Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Weekend mornings are made for your comfiest PJs, sleeping in and plenty of pancakes or waffles. Though nothing beats a homemade meal, there are plenty of reasons to use a mix — it’s faster, less messy and way easier if you’re cooking for a crowd. But with so many options at the grocery store, how do you know which pancake/waffle mix to choose? That’s where we come in. We’ve sampled lots of mixes (and plenty of pancakes) to find the one that’s truly the best.

Best Overall

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Betty Crocker Bisquick Pancake and Baking Mix

$6.72

Walmart

Great pancakes are defined by both taste and texture. In our opinion, Bisquick nailed both of those elements. The pancakes were light, fluffy and not too sweet — perfect for adding mix-ins. Plus, Bisquick’s pancakes had the most desirable golden-brown color, which resulted in an impressive stack that’s perfect for a weekend brunch.

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Best "Just-Add-Water"

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix

$7.42

Walmart

You only need water to whip up a batch of Krusteaz pancakes, which means your next stack is never far away. This mix yielded the fluffiest (and most filling!) of all the pancakes but was a tad sweeter than the Bisquick mix. You can’t go wrong with either one, but we preferred these pancakes when eaten with nut butter and fruit instead of maple syrup.

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Best Protein Pancake

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Pancake and Waffle Mix, Buttermilk, 20 Oz

$4.77

Walmart

If you want a better-for-you pancake that still tastes pretty close to the real thing, Kodiak Cakes is undoubtedly your best bet. Made with whole grain flour, buttermilk powder, a protein blend and brown sugar, these pancakes satisfy your craving without upsetting your healthy eating goals. The texture is heavier than your everyday pancake mix, but they taste great and will keep you full 'til lunch.

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Best Gluten-Free

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Birch Benders Gluten Free Pancake Mix

$4.99

Target

Gluten-free pancakes are tricky to get right and can easily be too gummy or too sweet. In our opinion, Birch Benders is the best of the bunch. Their pancakes are light without being grainy and pair well with a variety of toppings. There are a few caveats for these pancakes, though — we found that Birch Benders pancakes are best when mixed with milk (or nut milk) instead of water and cooked in silver dollar size.

While it’s pretty easy to make your own pancakes from scratch with a few basic pantry ingredients, it’s also nice to have a trusted pancake mix on hand to save on time and dishes. Most pancake mixes only require the addition of water, so you can have pancake batter ready for a hot griddle in no time. It’s also easier to scale a batch of pancakes for a single person or for a crowd when using a pancake mix.

The Spruce Eats Top Picks

Our top pick for the fluffiest pancakes is King Arthur Flour Diner-Style Pancake and Waffle Mix. For a special-occasion brunch, Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix is worth the splurge.

If you follow a particular diet, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of pancake mixes available that can accommodate a variety of eating styles, including low-carb, grain-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Tuck this list of the best pancake mixes away and consult it the next time a craving for a pancake brunch or breakfast for dinner hits.

Here are the best pancake mixes.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

King Arthur Diner-Style Pancake & Waffle Mix at Kingarthurbaking.com

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Buttermilk:

Stonewall Kitchen Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Family-Size:

Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Keto:

Birch Benders Keto Pancake and Waffle Mix at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best High-Protein:

Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Gluten-Free:

Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Pancake Mix at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Whole Grain:

Bob's Red Mill Buckwheat Pancake and Waffle Mix at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Blueberry:

Birch Benders Blueberry Pancake & Waffle Mix at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Expand

  • Our Picks

  • What to Look for

  • FAQs

  • Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Best Overall

King Arthur Diner-Style Pancake & Waffle Mix

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

King Arthur Flour

View On Kingarthurbaking.com

What We Like

  • Makes flavorful pancakes

  • Includes buttermilk and malt extract

  • No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

What We Don't Like

  • Requires several ingredients to prepare

  • Can be hard to find

King Arthur Flour is known for its line of baking flours and trusted baking recipes, so it’s a little surprising that this pancake mix takes the cake. This mix promises easy, light, and fluffy pancakes reminiscent of the ones you might get at your local diner. 

