Do you ever wake up in the morning craving pancakes? (Why am I even asking, of course, you do!) I always keep a box of pancake mix around just in case I’m in the mood. But sometimes, a store-bought mix just doesn’t have the flavor (or fluffiness) of a homemade batch.
Luckily, there are a few easy tweaks you can make to the boxed mix to make it even tastier. We’re teaching you how to make boxed pancake mix better – and to help you make a delicious, fluffy stack of pancakes with 7 simple tips.
I’m Zach, a chef and personal trainer, and I have a confession to make. Although I love to cook things from scratch, I still use instant pancake mix. However, even though I’m using the mix, I still like to spruce it up with some of my own touches – like eggs and ingredients to make them fluffy and sweeter. So here are my 7 tips to make your boxed pancake mix even better!
5. FOLD YOUR PANCAKE MIX TO MAKE IT FLUFFIER. YOU WANT LUMPS.
6. MAKE THEM SWEETER TASTING AND LOOKING
7. SPICE IT UP
1. Use Milk/ Alternative Milk Instead Of Water
Even though the mix may call for water, you can easily substitute that for an alternative milk (I like oat milk). You may have to add a dash more due to the difference in consistency, but it’ll taste so much better!
*Add milk amount based on instructions
2. Add An Egg To The Pancake Mix
Whip up an egg with your milk and melted butter for fluffier and better-textured pancakes
*Add one egg per cup of dry pancake mix
3. Add Some Melted Butter
What’s better than melted butter on your pancakes? Melted butter IN your pancakes! Just trust me on this one and try it out.
*Add 2 tablespoons of melted butter per cup of dry pancake mix.
4. Add A Dash Of Club Soda
Homemade pancakes are so fluffy because when you make them from scratch, it gives them a chance to form more air bubbles. An easy hack to get a similar effect is to add club soda. The carbonation will help them rise and give you those pillowy pancakes that you want.
For even fluffier pancakes, fold your dry and wet ingredients together. You don’t want smooth pancake mix; you want it a little lumpy for extra fluff. If you want to go the extra mile, you can sift your dry ingredients before adding in the wet ingredients.
6. SWEETER TASTING AND LOOKING
If you want extra-sweet pancakes, you can add in a little sugar or sugar substitute. If you’re not sure if you need more sugar, you can always taste the batter for sweetness before you cook it. (Don’t forget about the raw egg that you might have added and the health risks associated). If you want a little extra sweetness and for your batch to look pretty, add a little powdered sugar. And don’t forget about other possible sweet toppings (syrup, fruit) before you go adding in more sugar.
*Add 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup of dry pancake mix
7. Spice It Up
Some mixes already have flavors added to them, but a little more spice never hurt anyone. I like to add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or vanilla extract to give it more depth in flavor. You can even add a dash of cocoa powder for some chocolate pancakes!
*Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, or 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg or cocoa powder per cup of dry pancake mix
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you Make Boxed Pancake Mix Taste Better?
The simplest upgrades make the biggest difference. Swap out water for milk (or buttermilk for extra tang and tenderness), and add a tablespoon of melted butter to the batter for richness. A teaspoon of vanilla extract rounds everything out and makes the pancakes smell incredible. A pinch of salt, if the mix doesn’t already include enough, balances the sweetness. Finally, don’t overmix — a few lumps are fine and actually lead to fluffier pancakes.
What else can I add to Pancake Mix?
Once you’ve nailed the basics, you can get creative. Fresh or frozen blueberries, sliced bananas, and chocolate chips are classics. A tablespoon of peanut butter or a spoonful of Greek yogurt stirred into the batter adds protein and makes the texture richer. For warm spice, try cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice. Lemon zest with poppy seeds gives you something closer to a lemon muffin in pancake form. You can also fold in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch, or swap some of the liquid for brewed coffee for a mocha twist.
Are Boxed Pancakes as good as Homemade?
They can get close, especially with a few tweaks. Homemade batter has an edge because you control every ingredient — the flour, the leavening, the fat — so the texture tends to be lighter and the flavor more nuanced. Boxed mixes prioritize convenience and consistency, and some contain preservatives or artificial flavors that a from-scratch recipe wouldn’t. That said, a good boxed mix dressed up with real butter, milk, and vanilla can rival a basic homemade recipe for most people. The gap narrows a lot once you start adding fresh ingredients.
How many Calories do Boxed Pancakes have?
It varies by brand, but a typical serving of boxed pancake mix (about three medium pancakes made with water) runs roughly 200–250 calories. Adding milk and butter to the batter bumps that up by 50–80 calories per serving. Toppings add up fast — a tablespoon of maple syrup is around 50 calories, and a pat of butter adds another 35 or so. For reference, a comparable homemade pancake stack is usually in a similar range, around 250–350 calories, depending on ingredients. Check the nutrition label on your specific brand, since mixes with added protein or whole grains can differ significantly.
We add melted butter, vanilla extract or chocolate syrup with heavy whipping cream, warm water and lactose free milk. It comes out so fluffy and good to where syrup is not needed. We will sauté some apples or bananas or make a fruit compote with strawberries, and blueberries. We make whipped cream and Carmel syrup from scratch then sprinkle some oven chopped honey roasted walnuts or pecans on top.
