Are Boxed Pancake Mixes Actually Worth It? - Tasting Table

"From a taste perspective, homemade pancakes simply do better. When you mix from scratch, you decide on the amounts and types of flour, liquid, and fat, which leads to better browning, a tender crumb, and flavor that doesn't taste flat or overly sweet. Conversely, boxed mixes are designed for consistency rather than nuance. That trade-off is noticeable once you know what to look for, especially with our short and sweet easy pancake recipe. It's a hit, even with my notoriously picky eight-year-old."

"Many store-bought mixes rely on palm oil, sugars derived from corn, and heavily processed flours to extend shelf life and standardize results. But when you make pancakes at home, you decide exactly what goes in the recipe. The brand and type of unbleached flour, organic or cane sugar, fresh leavening, and even powdered buttermilk if you want flexibility without refrigeration - these choices are yours. And no one's stopping you from making your own pancake mix in bulk form, either."

Homemade pancakes offer superior flavor, browning, and a tender crumb because flour, liquid, fat, and leavening can be chosen and balanced precisely. From-scratch preparation reduces cost and waste while avoiding processed ingredients common in store mixes, such as palm oil, corn-derived sugars, and heavily processed flours. Homemade batter allows control over sweetness, richness, and texture to suit individual preferences, and ingredients like unbleached flour, cane sugar, fresh leavening, or powdered buttermilk can be selected. Boxed mixes prioritize consistency over nuance, but boxed mixes can be improved for crowds with additions like buttermilk, and homemade mix can be made in bulk.

Read at Tasting Table