Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Christine · This post may contain affiliate links · 28 Comments

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This easy, versatile gluten free Bisquick recipe is just like the baking mix you buy in the store but costs a lot less and has no xanthan gum!

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (1)

If I had to bet, I would say that anytime you can save either money or time, or even both, you are all ears. Am I right? Whether it’s a money saving article or helpful tips on making your own gluten free bread, resources that help us save money on already expensive ingredients (looking at you, gluten free Bisquick!), are valuable beyond words.

That’s kinda how the recipe for this gluten-free Bisquick mix came about.

And being one that likes to save money on all the gluten-free baking ingredients, making gluten free Bisquick at home, is the budget friendly way to keep an all purpose gluten free baking mix on hand and ready for gluten free pancakes! Plus making it myself means I can leave out the xanthan gum.

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  • Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick at a Glance
  • Step-by-Step to Gluten-Free Bisquick
  • Storage
  • Tools Needed
  • My Pro Tips
  • Recipe

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick at a Glance

Gluten free Bisquick opens a world of opportunities for anyone with celiac disease. This recipe functions just like the original Bisquick, as an all purpose, pre-made mix perfect for breads, biscuits, pancakes, and waffles, only this is the gluten-free version!

As a go-to recipe, making this gluten free Bisquick is super easy. Although you can use a stand mixer and pastry blender, I recommend using a food processor for completely combining the shortening. There are other versions of homemade Bisquick, but this version has no xanthan gum.

The easy recipe includes: brown rice flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vegetable shortening.

Keep it on hand anytime you need to whip up some of these delicious gluten-free biscuits – or get waffles on the table in no time.

Those times when pancakes sound good but getting out and measuring all those ingredients don’t sound like a fun way to spend the morning… use this homemade Bisquick recipe and make some gluten free Bisquick pancakes!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (2)

If you compare the ingredients to original Bisquick (the Betty Crocker version), you'll notice this ingredients list is rather simple:

  • Brown rice flour: As a versatile flour, the brown rice flour works well in this recipe. A substitute for it would need to match the protein and fiber content as found in this gluten free flour substitutes chart.
  • White rice flour: Similar to the brown rice flour, white rice flour works very well in this recipe, but if you do substitute it, use a comparable protein/fiber flour combination.
  • Tapioca starch: Tapioca starch is also called tapioca flour. As a substitute for it, you may use potato starch, cornstarch or arrowroot starch.
  • Sugar: Use granulated sugar in this recipe. It's not enough to sweeten the homemade baked goods made with this Bisquick, but it makes your biscuits taste amazing.
  • Baking powder: As an important leavening agent, baking powder may not be substituted.
  • Salt: Just a bit of salt for flavor.
  • Shortening: Vegetable shortening was used in this recipe. I do not recommend using a substitute in place of shortening, even solid coconut oil does not function the same.

Exact measurements and instructions for making this homemade Bisquick recipe are in the recipe card below.

Step-by-Step to Gluten-Free Bisquick

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (3)

STEP ONE: Weigh the dry ingredients and add them to the large bowl of a food processor. Pulse 3-5 times.

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (4)

STEP TWO: Add the solid shortening to the bowl and pulse 5-10 times.

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (5)

STEP THREE: Flour mixture will look completely mixed and slightly coarse.

Storage

This gluten free Bisquick stores very well. You have a couple options for how you store it, depending on your time frame:

At room temperature: If you are using the Bisquick within 6 weeks, the gluten-free Bisquick mix can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container.

Refrigerating/Freezing: If you'll need to store it for longer than 6 weeks, store the mix in an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze it for up to 2 months.

When using the mix after it's been frozen or chilled, allow it to come to room temperature before combining with the other ingredients.

Making gluten free Bisquick requires a digital scale and a food processor. If you'd like a big batch, this recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled if you’d like. But a word of caution, if you’re like me and have a food processor on the smaller side, then break it into batches.

These are my go-to items for making this GF bisquick mix:

Uses & Variations

Gluten free Bisquick can be used in many baked goods. Here are a few ideas and tips for using it in some classic, favorite recipes:

Gluten free Bisquick biscuits: These biscuits are as good the next day as they are the day they're made. Mix up this dough to make either drop biscuits or use a biscuit cutter for round biscuits. This gluten free biscuit recipe can be made savory by adding black pepper and/or shredded cheddar cheese. Bake them until golden brown and serve immediately.

Gluten free cinnamon coffee cake: I adapted the regular Bisquick coffee cake recipe to be gluten free using this GF Bisquick. It's light and full of cinnmaon flavor.

