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 that 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, breads, 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? Does Bisquick go bad?
Short answer:
Bisquick is shelf-stable, but it can and will go bad over time. This is most especially true if it’s left in the wrong conditions.
With that said, how should you store it? This article will tell you how!
You’ll also learn about:
So are you ready to step up your breakfast game? Then let’s get started! We promise this will just be quick!
What Is Bisquick?
It may seem like just a type of 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?
Well, it’s a multi-purpose flour-like food item formulated to help improve the flavor, texture, and quality of the dishes you’ll use it for.
Did you know?
When he asked the cook about the recipe, he discovered it was made from simple ingredients—lard, salt, baking powder, and flour.
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.
What are the Ingredients of Bisquick?
Bisquick has all the ingredients you need to make the biscuits that Carl Smith fell in love with. These are as follows:
- Wheat Flour (Enriched): The flour they used for making Bisquick is fortified with nutrients like folic acid, iron, niacin, riboflavin, and many more.
- Soybean Oil or Partially Hydrogenated Coconut Oil: These boost the product’s fat content and act as a binder for all the ingredients simultaneously.
- Leavening Agent: This yeast-like ingredient is responsible for making the products made with Bisquick rise.
- Salt: These well-known ingredients serve as a natural preservative that preserves the freshness of Bisquick, making it last longer.
- Dextrose: A simple type of sugar that acts both as a preservative and taste enhancer.
Does Bisquick Go Bad?
Did you know why Bisquick became quite popular? Its long shelf life is why it’s been a best-seller ever since it was introduced in the market.
Does this mean that Bisquick doesn’t go bad? No, it doesn’t. It’s shelf-stable, but it can still go bad over time.
- Here’s why: While flour and salt are long-lasting ingredients that may even last indefinitely, other Bisquick ingredients like the oil and leavening can deteriorate over time which will cause Bisquick to go bad at some point.
Now that we know that Bisquick can go bad, the next question is—how long does it last?
How Long Does Bisquick Last?
Bisquick can last for up to 2 years after the manufacturing date based on the best by the date indicated in its box.
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.
Did you know?
How to Tell if Bisquick Is Bad?
To ensure that the flour is still safe for consumption, we highly recommend that you inspect its quality before using it.
Here are the telltale signs of spoilage that you should look out for:
1. 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 Bisquick already has a clumpy texture, you should throw it away.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
Is it okay to eat expired Bisquick?
As mentioned, the printed date on the box is not an expiry date but a best before date. Since the date indicates only the freshness and not the safety of the food item, you can still consume Bisquick 3 to 4 months past the expiry date—as long as there are no signs of spoilage. To avoid food poisoning, take the time to inspect it first before using it in your recipes.
CAN expired Bisquick make you sick?
It’s not likely that Bisquick will make you sick if it’s expired, but it’s still a good idea to avoid eating anything that’s past the expiration date. Generally speaking, foods that have been expired for a long time will be less nutritious and might contain harmful bacteria or toxins.
If you’ve got an old container of Bisquick sitting in your cupboard, it might be a good idea to toss it out and replace it with a fresh batch. That way, you’ll know for sure that you’re not eating any old, expired food.
How to Store Bisquick to Make it Last Longer?
The best move you can make to prevent the Bisquick from spoiling is to store it the right way.
Here are some tips on how you can do that:
1. Storing in a cool, dry, and dark place.
The most common causes of spoilage for dry mixes like Bisquick 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 no other than your kitchen pantry or cabinet that’s located far from any heat sources (stove and oven) or kitchen windows.
2. Secure the contents of an opened box of Bisquick.
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 just fold the ends of the pack and clip or tape it.
3. Transfer opened Bisquick 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. Freeze it if you want to (but it’s not highly recommended).
Can you freeze Bisquick? 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 Bisquick 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 that it’s properly thawed before using it to achieve the best results.
Learn more:
Final Words
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.
Does Bisquick Go Bad? Yes, it does. The good news is it is shelf-stable, so you can enjoy for a long time, especially if you store properly.
Lucky for you, storing it is pretty simple. You just need to protect it from light, air, and moisture, and you can enjoy it for up to 2 years!
Does Bisquick Go Bad? How Long Does Bisquick Last?
Instructions
- It's important to read the guide thoroughly – that way, you can make sure you know how long it'll last.
- Make sure to check the best-by-date too so that you're aware of when it expires.
- For optimal storage, put it in an airtight container and keep it somewhere cool and dark – like your pantry or fridge!
Up Next: The Ideal Shelf Life of Flour, Grains, and Wheat
