What is a Replacement for Bisquick? Simple Substitutes and DIY Mix

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Bisquick was invented in the 1930s, inspired by a pre-made batter used on a train. Fortunately, it's easy to find an effective replacement for Bisquick using common pantry items or other baking mixes. This guide will detail your best options for whipping up biscuits, pancakes, and more without the boxed mix.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of alternatives for Bisquick, including readily available commercial mixes, quick pantry swaps like self-rising flour, and an easy homemade recipe. It covers how different ingredients affect recipes and offers clear substitution ratios for various dishes, from savory biscuits to sweet pancakes.

Key Points

Homemade Mix: Combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening or cold butter for a perfect Bisquick substitute.
Pancake Mix: Can be used as a 1:1 replacement, but be aware of its higher sugar content which may result in a sweeter taste.
Self-Rising Flour: Lacks the fat found in Bisquick, so you must add an extra tablespoon of butter or oil for every cup you use.
Other Baking Mixes: Products like Jiffy or Krusteaz are specifically designed for similar applications and work well as a direct replacement.
Single-Cup Substitution: For small recipes, combine 1 cup flour, 1½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, and 1 tbsp melted butter or oil.

Your Best Replacement for Bisquick

When you're in the middle of a recipe and realize you've run out of Bisquick, there are several simple solutions. Your choice of substitute depends on what you have on hand and the specific recipe you're making. The most straightforward solution is making your own mix from scratch with all-purpose flour, fat, baking powder, and salt. For a quicker fix, you can use similar commercial products or even pancake mix, adjusting for sweetness.

The DIY Homemade Mix

Creating your own Bisquick-style baking mix is often the best alternative, allowing you to control the ingredients and quantity. The basic components are all-purpose flour, a solid fat like shortening or butter, a leavening agent (baking powder), and salt.

Recipe for a basic homemade baking mix:

Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ cup chilled shortening (or cold butter)
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
2. Use a pastry blender or two forks to cut the cold shortening or butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, use a food processor to pulse the ingredients together.
3. Store the mix in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 months, or longer in the freezer.

This homemade version can be used in any recipe calling for Bisquick with a 1:1 ratio. For a richer, more flavorful mix, you can use butter instead of shortening, though this requires refrigerator storage.

Store-Bought Alternatives

If you prefer not to mix your own, several pre-made products offer a quick and easy replacement.

Comparison of Bisquick Substitutes


Substitute	Pros	Cons	Best for...
Pancake Mix	Very similar composition; quick to use.	Contains more sugar, leading to sweeter baked goods.	Pancakes, waffles, and sweeter bakes where the added sugar is acceptable.
Self-Rising Flour	Contains flour, baking powder, and salt.	Lacks the fat content of Bisquick, requiring extra fat to be added to the recipe.	When you need a quick leavening base and can add your own shortening or butter.
Jiffy or Krusteaz Baking Mixes	Designed for similar applications; easy 1:1 substitution.	May differ slightly in flavor profile due to varying ingredients.	Most Bisquick recipes when a different brand is readily available.
All-Purpose Flour + Leavening	Full control over all ingredients.	Requires adding multiple ingredients and accurate measurements.	From-scratch baking when you want maximum control and don't mind a few extra steps.

Using Your Replacements in Recipes

When using a replacement, especially a homemade one, remember that you may need to make small adjustments depending on the recipe. For biscuits, the basic homemade mix works perfectly. For pancakes, use 2 cups of the homemade mix, 1 cup of milk, and 2 eggs.

For a single cup replacement of Bisquick in a recipe, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon of melted butter or oil. This is ideal for smaller-scale cooking and helps avoid making a full batch of mix.

Conclusion

Whether you opt for a quick commercial replacement or a homemade mix, you have plenty of options when you find yourself out of Bisquick. A simple homemade mix provides the most control and is the most versatile substitute, while other baking mixes can save time in a pinch. By understanding the core ingredients of Bisquick—flour, leavening, fat, and salt—you can confidently substitute it with a variety of pantry staples to keep your cooking and baking on track.

Find more versatile cooking tips and tricks on the Frugal Hausfrau blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can use pancake mix as a direct replacement for Bisquick, but it typically contains more sugar, so the end result will be slightly sweeter.

A homemade Bisquick mix consists of all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and a solid fat like shortening or cold butter.

Self-rising flour can be used, but since it lacks the shortening found in Bisquick, you will need to add fat, such as a tablespoon of melted butter or oil for every cup of flour.

Store homemade Bisquick mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months. If using butter, store it in the refrigerator.

To replace one cup of Bisquick, simply mix together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of melted butter or oil.

Yes, you can use oil, but some recipes designed for Bisquick's flaky texture, like biscuits, might yield a different result compared to using solid shortening or butter.

To make a gluten-free Bisquick replacement, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and follow the same recipe proportions for baking powder, salt, and fat.