Quick Answer
No, most Pillsbury biscuits are not dairy free. The majority of Pillsbury biscuits contain milk or butter, which are dairy ingredients. However, Pillsbury does offer some dairy-free biscuit options, such as their Crescent Rolls and Vegan Crescent Rolls.
Ingredients in Regular Pillsbury Biscuits
Here are the ingredients commonly found in regular Pillsbury biscuits:
- Enriched bleached wheat flour – Contains gluten but not dairy.
- Niacin – A B vitamin, not a dairy ingredient.
- Reduced iron – An iron supplement, not dairy.
- Thiamine mononitrate – Another B vitamin, not dairy.
- Riboflavin – One more B vitamin without dairy.
- Folic acid – A type of vitamin B that is not dairy.
- Water – H2O, contains no milk or other dairy.
- Vegetable shortening – Typically made from hydrogenated oils, so non-dairy.
- Sugar – Table sugar comes from sugar cane or beets, not dairy sources.
- Salt – Pure sodium chloride, does not contain milk.
- Leavening – A combination of baking soda and baking powder to make biscuits rise.
- Dextrose – A simple sugar made from corn, not dairy.
- Soybean oil – A vegetable oil, not a dairy ingredient.
- Milk – The primary dairy ingredient in most Pillsbury biscuits.
- Buttermilk – A dairy ingredient made from cow’s milk.
- Butter – Contains butterfat made from milk, so it’s dairy-based.
- Natural and artificial flavors – Can be either dairy or non-dairy.
As you can see, the main dairy ingredients in regular Pillsbury biscuits are milk, buttermilk and butter. Any biscuit containing these is not dairy-free.
Specific Pillsbury Biscuits Containing Dairy
Here are some popular Pillsbury biscuits that are not dairy-free due to containing milk, butter or buttermilk:
- Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers Original Biscuits
- Pillsbury Grands Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits
- Pillsbury Grands Southern Homestyle Original Biscuits
- Pillsbury Grands Jr Golden Layers Flaky Biscuits
- Pillsbury Minis Buttermilk Homestyle Biscuits
- Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Jumbo Biscuits
- Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
- Pillsbury Grands Butter Tastin’ Biscuits
- Pillsbury Grands 8″ Buttermilk Biscuits
- Pillsbury Grands Southern Style Munchables
Essentially, if the product name contains words like “buttermilk,” “butter,” or “original,” it almost certainly contains dairy. Always carefully read the ingredients list to confirm if milk, butter, or buttermilk are present.
Why Pillsbury Biscuits Contain Dairy
There are two main reasons why most Pillsbury biscuits contain dairy ingredients:
1. Milk and butter enhance flavor
Dairy products like milk and butter have natural flavors that complement biscuits well. The touch of richness from the butter and the slight tang of buttermilk create the classic flavor and texture of a fluffy, soft biscuit. Leaving out milk, butter, and buttermilk would significantly alter the taste and quality that consumers expect.
2. Dairy ingredients improve texture
In baking, fats like butter help coat flour proteins to limit gluten development for a tender texture. The lactose and proteins in milk also contribute to a softer biscuit crumb. Removing dairy would decrease moisture and produce a tougher, drier biscuit. Buttermilk adds tenderness while also reacting with baking soda for rise. Dairy components noticeably improve the enjoyed biscuit experience.
So for optimal flavor, moisture, rise, and soft texture, most Pillsbury biscuits rely on dairy ingredients like milk, butter, and buttermilk to produce the ideal product consumers desire. The company aims to make a biscuit with classic taste and quality.
Pillsbury Biscuits That Are Dairy-Free
While most contain dairy, Pillsbury does offer some biscuit options that are dairy-free:
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, and their honey butter variety, contain no milk, butter, or other dairy. Here are the ingredients:
- Enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Vegetable oil
- Sugar
- Salt
- Leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, baking soda)
As long as you avoid any added butter, these rolls are dairy-free.
Pillsbury Vegan Crescent Rolls
These are a vegan and dairy-free alternative to traditional crescent rolls. The ingredients are:
- Unbleached enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Palm oil
- Sugar
- Contains 2% or less of: yeast, salt, bacterial cultures, vegetable mono- and diglycerides, dough conditioners ( sodium stearoyl lactylate, calcium sulfate, monocalcium phosphate), calcium propionate, baking soda
With no dairy-derived ingredients, these are suitable for vegans and the dairy-free.
Other Tips for Dairy-Free Pillsbury Biscuits
If you want to modify a regular Pillsbury biscuit to be dairy-free, you have a couple options:
- Substitute dairy milk with non-dairy milk like almond, soy or coconut milk
- Use dairy-free butter such as those made from vegetable oils
- Replace buttermilk with dairy-free buttermilk made from lemon juice, vinegar and non-dairy milk
These substitutions can provide similar richness and tang without the dairy components.
