Many ask "Can you store Bisquick in Mylar bags?" Yes, Bisquick can be stored in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers to extend shelf life, but due to its fat content, it’s best used within 1–3 years for optimal quality.

Bisquick isn't simply a combination of flour, as it also contains pre-measured amounts of fat (usually shortening) and leavening agents. This means that the long-term storage of Bisquick is drastically impacted by the presence of both fat and leavening agents in the recipe.

Although there are several options to store food products long-term, one of the best ways to do so is with Mylar bags; using Mylar bags incorrectly when storing your supply of Bisquick can result in your supply being ruined months before you anticipate running out.

Let's break this down step-by-step.

Short Answer: 

Yes, Bisquick can be stored in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers to extend shelf life, but due to its fat content, it’s best used within 1 to 3 years.

The Benefits of Using Mylar Bags for Storing Dry Goods

Mylar bags provide significant protection against:

• O2 (Oxygen) exposure
• H2O (Moisture) exposure
• Exposure to light
• Exposure to pests

When used with oxygen absorbers, the two work together to slow down the processes that cause food products to spoil.

Thus, Mylar bags are often used to store the following dry grated foods:

1. Flour
2. Rice
3. Beans
4. Pasta

However, Bisquick does not act like a "typical" dry good.

The Problem with Storing Bisquick Long-Term

This is the part that most food bloggers fail to mention.

Bisquick contains fat, and over time, fats will oxidize.

Therefore, even though you might take all of the O2 out of your Mylar bag, you are still preventing the oxidation of the fat; however, you will not stop the oxidation of fat entirely.

As a result, you may find that when you open your supply of Bisquick:

• There may be an off-smell and/or off-taste
• The leavening agents (baking powder and/or baking soda) may have lost their strength.
• The textures and functionalities of the mix may be less than ideal for pancakes, waffles, biscuits, etc.

Thus, although Mylar bags are beneficial to some extent, they will not make your supply of Bisquick immortal.

How Long Will My Bisquick Last in Mylar Bags?

If stored properly in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers:

• Room temperature: ~1 to 2 years (best quality)
  
• Cool, dark storage: up to 3 years (sometimes longer, but quality drops)

Steps To Properly Store Bisquick In Mylar Bags

If you choose to store Bisquick by doing it correctly, here are the steps:

Step 1: Fill a quality Mylar bag with Bisquick.

Step 2: Add an appropriately-sized oxygen absorber (300cc-500cc, depending on bag size).

Step 3: Remove the excess air from the bag.

Step 4: Heat-seal the bag completely.

Step 5: Store the bag in a cool, dark location (under 70°F, if possible).

Helpful Tips:

• To prevent repeated exposure for convenience, consider using smaller (1-2lb) bags.
• Double bag your Bisquick in humid climates.
• Keep your sealed bags inside of a bucket for added protection.

More Efficient Alternative for Long Term Storage:

If your goal for long-term storage of Bisquick is 5 to 10 years or longer, it is best not to store it as-is but rather separate each of the key components when storing.

Freeze your shortening and rotate it on a more frequent basis.

Make fresh portions as-needed to avoid the primary downfall of this method, which is fat degradation.

When Storing Bisquick in Mylar Bags Makes Sense:

There are multiple reasons for choosing to store Bisquick in Mylar bags, as follows:

1. You need to store emergency food supply for 1-3 years.
2. You want pre-mixed (frozen) baking supplies for convenience.
3. You want to portion-control your grab-and-go baking mixes.
4. You will offer better protection than what is supplied by existing packaging.

The truth is you are not using Mylar bags for eternal storage. You are using Mylar bags to offer longer periods of time before you can no longer use a food product.

How To Know When Your Stored Bisquick Has Gone Bad:

Before you use any stored Bisquick, check to see if:

1. The smell is sour or "painty" (rancid fat).
2. There are yellow or dark spots on the product.
3. The texture is clumpy or moist.
4. When you bake with it, you produce a flat or dense product.

If any of these items are true, then don't take the risk.

Why Packaging Quality Matters:

All Mylar bags are not created equally. Thinner and lower-barrier Mylar bags will allow air infiltration over time and, thus, decrease the shelf life of your purchased items.

If you are truly serious about storing baking mixes in Mylar, you will want to use highly durable custom Mylar packaging, as these will be far more dependable for their long-term shelf-life performance.

Conclusion

Because Bisquick has such a high-fat composition, you should consider Bisquick more of a medium-term storage item rather than a long-term option.

If you seal, apply oxygen absorbers and store in a cool environment, you will have reliable food storage for several years, but shelves WILL decline quickly if they are not correctly stored.