Gluten free Bisquick pancakes: Make fluffy pancakes with this recipe:

  • 130 grams gluten free Bisquick mix
  • ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1 ¼ cup almond milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons vegan butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and pour ¼ cup batter onto skillet heated over medium heat. Cook and flip. Feel free to add a few chocolate chips as the pancakes are cooking.

My Pro Tips

1. Xanthan gum tips

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and helps the ingredients in gluten free baking all stick together so they don’t separate, which would result in a frustrating baking flop. So it gets tricky when leaving xanthan gum out of gluten free recipes. Because, well, you can’t just leave it out. There has to be some replacer used that mimics xanthan gum. Fortunately I have a whole list of xanthan gum replacements.

I don’t include it with my gluten free Bisquick mix because I prefer to add the substitute I want in each recipe.

2. Baking powder tips

Baking powder is kind of like a secret sauce for gluten free baking. There is nothing quite like it that produces the same results. Baking powder gives baked goods lift that they really need.

FAQs & Troubleshooting

Can a gluten free flour blend be substituted for the brown and white rice flours?

I would not recommend a gluten free flour blend for the individual flours.

Can another type of starch be used for the tapioca starch?

Cornstarch, potato starch or arrowroot powder can be used in place of the tapioca flour.

Can the recipe be doubled?

This recipe can be doubled. Just make sure you have enough space in your food processor to accommodate the large quantities.

Do I need to add xanthan gum if I use this mix for pancakes?

You will need to add ½ teaspoon xanthan gum in the gf Bisquick pancakes recipe. Full recipe is in the "Uses & Variations" section above.

Did you make and love this recipe? Give it your review and Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (6) rating below! And make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook too!

Recipe

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (7)

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum

An easy, homemade gluten free Bisquick recipe made with no xanthan gum!

4.78 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 582 grams

Calories: 741kcal

Author: Christine

Ingredients

  • 155 grams brown rice flour about 1 cup
  • 175 grams white rice flour about 1 cup
  • 120 grams tapioca starch about 1 cup
  • 30 grams granulated sugar about 2 Tablespoons
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup solid vegetable shortening

Instructions

  • Place white rice flour, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, sugar, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse about 5 times to combine.

  • Add the shortening. Pulse 5-10 times to combine. No large pieces of shortening should remain.

  • Store mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 weeks.

Notes

  • Mixture makes 582 grams, which is about 4 ½ cups.
  • Make sure to combine until mixture resembles coarse flour.
  • This mix will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks.
  • A stand mixer can be used, but a food processor is recommended to ensure everything mixes completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 741kcal | Carbohydrates: 111g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 673mg | Potassium: 684mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 1.9mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @zest_for_baking or tag #zestforbaking!

Also check out these gluten free bread recipes:

  • Quick Gluten Free Bisquick Biscuits
  • Gluten Free Garlic Herb Breadsticks
  • Gluten Free Hawaiian Bread
  • Gluten Free Pita Bread Recipe
  • Buttery Gluten Free Crescent Rolls

And don't miss these helpful guides:

  • Alternatives to Xanthan Gum
  • How to Make Substitutions for Xanthan Gum

Original pictures:

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (8)
Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (9)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Di

    In your post you list options for In a
    Zanthsn fun, did has that you use other options leave it out of the recipe but in the directions you say to mix it in. So do you use one of the subs,leave it out or put it in?

    Reply

    • C.J. Brady

      Hi,

      Thanks for asking - it was a mistype on my part!

      Thanks for catching it - it's been corrected.

      Thanks,

      Christine

      Reply

  2. Betty Probert

    Check your instructions. They don’t reflect the ingredients. Brown rice flour is missing in Instructions while xanthan gum is included.

    Reply

    • C.J. Brady

      Hi Betty,

      Thanks for mentioning it! I guess I had xanthan gum on the brain!

      It's been updated.

      Thanks,

      Christine

      Reply

  3. Lee

    Can I use arrowroot instead of tapioca(have an allergy)? Thanks!

    Reply

    • C.J. Brady

      Hi Lee,

      Thanks for asking!

      Yes, arrowroot should work wonderfully.

      Hope that helps!

      Christine

      Reply

    • C.J. Brady

      Hi Lisa,

      Thanks for asking!

      Coconut oil is a good alternative. Use a cup for cup substitution.

      Hope that helps!

      Thanks,

      Christine

      Reply

  4. LadyJ

    Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (10)
    Oh this is just perfect! I was just doing a search last night for a GF Bisquick-type recipe and then your e-mail came today! I have everything on hand and will be making a batch of this tonight. It comes in so handy and this will be nice to have ready for quick meals and all kinds of recipes! Thank you again for all your hard work and for sharing = )

    Reply

  5. Am

    I think I will love this recipe once I know what to do with it. Some of us have NEVER used Biquick or the likes of, so a couple of references to recipes where I would apply it would be much appreciated.

