The Best Grocery Store Pancake Mixes, Ranked

Few dishes seem to evoke that cozy weekend feeling like a hearty stack of pancakes. Also known as flapjacks, these quick-cooking cakes are one of the most popular foods in the U.S., Taste Atlas says. However, pancakes are not uniquely an American dish. This delicious breakfast staple has been traced back as far as prehistoric times (via National Geographic), though what we consider to be traditional pancakes today are much more complex than our early ancestors' blend of stone-ground grains and water.

One reason we think the humble pancake has stayed relevant is that they are incredibly versatile (there are so many ways to customize them to your liking, like making them fluffier). Many pancake recipes use flour alternatives for those with allergies, some have unique ingredient combinations, and others have vegan substitutes to suit every diet. Plus, they are super easy to make. Pancakes have become even easier to whip up in the last century thanks to the prevalence of boxed mixes that simply require you to add eggs and oil, or even just a bit of water, before frying.

The downside of having so many options is knowing which grocery store pancake mix to choose. We've rounded up offerings from top brands that are available in supermarkets nationwide to help you narrow down the best pick for your needs, whether you're looking for a basic, buttermilk, gluten-free, gourmet, or vegan-friendly mix.

Bisquick's origins date back to 1931 as one of the first shelf-stable baking mixes, according to General Mills, and the brand has expanded over the years to include specialty options like pancake mixes. Though the recipe has changed a bit over the years, its ingredient list consists of bleached and enriched flour, vegetable oil, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Simply add milk and eggs to the mixture, stir, pour on the griddle, and you'll have a stack of flapjacks in minutes. The box also offers recipe inspiration for biscuits, waffles, and other baked goods to make the most of your box.

Interestingly, Bisquick's Original Pancake & Baking Mix has an average 5-star rating on Amazon, while it holds a meager 1.5-star rating on the Betty Crocker website (Bisquick's parent company), with many complaints that the mix tasted different than usual, leading to flat, rubbery pancakes with an off-putting beige color. Most of these reviewers even noted that they grew up being fans of this mix but have since been disappointed in more recent purchases of the boxed mix.

Stonewall Kitchen is the grocery store pick for gourmands who typically rely on Williams Sonoma or similar brands for their baking mixes. The Maine-based brand offers a range of top-notch delicacies from Sea Salt Espresso Martini Mixers to specialty jams, but its pancake mix is a perennial favorite, according to the brand, and is more widely available in supermarkets than some of its other products. This mix features enriched wheat and corn flours, malted barley extract, and buttermilk to create an old-school texture and flavor akin to johnnycakes. You'll need to have eggs, milk, and butter at the ready to properly follow the mix's recipe.

Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix has an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon, and reviewers seem to have mixed feelings about the product. Some say they came out dry (more so when used to make waffles), and others say they were too sweet. But while some folks disliked the mix, others say their pancakes came out better than making them at home. You'll have to try this mix out for yourself to make your own verdict.

Aldi has created quite a cult following for many of its products — like its well-priced wines and cheeses — so we thought it was worth spotlighting its all-purpose mix that you can use to make pancakes (available only in Aldi stores). Looking at the box, the mix seems like a dupe for Bisquick, as it also features recipes on the back of the box for biscuits, strawberry shortcakes, and more. It also has a similar ingredient list of wheat flour, leavening agents, sugar, soybean oil, salt, and buttermilk. This could be a good swap for those trying to avoid bleached flours. You'll need eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla to properly follow the pancake recipe listed on the box.

Aldi's Baker's Corner All-Purpose Baking Mix is an economical, versatile bet for a do-it-all pancake mix, according to the popular blog Aldi Reviewer. The reviewer noted the pancakes turned out phenomenally and were easy to cook. They also tried out the drop biscuit recipe and banana bread recipe on the back of the box with the same level of success.

Hungry Jack is all about breakfast, particularly pancakes, and its mixes and syrups evoke nostalgia for both millennials and Generation X-ers alike. The company was founded in 1967 and launched its then-revolutionary microwavable syrup in 1994, according to the brand's site. We're taking a closer look at Hungry Jack's Original Pancake & Waffle Mix, which requires a bit of milk, oil, and an egg to make the traditional-style pancakes. The ingredients list of the mix consists of: enriched bleached flour, sugar, rice flour, leavening agents, salt, canola oil, and some fortified vitamins and minerals that add a little nutritional boost to breakfast (or breakfast for dinner, if you prefer).

Hungry Jack Original Pancake & Waffle Mix has an average 5-star rating on Amazon, but many reviewers noted they are having a difficult time finding it in their local grocery stores these days. Thankfully it's available to shop via Amazon Prime, but you'll have to buy it in bulk to try these for yourself. This pick would rank higher if it wasn't due to its recent lack of accessibility.

Birch Benders offers a wide selection of baking mixes, microwavable breakfast and dessert cups, cookies, toaster waffles, and more, but it is most known for its pancake and waffle mixes. The brand has an impressive 15 varieties ranging from Organic Confetti to Pumpkin Spice Paleo, but we're looking at its Organic Classic option. Its simple ingredients list features organic wheat flour, cane sugar, potato starch, salt, and cassava starches.

