Can you make waffles with a pancake mix? Differences between waffles and pancakes can sometimes feel very subtle.
Basically a pancake is just that: a small cake made in a pan. Pancakes are floppy and cake-like in the middle. The mix usually contains less fat and sugar than a waffle mix.
A good waffle is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are more like a fried beignet or hush puppy than a cake. Waffle mixes contain more fat and more sugar than a typical pancake mix. This helps to produce the caramelization so the waffles are brown and crispy on the outside.
So, can you make waffles with a pancake mix? The answer is yes, with a few modifications to the pancake recipe. The main thing that you will need to add extra oil and fat to the mix to give the waffle the crispy outer layer. Sometimes a toss of sugar is a good idea too!
Most waffle and pancake recipes differ by a tablespoon of oil, a number of eggs, and the amount of milk. Most pancake and waffle mixes will have a recipe on the back for both.
Mixes That Can Double as Pancake and Waffle Mix
1. Bisquick
- Can be used to simplify baking projects
If you are looking for a shortcut that can produce both waffles and pancakes, start with a simple mix such as Bisquick. The back of the box has a recipe for both pancakes and waffles.
Bisquick Pancake Recipe
This recipe originally comes from Betty Crocker.
- 2 cups Bisquick
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup of milk
Steps:
- Heat up and grease your griddle or skillet to 375 degrees. Check the readiness by sprinkling a few drops of water to see if they dance and disappear.
- Mix all the ingredients until blended. Pour about ¼ cup of mix on the griddle for each pancake.
- Cook until the edges are dry. Flip and cook until golden.
Bisquick Waffle Recipe
This recipe originally comes from Betty Crocker.
- 2 cups Bisquick mix
- 1 1/3 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Steps:
- Heat waffle iron per manufacture instructions. Grease as needed.
- Stir ingredients until blended and pour onto hot waffle iron.
- Cook until ready light comes on or until the steaming stops.
2. Krusteaz Waffles from Pancake Mix
- Light & fluffy complete pancake mix.
- Just add water
- Resealable pouch
- Waffle and recipe ideas on pouch
This recipe comes from Krusteaz.
- 2 cups Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix
- 1 ½ cups cold water
- 1 egg
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Steps:
- Grease and preheat the waffle iron.
- Mix ingredients until blended. The batter will be slightly lumped.
- Pour batter onto waffle iron and cook until steaming stops.
3. Aunt Jemima
- Product of USA. Pack of 3.
- Original Pancake & Waffle Mix, Taste...
- Directions:1 Cup Mix Dry Measure, 3/4...
- Contains: Wheat. May Contain Traces Of...
- Ingredients: Enriched bleached Flour...
Aunt Jemima Pancake Recipe
- 1 cup mix
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Heat skillet or electric griddle to 375 degrees.
- Combine and stir all ingredients until large lumps disappear. Let rest for 3-4 minutes. Batter will thicken.
- Pour about ¼ cup batter for each pancake onto the griddle or skillet.
- Turn when pancakes bubble and bottoms are golden brown.
Aunt Jemima Waffles Recipe
- 1 cup mix
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 TBS. oil
Instructions:
- Heat waffle iron.
- Combine all ingredients and stir until lumps disappear.
- Allow batter to rest 4-5 minutes.
- Pour desired amount of batter onto lightly greased waffle iron. Waffle is done when the steaming stops.
How to Cook the Perfect Pancake
The perfect pancake starts with a great mix or recipe. The three mixes above are simple tried and true mixes, but feel free to find one that suits your individual dietary needs and wants. However, there are many from scratch recipes out there if you are more adventurous that will have you never going back to a pre-mixed batter. Our favorite is a good buttermilk pancake. You can find a recipe here from the Pioneer woman.
1. Use Fresh Ingredients
Fresh ingredients make a difference! Especially fresh baking powder. If you notice you get flat pancakes instead of light and fluffy pancakes, an old baking powder may be the culprit. When making buttermilk pancakes it is really better to use the real deal instead of the milk plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
2. Whisk Your Dry Ingredients
The key to a good batter is to whisk the dry ingredients before adding the wet. This will break up any dry clumps and prevent your batter from being lumpy. Just a few quick strokes with the whisk should do the job. We love using the GOMA universal whisk.
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3. Make a Well and Add Wet Ingredients
Using the backside of a spoon, make a well or indentation in your dry ingredients. Mix all of the wet ingredients separately and pour them into the well. Using a few swift strokes to mix the wet and dry ingredients. Don’t over mix! It’s okay to have a few lumps. Hopefully, since you whisked your dry ingredients it shouldn’t be too clumpy.
