8 Tips for How to Make Pancake Mix Better-Tasting Than Homemade (2024)

Boxed pancake mixes are convenient but rarely measure up to the flavor and texture of made-from-scratch pancakes. Though there's no shame in making things easy with a ready-to-go mix, these simple hacks for how to make pancake mix better-tasting are good enough to use even on special occasions. These handy packages are easy to whip together with just a few ingredients.

8 Tips for How to Make Pancake Mix Better-Tasting Than Homemade (1)

Substitute Kefir for Water or Milk

If your boxed mix calls for water or milk, an easy pancake mix hack is to swap out the liquids for kefir, either flavored or plain. "Using kefir instead of milk or water helps fluff up the texture and adds a really nice, sort of tangy flavor to the pancakes," explains Seamus Mullen, chef and author of Real Food Heals. "It also packs in a ton of protein and essential probiotics."

Use Flavored Water Instead

Adding an extract can overpower the flavor of a boxed pancake mix, but a simple swap of flavored water instead of plain water is how to make pancakes better-tasting with just the right subtle taste of fruit. Try apple-flavored water, or make those stacks extra fluffy by using cold sparkling water and letting the cold bubbles work their way into the batter before expanding as they're exposed to the heat of the griddle.

Add an Egg…or a Plant-Based Egg

Even if your boxed mix doesn't call for an egg, go ahead and add one. Eggs provide a creamy richness that will make the batch taste homemade, allowing the pancakes to rise by keeping the bubbles structurally intact throughout the cooking process. Beat your egg before folding it into the batter for super fluffy stacks, or go plant-based with a flax egg. "Instead of adding an egg, make your own plant-based flax egg by combining one tablespoon of ground flax with three tablespoons of water," suggests Matthew Kenney, chef and founder of PlantMade by Matthew Kenney. "Stir, and let it sit for about 15 minutes."

Sprinkle More Baking Powder

Your boxed mix likely already contains baking powder, but this chemical leavener is best when fresh. "Add a half teaspoon as a backup measure in case the leavener in the mix is flat," recommends Naomi Robinson, owner of Bakers Royale. "If it's not flat, the half teaspoon will add a little extra fluff."

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Add Some Butter

You can't get buttery soft pancakes without butter. Melted butter rounds out the texture of pancakes by adding just the right amount of fat to keep the stacks rich and moist. No need to go crazy with it, though; a little goes a long way. Just add a tablespoon of melted butter per cup of pancake mix for super tasty pancakes.

Have Fun with Add-Ins

Fresh fruit and crunchy nuts can liven up just about anything, but they're pancake mix hacks that add the perfect amount of texture for a satisfying breakfast. "Add fresh fruits directly into the batter; blueberries are a classic, bananas can lend flavor and texture, and strawberries work beautifully, too," says Kenney. "Top your pancakes with chopped pecans, walnuts, or pistachios for added protein and healthy fats."

Cranberry-Ricotta Pancakes with Salted Maple Butter

Skip the Griddle

Dirty fewer dishes by making a pancake mug cake instead. Just combine ⅓ cup of boxed pancake mix with three tablespoons of water (or milk) and one tablespoon of melted butter into a large microwave-safe mug and microwave on high for 60 seconds or until cooked through. Top with maple syrup, and enjoy!

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Let It Rest

"Boxed or not, always let the batter sit for 15 minutes before cooking," advises Robinson. "This lets the pancakes leaven to make them nice and fluffy."

Go ahead and whip up a drool-worthy stack of pancakes from the box you have on hand using our pancake mix hacks. Try our Oven-Baked Pancakes for a casserole-style flapjack dish, or make a big batch and freeze them for quick weekday breakfasts instead of toaster waffles. Try substituting pancake mix for flour in any pancake dish, like these Pumpkin Pancakes—just leave out any baking powder or baking soda included in the recipe.

8 Tips for How to Make Pancake Mix Better-Tasting Than Homemade (2024)

FAQs

How to make pancake MiX taste good? ›

8 Tips for How to Make Pancake Mix Better-Tasting Than Homemade
  1. Substitute Kefir for Water or Milk. ...
  2. Use Flavored Water Instead. ...
  3. Add an Egg…or a Plant-Based Egg. ...
  4. Sprinkle More Baking Powder. ...
  5. Have Fun with Add-Ins.
Jun 13, 2024

Why do restaurant pancakes taste better than homemade? ›

Restaurants use better quality ingredients

Restaurants tend to use real, farm-fresh eggs and real milk when making their pancakes, which as you might guess, adds to a richer, higher-quality eating experience.

How do you upgrade pancake MiX? ›

Add Flavorings

Ground cinnamon and vanilla extract are good options, but you can also add cozy flavors with pumpkin pie spice, almond extract, or chai powder, or spices such as allspice or cardamom. For a little zing, try adding a citrus extract or finely grated lemon zest.

How does Gordon Ramsay make pancake mix? ›

Gordon Ramsay's recipe

You will need 2 eggs, separated, 2 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp salt, 2 tsp baking powder, 60g vegetable oil, 300g buttermilk, 160g plain flour, and 1 tsp vanilla essence. Whisk the egg whites “*ntil foamy”. MiX all the other ingredients in a second bowl, then fold in the egg whites.

What makes diner pancakes taste so good? ›

Most diner kitchens cook their pancakes using a batter that's either malted or fermented, maybe with a sourdough base. That's why, on their own, these special hotcakes feature a bit of malty, tangy sweetness that plays so well with all that syrup we plan on using.

Do pancakes taste better with water or milk? ›

Pancake lovers' biggest complaint when adding water instead of milk is that the flavor seems to change. Pancakes aren't as richly flavored with water. There are a few ways to improve your batter when you've used water, including: Add extra butter.

What does adding an extra egg to pancakes do? ›

Eggs are a crucial ingredient. They provide the cakes with the structure to hold light bubbles. Eggs also give the batter additional, richer flavor from the yolk fat. If you add too many eggs, you'll have “pancakes” that look more like custard or crepes.

Can you over stir pancake mix? ›

Just don't make the most common pancake mistake — over-mixing your pancake batter! Perfectly fluffy pancakes take just a few turns of the wrist. Over-mixing is an ambitious baker's enemy. Too much stirring can turn what would otherwise be lofty, tender pancakes into tough, flat disappointments.

Is it better to add milk or water to pancake mix? ›

Pancake lovers' biggest complaint when adding water instead of milk is that the flavor seems to change. Pancakes aren't as richly flavored with water. There are a few ways to improve your batter when you've used water, including: Add extra butter.

Is it better to mix pancakes wet into dry or dry into wet? ›

Another thing to keep in mind is that it's preferable to mix your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients. There are a few reasons for this, the first being that it's a lot easier to add extra liquid to get the correct consistency of a batter than it is to add extra dry.

Is pancake batter better warm or cold? ›

You can use cold eggs and milk, but room temperature ingredients will make fluffier pancakes. It will also help the butter stay melted rather than clumping up into fat globules. Take milk and eggs out of the fridge 20 minutes before making your batter.

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