The Best Grocery Store Pancake Mixes, Ranked

Few dishes seem to evoke that cozy weekend feeling like a hearty stack of pancakes. Also known as flapjacks, these quick-cooking cakes are one of the most popular foods in the U.S., Taste Atlas says. However, pancakes are not uniquely an American dish. This delicious breakfast staple has been traced back as far as prehistoric times (via National Geographic), though what we consider to be traditional pancakes today are much more complex than our early ancestors' blend of stone-ground grains and water.

One reason we think the humble pancake has stayed relevant is that they are incredibly versatile (there are so many ways to customize them to your liking, like making them fluffier). Many pancake recipes use flour alternatives for those with allergies, some have unique ingredient combinations, and others have vegan substitutes to suit every diet. Plus, they are super easy to make. Pancakes have become even easier to whip up in the last century thanks to the prevalence of boxed mixes that simply require you to add eggs and oil, or even just a bit of water, before frying.

The downside of having so many options is knowing which grocery store pancake mix to choose. We've rounded up offerings from top brands that are available in supermarkets nationwide to help you narrow down the best pick for your needs, whether you're looking for a basic, buttermilk, gluten-free, gourmet, or vegan-friendly mix.

Stonewall Kitchen is the grocery store pick for gourmands who typically rely on Williams Sonoma or similar brands for their baking mixes. The Maine-based brand offers a range of top-notch delicacies from Sea Salt Espresso Martini Mixers to specialty jams, but its pancake mix is a perennial favorite, according to the brand, and is more widely available in supermarkets than some of its other products. This mix features enriched wheat and corn flours, malted barley extract, and buttermilk to create an old-school texture and flavor akin to johnnycakes. You'll need to have eggs, milk, and butter at the ready to properly follow the mix's recipe.

Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix has an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon, and reviewers seem to have mixed feelings about the product. Some say they came out dry (more so when used to make waffles), and others say they were too sweet. But while some folks disliked the mix, others say their pancakes came out better than making them at home. You'll have to try this mix out for yourself to make your own verdict.

Hungry Jack is all about breakfast, particularly pancakes, and its mixes and syrups evoke nostalgia for both millennials and Generation X-ers alike. The company was founded in 1967 and launched its then-revolutionary microwavable syrup in 1994, according to the brand's site. We're taking a closer look at Hungry Jack's Original Pancake & Waffle Mix, which requires a bit of milk, oil, and an egg to make the traditional-style pancakes. The ingredients list of the mix consists of: enriched bleached flour, sugar, rice flour, leavening agents, salt, canola oil, and some fortified vitamins and minerals that add a little nutritional boost to breakfast (or breakfast for dinner, if you prefer).

Hungry Jack Original Pancake & Waffle Mix has an average 5-star rating on Amazon, but many reviewers noted they are having a difficult time finding it in their local grocery stores these days. Thankfully it's available to shop via Amazon Prime, but you'll have to buy it in bulk to try these for yourself. This pick would rank higher if it wasn't due to its recent lack of accessibility.

If this box looks familiar but the brand doesn't ring a bell, that's because Pearl Milling Company is the new name for Aunt Jemima, and it has only been in place since February 2021, according to CNN. Through its various iterations, the brand is by far the oldest on our list and has been revolutionary in the grains industry, bringing the first self-rising pancake mix to grocery stores in 1889, according to the brand's site. Its pancake mix uses enriched bleached flour, sugar, leavening agents, and salt to create a product that requires some milk, oil, and an egg to make some pancake magic happen.

The Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake Mix has an average 4-star rating on Amazon and a 5-star rating from Target shoppers. While many of the Amazon reviews are more focused on the packaging than the product itself, Target reviewers noted that the pancakes were still as tasty and easy to make as they were when they were growing up. They also noted they're a great pick for families, not only because of the price point but for the simplicity of flavor. However, the flavor of these cakes doesn't compare as well as some of the others ranked higher on this list. Overall, they're a good basic pick. 

Simple Mills has been serving up unexpectedly delicious grain-free crackers, baking mixes, and more since 2012 — years before almond flour became a pantry staple in the U.S. While grain-free pancakes might sound tragic, it's worth taking a chance on Simple Mills's mix. The ingredients list features almond flour, arrowroot, coconut sugar, coconut flour, cream of tartar, baking powder, and sea salt to create a fluffy stack that looks almost too perfect to eat. Simply add eggs, your liquid of choice, and oil to the dry mixture.

