegetable oils (palm, canola, and/or soybean) contributes tenderness. In the past, hydrogenated oils were used, but these have been updated to eliminate trans fats. Leavening agents like baking soda, monocalcium phosphate, and sodium aluminum phosphate ensure consistent rising. Dextrose adds sweetness and aids browning, while salt enhances flavor. Emulsifiers, such as monoglycerides and DATEM, are included to improve texture and ingredient blending.

Bisquick vs. Homemade Baking Mix: A Comparison

Homemade baking mixes offer control over ingredients compared to Bisquick's convenience. Key differences include the fat source, with homemade mixes often using butter or shortening, which affects storage. Homemade mixes typically use fewer leavening agents than Bisquick's complex blend.


Feature	Bisquick (Original)	Homemade Baking Mix
Fat Source	Shelf-stable vegetable oils (e.g., palm, canola)	Vegetable shortening, cold butter, or lard
Ingredients	Enriched flour, dextrose, multiple leavening agents, emulsifiers	All-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt
Storage	Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place.	Depends on the fat. Mix with shortening is shelf-stable; with butter, must be refrigerated or frozen.
Control	Standardized, pre-set blend.	Full control over type of flour, fat, and salt content.
Flavor	Consistent, classic Bisquick flavor profile.	Varies based on ingredients used. Butter adds a richer flavor.
Specialty Variations	Gluten-Free, Heart Smart options available.	Can be customized for specific dietary needs (e.g., whole wheat, different fats).

The Role of Each Component

The flour and fat form the foundation, with the fat creating layers for tenderness. The complex blend of leavening agents is key to achieving a reliable rise by producing carbon dioxide when combined with liquid. Salt, dextrose, and emulsifiers refine the flavor, enhance browning, and ensure a stable mix with good texture.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Simple Mix

Bisquick is a carefully engineered product combining enriched flour, shelf-stable oils, and multiple leavening agents for convenience and reliable results in various baked goods. While homemade alternatives offer customization, Bisquick's consistent performance makes it a popular pantry item. Understanding its components reveals the science behind its effectiveness as a versatile baking shortcut.

Versatile Uses of Bisquick

Bisquick is used for a wide range of dishes beyond pancakes and biscuits, including desserts like coffee cakes and cobblers, dinner items like dumplings and pot pie crusts, breakfast staples like waffles, and appetizers such as cheese biscuits.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main ingredients are enriched bleached wheat flour, vegetable oil (palm, canola, and/or soybean), corn starch, leavening (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate), dextrose, salt, sugar, DATEM, and monoglycerides.

No, modern formulations of Bisquick have removed partially hydrogenated oils, which were a source of trans fats in older versions. The current versions use different vegetable oils.

Yes, a simple substitute can be made by combining all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and vegetable shortening or cold butter. Exact ratios vary, but a common recipe is 1 cup flour, 1.5 tsp baking powder, 0.5 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp fat.

Bisquick is a 'complete' baking mix because it contains not only flour but also the fat, salt, and leavening agents needed to make baked goods rise and achieve the right texture. This saves time for the cook.

The fat, or shortening, is 'cut' into the flour during production. This process coats the flour particles and prevents excessive gluten development, which results in a tender and flaky texture for things like biscuits.

Yes, General Mills produces several variations, including Bisquick Heart Smart, which uses canola oil for less saturated fat, and a Gluten-Free Bisquick, which uses rice flour.

Dextrose is a simple sugar added to the mix. It serves two main purposes: to add a mild sweetness and to aid in the browning of the baked goods during cooking.