How to Make Proper Waffles With a Pancake Mix?

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So you’re tired of eating flapjacks and you want to learn how to make waffles using the pancake mix in your pantry? Then you’re not alone!

As someone who’s equally pragmatic and open to new possibilities, I’ve made more than a few batches of reasonably crispy waffles using my favorite boxed mix. And I’ll show you how you can achieve the same spectacular results.

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Top view of stack of waffles garnished with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in a plate

How to properly prepare waffles with a pancake mix?

In order to make waffles using a pancake mix you’ll need to follow a few simple steps.

The entire process is similar to whipping a batch of pancakes, but there are a few key differences between waffle and pancake batter.

On one hand, waffle batter contains sugar which gets caramelized and gives waffles their traditional crispy texture.

And on the other, it has significantly more fats which are responsible for the light, soft texture of waffles.

This also prevents waffles from sticking to the hot iron and making a mess.

Having said that, here are the ingredients for my favorite waffle recipe with pancake mix:

  1. 2 Cups (250 g) Pancake Mix
  2. 1 Cup (237 ml) Water
  3. 4 tbsp (60 ml) Canola Oil
  4. 1 Egg

If you have a reason not to use eggs, you can substitute them with applesauce, which will also act as a binder for the waffles because of the pectin it contains.

I’ve mostly made this recipe using Krusteaz’s pancake mix, but Pearl Milling’s mix works just as well.

Ingredients and tools for waffles with made with a pancake mix

And here’s how to make crispy waffles using a boxed pancake mix:

  1. Sift the pancake mix, and then add it to a large bowl along with the canola oil and water.
  2. Beat the egg, then whisk it in the bowl until all of the ingredients are well combined.
  3. Spray your waffle iron with cooking oil to prevent the waffles from sticking.
  4. Once the waffle maker is fully heated, add a quarter of the batter (or as much as the waffle maker requires) and cook until the waffle is ready.

You can check the recipe card at the end of the article for additional information.

Five joined heart-shaped waffles on a wire rack with a waffle iron and a slotted turner in the distance

Can you use a pancake mix for waffles without adding anything else?

Even though you can use pancake mix in a waffle maker, doing it without any extra ingredients is not a good idea.

Apart from the previously mentioned reasons, pancake batter is also less thick since it’s made with more liquids.

So if you just add water to your pancake mix and pour it straight onto your waffle iron, the batter will run off the edges and make a mess.

Moreover, the resulting “waffle” will have a dry, crunchy texture that won’t even resemble a pancake.

So to turn your pancake mix into a waffle mix, you’ll need to add an egg and 2 tbsp of cooking oil for every cup of the mix.

Waffles served with a piece of butter, maple syrup, and fresh fruits

As a quick note: If you’re interested in other easy recipes for a pancake mix maybe check out my protein powder pancakes.

Tasty Tips for Fluffy Waffles

Waffles are one of the easiest breakfasts you can make, but you can still mess things up if you’re not careful.

Fortunately, there are a few easy tricks that will make your waffles splendid every single time.

Here are three tips that will help you improve the flavor of your waffles:

  • Don’t overwork the batter.

    Mixing the batter for more than it’s needed will overdevelop the gluten strands and give the waffles a rubbery texture.

    To prevent this, stir the ingredients with a wooden spatula or a spoon until the batter becomes smooth without any visible lumps.

  • Don’t open the lid too soon.

    Lifting the lid before the waffles are ready can rip them if they’re stuck on one of their sides.

    This is why it’s important to always spray your waffle iron with cooking oil and pour in the batter only when it’s fully heated.

  • Keep your waffles warm in the oven or crockpot.

    If you’re making breakfast for more than yourself, then you’d probably want to know how you can keep your waffles warm.

    Which is quite simple.

    All you’ll need to do is preheat your oven to 200℉ and place the ready waffles on a wire rack.

    You can alternatively fire up your crockpot on the Warm setting and transfer the cooked waffles there.

  • Use milk instead of water.

    If you want to enrich the flavor of your waffles, you can use milk instead of water.

    This will give them a softer crumb and a lighter texture.

Three sliced waffles on a plate with a fork and another stack of waffles in the background

Storage

In case there are any leftovers, you can place the waffles in an airtight bag or container and store them in the fridge.

Once in the fridge, the waffles can be stored there for about three days.

You can also store them in the freezer and keep them there for up to three months.

To do so, you’ll first need to spread them on a baking sheet and flash-freeze them for 2 hours.

This will prepare the waffles for long-term storage and prevent them from sticking together.

After the waffles have solidified, you should take the baking sheet out of the freezer and place them in an airtight container.

Once this is done, the waffles will be ready for freezing.

Waffles in an airtight bag at the bottom and in a container at the top

More quick breakfast recipe ideas: Fluffy Scrambled Eggs With Ricotta Cheese

how to make waffles with pancake mix
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How to Make Proper Waffles With a Pancake Mix?

Have you ever wondered if you can use your pancake mix to make waffles? Well, you certainly can! I like making this waffle recipe with Krusteaz's pancake mix, but you can use any mix you want.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
by: Aya
Servings: 4
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Pancake Mix
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 4 tbsp Canola Oil
  • 1 Egg

Instructions

  • Sift the pancake mix, then combine it with the water and Canola oil in a large bowl. This will prevent the formation of lumps in the batter.
  • Whisk the beaten egg in the bowl and mix all of the ingredients until they're well combined.
  • Spray the waffle maker with cooking oil to prevent the waffles from sticking.
  • Heat the waffle maker, then add a quarter or as much of the batter as your waffle requires, and cook until ready.
  • To keep the waffles warm, transfer them to an oven preheated to 200℉ or a crockpot switched to warm.

Video

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Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 347mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.04g | Vitamin A: 222IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 148mg | Iron: 1mg

I do my best to provide you with the nutritional information for recipes but I'm not a certified nutritionist. The nutritional information provided should only be treated as an estimate since it will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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