We were pleasantly surprised to find out that you don't need grains to make amazing pancakes (although we will be making ours with them most of the time). Simple Mills Almond Flour Pancake & Waffle Mix has an impressive 4.5-star rating on Amazon. The main complaint from reviewers is the price point, as a box will set you back nearly $8 as compared to some $2 and $3 picks on the shelf. However, if you're looking for mixes that are free of bleached flours, artificial ingredients, and other additives, Simple Mills is a delicious option that could be worth the price.

Kodiak Cakes is a Utah-based brand, says CNBC, that focuses on bringing whole-grain baking mixes, snacks, and breakfast foods to consumers with a hearty blend of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates per the morning traditions of the American frontier. The brand has become best known for its protein-packed Power Cakes pancake mixes that can offer up to 21 grams of protein depending on how you prepare them. Just add your liquid of choice and eggs (how many depends on how hearty you want the pancakes to be). Its ingredients list features 100% whole grain and oat flours, wheat protein concentrate, and whey and milk protein isolates to help Kodiak Power Cakes fill you up. They're also non-GMO for those interested in those types of products.

Kodiak Power Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix has an average 5-star rating both on Amazon and the brand's website. The reviews on Amazon are about as complimentary as can be, with one Amazon reviewer saying they became a lifelong customer and another reviewer on the Kodiak Cakes site saying after making thousands of pancakes at IHOP over the years, these are the absolute best around.

Whether you actually have a gluten allergy or just prefer to dabble in gluten-free eating, finding the right baking mixes isn't always a breeze. Gluten is responsible for giving baked goods their crave-able texture and size, according to Baker Bettie, so it's important to find a gluten-free pancake mix that can still tick those boxes to create an appetizing breakfast. We took a look at King Arthur Baking Company's offerings, as the brand is well-respected in the baking world. The brand uses brown rice flour, potato and tapioca starches, and rice flour to create an actually-good pancake mix. You'll need eggs, milk, and melted butter or oil to make the cakes according to the box instructions.

The King Arthur Baking Company Baking Gluten-Free Classic Pancake Mix has an impressive 5-star rating on Amazon. Gluten Free on a Shoestring, a gluten-free food blog, found this product to be the best out of eight gluten-free pancake mixes for their fluffiness and delicious taste. Naturally, we had to try out these gluten-free pancakes for ourselves, and we were pleasantly surprised by the texture and taste. Try out their diner-style pancakes if you're looking for something more traditional that isn't gluten-free. 

From baking staples to granola and breakfast bars, Bob's Red Mill is a popular brand for shopping for whole-grain and grain-alternative products. The brand offers a whopping eight varieties of pancake mixes for every type of eater, whether you're gluten-free, paleo, or looking for some homestyle pancakes with lots of wheat and dairy. Bob's Red Mill's Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix is the brand's most popular pick and features organic whole wheat flour, buttermilk powder, wheat gluten, cane sugar, and salt to create its signature stack — just add oil, eggs, and a liquid of your choice.

Bob's Red Mill Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix offers the best of both worlds — delicious, fluffy pancakes and wholesome ingredients that will keep you full until your next meal. The product has a 4.6-star rating on the brand's website and a 4.4-star rating on Amazon, and reviewers love the consistency of this product and the fact that it has a simple list of organic ingredients. Plus, you'll get an impressive fiber and calcium boost.

Augason Farms is a particularly interesting brand on this list as it specializes in emergency food storage and has pioneered the survival food business, according to the brand. You can find their products at major retailers like Walmart, Sam's Club, and Costco. However, you don't have to be preparing for an emergency to enjoy Auguason Farms' products, as they sell smaller quantities of several popular items, such as its Buttermilk Pancake Mix. The product is made with cake flour, sugar, soybean flour, buttermilk powder, and eggs, so you'll just need to add water to achieve a glorious stack of pancakes in no time.

Augason Farms Buttermilk Pancake Mix is a best-selling pancake and waffle mix on Amazon, and it has an average 4.7-star rating. The product also boasts a 5-star rating on its website. According to the brand, you can also use this mix to make scones, biscuits, muffins, banana bread, and more — and that will be useful, as it's sold in a hefty 52-ounce canister.