Is there any better weekend morning than one that starts with a pancake feast? Not in my book. Light, fluffy flapjacks make for an easy and indulgent breakfast, and their versatility makes them a great option to feed a crowd, ready to be topped with anything from classic butter and syrup to a mixed berry compote or even bacon.
While whipping up pancakes from scratch offers undeniable satisfaction, a time crunch often necessitates a more convenient solution. That’s where the humble boxed pancake mix steps in, a pantry staple for busy bees and pancake enthusiasts alike. Yet, with a plethora of options available—some buttermilk-based, some gluten-free, some protein-packed—the sheer variety can be overwhelming, leading many to simply grab the most familiar box on the shelf.
But not all mixes are created equal. Some yield thick and dense pancakes, others fluff up to something light and airy; some are moist, while others are dry and crisp. To cut through the clutter and identify which mixtures crank out the most quintessential flapjacks, our panel undertook the monumental task of testing 13 brands (and a few more for a comprehensive overview), evaluating each on its own merits, ensuring a scientific, data-backed approach. We followed package directions precisely, using water when given the option, and cooked each in neutral vegetable oil, topping them with a drizzle of maple syrup to assess their core qualities. Our mission was clear: to find mixes that offered a soft and fluffy interior, paired with a neutral-to-tangy flavor, proving that a great breakfast is always within reach.
1. **Simple Mills Protein Almond Flour Pancakes**The protein almond flour pancake mix from Simple Mills stands out immediately as an outlier on our list, catering specifically to those seeking gluten-free and protein-packed alternatives. What makes this mix a stellar buy is its commitment to a unique ingredient profile, delivering a noticeable almond flour flavor that doesn’t shy away, even with the addition of syrup. While it might not be a universal crowd-pleaser for picky eaters or younger palates, it hits all the right notes for its target audience.
Beyond its distinctive flavor, the texture of these pancakes is remarkably impressive. They achieve a light and fluffy consistency, offering a pleasing crumb structure, though perhaps not as airy as some of their wheat-based counterparts. This mix successfully mimics a typical pancake experience, all while providing a substantial hit of protein—a significant selling point for anyone looking to boost their morning nutrient intake. If you appreciate the inherent flavors of almond flour and prioritize a good gluten-free, protein-rich start to your day, Simple Mills offers a truly commendable option.
Simple Mills’ approach ensures that dietary needs don’t mean a compromise on quality or satisfaction. Each bite delivers a blend of health and flavor, making it a perfect choice for a balanced breakfast. This mix proves that enjoying delicious pancakes is possible for everyone, regardless of specific dietary requirements, making it a favorite among those with restrictions who still desire a delightful morning treat.
2. **Dolly Parton’s Buttermilk Pancakes**Ah, Dolly. The country queen, whose personality is as big as her iconic ‘do, brings a touch of Southern hospitality to our breakfast tables with her buttermilk pancake mix. It makes perfect sense that Parton would venture into the baking mix game, and her pancakes certainly embody the hearty, home-cooked breakfast tradition synonymous with Southern charm. Their overall flavor profile made them an easy addition to our esteemed list.
While some might find these pancakes slightly denser than their homemade counterparts, it’s crucial to clarify that “dense” does not equate to “tough.” On the contrary, these flapjacks are delightfully spongy, possessing a more substantial feel than many other mixes we tested. This density is, in fact, a pro for many on our panel, allowing for a satisfying fullness with fewer pancakes – a welcome benefit for a hearty breakfast.
Flavor-wise, Dolly Parton’s pancakes present a slight tang, yet remain neutral enough to serve as a perfect canvas for any topping you desire. This blend only requires water, adding to its incredible convenience while still delivering on taste. Each bite feels like a warm hug, embodying Parton’s love for good food and hospitality, making this mix a delightful addition to any morning ritual for fans of her music and cooking alike.