4. Let the Batter Rest
This is the key to a good, light, and fluffy pancake; let the batter rest. We like to mix up the batter before doing anything else in the morning. Once you have mixed the batter, then heat up the skillet, cook the bacon, set the table, and make the coffee. Many recipes suggest 5 minutes, but we say let it rest 15 or even 30 minutes. You should notice that any of the small lumps have absorbed the liquid and disappeared. If you don’t have a good set of kitchen utensils, then now is the time to get one!
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5. Use Cold Butter to Grease the Hot Skillet or Use a Griddle
Melt cold butter onto the hot skillet instead of oil. The butter will help to fry the pancakes a little giving them great flavor from the butter and just the right browning. It’s best to use a good skillet that can keep even heat and is large enough to cook three small pancakes at once. Check out our favorite skillets in this article on the best omelets.
If you are cooking for more than a few people, we strongly encourage you to get an electric griddle. It is a game-changer! Instead of only cooking three pancakes at once, you can cook six or more! We love the size of this 23-inch Tilt ‘n’ Drain Griddle.
- Tilt 'n' Drain Big Griddle 23'''' Tilt...
- PACK OF 2
- Item Weight: 8.0 pounds
- Manufacturer: Unknown
6. Pay Attention and Know When To Flip
As Moms, we know how busy mornings can be and we can become quickly distracted from the task at hand. For the best pancakes, pay attention and know when it is time to flip. Look for the bubbles in the middle on the pancake and see that they are popped. Notice when the edges begin to look dry. Now is the time to flip! If the pancakes are cooking too fast, turn the stove or griddle down. If they are sticking, use more butter!
How to Make the Perfect Waffle
Making the perfect waffle begins just like the perfect pancake. Can you make waffles from a pancake mix? Yes, if you add the extra egg and oil! These are key to getting the crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside waffle. Mix the ingredients just how suggested for pancakes and remember to let the batter rest!
The second most important thing (after fat and oil) is to choose a good waffle iron! Your waffle iron will make or break the perfect waffle.
Our Top Three Waffle Makers
Cuisinart WAF-F20
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: The 1400-watt double...
- EASY TO USE: With an Easy-to-Handle...
- MUST HAVE FEATURES: With 2-LED ready...
- INCLUDED: A waffle cup for pouring your...
- LIMITED 3-YEAR WARRANTY: Refer to user...
We love the deep pockets of this Belgian waffle maker! You can also flip the waffle and cook another at the same time! Perfect if you are cooking a big batch of waffles! The non-stick plates prevent a waffle mess and provide easy release. There is also an indicator light and beep telling you when the waffle is finished.
Dash Mini Waffle Maker
- MORE THAN WAFFLES: Make your favorite...
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- INCLUDES: The DASH Mini Waffle Maker...
If you love the mini waffle makers, we recommend the Original Dash waffle Maker. This mini maker won’t take up a lot of storage space and is great for apartments, RVs, and other small spaces. If you love mini waffles, check out this article that reviews all of the best mini waffle makers including mini waffles for a crowd!
Black and Decker
- 7.25” Belgian-Style Waffles - Create...
- Nonstick Plates - Waffles slide out...
- Cool-Touch Handle - The extended handle...
- Ready Indicator Light - Shows when the...
- Vertical Storage - The space-saving...
Another good option is this classic Black and Decker Belgian waffle maker. We love the nonstick plates, cool touch handle, and the indicator light. Storage is simple and easy with its vertical storage ability.
Pancake and Waffle Topping Ideas
Another important thing to consider when making waffles or pancakes is to provide the perfect toppings. There are so many options from sweet to savory. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Strawberries and Cream
- Nutella and Bananas
- Buttermilk syrup and homemade whip cream
- Applesauce, Cinnamon, and walnut
- Yogurt and fruit
- Bacon and cheese
- Marshmallows, graham cracker, and chocolate sauce
- Canadian bacon, poached egg and hollandaise sauce
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Strawberry syrup
- Powder sugar
- Granola
- Sprinkles
- Chopped nuts
Wrap up
Can you make waffles with pancake mix? Waffles and pancakes are both similar and different breakfast ideas. Pancakes are very light and fluffy and more cake-like. Waffles on the other hand are meant to have a crispy outer shell and fluffy on the inside.
Waffles need to have extra fat to get a good crispy fried outside. Most pancake recipes or mixes can be used as a base for waffles. Just remember you will likely need to add about a tablespoon of extra oil and 1 egg.
Many pre-mixed batters will have a recipe for both waffles and pancakes on the back. You can use these for a quick reference as needed. Happy cooking!
Looking for other go-to breakfast ideas? Check out the best cereals for kids.