Nutrition Comparison of Dairy and Non-Dairy Pillsbury Biscuits
Here is a nutrition comparison of Pillsbury’s Buttermilk biscuits (contains dairy) and Crescent rolls (dairy-free):
| Nutrition Facts | Buttermilk Biscuits (Dairy) | Crescent Rolls (Non-dairy) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 100 | 70 |
| Fat | 3.5g | 2.5g |
| Carbs | 15g | 12g |
| Protein | 2g | 1g |
| Sodium | 320mg | 260mg |
| Calcium | 4% DV | 0% DV |
Key differences:
- Buttermilk biscuits are higher in calories and fat due to the butter and milk
- Buttermilk biscuits also contain more protein than the non-dairy crescents
- Crescent rolls are lower in sodium
- Buttermilk biscuits provide calcium from the dairy, while crescent rolls have none
So the primary tradeoffs are higher fat and calories vs higher protein and calcium content.
Price Comparison of Dairy and Non-Dairy Pillsbury Biscuits
On average, Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits cost slightly more than their crescent rolls:
- Pillsbury Grands Buttermilk Biscuits (dairy): $3.49 for a 16.3 oz canister
- Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (non-dairy): $2.99 for a 8 oz canister
When comparing equal weights:
- Buttermilk biscuits: $0.21 per oz
- Crescent rolls: $0.37 per oz
The non-dairy crescent rolls cost about 76% more per ounce than the buttermilk biscuits. This cost difference is likely due to the more expensive dairy-free ingredients.
Taste Comparison of Dairy and Non-Dairy Biscuits
Most consumers agree that Pillsbury’s biscuits and crescent rolls both taste good, but the buttermilk biscuits have a clear edge in terms of flavor:
- Buttermilk biscuits are fluffier and softer, with a rich, savory flavor from the butter and buttermilk
- Crescent rolls are lighter tasting, drier, and not quite as flaky
While crescent rolls still have a pleasant flavor, the prominent dairy components of the buttermilk biscuits give them a more full-bodied and nuanced taste that biscuit lovers enjoy.
Popularity of Dairy vs. Non-Dairy Pillsbury Biscuits
Dairy-containing Pillsbury biscuits overwhelmingly outsell their non-dairy alternatives:
- 94% of Pillsbury refrigerated biscuit dollar sales are products containing dairy
- Just 6% of sales come from non-dairy options like crescent rolls
This aligns with the fact that the U.S. biscuit market largely caters to conventional consumers rather than niche groups like vegans. Most people expect traditional buttermilk and butter flavors in biscuits, contributing to the dominance of dairy-based options.
However, as plant-based diets grow, Pillsbury may continue expanding their selection of non-dairy biscuits to meet rising demand.
Are Pillsbury Biscuits Healthy?
Though tasty, Pillsbury biscuits are not particularly healthy, whether they contain dairy or not:
- High in refined carbs and calories: 15g carbs and ~100 calories per biscuit is a lot for one small item
- Low in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals
- High in sodium: 320mg per Pillsbury buttermilk biscuit is 14% of the daily limit
- Contains hydrogenated oils: linked to higher heart disease risk
- Artificial colors, flavors and preservatives
Occasional enjoyment of Pillsbury biscuits is fine, but they should not be a daily staple in a balanced diet due to their poor nutritional value. Most of their calories come from refined flour and sugar rather than beneficial sources.
Environmental Impact of Dairy vs Non-Dairy Pillsbury Biscuits
Producing dairy has a higher environmental impact than plant-based ingredients:
- Methane from dairy cows is a potent greenhouse gas
- It takes 10 pounds of milk to make 1 pound of cheese
- Dairy uses large amounts of water, cropland and fertilizers
Therefore, Pillsbury’s non-dairy crescent rolls have a lower carbon footprint than their buttermilk biscuits with dairy. This may influence consumers who want to make environmentally sustainable food choices.
Lactose Content in Pillsbury Biscuits
For those with lactose intolerance, Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits contain significant lactose since they are made with dairy milk.
Approximate lactose content:
- Buttermilk biscuit: 1g lactose per biscuit
- Crescent rolls: 0g lactose (non-dairy)
The small amount of lactose in each biscuit may be tolerated by some mildly lactose intolerant individuals. However, those with more severe intolerance likely need to avoid buttermilk biscuits.
Gluten Content in Pillsbury Biscuits
All Pillsbury biscuits and crescent rolls contain gluten:
- They are made with enriched bleached wheat flour
- Wheat contains the proteins glutenin and gliadin, which form gluten
- Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity cannot consume these products
There are no gluten-free options offered in Pillsbury’s biscuit line at this time.
Conclusion
Most Pillsbury biscuits contain the dairy ingredients milk, butter, and buttermilk. This includes famous options like their buttermilk and original biscuits. However, Pillsbury crescent rolls and their vegan crescent rolls are dairy-free alternatives made without milk, butter or other dairy components. Dairy-free biscuits differ in nutrition, cost and flavor compared to Pillsbury’s dairy-containing biscuits. But for those requiring a dairy-free diet, or wanting to limit dairy for environmental reasons, the crescent rolls can fulfill the craving for a Pillsbury biscuit without the dairy.
