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Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits: Healthy?

Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits are a popular refrigerated dough product designed for convenience in home baking. Many shoppers scan this item to understand its nutritional footprint compared to scratch-made alternatives. Our analysis finds that while convenient, the product relies heavily on refined ingredients that limit its nutritional value.

Updated May 19, 2026Product analysis

Health score

Watch out

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/ 100
PoorExcellent

Verdict: unhealthy

Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits earn a 35/100 score due to their highly processed ingredient profile and excessive sodium content.

Key takeaways

  • 950mg of sodium per 100g serving
  • Contains refined vegetable oils
  • Only 6g of protein per 100g
  • Uses bleached flour as a base
  • Low planet score due to palm oil

Our read on this product

The 35/100 health score is primarily driven by the use of enriched bleached flour, vegetable oils, and a high sodium content of 950mg per 100g. With 15g of fat and only 6g of protein, the nutritional balance is skewed toward calorie density rather than satiety. While the buttermilk provides flavor, it is overshadowed by added sugars and multiple chemical leavening agents. Frequent consumption may contribute to inflammatory dietary patterns due to the quality of the fats and sodium levels.

Best for

This product is suitable for individuals looking for a quick, occasional indulgence or those without specific dietary restrictions.

Approach with care

Individuals with high blood pressure, gluten sensitivities, or those managing metabolic conditions like diabetes should avoid this product.

Ingredient breakdown

Good ingredients

Buttermilk: Good

Neutral ingredients

Water: Neutral
Leavening Agents (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate): Neutral
Vital Wheat Gluten: Neutral
Natural and Artificial Flavor: Neutral

Ingredients to watch

Enriched Flour Bleached: Watch out
Vegetable Oil: Watch out
Sugar: Watch out
Salt: Watch out
Watch out

Enriched Flour Bleached

Wheat flour enriched with vitamins and minerals, acting as the structural base of the dough. Bleaching agents are often used to improve texture and shelf life but offer limited nutritional value compared to whole grains.

Neutral

Water

Used to hydrate the flour and activate leavening agents. It is a neutral, essential component in dough formation.

Watch out

Vegetable Oil

Typically soybean or palm oil, added for moisture and tenderness. High intake of refined oils can contribute to inflammatory dietary patterns.

Watch out

Sugar

Adds sweetness and aids in browning during baking. Excessive consumption is linked to metabolic health issues.

Neutral

Leavening Agents (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate)

Chemical compounds that create carbon dioxide bubbles to make the biscuits rise. These are standard in processed doughs for consistency.

Good

Buttermilk

Provides a slight tang and moisture to the dough. Contains small amounts of dairy nutrients.

Nutrition facts

Values shown per 100g

Energy

315 kcal

Protein

6g

Carbs

40g

Fat

15g

Fiber

1g

Sugar

4.5g

low

Sodium

950mg

high

Saturated fat

3.5g

medium

Fiber

1g

low

How it scores against your goal

Mood Effect

A
B
C
D
E

High-glycemic processed foods often lead to blood sugar crashes that can negatively influence mood stability.

Muscle Gain

A
B
C
D
E

With only 6g of protein per 100g, this product lacks the high-quality protein necessary for effective muscle synthesis.

Weight Loss

A
B
C
D
E

The high calorie and sodium density make Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits a poor choice for weight management.

Flu Recovery

A
B
C
D
E

Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits lack the essential vitamins and antioxidants required to support the immune system during viral illness.

Fever Recovery

A
B
C
D
E

While the biscuits provide simple carbohydrates for energy, the high sodium content is not ideal for proper hydration during recovery.

Pcos Management

A
B
C
D
E

The combination of refined carbohydrates and inflammatory oils can aggravate insulin resistance and systemic inflammation associated with PCOS.

Diabetes Management

A
B
C
D
E

Refined flour and added sugar can cause rapid blood glucose spikes, making these biscuits unsuitable for steady blood sugar control.

Myth busters

Not supported

Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits are a good source of protein.

With only 6g of protein per 100g, they do not qualify as a meaningful protein source.

Supported

The product contains natural ingredients.

The ingredient list includes water, buttermilk, and wheat, though these are heavily processed.

Not supported

Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits are low in fat.

At 15g of fat per 100g, this product is relatively high in fat due to added vegetable oils.

Frequently asked questions

Are Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits healthy?

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Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits are considered unhealthy because they contain highly processed ingredients, including bleached flour and refined vegetable oils, while providing low nutritional density.

What is the main health concern with Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits?

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Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits contain very high levels of sodium, reaching 950mg per 100g, which can negatively impact cardiovascular health when consumed frequently.

What key ingredient should I watch out for in Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits?

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Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits rely on refined vegetable oils, such as soybean or palm oil, which are associated with inflammatory effects when consumed in excess.

Are Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits keto-friendly?

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Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits are not keto-friendly as they contain 40g of carbohydrates per 100g, derived primarily from refined wheat flour and added sugars.

Is there a better alternative to Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits?

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Pillsbury Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits can be substituted with homemade biscuits using whole grain flour, minimal salt, and olive oil to improve nutritional value.