Is regular Bisquick gluten free?

Bisquick is a popular baking mix made by Betty Crocker that can be used to make a variety of baked goods like pancakes, biscuits, shortcakes, dumplings, and more. Many people wonder if regular Bisquick contains gluten or if it is safe to use on a gluten-free diet.

The quick answer is no, regular Bisquick is not gluten free. Bisquick contains wheat flour, which contains gluten. Only the gluten-free Bisquick alternative is safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

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What is Bisquick?

Bisquick is an all-purpose baking mix that can be used to simplify and shorten the process of making baked goods like pancakes, shortcakes, biscuits, dumplings, waffles, and more. It contains flour, shortening, salt, baking powder, and dried milk.

Bisquick was invented in 1930 by Carl Smith, a General Mills chemist. At the time, making biscuits, pancakes, and other baked goods from scratch was time consuming. Bisquick allowed home bakers to quickly make these items by just adding milk or water.

Today, Bisquick is made by Betty Crocker and sold as part of General Mills’ baking mix line of products. It is widely available in most grocery stores in North America. Both original and reduced fat versions of Bisquick are sold.

Types of Bisquick

There are three main varieties of Bisquick sold today:

Original Bisquick – Contains wheat flour, shortening, salt, baking powder, and dried milk. This is the most commonly sold version.
Reduced Fat Bisquick – Uses canola oil instead of shortening to reduce the fat and cholesterol content compared to original Bisquick.
Gluten-Free Bisquick – Made with rice flour, tapioca starch, and sorghum flour instead of wheat. Specifically formulated to be gluten-free.

The key difference between these varieties is the type of flour used. Regular Bisquick contains wheat flour while the gluten-free version uses alternate gluten-free grains and starches.

Does Regular Bisquick Contain Gluten?

Yes, regular Bisquick contains gluten because its main ingredient is wheat flour.

Wheat flour contains gluten proteins, which gives dough elasticity and helps baked goods rise properly. Most people can tolerate gluten just fine, but those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity cannot eat it.

Both the original and reduced fat versions of regular Bisquick list wheat flour as the first ingredient on the packaging. Therefore, these should be avoided by anyone following a strict gluten-free diet.

Some key points about gluten and regular Bisquick:

Wheat flour is the main ingredient in regular Bisquick.

Wheat flour contains gluten proteins.
Gluten helps give structure, elasticity, and leavening to baked goods.
Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance cannot tolerate foods with gluten.

Regular Bisquick is not formulated to be gluten-free.

So in summary, yes regular Bisquick contains gluten and is not suitable for strict gluten-free diets. Gluten-free Bisquick must be used instead.

Is Gluten-Free Bisquick Really Gluten Free?

The gluten-free version of Bisquick is specially formulated to avoid all ingredients containing gluten. Instead of wheat flour, it is made with a blend of rice flour, tapioca starch, and sorghum flour.

According to General Mills, Gluten-Free Bisquick is certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) to contain less than 10 parts per million gluten. This strict certification ensures foods are safely gluten-free.

General Mills states that Gluten-Free Bisquick contains no wheat, barley, rye, or triticale. All grains used are certified gluten-free. Cross-contamination is avoided during manufacturing on dedicated gluten-free production lines.

So yes, gluten-free Bisquick can be considered truly gluten-free according to both General Mills and the GFCO. Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can use it without concern, as long as they avoid cross-contamination when storing, handling, and preparing their recipes.

Comparing Ingredients in Regular and Gluten-Free Bisquick

Here is a comparison of the main ingredients in regular (original) Bisquick versus Gluten-Free Bisquick:

Regular Bisquick	Gluten-Free Bisquick
Enriched bleached wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)	Rice flour, tapioca starch, sorghum flour
Vegetable shortening	Sugar, baking powder, milk powder, palm oil, salt, xanthan gum
Sugar, baking powder, salt	Contains milk and soy

As you can see, the key difference is that regular Bisquick contains wheat flour while gluten-free Bisquick uses alternative gluten-free flours and starches. All other ingredients are similar.

What Can You Make With Gluten-Free Bisquick?

Gluten-free Bisquick can be used to make a wide variety of gluten-free baked goods. According to the package, it can substitute for regular Bisquick in any recipe.

Some of the foods you can make with Gluten-Free Bisquick include:

Pancakes
Waffles

Biscuits
Shortcakes
Pizza crust

Dumplings
Scones
Muffins

Sweet rolls
Coffee cake

The recipes are very similar to regular Bisquick recipes. Simply replace regular Bisquick with the GF version. Add wet ingredients like milk, eggs, oil, etc. to form a dough. Cook on the stovetop, in the oven, or a skillet as directed.

One tip is that gluten-free recipes may need slightly more liquid added compared to regular Bisquick recipes. Add milk or water gradually to obtain the right dough consistency.

Gluten-Free Bisquick Baking Tips

Making great gluten-free baked goods with Bisquick requires some adjustments from normal recipes. Here are some tips:

Read labels carefully to ensure no cross-contamination with wheat flour

Handle gluten-free flours gently; don’t overmix as dough may get dense
Use butter or oil instead of shortening for more tender results
Add liquids slowly as gluten-free doughs require different moisture

Allow proper dough rest time for flours to hydrate
Adjust baking time and temperature as needed based on recipe
Use parchment paper to prevent sticking

Store baked goods in airtight container to retain freshness

With some practice and patience, Gluten-Free Bisquick can produce delicious pancakes, biscuits, and more that are safe for those avoiding gluten. Adjusting ingredients and methods can account for differences from wheat flour.

Where to Buy Gluten-Free Bisquick

Finding Gluten-Free Bisquick is easier than ever before. Here are some places to buy it:

Major grocery stores – Sold on shelf or in gluten-free sections
Big box stores like Target and Walmart
Online at Amazon.com or direct from GeneralMills.com

Natural food stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts
Dollar stores and discount outlets sometimes carry it

Gluten-Free Bisquick typically costs a couple dollars more compared to regular Bisquick. Coupons are sometimes available to help save money. Stock up when it’s on sale or buy in bulk online to get the best deal.

Be sure to carefully check labels and purchase the gluten-free variety. Do not confuse it with regular wheat-based Bisquick.

Gluten-Free Bisquick Recipes

Here are some delicious recipes using Gluten-Free Bisquick:

Easy Gluten-Free Pancakes

Ingredients:

2 cups Gluten-Free Bisquick
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg

2 Tbsp vegetable oil or melted butter
1 tsp sugar (optional)

Instructions:

Mix Bisquick, milk, egg, oil/butter, and optional sugar in large bowl.
Heat griddle or skillet to 375°F. Grease lightly with oil or butter.
Pour batter by 1/4 cups onto hot griddle. Flip cakes when tops bubble.

Cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Serve pancakes hot with toppings like syrup, fruit, or nut butter.

Easy Drop Biscuits