How to make a simple homemade pancake mix, plus instructions on how to make the mix into pancakes for your busy weekday mornings.
If you love creative and tasty spins on classic pancakes, you need to try my Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes, Healthy Whole Grain Zucchini Bread Pancakes, and Whole Grain Carrot Cake Pancakes with Maple Cream Cheese Whipped Cream (truly divine).
Homemade Pancake Mix
What makes a mix or box of pre-measured dry ingredients so appealing? Cake, muffins, pancakes -- name a baked good, and you can probably find a mix for it on the shelf at the market. There is just something about a mix that makes the process seem so much simpler, don't you think? I mean, is it really that hard to get the flour, sugar, and baking powder out and measure it? No. Does it feel like a lot of work sometimes? Yes!
For this homemade pancake mix, simply measure out the dry ingredients for your recipe into a mason jar, and then label the jar with what else the recipes needs (wet ingredients), baking temperature, and baking time. Use an old flat and the metal canning ring to close the jar, and pop it on your shelf. So easy!
I do this with waffles, pancakes, cornbread, basic muffins, and biscuits. I normally write out my label on masking tape and just stick it to the outside of the jar; it comes off easily when the jar is washed. I love having these mixes on hand for busy mornings because I know exactly what's in them, and they take no time to put together!
What is pancake mix made of?
Pancake mix is so, so simple to make -- all you need is 2 cups of flour, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Put it all in a mason jar, and add a label with instructions to add an egg, 1 ½ cups of milk, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter or oil.
What can I add to pancake mix?
You can add a few yummy additions to the dry pancake mix, like cinnamon powder, pumpkin pie seasoning, dry fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips if you're storing it in a cool place! Don't add things like fresh fruit or anything else that could spoil until you're actually making the pancakes themselves.
How long does homemade pancake mix last for?
This will last a good while in your pantry since it's a bunch of dry ingredients in a sealed container! Flour typically lasts for about 6 to 8 months, so I'd use the pancake mix within that span of time after making it.
Weekday Pancakes from a Homemade Mix
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 pancakes 1x
Description
How to make a simple homemade pancake mix, plus instructions on how to make the mix into pancakes for your busy weekday mornings.
Ingredients
In your mason jar, combine:
- 2 cups flour (all purpose, whole wheat, or a combo of the two)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For your label, write:
Basic Pancakes
Add:
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil
Mix ingredients together, and cook on griddle over medium heat.
Instructions
To make the homemade pancake mix:
- Add the dry ingredients to a quart-sized mason jar (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt).
- Repeat with more dry ingredients and more jars to make up enough jars for a month of weekday pancakes (4 in my house, we have pancakes once a week), and add the lids.
- Write out a label, and stick it to the jar (thick masking tape works great to write labels on).
- Store until your busy weekday morning.
To make the pancakes :
- When that busy morning comes, just pour the contents of the jar into a medium bowl.
- Make a well in the center, add all of the wet ingredients as listed on the label (egg, oil, and milk), and whisk together. Cook on a well-greased griddle, skillet, or cast iron pan over medium heat, until golden-brown on both sides.
- Serve with your go-to pancake topping, such as maple syrup, yogurt, honey, or berries.
Notes
- If using whole wheat flour, you'll probably need to add a few tablespoons more milk so that the batter is thin enough to pour.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
Other pancake recipes you'll love:
- Blueberry Topping for Waffles, Pancakes, or Ice Cream
- Homemade Whole Wheat Pancakes
- The Best Strawberry Pancakes (allergy-friendly)
- Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes
- Healthy Whole Grain Zucchini Bread Pancakes
- Whole Grain Carrot Cake Pancakes with Maple Cream Cheese Whipped Cream (naturally sweetened too!)
- Pumpkin Buttermilk Pancakes from One Lovely Life
This post was originally published in 2012, and has been updated and rephotographed in September 2019.
Homemade pancake mix is super quick to throw together and makes delicious pancakes on busy weekday mornings so much easier!
Cheryl
Could buttermilk be interchangeable with whole milk?
Melissa
Yes, it'll work great and they'll be extra light and fluffy!
deb c
I don't even bother with tape labels anymore....I write directly on the jars with a sharpie marker. The marker scrubs off easily when I wash the jar....it saves me sooooo much time as I can't stand any amount of stickum left from removing tape! Now to go look up that maple cream cheese whipped cream!!!!
Helen
Hello! Am confused, you don't use refined sugar but in your recipe there is sugar? What kind of sugar is that? I am thinking about doing clean eating for myself and the family, and do like the idea of it but found it difficult to imagine not using refined sugar.
Melissa
I have a lot of luck with coconut sugar. This recipe is old, so I haven't changed it, I just leave the sugar out now and top them with real maple syrup or fruit. The recipe won't be affected by leaving out the sugar! And I do use refined sugar, just not most of the time, when I make treats though I just use normal sugar (like birthday cake!) I just try to avoid it for most meals and snacks.
Meagan
Do you store your fresh ground wheat in the jars? I've found after a few days it begins to taste stale....
Melissa
I do! My pantry is pretty cold, so it seems to stay fresh enough.
Jeff
Would you use regular pancake syrup and butter?
Melissa
We like real maple syrup and butter or homemade strawberry jam best! Whatever you normally have on pancakes will work great! Enjoy!
melissa ketcham
how much of the mix do you put in the mason jar?
Melissa
You put the whole recipe in the jar- it's one batch of pancakes. Then just dump it in the bowl and add the wet ingredients when it's time to make them and enjoy!
Clairmise
How many servings does one mason jar make?
Melissa
It makes 6-10 pancakes depending on size. So I'd say it serves 4-6 (it is just right for my family of me and my husband and our three little kids) if you have a bigger family you might want to try adding a half batch to the jar! Let me know how it works!
clarsen
I do this too with my gluten free food, because some days it seems too hard to get out all the ingredients. I just put them in ziploc bags. I like the jar idea though.
Ashley
Did you know today is National Pancake day?
Melissa
Actually I didn't know! It must be good Karma 🙂