Gluten free baking can be tricky, especially when it comes to substituting gluten free flour mixes for regular wheat flour mixes like Bisquick. Bisquick is an all-purpose baking mix that contains wheat flour, shortening, leavening, salt, and powdered milk. It’s a convenient shortcut product used for making quick breads, pancakes, waffles, dumplings, and more. But for those who need or prefer to eat gluten free, is it possible to use gluten free Bisquick in place of regular Bisquick?
The Differences Between Gluten Free Bisquick and Regular Bisquick
There are a few key differences between gluten free Bisquick and regular Bisquick:
- Gluten free Bisquick is made with a blend of gluten free flours and starches like rice flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch instead of wheat flour.
- Gluten free Bisquick has xanthan gum or guar gum added to help replicate the binding properties of gluten.
- Gluten free Bisquick uses leavening ingredients like baking powder and baking soda rather than yeast.
- Gluten free Bisquick may contain milk, eggs, or soy as binding agents.
- Gluten free Bisquick has a different texture and density than regular Bisquick.
These differences mean gluten free Bisquick won’t behave exactly the same way as regular Bisquick in recipes. The ratios of ingredients and the texture of baked goods made with gluten free Bisquick will likely be a bit different.
Substituting Gluten Free Bisquick in Recipes
That being said, in many cases you can substitute gluten free Bisquick for regular Bisquick in recipes. Here are some tips for getting the best results:
- Start by replacing regular Bisquick with gluten free Bisquick at a 1:1 ratio. So if a recipe calls for 2 cups of regular Bisquick, use 2 cups of gluten free Bisquick.
- You may need to adjust the liquid in the recipe. Gluten free Bisquick absorbs more liquid than regular Bisquick, so you may need a bit more milk, butter, eggs, etc. Add extra liquid a tablespoon at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Let batter rest for 5-10 minutes before baking to allow the gluten free flours to fully hydrate. This helps with structure.
- Avoid over-mixing, as this can make gluten free baked goods dense and tough.
- Grease pans well as gluten free batters are thicker and may stick.
- Gluten free baked goods brown faster, so reduce oven temperature by 25°F and watch closely.
- Gluten free products will be more crumbly in texture. Add a bit more leavening like baking powder or soda for a lighter texture.
Baking is part art, part science, so you may need to experiment with adjusting ingredients for your specific recipe. Make one change at a time and take notes so you can replicate results.
Recommended Gluten Free Bisquick Substitutes
There are a few store-bought brands of gluten free Bisquick that make good substitutes for regular Bisquick:
| Brand | Details |
|---|---|
| Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix | Contains sorghum flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, brown rice flour, milk powder. Just add water. |
| King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Pancake Mix | Made with rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, pea fiber. Has binders like xanthan gum, psyllium husk powder. |
| Betty Crocker Gluten Free Bisquick | Uses rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch, potato starch, soybean oil, milk, and eggs. |
| Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix | Blend of tapioca flour, brown rice flour, potato starch, and guar gum. |
Be sure to compare ingredients lists, as some brands will be made withergy-friendly ingredients than others.
Make Your Own Gluten Free Bisquick
For full control over ingredients, you can also make your own DIY gluten free Bisquick substitute at home:
- Whisk together 2 cups gluten free flour blend (rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch), 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp xanthan gum, 1/4 tsp salt
- Cut in 4 Tbsp cold butter
- Stir in 2 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp powdered milk
- Store in airtight container. Use in recipes as you would regular Bisquick.
Adjust to suit your dietary needs by using dairy-free milk powder, coconut oil instead of butter, etc.
Recipes Using Gluten Free Bisquick
Here are some delicious recipes that work well using gluten free Bisquick as a substitute for regular Bisquick:
Gluten Free Pancakes
Makes 8-10 pancakes
- 2 cups gluten free Bisquick
- 1 1/4 cups milk or non-dairy milk
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil or melted butter
Whisk together ingredients until just combined. Let batter rest for 5 minutes. Cook on a greased griddle over medium heat until browned on both sides. Serve warm with desired toppings.
Gluten Free Drop Biscuits
Makes 12 biscuits
- 2 cups gluten free Bisquick
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
- 3/4 cup milk or non-dairy milk
Preheat oven to 425°F. Mix Bisquick and butter until crumbly. Add milk and stir just until combined. Scoop 12 mounds onto a greased baking sheet. Bake 13-15 minutes until tops are golden brown. Serve warm.
Gluten Free Chicken & Dumplings
Makes 4 servings
- 4 boneless chicken thighs
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups gluten free Bisquick
- 1/3 cup milk or non-dairy milk
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
In a skillet over medium heat, cook chicken thighs until browned on both sides, about 8 minutes total. Transfer to slow cooker. Add broth, carrots, celery and onion. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. Remove chicken and shred or cut into bite sized pieces. Return to slow cooker. In a bowl, mix Bisquick, milk, and parsley. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the slow cooker. Cook 30 more minutes until dumplings are cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips for Baking Success with Gluten Free Bisquick
It may take some trial and error to get used to working with gluten free Bisquick if you’re accustomed to using regular Bisquick. Here are some top tips for success:
- Start by swapping at a 1:1 ratio, then tweak as needed.
- Use precise measurements – don’t eyeball it.
- Allow batter to rest before baking to hydrate flour.
- Avoid over-mixing – gently combine just until incorporated.
- Grease pans well for easy release.
- Adjust oven temperature down 25°F and watch closely.
- Let baked goods cool completely before slicing into them.
- Store gluten free baked goods in an airtight container at room temp to retain moisture.
Conclusion
While gluten free Bisquick differs from regular Bisquick, with some adjustments it can work well as a substitute in many recipes. Be prepared to experiment to get the right consistency and texture. Look for store-bought brands made with whole food ingredients or make your own DIY blend. With the proper techniques and a few trial runs, you can make tasty gluten free versions of classic Bisquick recipes.