Is there gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough?

Quick Answer

Yes, there are some gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough options available. Major brands like Pillsbury and Betty Crocker have gluten-free refrigerated biscuit doughs. Smaller specialty brands also offer gluten-free refrigerated biscuits.

Overview of Gluten-Free Refrigerated Biscuit Dough

For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, finding easy and convenient gluten-free baked goods can be a challenge. Pre-made refrigerated biscuit doughs are a quick and easy way to make fresh biscuits at home. But most mainstream brands contain wheat and are not gluten-free.

Fortunately, as awareness of gluten-free diets increases, more options for refrigerated gluten-free biscuit dough are coming to market. Both large brands and smaller specialty companies now offer refrigerated biscuit doughs made without wheat or gluten ingredients.

While gluten-free refrigerated biscuits may not always taste exactly the same as traditional wheat-based biscuits, many brands try to mimic the fluffy and tender texture. They use ingredients like rice flour, sorghum flour, and xanthan gum to achieve a similar mouthfeel.

With some searching both in-store and online, those adhering to a gluten-free diet can find refrigerated biscuit doughs to enjoy fresh baked biscuits conveniently at home.

Major Brands of Gluten-Free Refrigerated Biscuit Dough

Some of the most widely available brands of gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough include:

Pillsbury Gluten Free

Pillsbury launched their gluten-free line of baked goods in 2016. Their gluten-free refrigerated biscuits contain rice flour and potato starch instead of wheat. The dough comes in 8-ounce cans to pop open and bake fresh biscuits.

Betty Crocker Gluten Free

Betty Crocker debuted gluten-free biscuits in 2018 as part of their general line of gluten-free mixes and baked goods. Like Pillsbury, their gluten-free biscuits contain rice flour and are sold in 8-ounce refrigerated cans.

Bisquick Gluten Free

Bisquick introduced gluten-free pancake and baking mix in 2016 and later added their gluten-free biscuits. Their refrigerated biscuit dough has a short list of corn- and rice-based ingredients.

King Arthur Gluten Free

Popular baking brand King Arthur Flour launched gluten-free baking mixes in 2010, including biscuit and pizza dough. Their refrigerated biscuit dough is made with tapioca flour and sorghum flour.

So the major gluten-free brands by Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Bisquick and King Arthur give gluten-free consumers more options widely available in the refrigerated section.

Specialty and Smaller Brands

In addition to the major national brands, some smaller specialty companies also offer gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough:

Kinnikinnick Foods

This Canadian company offers gluten-free breads, donuts, pie shells and biscuits made with rice flour, potato starch and xanthan gum. Their gluten-free biscuit dough comes in a tube-shaped container.

Namaste Foods

Namaste Foods focuses on allergy-friendly baked goods free of gluten, dairy, egg and nuts. They carry ready-to-bake gluten-free biscuits, pie crusts and cinnamon rolls.

Gate to Plate

Gate to Plate makes a range of gluten- and dairy-free baked goods, including gluten-free biscuits, bagels, breads and sweets. Their biscuit dough has cassava flour as the first ingredient.

Miss Roben’s

This woman-owned Maryland bakery offers gluten-free breads, bagels, and biscuits made with a blend of five gluten-free flours. Their biscuit dough comes refrigerated in an 8-ounce tube.

The smaller specialty brands help provide more gluten-free biscuit choices, which may be found in select grocery stores, health food stores or online.

Taste and Texture of Gluten-Free Biscuit Dough

Gluten-free biscuits made from refrigerated dough tend to vary more in texture and flavor compared to traditional biscuits. Since they lack the gluten found in wheat flour, replicated the fluffy, light texture can be difficult. Many gluten-free biscuit doughs use binder ingredients like xanthan gum or cornstarch to help mimic the texture.

Rice flour is a common substitute for wheat flour in gluten-free biscuits. It gives biscuits a subtly sweet, nutty flavor. Tapioca flour and sorghum flour also frequently appear to provide structure and bite. The potato starch helps improve the rise.

While gluten-free biscuit doughs won’t taste exactly the same coming out of the refrigerator, many brands try to get as close as possible to traditional texture and flavor. Starting with higher quality ingredients can help improve the end result.

Nutrition of Gluten-Free Biscuits from Refrigerated Dough

Compared to wheat-based biscuits, gluten-free biscuits made with rice flour, sorghum flour or other gluten-free flours differ a bit nutritionally:

Lower in fiber – Gluten-free flours don’t offer the same amount of fiber as whole grain wheat flour. There’s usually around 1 gram of fiber per serving compared to 2-3 grams in regular biscuits.

Lower in protein – Without gluten from wheat, gluten-free biscuits generally have less protein. A serving may have 2-3 grams versus 3-4 grams of protein in wheat biscuits.

Higher in fat – Some gluten-free flours are higher in fat like rice flour, and shortening is added to improve texture. Biscuits end up slightly higher in fat, around 5 grams per serving.

Vitamins and minerals – Gluten-free flours often have B vitamins added to boost nutrition, since they lack the nutrients in whole grains. Amounts of minerals like iron can vary.

So gluten-free biscuits are a little different nutritionally than wheat biscuits. But they can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Checking labels can help identify healthier brands.

How to Bake Gluten-Free Refrigerated Biscuit Dough

Baking most brands of gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough is simple:

1. Preheat oven – Preheat your oven to temperature listed on package, usually 375°F to 425°F.

2. Open container – Open the refrigerator canister or tube and lay biscuits out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure biscuits are spaced apart.