Birch Benders Organic Classic Pancake & Waffle Mix has an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon and an average 4.4-star rating on its website. However, some ratings said that this just-add-water mix produced rubbery results, and others said the pancakes are nowhere near as good as homemade versions. While there are still plenty of positive reviews (the convenience factor may be a big draw), it's worth trying them out for yourself and playing around with the amount of liquid you include to achieve perfectly fluffy results.

If this box looks familiar but the brand doesn't ring a bell, that's because Pearl Milling Company is the new name for Aunt Jemima, and it has only been in place since February 2021, according to CNN. Through its various iterations, the brand is by far the oldest on our list and has been revolutionary in the grains industry, bringing the first self-rising pancake mix to grocery stores in 1889, according to the brand's site. Its pancake mix uses enriched bleached flour, sugar, leavening agents, and salt to create a product that requires some milk, oil, and an egg to make some pancake magic happen.

The Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake Mix has an average 4-star rating on Amazon and a 5-star rating from Target shoppers. While many of the Amazon reviews are more focused on the packaging than the product itself, Target reviewers noted that the pancakes were still as tasty and easy to make as they were when they were growing up. They also noted they're a great pick for families, not only because of the price point but for the simplicity of flavor. However, the flavor of these cakes doesn't compare as well as some of the others ranked higher on this list. Overall, they're a good basic pick. 

Boulder-based Purely Elizabeth first became famous for its cluster-like gluten-free granola made with coconut oil, but the brand has since expanded to offer gluten-free oatmeal cups, baking mixes, and even body scrubs. The ingredients list behind the brand's Ancient Grain Pancake & Waffle Mix is particularly intriguing as it features a blend of unique flours, like tigernut and teff, along with the more widely known flours of buckwheat and almond. Simply add oil, an egg, and water (or make it vegan with mashed banana as an egg substitute), per the instructions.

Purely Elizabeth's protein- and fiber-packed Ancient Grain Pancake & Waffle Mix has an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon, and, according to reviews, this could be a great pick if you're looking for a nutrient-rich breakfast that will keep you full until lunch. Plus, it's an organic and non-GMO pick for those who are interested.

Simple Mills has been serving up unexpectedly delicious grain-free crackers, baking mixes, and more since 2012 — years before almond flour became a pantry staple in the U.S. While grain-free pancakes might sound tragic, it's worth taking a chance on Simple Mills's mix. The ingredients list features almond flour, arrowroot, coconut sugar, coconut flour, cream of tartar, baking powder, and sea salt to create a fluffy stack that looks almost too perfect to eat. Simply add eggs, your liquid of choice, and oil to the dry mixture.

We were pleasantly surprised to find out that you don't need grains to make amazing pancakes (although we will be making ours with them most of the time). Simple Mills Almond Flour Pancake & Waffle Mix has an impressive 4.5-star rating on Amazon. The main complaint from reviewers is the price point, as a box will set you back nearly $8 as compared to some $2 and $3 picks on the shelf. However, if you're looking for mixes that are free of bleached flours, artificial ingredients, and other additives, Simple Mills is a delicious option that could be worth the price.

Annie's may be famous for its organic macaroni and cheese, but the brand also offers plenty of options for those with a sweet tooth (their cinnamon rolls are insanely good in our opinion). The brand makes an organic pancake mix that also works with waffle makers with an ingredients list that includes wheat flour, cane sugar, sunflower oil, baking powder, and sea salt. You'll need milk and eggs to whip up a batch according to the box's instructions.

Annie's Organic Pancake & Waffle Mix has an average 4.5-star rating from Whole Foods Market via Amazon, and MyRecipes found that the brand produces idyllic golden pancakes reminiscent of childhood Saturday mornings. Amazon reviewers sang this product's praises as the best pancake mix around and many also appreciated that it's a tasty organic option. The brand's products are also free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives for those with sensitivities.

Kodiak Cakes is a Utah-based brand, says CNBC, that focuses on bringing whole-grain baking mixes, snacks, and breakfast foods to consumers with a hearty blend of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates per the morning traditions of the American frontier. The brand has become best known for its protein-packed Power Cakes pancake mixes that can offer up to 21 grams of protein depending on how you prepare them. Just add your liquid of choice and eggs (how many depends on how hearty you want the pancakes to be). Its ingredients list features 100% whole grain and oat flours, wheat protein concentrate, and whey and milk protein isolates to help Kodiak Power Cakes fill you up. They're also non-GMO for those interested in those types of products.

Kodiak Power Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix has an average 5-star rating both on Amazon and the brand's website. The reviews on Amazon are about as complimentary as can be, with one Amazon reviewer saying they became a lifelong customer and another reviewer on the Kodiak Cakes site saying after making thousands of pancakes at IHOP over the years, these are the absolute best around.

