I Tried 8 Pancake Mixes To Find The Best One, And This Is The One Brand I’ll Be Reaching For Every Pancake Sunday

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Every Sunday, rain or shine, I make pancakes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There hasn’t been a Sunday that I’ve missed in over 10 years. Pancake Sunday has been one of my favorite traditions, and we’ve tried them all: from scratch, from the box, frozen, low-key diners, fancy brunch, and everything in between.

Even as a chef, I still reach for a boxed pancake mix. Not because of ease, but I think they just taste better than most homemade ones.

There’s something nostalgic about a boxed mix, and truth be told, if I’m expected to make breakfast before I have a full cup of coffee in me, there’s no way I’m making these from scratch.

How We Judged

I made every pancake as per the box instructions, no additions or changes (I would have otherwise added vanilla extract, but SCIENCE!). I used the same pan, the same Smash Kitchen Avocado Oil Spray, and the same quantity per pancake. I labeled each box so we could taste blindly, and we tried each pancake at room temperature.

A hand holds a cooking spray can labeled "Smash Kitchen 100% Pure Avocado Oil" in a kitchen setting with cooking utensils in view

Micah Siva

Avocado oil is mild-tasting, and I used my non-stick pan over medium heat for each cake.

We made scoring cards and based our judgment on taste, texture, fluffiness, browning, and ease of use. First, we ate our pancakes plain, without butter or syrup. Then tested with both butter and syrup. I knew that there were a few gluten-free options as well as two “protein” pancakes. My husband did not.

Pancakes labeled A-H on a baking tray, with plates nearby. A platter holds sliced pears, kiwi, and white strawberries. Glass and jug set on cork mats

Micah Siva

We also let our two-year-old try them, but he preferred his in the shape of dinosaurs and ate berries instead.

Child wearing a patterned top picks up pancake pieces labeled A-F on a tray

Micah Siva

The Brands

I lined up all the contenders, with a mix of protein and gluten-free options from various brands.

Assortment of various pancake and waffle mix boxes displayed on a countertop, featuring brands like Kodiak, Krusteaz, and Bisquick

Micah Siva

From top left to right:

— Simple Mills Protein Almond Flour Pancake Mix ($7.99)

— Krusteaz Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancake Mix ($4.98)

— Kodiak Power Cakes Flapjack and Waffle Mix ($6.49)

— Pearl Milling Company Buttermilk Pancake Mix ($4.69)

— Bisquik Pancake Mix ($6.29)

— Bob’s Red Mill Buttermilk Pancake Mix ($9.99)

— Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Pancake Mix ($1.99)

— King Arthur Flour Gluten-Free Pancake Mix ($6.95)

The Winners

Best Classic: Bob’s Red Mill

Pancakes stacked on a plate in front of a bag labeled "Bob's Red Mill Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix."

Micah Siva

What we loved:

• These were incredibly fluffy.

• They tasted homemade, but you did need to add oil, an egg, and water.

• They tasted great on their own, with just the right amount of sweetness.

Heads up:

• They browned a little faster than some of the other mixes, so keep an eye on your heat.

Notes:

• Next time I make them, I’ll use milk in place of water, along with melted butter and vanilla extract.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Best Protein-Packed: Kodiak

Stack of pancakes on a plate with a box of Kodiak Power Cakes flapjack and waffle mix in the background

Micah Siva

What we loved:

• These were surprisingly fluffy!

• All you need to add is water for easy pancakes.

• Slightly sweet, with just the right amount of savory notes to balance a fountain of syrup.

Heads up:

• They do taste like whole wheat, which I love, but you might not.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Best Gluten-Free: Krusteaz

Box of Krusteaz gluten-free pancake mix held behind a plate of freshly made pancakes

Micah Siva

What we loved:

• These were the fluffiest gluten-free pancakes we tested.

• You’d never know they were gluten-free.

• Slightly sweet and reminiscent of diner pancakes.

Heads up:

• It does have an artificial maple flavor that some might find off-putting.

Overall Rating: 6/10

Final Thoughts

Despite the tedious flipping, pancake testing felt like a date night, and we were able to gamify the experience. Highly recommend taste testing as an indoor date.

Micah Siva

I also think I’ll have enough pancakes to last for a while, some I’ll look forward to, others…not so much. But into the Ziploc bags they go, and I’ll be playing pancake roulette for the foreseeable future.

Plastic bags filled with homemade pancakes are stacked on a kitchen counter

Micah Siva

Now, who wants to do my dishes? I’ll pay you in pancakes…

A kitchen sink filled with dirty dishes, containers, and utensils stacked haphazardly

For Every Pancake Sunday

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