5 Genius Hacks to Make Boxed Pancake Mix Taste Homemade

Boxed pancake mix has a staple place in my pantry. While I love making pancakes from scratch, like my banana pancakes and chocolate chip pancakes, there is something to be said for an easy mix-in that gives you a tasty breakfast treat that also takes no time to make.

It is super simple to upgrade a basic box of pancake mix. The quick additions will make your basic breakfast a meal worth getting up early for. Plus, most of the additions are pantry staples, meaning you probably already have them in your house. To make your boxed pancakes the best yet, I’m going to share some of my favorite hacks!

Use Dairy For A Rich Flavor

While water will give you an average pancake, replacing it or adding extra dairy like milk, yogurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese, or ricotta cheese will add texture and flavor. You can add the dairy in place of or in addition to the water for a light and airy texture.

Melted butter can also be added to create a decadent flavor and moisture. Adding in extra dairy will make your boxed pancakes fluffy with ultra-rich flavor.

Dairy Hacks For Pancake Mix

Here are some of my favorite dairy additions to use in the mix.

1. Whole Milk. Whole milk will make the pancakes airy with a light texture.
2. Oat Milk. Adding this milk alternative will give your pancakes a creamy, sweet flavor.
3. Buttermilk. If you want thick, fluffy pancakes, use buttermilk in your mix. The acidic flavor from the buttermilk will give your pancakes a slight tang with a dense texture.
4. Sour Cream or Yogurt. Using sour cream or yogurt will give you a similar output to the buttermilk. Because the sour cream and yogurt are so thick, it isn’t a 1 to 1 substitute, so use half milk and half sour cream or yogurt. This will give you fluffy pancakes that are super thick.
5. Melted Butter. Add the melted butter to the liquid you choose. This will result in a moist texture with a rich flavor.

Use Spices, Extracts, and Zest

Using flavorings, spices, and extracts is a simple way to turn your plain pancakes into something new. Extracts like vanilla, citrus, and even peppermint will change the flavor of the batter. A sprinkle of spices will add hints of flavor without being overwhelming. Zests from your favorite citrus fruit will add a tangy and bright flavor.

Using Spices, Extracts, and Zest In Pancake Mix

These simple additions will quickly change the taste of your pancakes with minimal effort.

1. Extracts. Use vanilla, almond, citrus, and peppermint extracts in the batter to add flavor. Just remember that a small amount of extract adds a ton of flavor, so don’t overdo it.
2. Spices. Sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to make fall pancakes, or add in your favorite chai spice to make chai spice pancakes. Even premade blends like pumpkin pie or apple pie spice will be an excellent addition.
3. Zests. Orange, lemon, and lime zest will add a slight brightness and tangy flavor to your pancake batter. Remember to keep it light on the zest, or you will end up with a bitter taste.

Mix-Ins and Powders

While plain pancakes always hit the spot, adding chocolate chips, fruit, or cocoa powder will quickly turn your pancakes around. Most of the mix-ins and powders can be directly added to the batter. The trick is to make sure they are evenly distributed so you can taste the additional ingredients in each bite.

Using Mix-Ins and Powders In Pancake Mix

Here are some of my favorites to add to the batter.

1. Mix Ins. Chocolate chips, Nutella, Oreos, cookie butter, toffee pieces, sprinkles, and peanut butter cups are just a few ideas for what to add to your batter.
2. Powders and Flavorings. Cocoa powder and peanut butter powder, along with purred pumpkin or any canned pie filling, can be directly mixed into the batter to change the flavor of the pancake in an instant. Make sure whatever you add is fully distributed before you start cooking so you don’t get clumps of plain pancake batter.
3. Fruit. Fruit pieces like bananas, strawberries, and blueberries are a classic mix for a reason. They complement the plain pancake batter so well.