If you’re on the hunt for a quick and easy 3-ingredient breakfast recipe the whole family will go nuts for, look no further than this simple recipe for Muffin Mix Pancakes. Light, fluffy, and perfect for loading up with berries, bananas, or chocolate chips, these muffin pancakes are the cooking hack you didn’t know you needed!
These muffin-mix pancakes take me back to my college days. My mom used to add a box of Betty Crocker Blueberry Muffin Mix to the care packages she'd send me, so I would make pancakes to stretch the box for as long as possible (even though I used to eat most of it in one sitting 😂). They’re also the perfect recipe when you have little more than a hot plate!
Table of contents
Why You'll Love These Muffin Mix Pancakes
If you’ve ever wondered how to make pancakes out of muffin mix, today is your lucky day. Aside from being one of the quickest ways to whip up a batch of diner-style griddle cakes, this recipe for making pancakes with muffin mix is also:
- Made with just 3 simple ingredients. Using little more than a box of your favorite boxed baking helper, you can whip up a short stack of gorgeously golden, enviably lofty pancakes in mere minutes.
- Works across brands. Whether you’re a Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Girl like me, or if you prefer to make Martha White muffin mix pancakes or Betty Crocker muffin mix pancakes, this recipe has got your back. It even works with gluten-free mixes!
- Totally customizable. First, you can easily use whatever flavored box mix you prefer, plain or otherwise. (Blueberry muffin mix pancakes? Yes, please!) Better yet, these little flapjacks are easy to stud with all your favorite pancake add-ins, bringing your total ingredient list to just 4 measly items!
Long story short: if you’ve been wondering what to make with muffin mix, you definitely need to learn how to turn muffin mix into pancakes!
Ingredients Needed
Hacking your box of muffin mix into pancakes requires just a couple of extra ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Muffin Mix - Any flavor, any brand. Feel free to use dairy-free or gluten-free mix if needed!
- Egg - For binding. Allow it to come to room temperature to make it easier to mix into the batter. If eggs are a no-no, try swapping in your favorite vegan egg replacer like JUST Eggs or mashed banana.
- Milk - Regular dairy milk or plant-based milk both work beautifully here. If you opt for plant-based milk, be sure to choose an unsweetened variety — the muffin mix already has a lot of sugar. You can also use buttermilk if you want them to have a little tang!
- Mix-Ins of Choice - If I can get my little man to eat some extra fruit in the morning, I consider it a win. As such, blueberries and bananas are regular additions to these pancakes from muffin mix! If I’m feeling particularly decadent, chocolate chips are another favorite.
How To Make Pancakes From Muffin Mix
Using muffin mix for pancakes is a snap. Here’s how they’re made:
Step 1: Make batter. Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix together until you have a smooth batter.
Step 2: Cook pancakes. Heat a nonstick skillet or a griddle on medium-low heat. Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, pour the batter onto the skillet. Add some blueberries or chocolate chips, if adding.
Step 3: Flip. Let the pancakes cook for about 2-3 minutes before flipping (you should see bubbles on the surface), then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes.
Optional Variations
When you turn muffin mix into pancakes, you might not think you have as much flexibility with the recipe as if you made it from scratch. As it turns out, you do! Here are a few ways you can customize your short stack:
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free muffin mix. Let the batter rest for 30 minutes after mixing to allow the flour to rehydrate and prevent your pancakes from turning gritty.
- Dairy-Free: Use your favorite dairy-free muffin mix and use your preferred unsweetened plant-based milk.
- Vegan: Use vegan muffin mix, dairy-free milk, and your preferred vegan egg substitute. (Note: I have not tried this method, but I *think* it should work! If you try it, let me know how it goes in the comments below or tag me in your social posts so I can see the results!)
- Different Flavors: Feel free to swap in new mixes to celebrate the seasons. Try lemon muffin mix and add your favorite berries in the spring, or pumpkin spice muffin mix and add pecans in the fall!
- Freezer Pancakes: Give “Future You” a time-saving gift by making extra pancakes with muffin mix. Let them cool to room temp, then separate them with pieces of parchment paper before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re in need of a grab-and-go breakfast or snack, simply pop one or more in the toaster oven or microwave!
Serving Suggestions
Looking for some fun ways to zhuzh up your Muffin Mix Pancakes? Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
- Berrylicious Bliss: Top your flapjacks with lightly macerated fresh or frozen berries. This is also a great spot for some berry jam!
- Yogurt Parfait Pancakes: Layer your pancakes with a spoonful of protein-packed plain Greek yogurt between each one. Add a sprinkle of (homemade?) granola for crunch and a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness.
- Tropical Paradise: Make a tropical fruit salsa with diced mangoes, pineapples, kiwis, and a squeeze of lime juice to spoon atop your muffin pancakes. Top it all off with a dusting of golden toasted coconut flakes.
