DIY Classic Pancake & Waffle Mix

Skip the boxed mix! This foolproof homemade pancake and waffle mix makes fluffy pancakes and crispy, golden waffles every time using simple pantry ingredients.

Make your own DIY Pancake & Waffle Mix at home with just five basic dry ingredients. Keep the mix stored in your pantry and you’ll have a convenient homemade breakfast base ready whenever the craving strikes.

The mix can be used for both fluffy pancakes and crisp-edged waffles, making it a versatile staple for weekend breakfasts, brunches, and busy mornings.

⏱ Recipe Information

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: About 4½–5 cups dry mix
Difficulty: Easy
Method: No-Cook

Ingredients

Homemade Pancake & Waffle Mix

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (500 g)
• 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon baking powder (43 g)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g)
• 2 teaspoons fine salt (12 g)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (5 g)

Instructions

1. Measure the Ingredients

For the most consistent results, measure the flour using a kitchen scale.

If measuring by volume, spoon the flour into your measuring cups and level the tops with a knife rather than scooping directly from the flour container.

Accurate measurements help ensure the correct balance of flour and leavening ingredients.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, fine salt, and baking soda to a large mixing bowl.

Whisk thoroughly until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the flour.

Pay particular attention to the baking powder and baking soda, as they need to be dispersed evenly so the pancakes and waffles rise consistently.

3. Break Up Any Lumps

If the flour or leavening ingredients contain lumps, sift the entire mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.

This creates a lighter, more uniform dry mix and helps prevent concentrated pockets of baking powder or baking soda.

4. Store the Mix

Transfer the finished pancake and waffle mix to a clean, airtight container or large resealable bag.

Label the container with the name of the mix and the date it was prepared.

Store in a cool, dry pantry away from heat and moisture.

For the best results, use within 2–3 months, assuming the individual ingredients are fresh.

How to Make Pancakes

When you’re ready to make pancakes, use the dry mix as your homemade boxed-mix replacement.

Basic Pancake Ratio

For approximately 1 cup of dry mix, combine with:

• ¾ cup milk, plus more if needed
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter or neutral oil
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional

Pancake Method

1. Add the dry mix to a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
4. Stir gently until just combined.
5. A few small lumps are perfectly fine. Do not overmix.
6. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
7. Heat a lightly greased skillet or griddle over medium heat.
8. Pour approximately ¼ cup batter onto the hot surface for each pancake.
9. Cook until bubbles form across the surface and the edges begin to look set.
10. Flip and cook the second side until golden brown and cooked through.
11. Serve immediately with butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or your favorite toppings.

Pancake Tip

For fluffy pancakes, don’t overmix the batter. Excessive mixing develops gluten and can make the pancakes dense and chewy instead of light and tender.

How to Make Waffles

For crisp, golden waffles, use approximately 1 cup of dry mix with:

• ¾ cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional

Waffle Method

1. Combine the dry mix with the wet ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Whisk just until the ingredients come together.
3. Allow the batter to rest for approximately 5 minutes.
4. Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Lightly grease the waffle iron if necessary.
6. Pour in the appropriate amount of batter for your waffle maker.
7. Close the lid and cook until the waffle is deeply golden and crisp.
8. Carefully remove and serve immediately.

For the crispiest waffles, place finished waffles directly on a wire rack rather than stacking them. This allows steam to escape and keeps the exterior crisp.

Chef’s Tips

Keep the Mix Completely Dry

Moisture is the enemy of homemade dry mix. Always use a completely dry container and clean, dry measuring utensils.

Shake or Whisk Before Using

The ingredients can settle during storage. Give the container a good shake or whisk the mix before measuring it out.

Don’t Overmix Pancake Batter

Small lumps are better than overworked batter. Mix only until the flour is incorporated.

Rest the Batter

A short 5-minute rest gives the flour time to hydrate and allows the batter to settle before cooking.

Use a Hot Cooking Surface

A properly preheated skillet or waffle iron gives pancakes and waffles better browning and texture.

Storage

Store the dry mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry.

Best quality: Use within 2–3 months.

Always check that the baking powder and baking soda are fresh before preparing the mix. Old leavening agents can result in flat pancakes and waffles.

Make-Ahead Breakfast

This homemade mix is ideal for meal prep.

Prepare a large batch, store it in an airtight container, and portion out only what you need whenever you’re ready to make breakfast.

For easy weekday breakfasts, pre-measure the mix into individual containers or bags so the wet ingredients can simply be added when needed.

Serving Ideas

For Pancakes

Serve with:

• Butter and maple syrup
• Fresh strawberries
• Blueberries
• Sliced bananas
• Honey
• Whipped cream
• Peanut butter
• Nutella
• Caramel sauce

For Waffles

Try topping with:

• Butter and maple syrup
• Fresh berries
• Whipped cream
• Powdered sugar
• Bananas and walnuts
• Fried chicken for a savory-sweet combination
• Ice cream and chocolate sauce for dessert waffles

Recipe Summary

This DIY Classic Pancake & Waffle Mix is an easy homemade alternative to boxed breakfast mixes. Made with all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and baking soda, it can be prepared in minutes and stored for convenient breakfasts anytime.

Use it to make fluffy, tender pancakes or crispy, golden waffles with just a few fresh ingredients added when you’re ready to cook.