Bulk Homemade Pancake Mix: Easy DIY Fluffy Pancakes
If you love pancakes and enjoy the convenience of a premade mix, creating your own DIY bulk pancake mix is the way to go! Homemade pancake mix saves time, allows you to control the ingredients, and ensures you always have a delicious pancake mix on hand for an easy breakfast option on those lazy weekend mornings or busy weekdays! It also makes a great DIY gift!
My kids LOVE pancakes. They especially love lazy Sunday morning pancakes!
I do not love all the ingredients listed on most pancake mixes. I especially don’t like seeing ingredients on the list that I can’t even pronounce – especially for something as simple as pancakes!
If you love a morning stack of flapjacks, making your own homemade pancake mix is an easy and cost-effective way to prepare your favorite breakfast!
And it’s more traditional than my easy peasy Fluffy Homemade Sheet Pan Pancakes Recipe.
All you need are some simple dry ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, such as all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Just mix everything together, store it in an airtight container, and you’re ready to whip up some fluffy pancakes whenever the craving strikes.
Additionally, homemade pancake mix makes a thoughtful and practical gift idea for your family, friends, or even as a hostess gift. Include a cute mason jar and a printable label or tag, and you have a personalized and heartfelt present that’s sure to delight.
Why Make Your Own Pancake Mix
One of the primary benefits of creating your personalized pancake mix is the money-saving aspect. Store-bought pancake mixes can be expensive, while the ingredients required for homemade mix are relatively inexpensive.
In addition to being cheaper, a do-it-yourself pancake mix ensures you have control over the quality and freshness of the ingredients. By making your own mix, you can avoid unwanted additives and preservatives often found in store-bought mixes.
Additionally, having a ready-to-make pancake mix on hand makes morning breakfast preparation a breeze (GREAT for those of us who can barely move in the mornings!). With your homemade bulk pancake mix stored in an airtight container, all you need to do is add the wet ingredients, and you’re ready to start cooking. Time-saver!
Finally, creating your own pancake mix allows you to experiment with various flavors and combinations, like adding whole wheat flour, oats, or flax seeds, enabling you to cater to your taste preferences and dietary needs. By making your own mix, you can create customized recipes that suit your particular likes and dietary needs.
The Basics of Making Pancake Mix
It’s so much easier than you may think! Here’s what you need to know.
Choosing Your Ingredients
To make your DIY bulk pancake mix, you’ll need the following basic ingredients:
- Flour – All-purpose flour provides the ideal consistency and texture for your pancakes. Whole wheat flour can also be used as a healthier alternative but results in denser pancakes.
- Baking Powder – This is a must-have ingredient for fluffy pancakes.
- Sugar – A touch of sugar enhances the flavor of your pancakes and provides a hint of sweetness. Granulated sugar is the most common choice, but experiment with alternatives like brown sugar or a sugar substitute for a lower-calorie version.
- Salt – Just a pinch will help balance the flavors and bring out the best in your pancake mix.
Ingredient Ratios
Getting the right balance of ingredients is crucial for a successful pancake mix. Here’s a general guideline for a basic recipe:
- 4.5 cups of flour
- 3.5 tablespoons of baking powder
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
To create your pancake mix, simply follow these steps:
- Measure out your ingredients in the quantities outlined above.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
- Whisk them together to ensure even distribution.
- Transfer your dry mix to an airtight container or mason jar and store in a cool, dry place for up to 2 months.
This delicious homemade pancake mix means you always have homemade pancakes (or awesome DIY gift) at the ready for any occasion!
Using Homemade Pancake Mix To Make Pancakes
**Makes a stack of pancakes (8 total) using ⅓ cup batter each**
Wet Ingredients For Pancake Batter:
- 1 ⅔ Cup Pre-made Mix
- 1 ¼ Cup Whole Milk
- 3 Tablespoons Melted Unsalted Butter
- 1 Large Egg
Directions:
- Sift the pancake mix into a medium or large bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well until you have a smooth batter. (A few small lumps are ok)
- Heat a griddle or skillet to medium heat and spread a bit of butter around the pan.
- Pour about ⅓ cup batter for each pancake.
- Let cook until the pancake easily lifts from the pan without being too floppy or sticking. This will take about 3 minutes, depending on your stove. Repeat for the other side and remove from the pan. Repeat with the rest of your batter.
- Top with a pat of butter and syrup, if desired, and enjoy!
**Grab the printable recipe card below or the free printable gift tags for all the recipe details!
Homemade Pancake Mix Customization Ideas
Remember, with a DIY bulk pancake mix, you can customize it any way you’d like—adjust the sweetness, experiment with alternative flours, or add your favorite mix-ins like fruit or chocolate chips.
Here are some ideas and suggestions.
Flour Alternatives
Trying new flour options for your homemade bulk pancake mix can lead to yummy discoveries. Try experimenting with whole wheat flour, oat flour, or gluten-free flour blends.
NOTE: Want the benefits of whole wheat flour but the taste of all-purpose flour, swap out only half of the all-purpose flour in your recipe with whole wheat flour. Remember that the texture and taste of your pancake may change slightly with each unique flour.
Sweetening Your Mix
Common choices include sugar and brown sugar.
Adding Flavor (and Fun!)
To make your homemade bulk pancake mix truly your own, try adding some flavorful and fun ingredients that will make each pancake a treat.
- Milk or Buttermilk: Use regular milk, buttermilk, or dairy-free milk, such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk (according to your preferences and diet).
- Eggs or Egg Alternative: Choose between using fresh eggs, powdered eggs, or an egg substitute to suit different dietary needs.