The mix contains a blend of King Arthur’s tried and true unbleached flour, along with whole wheat flour and malted barley flour. It’s also got a touch of sweetness, contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and is non-GMO verified.

This mix produces consistently fluffy, mildly sweet pancakes that are a blank canvas for fresh fruit, chocolate chips, whipped cream, or whatever other toppings make you happy.

Price at time of publish: $7

Servings Per Container: 22 | Calories Per Serving: 150 | Total Fat Per Serving: .5 grams | Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 30 grams | Protein Per Serving: 4 grams

Best Splurge

Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Courtesy of Stonewall Kitchen

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What We Like

  • Available in several sizes

  • Tastes homemade

  • Malted flour adds complexity

What We Don't LIke

  • Expensive

  • Requires several ingredients to prepare

Stonewall Kitchen considers this mix one of its best sellers. It’s available in 5.3 ounces, 16 ounces, or 33 ounces. This mix is one of the more expensive, and the brand is usually found in high-end and specialty grocers, but it's also available online. Stonewall Kitchen is known for its collection of curated jams, jellies, syrups, and sauces—many of which would complement a piping hot stack of pancakes. 

This mix requires the addition of egg, milk or buttermilk, and melted butter. The additional ingredients add to the overall cost but deliver fresh, homemade flavor. Reviewers claim this mix makes the best pancakes they’ve ever had, with a crisp, golden exterior and fluffy interior with a hint of butter and vanilla.

This mix may result in pancakes that are a bit less sweet-tasting than other mixes since it contains 1 gram of sugar per serving, which is lower than most competitors. The higher cost may make these more of a special weekend treat or holiday brunch than an everyday breakfast staple.

Price at time of publish: $30

Servings Per Container: 18 | Calories Per Serving: 170 | Total Fat Per Serving: .5 grams | Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 37 grams | Protein Per Serving: 4 grams

Best Buttermilk

Stonewall Kitchen Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Stonewall Kitchen

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What We Like

  • Makes flavorful pancakes

  • No artificial ingredients

What We Don't Like

  • Expensive

  • Requires several ingredients to prepare

This mix is more expensive than some competitors, but it’s made with minimal ingredients and offers consistent results. This mix requires the addition of egg, milk or buttermilk, and melted butter.

Is the taste superior to other, more budget-friendly pancake mixes? That comes down to individual preference. Some reviewers think they taste better, while others say they’re comparable.

It’s worth mentioning this mix is sweeter than Stonewall Kitchen’s Farmhouse Pancake Mix. Sugar is the second ingredient, and one serving of pancakes contains 5 grams of sugar versus 1 gram of sugar per serving in the Farmhouse mix.

Price at time of publish: $14

Servings Per Container: 10 | Calories Per Serving: 130 | Total Fat Per Serving: .5 grams | Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 30 grams | Protein Per Serving: 3 grams

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Best Family-Size

Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

 Courtesy of Walmart

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What We Like

  • Affordable

  • Available in several sizes

  • Easy to make

What We Don't Like

  • Contains more added sugar than other brands

Krusteaz offers an extensive line of affordable done-for-you mixes for whipping up everything from pancakes to quick breads, cookies, and muffins. The brand has a pancake mix for every occasion, including a wide variety of flavors like blueberry, chocolate chip, honey wheat, and pumpkin spice.

When it comes to getting traditional buttermilk pancakes prepped for a crowd, you can’t beat this mix available in 5-pound or 7-pound family-sized packages, which will make about 130 and 180 pancakes, respectively. You don’t need any other ingredients on hand since this pancake mix simply needs to be mixed with water.