3. **Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake Mix**Pearl Milling Company, formerly Aunt Jemima, has a long-standing history in the baking mix industry, making its buttermilk pancake mix a generally satisfying option for feeding a crowd. While these pancakes might not be “anything to write home about” in an extraordinary sense, they consistently deliver a solid performance, making a box a worthy pantry staple for reliable morning meals.
Upon cooking, these pancakes develop a nice spongy texture, notably airier than Dolly Parton’s mix, providing a pleasant mouthfeel. The flavor profile is subtle, featuring a slight tang characteristic of buttermilk, but none of the flavors are overwhelmingly bold. This nuanced approach works to their benefit, ensuring they won’t deter individuals who prefer a less pronounced sourness than is sometimes found in homemade buttermilk pancakes.
Moreover, the Pearl Milling Company pancakes demonstrate excellent absorption, effortlessly soaking up syrup to maintain a moist interior without becoming soggy. This mix consistently whips up a dependable batch of pancakes, proving itself as a decent budget-buy that provides comfort and reliability. It’s a nostalgic choice that brings back memories of classic breakfasts, perfect for creating cherished moments with loved ones without any fuss.
4. **Krusteaz Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix**Krusteaz, a name born from “crust” and “ease” by founder Rose Charters, promises effortless baking, and its Light & Fluffy Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix certainly lives up to that promise. Despite being slightly overcooked in one of our tests, these pancakes still easily secured a mention on our list, primarily for their commitment to simplicity and performance. Like many other top contenders, this mix admirably requires only water, a feature we deeply appreciate for its convenience and accessibility.
True to its moniker, Krusteaz’s pancakes are genuinely light and fluffy, a significant feat that many mixes struggle to achieve. In fact, if we had to select a mix that came closest to replicating popular chain diner pancakes, this would be it. The flavor profile is reminiscent of what one would expect from a quality diner—not quite matching homemade perfection, but certainly good enough to justify ordering off a menu. The sweetness is well-pronounced, a quality few other brands managed to achieve, complemented by a discernible butter aroma and flavor.
Furthermore, these pancakes boast an enviable crumb structure, replete with noticeable air pockets, yet they remain moist without ever turning soggy. The outside develops a golden crust, perfect for holding syrup or fruit toppings, and the interior is spongy with air pockets. This makes Krusteaz a solid choice, and an impressive accomplishment considering it’s a simple just-add-water mix and one of the most budget-friendly options we tasted. It’s a dream for those who crave both ease and taste, consistently producing pancakes that are fluffy yet substantial.
5. **Kroger Buttermilk Pancakes**Kroger has a knack for surprising our panel with above-adequate store-brand products, and their Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix is no exception. This particular mix stood out as a personal favorite during one of our recent taste tests, reinforcing the valuable lesson that store brands should never be automatically dismissed in favor of their more specialized, name-brand counterparts. Kroger continues to impress, making its own brand an increasingly easy choice when shopping.
While this mix didn’t fully deliver on the intense buttermilk sourness some might hope for, it was undeniably full of flavor. The pancakes exhibited the same desirable light, fluffy texture that characterized many of the top contenders on our list. Crucially, they absorbed syrup almost instantly, as evidenced by the quick disappearance of drizzle in initial photographs—a testament to their excellent crumb structure and moisture retention.
If versatility is a priority, or if you’re catering to a diverse group with varying pancake preferences—some preferring them plain, others loaded with toppings—Kroger’s mix proves to be an excellent buy. It provides a reliable, flavorful base that can be customized to anyone’s liking, confirming Kroger’s ability to offer quality and value in a convenient package for any breakfast occasion.
6. **Birch Benders Organic Classic Pancake & Waffle Mix**Birch Benders, a relatively newer player on the pancake scene since its founding in 2011, has rapidly established itself as a purveyor of high-quality organic pancakes. This brand has secured its place in major grocery stores alongside the titans of American breakfast, a testament to its commitment to delivering both flavor and texture through organic ingredients. The convenience of their mixes, requiring only water, makes them incredibly appealing for quick and tasty breakfast options.
