Does Bisquick Go Bad? | Bisquick Shelf Life and Storage Tips

Raise your hands if you’re a Bisquick baby. You’re raising your hands now, aren’t you? Well, so are we! This isn’t surprising, considering they claim Bisquick offers you “a world of baking in a box.”

And so, many parents (especially in our generation) have sought refuge from the famous blue and yellow box when it comes to making just about all types of baked goods—muffins, biscuits, bread, and many more.

Not only that, but it also became popular because of its incredibly long shelf life. Does this mean that Bisquick lasts indefinitely? Can it go bad?

With that said, how should you store it? This article will tell you!

You’ll also learn:

So are you ready to step up your breakfast game? Then let’s get started! We promise this will just be quick!

It may seem like flour for people who don’t know what Bisquick is. But it is nostalgia for those who have been enjoying Bisquick recipes their entire childhood.

But what is Bisquick, really?

What Is Bisquick?

Bisquick is a multi-purpose flour-like food item formulated to help improve the flavor, texture, and quality of the dishes you’ll use it for.

Unfortunately, freezing lard is not an easy feat, so he came up with the idea of formulating Bisquick, pitched it to General Mills, and the rest, they say, is history.

When he asked the cook about the recipe, he discovered it was made from simple ingredients—lard, salt, baking powder, and flour.

What Are the Ingredients of Bisquick?

Delving deeper into the magic of Bisquick, let’s explore its core ingredients, each contributing to its iconic flavor and texture:

• Wheat Flour (Enriched): Bisquick’s wheat flour is fortified with essential nutrients like folic acid, iron, niacin, and riboflavin, enhancing both taste and nutritional value.
• Soybean Oil or Partially Hydrogenated Coconut Oil: These oils not only add richness to the mix but also serve as binders, ensuring the perfect consistency of your baked goods.
• Leavening Agent: This yeast-like ingredient works wonders by causing your Bisquick creations to rise, achieving that fluffy perfection we all crave.
• Salt: These well-known ingredients serve as a natural preservative that preserves the freshness of Bisquick, making it last longer.
• Dextrose: This simple sugar acts as both a preservative and taste enhancer, adding a touch of sweetness to your delectable creations.

Does this mean that bixquick doesn’t go bad?

Does Bisquick Go Bad?

No, Bisquick can’t go bad. It’s shelf-stable, but it can still go off over time.

Here’s why: While flour and salt are long-lasting ingredients that may even last indefinitely, other ingredients like the oil and leavening can deteriorate over time which will cause your cake mix to go bad at some point.

Learn more:

• Does Pancake mix go bad?
• Does Bownie mix go bad?

Now that we know that Bisquick can go bad, the next question is—how long does it last?

How Long Does Bisquick Last? Bisquick Shelf Life!

Curious about the lifespan of your beloved Bisquick? Fear not! With a bit of guidance, you can enjoy its wonders for an impressive duration.

Table 1: Bisquick Shelf Life:

Based on the best-by-the-date in its box, Bisquick can last up to 2 years after the manufacturing date. On the other hand, opened Bisquick can last for up to 4 months. You can still enjoy Bisquick 3 to 4 months past the best-before date as long as it doesn’t show any signs of spoilage.

To ensure that the flour is still safe for consumption, we highly recommend that you inspect its quality before using it.

Signs of Spoilage: How to Tell if It is Bad? 

Clumpy texture, an off smell, mold growth, or unwanted insect guests—these are the telltale signs that Bisquick may have turned sour. If you encounter any of these, it’s time to bid farewell to your Bisquick.

Table 2: Signs of Bisquick Spoilage

• Clumpy Texture: It is fine and powdery. Unfortunately, it may become clumpy once it’s exposed to moisture, and once it does, the spoilage process will start. If your opened pack already has a clumpy texture, you should throw it away.

• Bad Smell: Yes, bacteria can grow in Bisquick even if it has natural preservatives. This is especially true if it has been exposed to moisture and air.Bacterial growth will give the product an off smell. If you’ve already noticed a foul odor upon opening the box, err on the side of caution and discard the mix immediately.

• Mold Growth: This is another sign that the dry mix has come in contact with moisture. We recommend inspecting the powder closely and looking for dark green, blue, or black spots. If it has, don’t bother scraping the affected part. Just throw it all out for safety purposes.

• Bugs and other Insects: If it is not properly sealed, there’s a high chance that bugs and insects will get into it. If this is the case, merely removing the insects is not enough since they might already have contaminated the powder. The best thing you can do is discard it entirely.

How to Store Bisquick Last Longer?

The best move you can make to prevent the Bisquick from spoiling is to store it correctly.

Here are some tips on how to do that:

Table 3: Bisquick Storage Tips

1. Embrace the Cool, Dark Side: The most common causes of spoilage for dry mixes would be moisture, air, and light. Because of this, you must make sure that you place it in a cool, dark, and dry place.

The best storage area would be your kitchen pantry or cabinet that’s far from any heat sources (stove and oven) or kitchen windows.

“According to Dr. Sarah Baker, a food scientist and baking expert from the Culinary Institute,

Bisquick’s shelf life can be extended by proper storage techniques. She recommends keeping the mix in a cool, dry place and tightly sealing the package to prevent exposure to air and moisture.”

2. Seal the Deal: If you’ve already opened the box, your goal should be to protect its content from light, air, and moisture. If you want to do the bare minimum, you can simply fold the pack’s ends and clip or tape it.

3. Transfer opened box to an airtight container: But if you wish to secure its contents, you should transfer it into an airtight container. This can either be a resealable bag or a plastic container.

4. To Freeze or Not to Freeze: Yes, you can. However, we don’t think there’s a need to since its shelf life is already quite long. Additionally, freezing Bisquick will increase its risk of getting exposed to moisture, affecting its quality.

But if you decide to freeze it, here are some of the steps that you can follow:

• Divide the dry mix into single servings.
• Place the opened pack in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag.
• Double wrap the bag for extra protection.
• Label the container with the date of storage.

You need to thaw it overnight by placing it in the refrigerator when you want to use it.

Another great idea is to leave it at room temperature. Ensure it’s properly thawed before using it to achieve the best results.

Does Bisquick Need Refrigeration?

The answer is yes and no. Bisquick can be stored at room temperature for up to six months after opening, according to the manufacturer; however, to keep the product fresh for as long as possible, it’s always a good idea to store it in the refrigerator.

Additionally, if you live in a particularly hot or humid climate, you may want to consider stashing your opened box in the fridge to prevent any moisture buildup.

So go ahead and enjoy your Bisquick goodies; just make sure to store them properly afterward!

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Conclusion

Bisquick has become a big part of our childhood, and its wide use is extended until today. It may be one of the longest-lasting food items in the market nowadays.

Yes, Bisquick can’t last forever, but with proper storage and a sprinkle of love, it’ll surely light up your culinary adventures for years to come.

So, go ahead and enjoy your Bisquick creations, and remember to store it well so it stays delicious for a long time!

Happy baking!

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