Price at time of publish: $8

Servings Per Container: 15 | Calories Per Serving: 210 | Total Fat Per Serving: 1.5 grams | Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 45 grams | Protein Per Serving: 4 grams

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Best Keto

Birch Benders Keto Pancake and Waffle Mix

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Courtesy of Thrive Market

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What We Like

  • Made from grain-free flours

  • Easy to make

  • Can be used for waffles

What We Don't Like

  • Expensive

  • Only 8 servings per bag

  • Somewhat gritty texture

Grain-free consumers turn to Birch Benders for their pancake needs. The brand offers both “keto” and “paleo” pancake mixes. The keto mix is made from a blend of grain-free flours, including almond, tiger nut, coconut, and cassava. Tiger nut and cassava, if you’re wondering, are made from root vegetables similar to tubers. This special blend of flours results in 5 grams of net carbohydrates per serving.

Like most specialty diet products, this pancake mix is on the pricey end, and you don’t get a ton for the cost. A 10-ounce package only makes 16 pancakes. If you’re new to grain-free mixes and baking, you should know this mix won’t produce the same light and fluffy texture as traditional wheat flour mixes. Several reviewers have been disappointed with the texture of these pancakes, noting that they have a tendency to stick to the pan, fall apart, and/or have a gritty texture. Others praise them for being the closest thing to “real” pancakes they can enjoy while following a low-carb diet and swear that adding an egg improves the texture and consistency.

Price at time of publish: $21

Servings Per Container: 8 | Calories Per Serving: 160 | Total Fat Per Serving: 11 grams | Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 10 grams | Protein Per Serving: 9 grams

Best High-Protein

Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Target

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Thrive Market

What We Like

  • Contains whole grains and fiber

  • Contains added protein

  • Available in several flavors

What We Don't Like

  • Texture is denser than more traditional mixes

Kodiak Cakes produces an entire line of protein-enriched whole-grain mixes, including cornbread, brownies, and muffins. Some of the brand's mouthwatering flapjack mix flavors include chocolate chip, almond poppy seed, strawberry chocolate chip, and pumpkin flax. Of course, if you like to customize your pancake flavors, you can’t go wrong with classic buttermilk, and yes, Kodiak Cakes makes a flapjack mix for that as well.

The buttermilk mix is made with whole-grain wheat flour and whole grain oat flour. Kodiak Cakes also adds a powdered protein to its products, made from a blend of wheat, whey, and milk protein sources. We love that Kodiak Cakes offers different prep methods for different amounts of protein. You’ll get 14 grams of protein making these with just water, 17 grams if you replace the water with milk, and 20 grams of protein if you use milk plus an egg.

Price at time of publish: $6

Servings Per Container: 39 | Calories Per Serving: 190 | Total Fat Per Serving: 2 grams | Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 30 grams | Protein Per Serving: 14 grams

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Best Gluten-Free

Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Pancake Mix

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Courtesy of Walmart

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What We Like

  • Includes recipes for pancakes and waffles

  • Produced in a gluten-free facility

What We Don't Like

  • Somewhat pricey

For those with a gluten sensitivity or those who choose not to consume gluten for other reasons, this pancake mix is a favorite. It uses a gluten-free flour blend consisting of sweet and brown rice flours, sorghum flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour. Bob’s Red Mill assures its gluten-free products are produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility and undergo laboratory testing to ensure there’s no cross-contamination with gluten-containing products.

This mix does require adding egg, milk, and melted butter, but the results seem to be worth the added effort—customers love the light and fluffy texture and liken it to pancakes made with wheat flour. The mix itself is dairy-free, and if you’d like to create dairy-free pancakes, you can opt to use your favorite butter and milk substitutes.