Our panel found the organic buttermilk pancake mix from Birch Benders to be truly exceptional, blowing away many competitors. In fact, if forced to recommend only one mix from our entire testing lineup, Birch Benders would easily be the top choice. The undeniable buttermilk flavor, though gentle and not overly sour, was rich and full-bodied, appealing to a wide range of palates. The pancakes achieved a wonderfully crispy exterior that yielded to a light and airy interior, complete with an impressive crumb structure.
While not the fluffiest or thickest pancakes tested, this characteristic worked to their advantage, creating a perfect crispy-to-fluffy ratio that prevented them from feeling too heavy. The only discernible drawback is its price point, being one of the less budget-friendly options. However, our panel unanimously agreed that the superior taste and quality well justify the cost. For those who prioritize organic ingredients and an outstanding pancake experience, Birch Benders earns an A-plus in our book.
7. **Kodiak Buttermilk Power Cakes**Kodiak Power Cakes offer a robust alternative for those who seek to infuse their breakfast with a significant protein boost, without compromising on the essential qualities of taste and texture. This mix easily holds its own against traditional pancake versions with lower protein content, performing exceptionally well in blind taste tests where it would undoubtedly score highly. Its consistent flavor and texture make it a no-brainer for health-conscious individuals.
What sets Kodiak apart is its strategic use of whole grains, which imparts a subtle yet distinct nutty flavor to each pancake, forming a hearty foundation that is both filling and delicious. While one can discern the presence of whole grains in its flavor profile, this characteristic enhances rather than detracts from the overall eating experience. The pancakes achieve a lovely thin crisp on the outside, contrasting beautifully with an inside that is soft and fluffy, though perhaps not as airy as some may be accustomed to.
For anyone looking for a reliable dupe of a typical pancake that skillfully capitalizes on the benefits of whole grains and a higher protein content, Kodiak is an undeniable recommendation. It’s the go-to mix for those who view breakfast as essential fuel for their day, ensuring that their meals are as strong and nutritious as they are tasty, making it a powerful start to any active morning.
Moving into the second phase of our quest for the ultimate boxed pancake mix, we delve into seven more exceptional brands that consistently deliver on the promise of a perfect morning meal. Our rigorous testing continues, evaluating each mix on its distinct texture, nuanced flavor, and overall convenience, ensuring that every recommendation offers a reliable and delicious start to your day. From long-standing heritage brands to innovative newcomers, these selections represent the pinnacle of pancake perfection, catering to a wide spectrum of palates and breakfast desires.
These next contenders not only impressed our panel with their individual merits but also underscored the sheer diversity and quality available in today’s pancake aisle. Whether you prioritize a towering stack, a subtle tang, a robust whole-grain experience, or a gluten-free marvel, this carefully curated list aims to guide you to your next pantry staple, guaranteeing that your mornings are always filled with delightful, stress-free flapjacks. Each mix tells a unique story of culinary craftsmanship, ensuring that you can master the morning with ease and flavor.
8. **Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix**When it comes to delivering on visual promise, Hungry Jack’s complete buttermilk pancake mix stands tall—quite literally. Our panel observed that these pancakes were remarkably thick, boasting an impressive height during cooking that made them some of the tallest of the bunch. This commitment to replicating the vibrant image on the box is truly admirable, setting an immediate expectation of hearty, substantial flapjacks even before the first bite.
Beyond their impressive stature, these pancakes evoke a delightful sense of nostalgia. For many on our panel, one bite was enough to transport them back to cherished elementary school Saturdays, filled with morning cartoons and a comforting stack of pancakes. This nostalgic appeal is a significant asset, transforming a simple breakfast into a warm, memorable experience that resonates deeply with the spirit of home cooking.
The interior texture of these towering flapjacks is exceptionally soft and airy, offering a pleasant contrast to their robust exterior. They also demonstrated a commendable ability to absorb syrup effectively, soaking up the sweet drizzle without ever becoming soggy. While even this impressive mix doesn’t quite surpass the unparalleled satisfaction of bona-fide homemade pancakes, it undeniably serves as an excellent, readily available substitute for a consistently satisfying breakfast.