3. Bake – Bake biscuits for the time indicated on package, checking at minimum time to ensure they don’t over-brown. Most gluten-free biscuits take 10-15 minutes.

4. Cool and serve – Let biscuits cool at least 5 minutes before removing from pan and serving warm.

Be sure to closely follow the instructions on your specific brand’s packaging as cook times can vary. And take care not to over-knead or compress the dough too much when portioning onto the baking sheet for the fluffiest texture.

Storing and Freezing Leftover Gluten-Free Biscuits

Like traditional biscuits, gluten-free biscuits are best eaten fresh and warm on baking day. But you can extend their shelf life using these storage tips:

– Store leftover unbaked biscuit dough in the refrigerator up to one week. Keep tightly wrapped.

– To freeze, place baked biscuits in freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep frozen for 2-3 months.

– Thaw frozen biscuits at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

– Reheat leftover biscuits in microwave or toaster oven until warm, about 15-30 seconds.

With proper storage, you can enjoy baked gluten-free biscuits again later in the week. The pre-made dough also allows you to bake fresh biscuits as needed.

Gluten-Free Biscuit Recipes and Serving Ideas

Pre-made gluten-free biscuit dough provides a quick and convenient base for lots of breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert recipes. Some ideas include:

– Breakfast sandwiches with egg, cheese and meat
– Biscuits and sausage gravy
– Chicken or turkey biscuit pot pie
– Strawberry shortcake with whipped cream
– Chicken biscuit sliders
– Mini pizza biscuits
– Biscuits with jam, honey or chocolate hazelnut spread

Get creative with toppings and fillings! Preparing gluten-free biscuits from refrigerated dough makes whipping up tasty recipes simple.

Where to Buy Gluten-Free Refrigerated Biscuit Dough

Here are some places to find gluten-free biscuit dough near you:

– Grocery stores – Check bigger chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, etc. Look in the gluten-free section.

– Natural food stores – Stores like Sprouts, Whole Foods, Earth Fare have wider gluten-free selections.

– Warehouse clubs – Brands like Sam’s Club and Costco may carry gluten-free biscuit dough.

– Online – Order brands online at sites like Amazon, Walmart, Thrive Market, vitacost.

– Bakeries – Local gluten-free bakeries may sell their biscuit dough.

Call ahead to confirm item availability if looking for a particular brand. Be sure to carefully check labels to verify the dough is gluten-free.

Price of Gluten-Free Refrigerated Biscuit Dough

On average, gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough costs $3 to $6 for an 8-ounce tube or can. That’s 2 to 3 times more than traditional wheat-based cans of biscuit dough.

The smaller niche brands of gluten-free biscuit dough tend to be priciest, around $5 to $6 per container. Large mainstream brands like Pillsbury and Betty Crocker are more reasonably priced closer to $3 or $4.

Going with a store brand gluten-free biscuit dough or buying in bulk on sale can lower the price. Coupons may also be available to help offset the cost.

While pricier than wheat-based, gluten-free refrigerated biscuit doughs provide high convenience to those managing gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

Pros and Cons of Gluten-Free Refrigerated Biscuit Dough

Here are some benefits as well as downsides to consider:

Pros:
– Convenience and ease of fresh baked biscuits
– Time saving compared to from-scratch
– Helps those with celiac follow gluten-free diet
– Major brands widely available
– Can be incorporated into lots of recipes

Cons:
– Often more expensive than regular biscuit dough
– Texture and taste differences from wheat dough
– Less fiber and nutrients than whole grain
– Still contains fat, sugar, calories
– Risk of cross-contamination on equipment

Overall, the convenience factor of gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough makes it a worthwhile option for many following a strict gluten-free diet. ButCompare brands and nutrition labels to get the best quality product if going gluten-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pillsbury biscuits gluten-free?

No, Pillsbury’s regular canned biscuit dough contains wheat and is not gluten-free. But Pillsbury does make a gluten-free biscuit dough sold in a green can.

Are gluten-free biscuits healthy?

It depends on the brand. Some gluten-free biscuits are made with processed flours and contain a lot of sodium, sugar, or fat. But there are healthier options made with whole grain gluten-free flours and less additives.

How long does unopened gluten-free biscuit dough last?

Properly stored in the refrigerator, unopened gluten-free biscuit dough typically lasts 5-7 days beyond the sell by date before quality declines.

Can you make gluten-free biscuits without biscuit mix?

Yes, you can make gluten-free biscuits starting from scratch with gluten-free flours, leavening, and other ingredients. But it requires more work than opening a can of refrigerated dough.

Do gluten-free biscuits taste the same?

Most gluten-free biscuits are a little different in texture and flavor than traditional wheat biscuits. But brands are improving their recipes to replicate the tender, fluffy quality.

The Bottom Line

Thanks to growing demand, there are now several options for convenient gluten-free refrigerated biscuit dough. Mainstream brands from Pillsbury, Betty Crocker and Bisquick all offer gluten-free dough in the refrigerator aisle. Smaller specialty brands provide alternatives too.

While more expensive and not exactly the same as wheat biscuits, gluten-free dough allows you to enjoy fresh warm biscuits without the hassle. Look for brands with simpler, natural ingredients and minimal additives for the healthiest option. With an ever-increasing selection, those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance can find biscuit dough to enjoy safely.

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