Price at time of publish: $10

Servings Per Container: 17 | Calories Per Serving: 140 | Total Fat Per Serving: 0 grams | Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 33 grams | Protein Per Serving: 2 grams

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Best Whole Grain

Bob's Red Mill Buckwheat Pancake and Waffle Mix

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Bob's Red Mill

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What We Like

  • Contains fiber and whole grains

  • Produces hearty pancakes that can hold heavier toppings

  • Includes recipes for pancakes and waffles

What We Don't Like

  • Not for those looking for a light and fluffy pancake

There are a lot of whole grain and multigrain pancake mixes to choose from. If you prefer whole grains, we suggest keeping it simple and going with a classic buckwheat pancake mix. This mix is made with organic whole grain buckwheat flour and organic whole wheat flour. Buckwheat creates a thick and hearty flapjack that stands up well to heavier fruit toppings. Reviewers rave about the nutty, whole-grain flavor.

This mix will produce pancakes that have a whopping 7 grams of fiber per serving. There are only 2 grams of sugar per serving. This mix is prepared with oil, egg, and water, and it’s also dairy-free.

Price at time of publish: $10

Servings Per Container: 17 | Calories Per Serving: 140 | Total Fat Per Serving: 1 gram | Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 28 grams | Protein Per Serving: 6 grams

Best Blueberry

Birch Benders Blueberry Pancake & Waffle Mix

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Courtesy of Target

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What We Like

  • Made with real blueberries vs. flavoring

  • Easy to prepare

  • Can also be used to make waffles

What We Don't Like

  • Somewhat pricey

Yes, you can turn any pancake mix on this list into blueberry pancakes by tossing a handful of fresh blueberries into the batter. But fresh blueberries can be expensive, and blueberry season is a short one, so we thought it best to include a done-for-you blueberry pancake mix to enjoy year-round.

There’s a big difference in terms of ingredients when it comes to blueberry-flavored versus actual blueberries. Our top pick for this category is Birch Benders Blueberry Pancake Mix since it contains dried blueberries as the second-most ingredient by weight. In other words, these pancakes will be bursting with real, whole blueberries.

Using real blueberries eliminates artificial coloring and flavors that other blueberry pancake mixes contain. Making things even better, this mix only needs water to prepare.

Price at time of publish: $16

Servings Per Container: 11.5 | Calories Per Serving: 120 | Total Fat Per Serving: 0 grams | Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 26 grams | Protein Per Serving: 3 grams

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Final Verdict

King Arthur Flour Diner-Style Pancake and Waffle Mix is our top recommendation because of its quality ingredients and the fluffy flapjacks it creates. If you don't mind spending a little more on breakfast, Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake and Waffle Mix is worth the splurge.

What to Look for When Buying Pancake Mix

Necessary Ingredients

Often, you reach for pancake mix when you want to prepare a quick and easy breakfast. So make sure to take a peek at the ingredient list before settling on the right pancake mix for you. Some mixes require nothing more than water, while other mixes require additional pantry staples like milk, eggs, and butter. While the former is certainly more convenient, keep in mind: you may get more homemade-like results from mixes that require more ingredients, since they’re closer to a from-scratch recipe. 

Special Ingredients

If you have dietary requirements — gluten-free or keto, for example — there’s still a pancake mix for you. Today, there are so many different types of pancake mixes on the market. Some are specifically tailored to suit special diets; others have ingredient lists that simply happen to satisfy; and still others provide instructions for simple ingredient swaps to help guide you. 

Flavors

While there are plenty of different flavored mixes out there — blueberry and confetti, for example — you can often get the flavor you desire from any pancake mix. The easy solution: just stir in whatever mix-ins you might like, whether nuts, fruit, sprinkles, or even a swirl of peanut butter or chocolate chips. 

FAQs

Can I use pancake mix for waffles?

Yes, most pancake mixes can also be used to make waffles. Pancake mix packages usually include directions for how to make waffles from the same mix. The steps are similar to making pancake batter, but usually require adding more fat in the form of oil or butter.

How you do make funnel cake with pancake mix?

You can use pancake mix as a shortcut to make funnel cake batter. Funnel cake traditionally contains flour, sugar, and a leavening agent, which are the same ingredients found in dry pancake mix. This works best with a traditional pancake mix that contains wheat flour.