9. **Arrowhead Mills Organic Buttermilk Pancake Mix**Our culinary journey led us to another standout favorite: Arrowhead Mills’ organic buttermilk pancake mix. This particular blend earns high marks not only for its commitment to organic ingredients but also for its remarkable convenience, requiring only water for preparation. The brand admirably lives up to its packaging claims, consistently delivering on the promise of a delightful pancake experience that belies its simplicity.
While these pancakes may not be the thickest you’ll encounter, a characteristic that our panel found unlikely to deter most enthusiasts, their true magic lies in their texture. They boast a fluffy interior that is among the airiest of all the mixes we tested, creating a wonderfully light mouthfeel. This airiness, coupled with a perfectly crisp outside, elevates the entire eating experience, making each bite exceptionally pleasurable.
What truly sets Arrowhead Mills apart, however, is the depth of its flavor. Beyond the subtle, signature buttermilk tang, there’s a richness and complexity that few other mixes achieve, making for a truly satisfying taste profile. This mix is so well-balanced that our panel felt it requires no additional homemade enhancements, standing strong on its own merits. It’s a testament to the brand’s quality, offering a premium organic pancake that is both impressive and easily accessible.
10. **Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Buttermilk Pancake Mix**Initially, Bob’s Red Mill whole grain buttermilk pancake mix presented a visual challenge that almost led our panel to dismiss it. The batter spread considerably in the pan, resulting in the thinnest pancakes of the entire batch, and they seemed to take an unusually long time to cook on each side. Despite these initial concerns, a taste test quickly revealed that our fears were entirely unfounded, transforming what appeared to be a drawback into a distinctive advantage.
This mix, prepared with the traditional additions of egg, oil, and water, defied expectations. The very thinness that was initially perceived as a flaw proved to be a unique and appealing characteristic. Not every pancake lover desires an ultra-fluffy pancake, and these thin creations still managed to deliver a soft interior, beautifully complemented by a noticeably crisp exterior. This distinct texture profile sets them apart, catering to a different preference within the pancake landscape.
Furthermore, Bob’s Red Mill pancakes demonstrated a unique syrup absorption behavior. Unlike many other mixes that quickly soak up syrup, these absorbed it less readily, allowing the taste of the syrup to shine through more distinctly. This characteristic was appreciated by our panel, offering a different kind of enjoyment where the topping’s flavor is more prominent. As long-time admirers of Bob’s Red Mill products in general, our experts found this pancake mix to be another praiseworthy option, proving that innovation in texture can lead to a uniquely satisfying breakfast.
11. **King Arthur Gluten Free Pancake Mix**For those navigating the complexities of gluten-free baking, King Arthur’s gluten-free pancake mix emerges as an exceptional solution, offering a worthy substitute for homemade efforts. As a brand widely respected for its high-quality flours, it was no surprise that their gluten-free pancake mix would perform admirably. This mix is a pantry essential for anyone looking to reduce gluten intake without sacrificing flavor or the joy of a perfect pancake.
A remarkable feat of this mix is its ability to almost entirely mask its gluten-free nature. In a blind taste test, our panel would have struggled to identify it as such, a testament to its masterful formulation. The only subtle hint was a slightly denser texture compared to some traditional mixes, yet this is an impressive achievement given that texture is often the most challenging aspect to perfect in gluten-free baking.
Beyond its texture, the flavors are precisely on point, delivering a rich and satisfying taste. Although the mix isn’t explicitly marketed as a buttermilk blend, it surprisingly possesses a tangible buttermilk-esque flavor, adding a delightful tang that enhances the overall experience. For our gluten-free readers, King Arthur’s mix is an unequivocal recommendation, promising to effortlessly satisfy those morning pancake cravings with quality and taste that rival conventional options.