- Butter or Oil: Butter provides a rich flavor, while oil keeps the pancakes moist and tender. Both options work well, so pick the one you prefer.
- Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of vanilla extract can elevate your pancakes to a new level of yumminess.
- Fruits: Adding blueberries, other berries, chopped apples, or sliced bananas into the mix provides natural sweetness and a burst of flavor. Dried fruit, like raisins, make terrific pancakes, too!
- Nuts: Add your favorite chopped nuts!
- Chocolate: Mixing in chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or peanut butter chips can transform your pancakes into an indulgent treat, perfect for weekends or special occasions! Chocolate chip pancakes = 🥰️
How to Serve Homemade Pancakes
This mix makes perfect pancakes – golden brown and hot off the griddle!
Once you cook your pancakes, top them with all your favorite toppings, such as melted butter, maple syrup, whipped cream, fresh fruit, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce for the perfect Saturday morning treat.
Experiment and enjoy!
Homemade Pancake Mix Tips
- You can skip the salt in the homemade pancake mix recipe if you use salted butter when you make the pancakes.
- You can skip the sifting if you like, but I think the pancakes turn out much better with the sifting.
- Use fresh ingredients! While you can make this batter ahead of time so you always have some on hand, don’t let it sit for months without using it. If you do, your pancakes will be flat and thin and won’t taste as good.
- I do not suggest storing this in the fridge or the freezer with sugar in it. If you would like to store it in the fridge or freezer as just the mix, I would forgo the sugar and just add the sugar when you make your pancakes.
Storing Your Mix
To maintain the freshness and quality of your DIY bulk pancake mix, it’s crucial to store it properly. Here are some storage suggestions:
- Airtight containers are the best option for preserving your mix. Plastic or glass containers with tight-sealing lids will keep out moisture and air. That prolongs the shelf life of your homemade pancake mix.
- Mason jars make an excellent and stylish alternative to regular airtight containers. They come in various sizes and can be easily sealed to maintain freshness. Plus, they are reusable and environmentally friendly!
Remember to place your chosen storage container in a cool, dry, and dark location, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
*NOTE: If you have leftover pancakes from making a batch of fresh pancakes with this mix, I recommend putting them in an airtight container (or Ziplock bag) in your fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To reheat them, just put them in your microwave for a few seconds or in the toaster or toaster oven if you want them crispy!
Shelf Life Expectancy
- A store-bought pancake mix typically has a shelf life of around six months to a year.
- A homemade mix without preservatives may last for only two months.
- Ingredients like baking soda and baking powder lose their effectiveness over time. Unopened, they can last for 2-3 years, but once opened, they should be used within 6 months.
To ensure that you’re always using the freshest and best-tasting mix, make a note of the date when you create your homemade bulk pancake mix.
Comparing Homemade Mix to Store-Bought Options
Taste and Texture
When it comes to taste and texture, homemade pancake mix allows you to customize your pancakes based on your preferences. You can choose between all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour (or a mix of both) depending on your desired texture. To achieve a rich taste, you can add real buttermilk or powdered buttermilk to your recipe.
Store-bought mixes, like Bisquick, use powdered ingredients like powdered milk or powdered butter, which don’t provide the same flavor depth as fresh ingredients. They also have preservatives and additional ingredients for longer shelf life.
Homemade mixes also let you include or exclude specific ingredients, catering to individuals with gluten sensitivities or other dietary restrictions.
Cost
Finally, let’s consider the cost of homemade pancake mix compared to store-bought options. You can buy ingredients like all-purpose flour, sugar, and powdered buttermilk in bulk, saving money in the long run.
Bonus: This also equates to less packaging waste, as you can reuse containers for storing your homemade mix!
Homemade Pancake Mix FAQs
This is the best pancake recipe! But if you’ve never made a batch of pancakes with a DIY bulk pancake mix before, I imagine you have a few questions! Here are some common questions I see about this homemade pancake recipe and some helpful answers to ensure you get the fluffiest pancakes every time!
To make pancakes ahead of time for a crowd, you can prepare and cook the pancakes as you normally would. Once they’re cooked, let them cool down completely before placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Put the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours. After the pancakes are frozen, transfer them to a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container and store them in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve the pancakes, simply reheat them in a microwave, toaster, or oven until they are warmed through.
Yes, you can make bulk pancake mix gluten-free by substituting an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend for the regular flour in the recipe. Make sure to look for a flour blend that contains xanthan gum or add it separately, as it helps to provide the right texture. The rest of the ingredients, such as baking powder, sugar, and salt, should already be gluten-free, but always double-check labels to make sure.
The secret to making fluffy pancakes is to use buttermilk. Buttermilk pancakes are fluffier because the acidity of buttermilk helps to tenderize the gluten in the flour, which results in fluffier pancakes. If you don’t have buttermilk, whole milk will give the pancakes a richer flavor, while skim milk will give them a lighter and fluffier feel.
Yep, making your own bulk pancake mix is cheaper than purchasing pre-made mixtures from the store. Plus, by making your own mix, you control the ingredients and can avoid any added preservatives or artificial flavors. Additionally, homemade pancake mix makes it easy to customize the recipe according to your taste preferences or dietary restrictions.
Here are a few tips to make your pancake mix go further:
1. Add extra ingredients to the mix, such as oats, mashed bananas, grated apples, or shredded zucchini. This stretches the mix and adds extra flavor and nutrition to your pancakes.
2. Use smaller portion sizes when pouring the batter onto the griddle. Smaller pancakes are easier to flip and can make the mix last longer.
3. Add a side dish to your pancake breakfast. Serve your pancakes with scrambled eggs or a fruit salad to create a more filling meal without needing additional pancake mix.