Start by adding approximately 0.5 cup of water for every cup of pancake mix you're using. Add additional water if needed until the consistency of the batter is thinner than what you'd use for pancakes, but not overly runny. It should be similar to cake batter. You can add a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract for extra flavor. You can also add sugar for a sweeter funnel cake, but if you're using a pancake mix that already contains added sugar, it's not necessary.

Pour the batter into a squeeze bottle or a resealable plastic baggie with a corner snipped off, then squeeze the batter in a circular, squiggly pattern into a Dutch oven of hot oil and fry on each side, about 1 minute, until golden brown. Use tongs or a wire strainer to flip and remove funnel cakes from hot oil. Drain funnel cakes on a wire rack or paper towel lined plate, then dust with powdered sugar.

Can you make biscuits with pancake mix?

If you're short on all-purpose flour or time, pancake mix can be used to make biscuits. Some pancake mixes are on the sweeter side, so if you're craving savory biscuits, a tangier, buttermilk pancake mix is your best bet.

Add 0.5 cup of milk to 2 cups of pancake mix and stir just until a dough forms. If you don't have buttermilk pancake mix, you can add a tablespoon of white vinegar to your milk before adding it to the dry mix. You can fold extras into the dough, like garlic, herbs, shredded cheese, or cinnamon, for flavored biscuits.

Some recipes call for rolling the dough on a floured work surface and cutting into rounds with a biscuit cutter, but it's quicker and easier to use a drop method. Drop the dough by heaping spoonful onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet, brush the tops with melted butter, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.

Does pancake mix go bad?

Pancake mix will keep for a long time, usually up to 12 months, when stored properly. Pancake mix should be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry environment and away from any sources of moisture. Once opened, leftover pancake mix should be kept in an airtight bag or storage container.

Pancake mix can start to grow mold if exposed to air and humidity. If you notice any blue or green specks in the mixture, or it smells off, toss it and reach for a fresh package. If you've had an unopened package of pancake mix in your pantry for some time, check for a best by date on the package.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Sharon Lehman, author of this pancake mix roundup, is no stranger to studying ingredient lists and nutrition labels looking for products that offer the best combination of flavor, ease of preparation, and nutrition. Although a big fan of scratch-made baked goods, flapjacks made from Kodiak Cakes mixes are a weekend staple in her home. She also keeps her personal pantry stocked with several products from other brands on this list, including Bob’s Red Mill, King Arthur Flour, and Stonewall Kitchen.

The article was later updated by Brigitt Earley to reflect additional product picks, as well as to include nutritional information and shopping advice. Brigitt is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, plus has been writing for publications like The Spruce and Good Housekeeping for over 12 years. She regularly makes pancakes from scratch, but also stocks mixes from the likes of Stonewall Kitchen and King Arthur Flour for times when she wants to whip up a family-pleasing breakfast in a flash.

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Additional reporting by

Brigitt Earley

Whats the best selling pancake mix?
Whats the best selling pancake mix?

Brigitt Earley

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Brigitt Earley is a lifestyle writer with a culinary degree and a master's in journalism. Her writing has been published on OprahMag.com and Good Housekeeping.

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Top 50 Scanned: Pancake Mix beta.

Is Bisquick or Aunt Jemima better?

The secret is to not beat the batter into oblivion, but just whisk together until blended, even a little lumpy. Aunt Jemima does have a mix that would include eggs and milk and that probably pans out about the same as Bisquick. But Bisquick takes the prize over Aunt Jemima Original. Try it and see for yourself.

What makes restaurant pancakes so good?

Restaurant pancakes taste better because they use a professional griddle and the even heat cooks them better (crisper and more evenly) than you can at home.

Is pancake mix worth it?

Assuming that you have the shelf space for it, pancake mix is worth keeping on hand to help you save a little time and effort in the mornings.