Vicky Cakes is a family-owned brand dedicated to the sacrifice and culinary talent of the founder's mother, Vicky, who created her now-iconic pancake recipe in the '70s. Vicky created the recipe with the intent of making the most of the ingredients she had as a working single mom. Today, people all over the country enjoy Vicky's recipe, which is made with bleached wheat flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt — you'll need vanilla flavor (not extract), cooking oil, water, an egg, whole milk, and buttermilk to make the recipe according to package instructions. You can also use this mix to make muffins, biscuits, cookies, and more.

Though the brand has only been around since 2019, it has received rave reviews from the folks at Good Morning America who featured the brand in a Steals & Deals segment back in 2021, while the Original Pancake & Waffle Mix has an average 4.4-star rating on the brand's website and an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon. It may not be the mix to choose if you're looking for convenience because of the number of extraneous ingredients needed, but they are worth making when you have the time on a slow weekend morning if you're looking for ultra-fluffy, Instagram-worthy pancakes for brunch. 

Whether you actually have a gluten allergy or just prefer to dabble in gluten-free eating, finding the right baking mixes isn't always a breeze. Gluten is responsible for giving baked goods their crave-able texture and size, according to Baker Bettie, so it's important to find a gluten-free pancake mix that can still tick those boxes to create an appetizing breakfast. We took a look at King Arthur Baking Company's offerings, as the brand is well-respected in the baking world. The brand uses brown rice flour, potato and tapioca starches, and rice flour to create an actually-good pancake mix. You'll need eggs, milk, and melted butter or oil to make the cakes according to the box instructions.

The King Arthur Baking Company Baking Gluten-Free Classic Pancake Mix has an impressive 5-star rating on Amazon. Gluten Free on a Shoestring, a gluten-free food blog, found this product to be the best out of eight gluten-free pancake mixes for their fluffiness and delicious taste. Naturally, we had to try out these gluten-free pancakes for ourselves, and we were pleasantly surprised by the texture and taste. Try out their diner-style pancakes if you're looking for something more traditional that isn't gluten-free. 

It turns out that you don't have to visit a local Cracker Barrel to enjoy its hearty buttermilk pancakes. Pancake mix is one of the many food items sold under the Cracker Barrel label and available at a grocery store near you. The brand's homestyle pancake mix uses enriched bleached flour, palm and soybean oils, sugar, and buttermilk powder to create a crave-worthy mix. Just add water and you'll have breakfast in minutes.

The Cracker Barrel Buttermilk Pancake Mix has an impressive 4.8-star rating on its website and a 4.3-star rating on Amazon. Rave reviews on the Cracker Barrel website say that this mix never fails to achieve the fluffy, top-notch pancakes that they're looking for. We recommend shopping at your local supermarket or Cracker Barrel for this mix, as several Amazon reviewers said they received the wrong product or they got an older version that requires milk and eggs.

From baking staples to granola and breakfast bars, Bob's Red Mill is a popular brand for shopping for whole-grain and grain-alternative products. The brand offers a whopping eight varieties of pancake mixes for every type of eater, whether you're gluten-free, paleo, or looking for some homestyle pancakes with lots of wheat and dairy. Bob's Red Mill's Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix is the brand's most popular pick and features organic whole wheat flour, buttermilk powder, wheat gluten, cane sugar, and salt to create its signature stack — just add oil, eggs, and a liquid of your choice.

Bob's Red Mill Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix offers the best of both worlds — delicious, fluffy pancakes and wholesome ingredients that will keep you full until your next meal. The product has a 4.6-star rating on the brand's website and a 4.4-star rating on Amazon, and reviewers love the consistency of this product and the fact that it has a simple list of organic ingredients. Plus, you'll get an impressive fiber and calcium boost.

Krusteaz is a popular name in the world of baking mixes, and you may have previously used the brand to make lemon bars, blueberry muffins, and more. The 90-year-old brand is also known for its pancake and waffle mixes and even features trendy protein varieties. We're focusing on the Light & Fluffy Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix for a more traditional take on flapjacks. This just-add-water mix features enriched bleached flour, sugar, leavening agents, modified food starch, salt, soybean oil, egg whites, and buttermilk.

Krusteaz Light & Fluffy Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix has an average 5-star rating on Amazon and an average 4.8-star rating on its website. Many Amazon reviewers were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the finished product that came from this just-add-water mix, and some others suggested adding milk, eggs, and oil or butter to make them even better than they already are.

Augason Farms is a particularly interesting brand on this list as it specializes in emergency food storage and has pioneered the survival food business, according to the brand. You can find their products at major retailers like Walmart, Sam's Club, and Costco. However, you don't have to be preparing for an emergency to enjoy Auguason Farms' products, as they sell smaller quantities of several popular items, such as its Buttermilk Pancake Mix. The product is made with cake flour, sugar, soybean flour, buttermilk powder, and eggs, so you'll just need to add water to achieve a glorious stack of pancakes in no time.

Augason Farms Buttermilk Pancake Mix is a best-selling pancake and waffle mix on Amazon, and it has an average 4.7-star rating. The product also boasts a 5-star rating on its website. According to the brand, you can also use this mix to make scones, biscuits, muffins, banana bread, and more — and that will be useful, as it's sold in a hefty 52-ounce canister.