When you think of pancakes and waffles, they seem like two very different breakfast foods. Pancakes are typically lighter in texture and neutral in flavor, while waffles are usually thick and dense with a sweeter taste. But can you make pancakes from waffle mix? Technically speaking, yes. This is because both pancake batter and waffle batter are essentially just a mixture of flour, leavening agents such as baking soda or baking powder, salt, eggs, milk or non-dairy milk alternative, oil or melted butter, sugar, and syrup or another sweetener. You can use any type of waffle mix to make pancakes if you slightly alter the ratios of some ingredients.
Can You Make Pancakes From Waffle Mix?
Yes, you can make pancakes from waffle mix. Waffle mix is basically a type of pancake mix that is designed to produce more dense pancakes than regular pancake mix.
Why Would You Make Pancakes From Waffle Mix?
1. Convenience
Waffle mixes are often sold in bulk and can be found in most grocery stores. If you want to make pancakes but don’t feel like going out and buying a lot of ingredients, using the waffle mix might be the way to go.
2. Ease of Preparation
Using waffle mix for pancakes is easy. You just need to add liquid (such as milk or water) and an egg, as well as oil or melted butter for some extra flavor. Mix it all together and cook it on a hot griddle or in a frying pan. It’s really that simple!
3. Versatility
You can make pancakes from waffle mix with any flavor of waffle mix you want, so you can really get creative with your pancake recipes!
4. Healthier Option
If you use a low-calorie waffle mix, you’ll end up with a healthier pancake that’s still just as tasty.
5. Pancake Night
If you use a low-calorie waffle mix, you can still have lots of fun with your family on pancake night!
6. Kid-Friendly
If you have kids, pancakes from waffle mix are an ideal way to get them to eat more healthily without them even realizing it.
7. Easy to Store
Waffles are typically sold in bulk, which means you can store them for a long time without worrying about spoilage.
8. Variety
You can even make waffle-flavored pancakes from a plain pancake mix, which means you can change up your pancake flavors whenever you want.
9. Cost
Waffle mix is often cheaper than regular pancake mix, so if you’re on a budget, you might want to consider using waffle mix instead.
10. Convenience
Waffle mix is designed to produce a pancake that’s more dense than a regular pancake, which means you can use less waffle mix and still end up with the same amount of pancakes. If you’re making pancakes for a large group of people, using waffle mix can be more convenient than using regular pancake mix because it will save you time and money.
How To Make Pancakes From Waffle Mix
Tips for Making Pancakes from Waffle Mix
There are a few tips to keep in mind when making pancakes from waffle mix, but these will help you make sure these pancakes are the best they can be. – Use a Light Mixing Method: Because waffle mix has more moisture than pancake mix, you have to mix the batter less and use less air. Mix the batter just until everything is combined. Mixing too much can result in dense, heavy pancakes. – Use Lower Heat and Flip When Ready: Waffle mix pancakes will be softer and will cook more quickly than pancake batter. Start with lower heat and when bubbles start to form on the top of the pancake, flip it over. – Use a Nonstick Pan and Add Butter Towards the End: Pancake mix is more likely to stick than waffle mix, so use a nonstick pan and add a small amount of butter towards the end of cooking to prevent sticking.
Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk
If you want lighter, fluffier pancakes, then you should use buttermilk instead of milk. If you have both on hand you can always add a bit of milk to your buttermilk, but this will make your pancakes more dense. Don’t worry about adding too much buttermilk since it has a similar consistency to pancake batter. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can also use yogurt or sour cream. Sour cream will result in a slightly richer flavor and a little less fluffiness than buttermilk or yogurt. If you don’t specify which kind of milk you use, the recipe might require whole milk.
Add an Egg
Adding an egg to your waffle mix pancakes will make them lighter, fluffier, and richer. You can use either a regular egg or a pasteurized egg. Using a pasteurized egg will add a richness and color without the risk of salmonella. You can also use an egg substitute, but these don’t always work as well and can make them a bit denser. Adding an egg will make your pancakes more nutritious and a great source of protein. For a richer flavor, use a brown egg instead of a white egg. To make your pancakes even more nutritious, add some vegetables or fruits like carrots, apples, or blueberries. These will add flavor as well as fiber and vitamins.
Add Baking Soda and Vinegar
If your batter seems too thick, a small amount of baking soda and vinegar will help it thicken up. A thick batter is typical for waffle mix pancakes, but you can mix in a teaspoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of vinegar to achieve the right consistency. Baking soda will react with the vinegar and make your pancakes taste more acidic and tangy. Since baking soda is also a leavening agent, your pancakes will also rise more. Adding too much baking soda will lead to a bitter flavor, so measure carefully.
Add a Small Amount of Baking Powder
Baking powder will help your pancakes rise more. Start with a little bit, as adding too much will result in a bitter taste. You can mix it with a little bit of water before adding it to your batter. Baking powder has a longer shelf life than baking soda, so it’s a good choice if your baking soda is a bit old. If you use baking powder, make sure to use an expiration date that’s about 6 months in the future.
Use Dark Brown Sugar Instead of White Sugar
If you want deeper, richer flavor that goes well with maple syrup, then use dark brown sugar. It will also help your pancakes be a bit healthier and lower in calories. You can also use granulated sugar or a mix of the two. Using a darker sugar will give your pancakes a richer color and make them taste more like waffles.
Use Liquid Smoke and Real Butter
When making waffle mix pancakes, you can add a small amount of liquid smoke for a more traditional taste. This will add a subtle smoky flavor to your pancakes. You can also use real butter instead of oil or butter flavor. Using real butter will give your pancakes a rich flavor and a delicious smell. If you don’t have butter on hand, you can use margarine or shortening. Make sure to use a non-hydrogenated margarine or shortening to reduce the amount of unhealthy trans fats.
Make Belgian Waffles Instead of Pancakes
If you want to try something new, you can make Belgian waffles from your waffle mix. Belgian waffles are thicker and fluffier than traditional pancakes. Start with the same amount of batter as you would for a regular pancake, but increase the cooking time by a few minutes. When your waffles are finished, you can top them with syrup, whipped cream, or fruit. You can also make waffle sandwiches with waffles, eggs, and bacon to make a tasty breakfast treat.
Bottom Line
Making pancakes from waffle mix is easy and quick, and you may be able to use up ingredients that you already have on hand. The only real downside to this method is that you cannot control the texture of the pancakes as much as you might like. If you want to make pancakes from waffle mix, you can simply increase the number of leavening agents in the mix to make it lighter and fluffier. If you want to change up the flavor of the pancakes, you can add other flavorings to the batter.
