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Nothing beats a stack of pancakes for breakfast, but traditional pancakes can be full of refined grains and artificial ingredients. But there are healthier options out there. We found that the best healthy mixes use whole food ingredients and often incorporate grains other than just white wheat. