Nothing beats a tasty breakfast that you can prepare in just a few minutes. I don’t know about you, but my family loves pancakes.
Therefore, I always have a package of Bisquick in stock so I can quickly whip up some pancakes when we are in the mood for them.
Over the years, Bisquick has gained popularity in the United States. It is a must-have in most American households. The main reason why most people love Bisquick is it is convenient to use. Additionally, it has several tasty flavors.
If you’ve stocked up on Bisquick, you may wonder: ‘does bisquick go bad?’ The answer is yes. Bisquick has a relatively long shelf life since it is a dry product, but it does not last forever.
It may last for a few months past the expiry date on the package, but be sure to check for any signs of spoilage before using it.
This article will discuss all the important details about Bisquick including the origin, ingredients, shelf life, storage, and signs of spoilage.
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Bisquick Origin
A sales executive for General Mills, Carl Smith, invented the Bisquick recipe in the early 1930s. Smith revealed that he decided to come up with the recipe after he ate some biscuits.
He enjoyed them and asked for the recipe whose contents were flour, salt, baking powder, and lard. Smith aired the idea to the company, which eventually came up with the original Bisquick recipe.
Bisquick quickly gained popularity because of its long shelf life. When the package is unopened, it retains its quality for up to three years. Bisquick has remained a best-seller since the 1930s.
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Bisquick Ingredients
Bisquick has all the ingredients you need to make pancakes. They include; flour, leavening, oil, and salt among others.
As you can see, the ingredients do not spoil easily. For instance, salt does not spoil at all. Instead, it prevents the mixture from spoiling altogether.
The quality of leavening and oil can deteriorate over time. The oil lasts for up to 3 years under optimal conditions when the package is open, and up to 5 years when unopened.
Of all the ingredients, the leavening is likely to spoil first. Its combination with oil makes it last for up to 3 years when the package remains sealed and a year when you open the package.
Bisquick Shelf Life
If you store Bisquick properly at room temperature, it will retain its good quality for up to one year.
Most Bisquick brands come with an expiry date on the package. Note that the Bisquick does not go bad when it is past the expiry date.
The expiry date is merely an estimate of how long it will retain its great quality. If your Bisquick is a few weeks past its expiry date and does not have any signs of spoilage, it is safe to use it.
When unopened, Bisquick has a relatively long shelf life. If you store it under optimal conditions, the Bisquick may last for up to two years.
When you store Bisquick in the refrigerator or freezer, its shelf life increases by a few months. I recommend storing Bisquick in the fridge or freezer once you open the package. There is no need to store an unopened box of Bisquick in the refrigerator.
How to Store it
Bisquick does not require any special storage conditions. All you need to do is ensure you store it far away from moisture and direct sunlight.
You can store Bisquick in your pantry or kitchen cabinet. You must seal its packaging tightly before storage to prevent spoilage.
A refrigerator is also an ideal place for storing Bisquick. Just make sure the bag or container it is in is tightly sealed to avoid spoilage.
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Can You Freeze Bisquick?
As discussed above, Bisquick has a relatively long shelf life when stored at room temperature. However, if you want to lengthen its already long shelf life, you can freeze it.
To freeze Bisquick, you should first divide the mix into meal sizes depending on how much you use per serving. Pour the mix into a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and seal it tightly.
Label the bag or container with the date of freezing to keep track of how long you store the Bisquick, then place it in the freezer.
How to Defrost Frozen Bisquick
The best way to defrost frozen Bisquick is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. I highly recommend using this method because the Bisquick will thaw evenly.
Alternatively, you can thaw frozen Bisquick in a bowl of warm water. Simply place the bag or container in a large bowl of warm water and leave it submerged for a few minutes or until the Bisquick thaws completely.
Once the Bisquick has thawed completely, start making your pancakes using your favorite recipe.
Signs of Spoilage
Like most dry mixes including baking powder and baking soda, Bisquick has a long shelf life. The chances of it going bad are very minimal as long as you store it well.
However, there are a few instances when Bisquick goes bad, especially when exposed to moisture. Here are a few signs that your Bisquick is no longer safe to use.
- Any organic growth including mold.
- Weird smell.
- Big, wet, clumps.
- Unpleasant taste
- Presence of bugs or their eggs.
- Three years past the expiry date.
Dry clumps in Bisquick are not an indication that it has gone bad. Just break up the clumps the same way you break up clamps in flour before using them to make your pancakes.
If your Bisquick has stayed in the pantry or kitchen cabinet for a long time, you must inspect it for any signs of spoilage before using it.
Check its overall appearance, texture, and smell. If there is any indication whatsoever that the Bisquick is not fresh, discard it.
Conclusion
Bisquick has always been a lifesaver. You can whip up pancakes in just a few minutes thanks to this amazing dry mixture.
Like any other dry ingredient, Bisquick lasts for a long time. However, it can go bad if you store it for an extended time or fail to store it properly. Always check for signs of spoilage before using it.