    Reply

  6. Teresa

    Could I use butter in place of the shortening and just keep it refrigerated?
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Christine

      Hi Teresa,

      Unfortunately, butter will not work the same way shortening does. This mix does best with shortening.

      Hope that helps!

      Christine

      Reply

  7. Becky Reynolds

    Some recipes to use with this would be fantastic. Thanks

    Reply

    • Christine

      Hi Becky,

      Sure, these biscuits are delicious: https://zestforbaking.com/gluten-free-bisquick-biscuits-foolproof-and-ready-in-25-minutes

      Working on adding more recipes using it!

      ~Christine

      Reply

  8. Dana Morey

    I don't have a food processor. Any helpful hints? I do have a Kitchenaid.

    Reply

    • Christine

      Hi Dana,

      Sure, a mixer would also work - just add the dry ingredients and mix then add the shortening and mix again. It might take a little longer, but the results will be the same.

      ~Christine

      Reply

  9. Dex

    Hi Christine,

    Do you have a special pancake recipe that uses this gluten-free Bisquick mix or should I use the traditional one printed on the box of the commercial "glutenous" Bisquick mix? I think that one only requires adding eggs and milk to the mix.

    Also, you mentioned that you're not including the xanthan gum replacer in your Bisquick mix because you prefer adding the most appropriate one in each recipe. Which replacer would you use for making pancakes?

    Thanks!
    -Dex

    Reply

    • Christine

      Hi Dex,

      Yes, that's the one to use!

      And I'd recommend 1/2 tsp. of xanthan gum in the pancake batter.

      Hope that helps!

      ~Christine

      Reply

      • Dex

        It sure helps! Since there are health concerns regarding xanthan gun, do you think I could use one of the substitutes? How about 1 tsp psyllium husk, or half a tsp of (whole) chia seeds? Is cornstarch an option at all? Cornstarch is the only potential replacer I have at home right now, but I bet I could easily find psyllium husk or chia seeds in a supermarket nearby.

        Reply

        • Christine

          Hi Dex,

          So chia seeds or psyllium husk would be great substitutes for xanthan gum. Cornstarch wouldn't be effective as a binder unfortunately.

          ~Christine

          Reply

          • Dex

            Thanks so much for the advice Christine! I will have a go at it later today. <3

  10. Dex

    Hi Christine,

    I could not try this yet. Turns out it's impossible to find tapioca where I live at the moment. I found arrowroot but it's quite expensive. Two US cups of arrowroot = 224 g = $10 if my conversion is correct. Could I use cornstarch or potato starch instead of tapioca?

    Dex

    Reply

    • Christine

      Hi Dex,

      Absolutely - yes, cornstarch or potato would work. I don't use potato starch as often, so cornstarch would be my go-to.

      Hope that helps!

      ~Christine

      Reply

      • Dex

        Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (11)
        Great, I will try it for my next batch!

        Reply

  11. Dex

    Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (12)
    Thanks for sharing this recipe! I made some very tasty pancakes with this mix. I added chia seeds as you advised a few weeks ago, in place of xanthan gum. I went with unrefined coconut oil instead of vegetable shortening. Regarding rice flour, I could only find mixtures of white and brown and no mention of percentages on the box, so I'm not sure how much of each I used.

    The pancakes were incredible! Better than the traditional ones in some respect, and none of the bloating and regret I have after eating gluten. They were a bit rigid but that didn't take away from the taste at all. I think the rigidness comes from one of the rice flour brands I used, which was fine like powder (almost like cornstarch), so I will avoid that next time and see what happens.

    Reply

    • Christine

      Sounds wonderful1 Glad it worked out so well - great tips!

      Christine

      Reply

  12. Nancy Hueber

    Is there a pancake recipe anywhere using this mix? I made the mix but forgot to look for a recipe to use it in.

    Reply

    • Christine

      Hi Nancy,

      I don't have one yet! I'm working on it but they aren't turning out as fluffy as I'd like so it's a bit of a challenge!

      Hopefully within the next couple weeks!

      ~Christine

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Homemade Gluten Free Bisquick Recipe: Easy & No Xanthan Gum (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you don t use xanthan gum in gluten free baking? ›

HOWEVER (!!!)

So, when you try to replace xanthan gum with cornstarch in gluten free baking, you're basically removing the binder and adding a starchy flour – making your gluten free bake both drier and crumblier. (And that's definitely not something you want to do.)

Does gluten free Bisquick have xanthan gum? ›

Ingredients. Ingredients: Rice Flour, Sugar, Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), Modified Potato Starch, Salt, Xanthan Gum.

