Hot, fluffy homemade pancakes are the perfect breakfast to wake up to in the morning. Skip the flat, tasteless pancakes from a box mix, instead follow these 6 tips for fluffier pancakes that the whole family will love.

3 pancakes stacked with 2 pats of butter and syrup poured over

There are so many pancake mixes to choose from at the grocery store but they all result in flat, chewy pancakes (gross!). Who wants to wake up to that? With simple ingredients that you probably already have stocked as pantry staples, you can elevate your next batch of boxed pancake mix into extra fluffy pancakes.

6 tips to make boxed pancake mix better:

Follow these tips to transform a simple boxed pancake mix into the perfect homemade pancake mix recipe:

1. Whole milk or buttermilk

If the instant pancake mix calls for water, just ignore it! Using water or skim milk will result in flat, blah (for lack of a better word) pancakes. Using whole milk or buttermilk will add fat to the boxed mix and create a more flavorful, tender pancake. Most traditional made-from-scratch pancake recipes are called buttermilk pancakes for this reason.

2. Add sugar

Adding a small amount of sugar adds the perfect kiss of sweetness to the pancakes.

3. Add vanilla extract or almond extract

Vanilla extract or almond extract adds the perfect amount of flavor to transform a bland pancake into an incredible pancake. If you like other flavors baked into your pancake feel free to add pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or even some citrus zest.

4. Eggs

Some pancake mix recipes already call for eggs but if the mix you chose doesn’t, definitely add eggs. Eggs act like the glue in a batter, this will help create a thick batter for lighter and fluffier pancakes. Instead of having thin batter that runs across the hot pan resulting in a flat pancake.

5. Melted butter

Often pre-made pancake mix does not call for oil or butter. But adding melted butter to your pre-made pancake mix you will get a delicious buttery flavor in your pancakes.

6. For over the top pancakes add the toppings right into the batter

Have you ever had chocolate chips baked into your pancake?? Yum!! Make your family and friends forget that you didn’t make from-scratch pancakes by adding your favorite topping right into the batter. Here are some of my favorite things to add right into the pancake batter or put on top of a hot pancake:

Chocolate chips – I love to use mini chocolate chips because they will melt faster

Peanut Butter or Nutella

Fresh berries

Maple Syrup

Apple slices

Sprinkles

Pancakes make an easy breakfast but serve bacon, sausage, or fresh fruit alongside a tall stack of pancakes as you sit at the table together talking and laughing and you will create a new memory for your family.

Don’t have any pancake mix? – Boxed Pancake Mix Recipe

Don’t have boxed pancake mix? No worries. Follow this easy recipe with simple ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

ingredients in glass bowls for fluffy pancakes on a wood cutting board

High Altitude Pancake Recipe

For all my fellow high altitude breakfast lovers we have the advantage of lower air pressure which makes cakes and cookies rise faster. And you guessed it, lower air pressure means pancakes rise faster also creating the fluffiest pancakes you have ever tasted. This is a great high altitude pancake recipe with the perfect balance of sugar and flour.

Try out these other delicious breakfast ideas:

Flaky Homemade Biscuits

Coffee Cake without Sour Cream – Cinnamon Sugar Topping

High Altitude Moist Sour Cream Banana Bread Recipe

Libby’s Pumpkin Muffins Recipe with Chocolate Chips

Fluffy Homemade Waffles Recipe – Dairy Free Option

Easy Homemade Crepes Recipe – Dairy Free Option

FAQs:

How to make buttermilk at home?

Buttermilk is incredibly easy to make at home. All you need is milk and white vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice. This recipe calls for 1 cup of milk or buttermilk.

Grab a measuring cup.
Pour 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into the measuring cup.
Pour the milk into the measuring cup until it measures 1 cup.
Stir the milk and lemon juice or vinegar then let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. This will allow the milk to become acidic and can be used in place of buttermilk.

Buttermilk can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Why is it important not to overmix pancake batter?

Over mixing pancake batter can knock out all of the air bubbles that are created by the baking powder or baking soda in the pancake mix. Over mixing can also cause gluten to develop which results in a chewy pancake (think chewy like bread) not light and fluffy. Don’t worry if your batter still has small lumps in it. The goal is to mix just long enough to combine all the ingredients. Try for only 8-10 strokes around the bowl as you mix.

a cooked pancake in a black skillet with non-stick spray

Do pancakes need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Cooked pancakes should be cooled to room temperature, placed in an airtight container, and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Does pancake mix go bad?

Yes. All store-bought pancake mix will have a “Best By” or “Expiration” date. The leavening agent, either baking soda or baking powder, gets weaker overtime. If the pancake mix you are using is close to the “Best By” or “Expiration” date add 1 tablespoon of baking powder to ensure you will have fluffy pancakes.

How long do pancakes last in the fridge?

Cooked pancakes should be cooled to room temperature and placed in an airtight container. Store the pancakes in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How long does pancake batter last?

Leftover pancake batter should be placed in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. Any leftover pancake batter should be used within 3 days.

3 pancakes stacked with 2 pats of butter and syrup poured over with a triangle cut out. the pancakes are on a white plate with a metal fork.

Griddle temp for pancakes

To cook pancakes on a griddle, heat the griddle to medium heat or 375 degrees F. Pour the pancake batter onto the hot griddle. Allow the pancake to cook until bubbles start to appear and the batter starts to lose some of its shine. Flip the pancake over. Cook until both sides are golden.

Stove temp for pancakes

To cook pancakes on the stove, use a large skillet on medium heat. Pour the pancake batter onto the hot skillet. Allow the pancake to cook until bubbles start to appear and the batter starts to lose some of its shine. Flip the pancake over. Cook until both sides are golden.

3 pancakes stacked with 2 pats of butter and syrup poured over with a large bite cut out. the pancakes are on a white plate with a metal fork.

Flapjacks vs Pancakes vs Hotcakes

In the United States and Canada all three of these words are synonymous and used interchangeably. In the UK, the word flapjack refers to something entirely different: a baked good made from oats, what the US or Canada would call a granola bar.

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