12. **Bisquick Original Pancake & Baking Mix**The ubiquitous Bisquick Original Pancake & Baking Mix is a tried-and-true classic, a name synonymous with convenience in the American kitchen for decades. Far from just a pancake mix, its versatility as a generic dry baking mix makes it an invaluable pantry staple, capable of transforming into biscuits, muffins, waffles, or even pie crusts. Its reliability and widespread recognition ensure it holds its ground among more specialized contenders.
These pancakes rival the height and thickness of even the most substantial mixes, including Hungry Jack’s, emerging from the griddle with an impressive stature. They possess a fluffy interior and an overall texture that could easily earn them a “light and fluffy” moniker, despite not being explicitly branded as such. This inherent quality ensures a consistently satisfying mouthfeel that many consumers seek in their morning flapjacks.
What truly elevates Bisquick is its distinctive flavor profile. Despite being an “original” mix rather than a specific “buttermilk” variety, these pancakes deliver a noticeable tang that provides a welcome complexity beyond a neutral base. This pronounced flavor, which is not as subtle as some other options on our list, is a significant asset, ensuring that each bite is packed with character and a comforting, familiar taste that has stood the test of time.
13. **Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Pancake & Baking Mix**Trader Joe’s, renowned for its eclectic and innovative product lineup, offers its Buttermilk Pancake & Baking Mix as a convenient option for busy mornings. This mix, often found as a permanent fixture amidst seasonal and specialty varieties, promises a quick solution when time is of the essence. While it may not be a universal crowd-pleaser, it caters to specific preferences and can be adapted for a more enjoyable experience.
In our evaluations, these pancakes exhibited a thinner profile with a distinct yellow tinge, and some panel members noted an appearance that was “a little off,” even reminiscent of naan bread after repeated attempts. The flavor leaned towards an “eggy” profile, contributing to a drier and somewhat tougher texture. This characteristic suggests that the mix benefits significantly from customization beyond its basic preparation, particularly for those accustomed to moister pancakes.
While the convenience of a quick mix is undeniable, Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Pancake & Baking Mix proved to be on the drier side. However, this is not necessarily a deal-breaker. We found that going lighter on the egg and incorporating additions like chocolate chips or pecans can significantly enhance their palatability and overall enjoyment, transforming them into a more inviting breakfast. For those who appreciate its unique eggy flavor and are willing to experiment with enhancements, it offers a distinct, albeit sometimes challenging, pancake experience.
14. **Bowl & Basket Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix**For those who dream of bringing the beloved IHOP-style pancake experience directly into their home kitchen, Bowl & Basket Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix offers a compelling solution. This mix excels at delivering a sense of indulgence, crafting pancakes known for their wonderfully sweet and buttery flavor, coupled with a supremely soft and pillowy texture that makes every bite a luxurious treat.
The pancakes produced by Bowl & Basket are remarkably reminiscent of the classic diner flapjacks that many cherish, making them an instant hit at any breakfast table. They achieve that perfect balance of being hearty yet tender, a quality often sought after but rarely found in pre-packaged mixes. This consistency in delivering a beloved profile ensures that you can always count on a satisfying and familiar breakfast.
With Bowl & Basket, you’re not merely whipping up a stack of pancakes; you’re orchestrating a breakfast experience designed for savoring. This mix provides a dependable foundation for creating moments of morning bliss that can rival your favorite pancake house, transforming an ordinary meal into a delightful occasion. It truly is an excellent choice for anyone seeking to elevate their home breakfast with ease and exceptional flavor.
As our comprehensive taste test concludes, it’s clear that the world of boxed pancake mixes is as diverse and exciting as the toppings we lavish upon our stacks. From gluten-free powerhouses to nostalgic classics, and innovative gourmet blends, each mix brings its own unique character to the breakfast table. Our panel’s meticulous journey through these brands was driven by a singular goal: to empower you, the home cook, to make informed choices that guarantee a delicious and effortless start to your day. So go forth, explore these tried-and-true recommendations, and savor the magic of a perfect pancake, every single time. It’s more than just food; it’s the foundation of a fantastic morning, ready to be created with just a little water, a warm griddle, and the perfect mix.