Oh my, that dash of club soda worked a treat! Sooo fluffy. I always use an extra egg too, which also helps. Out favorite is along with the cinnamon, when I put the mixture in the pan I sprinkle a few frozen blueberries on (they thaw immediately in the heat). You can’t beat those pancakes for brekkie. ?
What a great idea, will have to try this next time I have pancakes, although not sure what to use as club soda I don’t think we have that in Australia but I’ll look for something else. Thanks for the ideas sure it will be delicious.
I do not use anything on my griddle. Use the water test. Heat the griddle/pan on medium heat. After a couple of minutes sprinkle some water droplets from your fingers on the griddle. When the droplets quickly scatter around its ready. Turn the heat down a bit and begin. To pour the batter I use a gravy ladle.
Hi Bobby,
Great suggestions. I’ll give the soda water a try. I like to mix in some almond flour for some added protein. Alternates like a little greek yogurt ( a tablespoon or so), a mashed banana or some chopped apples with the skin on and cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg are good for a change. Frozen berries always make the batter harder to cook right. Any suggestions for that problem?
I made these with melted butter, milk, an egg, homemade vanilla extract, cinnamon sugar and nutmeg. They were so good! I was not ready for the slight spreading of the batter once on the griddle, but the light puffiness was glorious! Thanks so much, I’m a new fan at age 71
How much of each did you use? And how much pancake mix? I was thinking of doing melted butter, almond milk, (I’m lactose intolerant) egg, and cinnamon.
Thanks for the tips! would adding a touch of baking soda do the same as adding club soda generally speaking? In my rabbit hole of how to jazz up a pancake mix my mom bought while she was staying with my girls when we had to be gone I read about zucchini pancakes. While that post referred to them as savory it made me think of zucchini bread and thought adding both zucchini and banana would keep with the sweet my family normally craves when pancakes are requested with some “hidden” veggie “sprinkles” thrown in lol.
I have an idea! Use a combination of the extra ingredients and deep fry the zucchini and other veggies and possibly hot dogs 👀 seeing store bought hot dogs generally stink and fall apart just in microwave.
We add melted butter, vanilla extract or chocolate syrup with heavy whipping cream, warm water and lactose free milk. It comes out so fluffy and good to where syrup is not needed. We will sauté some apples or bananas or make a fruit compote with strawberries, and blueberries. We make whipped cream and Carmel syrup from scratch then sprinkle some oven chopped honey roasted walnuts or pecans on top.
Sounds delicious! I’ll have to try that. -B
Oh my, that dash of club soda worked a treat! Sooo fluffy. I always use an extra egg too, which also helps. Out favorite is along with the cinnamon, when I put the mixture in the pan I sprinkle a few frozen blueberries on (they thaw immediately in the heat). You can’t beat those pancakes for brekkie. ?
Thats a great idea! Will definitely be adding that to my next batch. -B
What if you try all the methods at once? Hot mess?
Ha, it could be interesting! -B
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Check out this link for some of our favorites. Thanks for reading! -B
What a great idea, will have to try this next time I have pancakes, although not sure what to use as club soda I don’t think we have that in Australia but I’ll look for something else. Thanks for the ideas sure it will be delicious.
Enjoy! Thanks for reading. -B
Any carbonated beverage will work. Totally replace the entire volume of water. Big Red pancakes are awesome!!
Cindy A.
What do you cook them on.. oil? Butter? Technique to pouring? Just can’t get them right
I do not use anything on my griddle. Use the water test. Heat the griddle/pan on medium heat. After a couple of minutes sprinkle some water droplets from your fingers on the griddle. When the droplets quickly scatter around its ready. Turn the heat down a bit and begin. To pour the batter I use a gravy ladle.
I used milk, added butter / vanilla to batter.
DELICIOUS! Thank you.
That sounds delicious! Will have to try that version for brunch sometime. xx -B
You forgot one of the most important things about pancakes… let the batter rest a few minutes before cooking. (10 to 20 minutes)
Thanks for reading and sharing your tip! 🙂 -xx B
Hi Bobby,
Great suggestions. I’ll give the soda water a try. I like to mix in some almond flour for some added protein. Alternates like a little greek yogurt ( a tablespoon or so), a mashed banana or some chopped apples with the skin on and cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg are good for a change. Frozen berries always make the batter harder to cook right. Any suggestions for that problem?
I made these with melted butter, milk, an egg, homemade vanilla extract, cinnamon sugar and nutmeg. They were so good! I was not ready for the slight spreading of the batter once on the griddle, but the light puffiness was glorious! Thanks so much, I’m a new fan at age 71
How much of each did you use? And how much pancake mix? I was thinking of doing melted butter, almond milk, (I’m lactose intolerant) egg, and cinnamon.
Thanks for the tips! would adding a touch of baking soda do the same as adding club soda generally speaking? In my rabbit hole of how to jazz up a pancake mix my mom bought while she was staying with my girls when we had to be gone I read about zucchini pancakes. While that post referred to them as savory it made me think of zucchini bread and thought adding both zucchini and banana would keep with the sweet my family normally craves when pancakes are requested with some “hidden” veggie “sprinkles” thrown in lol.
I have an idea! Use a combination of the extra ingredients and deep fry the zucchini and other veggies and possibly hot dogs 👀 seeing store bought hot dogs generally stink and fall apart just in microwave.