How much xanthan gum do I use per cup of gluten free flour? ›

2) When adding xanthan gum to a recipe that doesn't already call for it (and baking with a gluten-free flour that doesn't include it), use about 1/4 teaspoon per cup of flour. Blend it evenly into your dry ingredients before mixing.

What is the most useful gum in gluten free baking? ›

Using xanthan gum helps provide some of the stickiness that gluten free goods lack, replacing some elasticity. Xanthan gum mimics some of gluten's most essential properties by sticking to flour and its moisture. This helps create moist goods that hold their shape after being baked.

What can I use instead of xanthan gum for gluten-free? ›

Gluten free binding ingredients that are an alternative to xanthan gum
  • Eggs.
  • Mashed pumpkin or banana.
  • Psyllium husk or psyllium husk powder.
  • Chia seeds, flaxseeds or chia/flax meal.
  • Chocolate.
  • Yoghurt, cream or thick dairy products.
  • Starches like tapioca flour, potato starch and glutinous rice flour.
May 6, 2023

What can be substituted for xanthan gum? ›

9 Substitutes for Xanthan Gum
  • Psyllium husk. Psyllium husk is made from the husks of Plantago ovata seeds and is sold ground for baking purposes. ...
  • Chia seeds and water. When soaked, chia seeds form a gel much like xanthan gum. ...
  • Ground flax seeds and water. ...
  • Cornstarch. ...
  • Unflavored gelatin. ...
  • Egg whites. ...
  • Agar agar. ...
  • Guar gum.
May 13, 2020

Is there a gluten-free Bisquick mix? ›

Buttermilk Bisquick Mix (Gluten-Free)

Do celiacs react to xanthan gum? ›

Answer. It is common to react to xanthan gum as well as guar gum. These types of gums are often present in gluten-free baked goods. Although they can cause symptoms similar to a celiac reaction such as gas, bloating, and discomfort, they do not contain gluten.

What does xanthan gum do in gluten-free cooking? ›

Xanthan gum is used to improve the texture and shelf life of gluten free products. It mimics gluten in terms of keeping the baked products moist and the texture soft.

How to make xanthan gum? ›

Xanthan gum is created when the sugar glucose is fermented with a bacterium found in cabbage known as Xanthom*onas campestris. During fermentation, a white powder is formed that is then sold as xanthan gum.

What happens if you use too much xanthan gum? ›

In general, you should never need more than 1 tablespoon of xanthan gum for a gluten-free recipe (unless you're baking commercially). And actually, adding too much xanthan gum can compromise the texture of your baked goods, making them too sticky and gummy.

Can I use cornstarch instead of xanthan gum? ›

The ratio of cornstarch to xanthan gum is 1:1. So you can directly substitute one for the other while cooking. Be careful, as a little bit of xanthan gum goes a long way, so it's always best to start with a small amount and increase the amount used as needed.

Which gluten-free flour is closest to all-purpose flour? ›

Brown rice flour is about as close to a 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour as it gets since it provides structure and a “wheat-like” flavor.

What are the side effects of xanthan gum? ›

Xanthan gum is safe when up to 15 grams per day are taken. It can cause some side effects such as intestinal gas (flatulence) and bloating. People who are exposed to xanthan gum powder might experience flu-like symptoms, nose and throat irritation, and lung problems.

What flour is best for gluten-free bread? ›

Rice flour(s): A combination of brown rice flour and white rice flour, with their ideal balance of protein and starch, provide bulk and mildly sweet, neutral flavor. The rice flours are finely ground so they absorb liquid quickly and evenly.

Can I bake without xanthan gum? ›

Fortunately, we've found you can substitute psyllium fiber powder for xanthan gum using a 2:1 ratio! For example, if your baking recipe calls for 1 tsp xanthan gum, you could replace that with 2 tsp psyllium fiber. We've put together a couple of examples on how it works, and we are here to tell you it works perfectly.

Do you need xanthan gum for gluten free cookies? ›

In gluten-free baking, we rely on xanthan gum to provide elasticity and stickiness in our doughs and batters. Since we don't have gluten present, we need something that acts as the binding agent for the flour, helps hold onto some moisture, and helps give the baked good some structure.

Do you have to add xanthan gum to gluten free flour? ›

If your “all-purpose” gluten free flour blend does not have a gum in it already, you should add it, and in general you should add 1/4 tsp per 1 cup of gluten free flour.

Do you need to add xanthan gum to Bob's Red Mill gluten free flour? ›

There is no Xanthan Gum in this mixture. For most recipes you'd need to add Xanthan Gum to help bind together your batter/dough for the best texture. To know how much Xanthan Gum to add to your recipe, there's a handy chart below and one listed on the bag.

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