Pancake Hacks: How to Make Boxed Pancake Mix Better (2024)

Make Your Pancake Mix Better Using These Ingredients

The possibilities are endless when it comes to putting additional ingredients into your pancake batter! If you’re looking for some inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. Make your mornings even more magical by adding one or more of these options to your flapjacks.

Add Flavors

Want to give your pancakes a little more pizzazz? It’s easy! Simply take your favorite flavoring, which could be maple syrup, vanilla, or almond extract, and add a few drops to your pancake batter. Boom! You have yourself some extra yummy pancakes. Did you know that syrups aren’t just for topping your pancakes? Instead, try adding in your favorite flavor of HERSHEY’S Syrup to make these delicious Fluffy Flavored Pancakes. With syrup choices like Chocolate and Strawberry, we’ve got you covered on always making breakfast something to look forward to.

Incorporate Baking Spices

Spice up your life (and your pancakes) with a sprinkle of your favorite baking spices. Use pumpkin pie spice in your batter for a dose of fall flavor, cinnamon for a little kick or HERSHEY’S Cocoa to make those flapjacks decadent and delicious.

Great Creative with Your Mix-ins

Some say that adding mix-ins is the best way to make pancakes, and we may have to agree! Throw in some of your favorite baking mix-ins to really make your batter unbelievable! You could go for the classic HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Chips, rainbow sprinkles for an impromptu morning celebration, or REESE’S Peanut Butter Chips if you’re feeling a little nutty.

What else do you have in your kitchen? The best part about mix-ins is that they don’t have to be the typical ones you find at the grocery store. In fact, you can use whatever you want! If you don’t have chocolate chips, try breaking apart a HERSHEY’S Chocolate Bar or experiment with something fun like a HERSHEY’S COOKIES ‘N’ CREME Bar. Throw some strawberries or blueberries in your batter for some fruit-infused pancakes or put them on top with some whipped topping to make this delicious Bouquet of Pancakes recipe.

Or you could try a more savory approach! Breakfast meats like bacon and sausage are the perfect pairing with pancakes. By adding some sausage crumbles, bacon or ham to your batter, you have the potential to make your morning breakfast the ultimate salty and sweet experience.

More Ways to Serve Pancakes

Big, round pancakes are great, but that’s not the only way to enjoy them! Make your cooking experience easier by making many at once or challenge yourself to create pancakes in new and unusual ways.

Pancakes On-the-Go

Family asking for pancakes but don’t have time for a sit-down breakfast? Instead of taking up precious time using a griddle, try pouring your batter into a muffin tin! Pop in the oven at 350 degrees and bake for 13-15 minutes. Use liners to make the prettiest portable pancakes or keep them bare to stuff a few in to-go bags to take on the road, eat on the way to school or put in a little one’s lunch bag. Kids love to find these sweet treats in their lunch boxes alongside HERSHEY’S KISSES Candy Lunch Box Notes that will make lunchtime even sweeter!

If you have the extra time to get out the griddle but still need the portability, have a go at making pancake dippers! It’s your classic pancake with a hidden surprise … bacon! Simply pour strips of batter onto the pan, lay your cooked bacon on top and then cover with more batter. Flip when golden on one side, and voila! You have a delicious and fun breakfast that’s a perfect grab-and-go option.

Pancakes Made Easier

Sometimes you don’t have time to keep your eyes on a griddle, and that’s okay! Sheet pan pancakes are a great alternative to the regular method and are just as delicious. You can get creative with your batter by mixing in some chocolate, fruit or anything your taste buds desire. Butter a sheet pan, pour in the batter and bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Plus, you can cook delicious pancakes for the whole family all at once!

Waffle Iron Pancakes?

We know what you’re thinking. Pancakes in a waffle iron? Isn’t that just a waffle? Well, kind of. Pancake mix isn’t as high in sugar or fat content as waffle mix is, which will make your waffles lighter and cakier. It can also be time consuming to create a waffle mix from scratch, so if you’re craving the deliciousness of either, this is your perfect solution! Not exactly a waffle or a pancake, but exactly what you want for breakfast. Your pancake-waffle creation will taste extra yummy now that you know how easy it is to make using boxed pancake mix.

Mini Pancakes

If there’s one thing everyone loves, it’s mini foods. Delight the whole breakfast table by making the cutest mini pancakes! Eat these little bites at home or take them on a road trip adventure in theseRoad Trip Snack Traysto keep everyone content on long car rides. They may be small in size, but we promise they have huge flavor!

Pancake-Making Tips

Flapjacks falling flat? Don’t worry, it happens! Follow these pancake-making tips to make sure you’re producing perfect pancakes every time.

Sift the Mix

Sifting your dry pancake mix is an important step if you want the best results from your boxed pancake mix. By sifting the ingredients, you’ll incorporate more air into the mixture. The result will be a lighter and fluffier flapjack that people will think you made from scratch.

Don't Overmix

Perhaps the most crucial hack for pancake making is to not overmix your batter. Overmixing causes the gluten in the mix to develop, and your pancakes will become dense and chewy. To avoid this, gently fold your mixture and leave any lumps alone!

Don't Overheat Your Pan

This one may be obvious, but it’s always good to remember. If you overheat your pan, not only will your pancakes burn on the outside, but they will also be undercooked on the inside! Make sure this never happens by always keeping your griddle below 375 degrees.

Limit Your Mix-ins

Even though we love our mix-ins, putting too many in your batter might be a flop. An abundance of mix-ins will unfortunately weigh the batter down. They also tend to float to the bottom and burn when you pour the batter on the griddle. Instead, try putting your mix-ins on top of the freshly poured batter to avoid adding too much to the mix. We know it may be hard, but use restraint to keep your pancakes in tip-top shape!

Using Water vs. Milk

When it comes to adding water or milk to your boxed mix, there is no right or wrong answer. However, replacing water with milk or a milk alternative will make your pancakes a step above the rest! The richer the liquid you use, the more flavor and fluff your flapjacks will have.

Using Baking Soda vs. Eggs

The great thing about boxed pancake mix is that you can use either ingredient or both! Baking soda or another leavening agent will enhance that old boxed mix that’s been sitting in your cupboard for a few weeks (or months), leaving your pancakes with a yummy, fluffy texture.

If your boxed mix doesn’t already call for it, you can also add in a few eggs. The addition of the egg in your mix will give your batter a better texture, as well as more flavor. These pancakes will taste like you just ordered them from your favorite breakfast spot, but right at home!

Using Butter vs. Oil on the Pan

You can use either butter or oil to grease your pan — it’s all based on preference! Some say butter adds more flavor, while others say oil doesn’t brown as quickly. It’s up to you! Experiment with both and see which one gives you the best stack of pancakes.