How to Make Boxed Pancake Mix Better - 6 Fast and Easy Hacks - Bobby Berk (2024)

I have a confession to make. Although I’m a chef and love to cook things from scratch, I still use instant pancake mix. If I’m short on time or want something simple, I grab my box of Pearl Milling Company, Krusteaz, or Hungry Jack! 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!

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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!

2. Add An Egg To The Pancake Mix

Whip up an egg with your milk and melted butter for fluffier and better-textured pancakes

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.

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 about 1 tbsp of club soda per person. The carbonation will help them rise and give you those pillowy pancakes that you want.

5. FOLD YOUR PANCAKE MIX – YOU WANT LUMPS

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 sive 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.

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!