Pancake mix is alsoa staple pantry itemthat is always smart to keep on hand for a rainy day.
But which brand is your family’s favorite to keep stocked?
There is certainly a plethora of options to choose from.
Photos: The brands. Design: Eat This, Not That!
But it’s important to note not all mixes are created equal.
A few yield thick and dense pancakes, while others will fluff up to something more light and airy.
Some will be moist, while others are more dry and crisp.
Megan Hageman / Eat This, Not That!
And only a select few will deliver those all-important sweet and buttery notes.
Read on to see how each pancake fared, in order of my least to most favorite.
You may just discover your family’s new breakfast go-to.
Megan Hageman / Eat This, Not That!
The look:On the thinner side with a yellow tinge.
Something about its appearance is a little off to me.
But, the supplemental batch yielded nearly identical results and actually reminded me of naan bread.
Megan Hageman / Eat This, Not That!
A sentiment which isn’t too far off given this mix’s ingredients.
The taste:Dry and eggy like French toast.
The overall flavor was additionally subparthe reason, I believe, why the egg taste was so prominent.
Megan Hageman / Eat This, Not That!
Similar to Trader Joe’s recipe, this one also comes with multiple steps.
The look:The plumpest of the bunch by far.
The batter here was thick and it just kept growing higher and higher during the cooking process.
Megan Hageman / Eat This, Not That!
All things considered, Bisquick delivers very homestyle- and old-fashioned-looking hotcakes.
The taste:Dense and mealy on the inside, rubbery on the outside.
Chewing through these took some time and dried out my mouth.
Megan Hageman / Eat This, Not That!
The pancakes don’t taste too bad with some syrup drizzled on top.
But, does anything really taste bad when paired with syrup?
But, the brand came in hot and ready to serve up the tastiest organic pancakes on the market.
The look:Pale but thick and fluffy.
These pancakes refused to get crisp or brown on the skillet despite a generous spray of cooking oil.
But I could tell from the lumpy batter that each one would rise to the ideal height.
The taste:Sticky and sweet.
The organic cane sugar adds a lot to the mix and leaves a pleasant aftertaste.
And, its core recipes have remained largely the same.
The look:Flat and rough around the edges.
The taste:A great balance between dense and light, leaving each bite tender but not too mushy.
They also pack plenty of moisture, plus a smidgen of sweetness from the added sugar.
I thought, “What is this new pancake mix dominating the pancake aisle?”
But it is, in fact, the same company with the same recipes, just with different branding.
The look:I couldn’t draw up a better-looking flapjack.
Each one came out perfectly round with lightly crisped edges.
And, when stacked, they look nice and chunky.
The problem is with the box’s side flap, where you’re meant to pour from.
The taste:Airy and classic.
Their firm yet soft texture was perfect for soaking up syrup.
And the outer layer offered a degree of toastiness from the skillet without tasting burnt.
But it was well worth it.
This came straight from the mind of the company’s founder, Rose Charters, back in 1932.
The Blueberry, Sweet Cream, and Cinnamon Churro Waffle flavors all piqued my interest.
But, I selected a nostalgic, familiar favorite: theLight & Fluffy Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix.
It rang up at $2.79 and certainly does keep things “eazy.”
All you have to do is add water, and you’re ready to go.
The look:Bleached and pressed flat.
The Krusteaz batter is middle of the road in terms of thickness.
So, I was surprised to see these come off the skillet looking so collapsed.
The taste:Spongy with air pockets.
I would even use the word smooth to describe them.
The sweetness is well-pronouncedsomething that few other brands were able to achieve.
I picked up on a butter aroma and flavor throughout as well, which was a first.