- Nut Butter Delight: Spread a spoonful of your favorite nut or seed butter on top of your pancakes. Sprinkle on some sliced bananas or berries for a breakfast-y riff on PB sandwiches.
- Citrus Bliss: Zest some fresh citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits into your muffin mix pancake batter. Finish with a dollop of marmalade and light dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- Protein Boost: Make your own DIY McGriddles by stuffing your muffin mix pancakes with scrambled eggs and/or a couple of turkey bacon slices. While it won't be quite as easy to hold by hand, it's a healthier and cheaper option than fast food!
- Green Pancakes: Blend a scoop or two of your favorite green powder (e.g. wheatgrass, spirulina, matcha, etc) to create vibrant green pancakes. Serve them with fresh fruit for a nutritious and colorful meal.
Recipe Success Tips
Learning how to make pancakes with Betty Crocker muffin mix (or any muffin mix!) is pretty simple. That said, you should keep a few things in mind:
- Muffin mix is higher in sugar than pancake mix, which means it’s more prone to burning. Keep an eye on things and adjust the heat if you notice it browning too quickly!
- Due to the higher sugar content, muffin mix also leaves the pan a little sticky so make sure to add oil between each pancake and use a paper towel to wipe off the sticky residue if necessary.
- To prevent your pancakes from getting soggy, let them cool on a wire rack.
- You can also keep your cooked pancakes in a 200°F oven to keep them warm while you finish the batch so everyone can have a warm plate all at the same time. Note that you shouldn’t keep pancakes in a warm oven for more than about 30 minutes or you’ll risk them drying out.
- These muffin mix pancakes are sweet on their own so you can eat them without syrup! At most, you’ll only need a teeny bit of syrup or a light dusting of powdered sugar. To keep things a bit more nutritious, I prefer using fresh fruit, chia jam, or yogurt in lieu of syrup.
Storage Directions
Since this recipe only makes 6 pancakes and they're so dang delicious, it's unlikely they'll last long enough for you to store them!
That said, any leftovers can be stacked using small pieces of parchment paper to keep them separate (this helps them not stick together!) and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to a month.
To reheat, pop them in the toaster oven (preferred), on a warm, dry skillet, or in the microwave.
FAQs
Aside from using it to make delightful plain muffin pancakes, you have lots of options:
1. Add mix-ins like fresh or frozen berries, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or dried fruits like raisins or cranberries for some fun flavorful and textural components.
2. Experiment by adding spices and extracts like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or vanilla extract.
3. Instead of using plain milk, substitute it with buttermilk or some thinned-out yogurt.
If your muffin mix pancakes are turning out flat instead of fluffy, there could be a few reasons:
1. Make sure you're not adding too much liquid. Pancake batter needs to be thick enough to hold its shape and create fluffy pancakes. If the batter is too runny, you may want to add a bit more of the muffin mix, working a tablespoon or so at a time. Note: This is why it’s a good idea to invest in a kitchen scale!
2. Avoid overmixing, which can lead to gluten development, resulting in tougher pancakes with less fluffiness. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined.
3. The muffin mix likely contains leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda, which help the pancakes rise. If your pancakes are consistently flat, check the expiration date of your mix. Over time, they can lose their effectiveness. If it's expired, consider adding a small amount of baking powder (around ½ teaspoon per cup of muffin mix) to the batter to help achieve the desired fluffiness.
4. Allowing the pancake batter to rest for a few minutes before cooking can improve the fluffiness of the pancakes. This rest time allows the leavening agents to activate and the gluten to relax, resulting in lighter and more tender pancakes. Give the batter a brief rest of 10-15 minutes before cooking (or 30 minutes if you're using a gluten-free mix).
5. Cooking pancakes at too high a heat can cause them to spread out and cook too quickly, resulting in flatter pancakes. Make sure your griddle or pan is heated to medium or medium-low heat.
YUP! This recipe tells you how!
Tools Needed To Make The Recipe
- Dry and liquid measuring cups
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or silicone spatula
- Spring-loaded disher/cookie scoop (optional)
- Non-stick griddle or skillet
- Hard spatula for flipping
More Breakfast Recipes
Whether you're craving a scrumptiously quick breakfast or a delightful weekend brunch, these easy Muffin Mix Pancakes are sure to satisfy your cravings. With endless flavor possibilities and simple tweaks to suit your taste, there's a little something for everyone!
So, go grab a box of muffin mix, add your favorite mix-ins, and start flipping those fluffy pancakes. Don't forget to share your delicious creations with me on social and spread the pancake love!
Muffin Mix Pancakes
Ingredients
- 6.5 oz muffin mix
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk of choice
- blueberries or chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix together until you have a smooth batter.
- Heat a nonstick skillet or a griddle on medium-low heat. Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, pour the batter onto the skillet. Add some blueberries or chocolate chips, if adding.
- Let the pancakes cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side.
Marilyn Field says
Yum-mers!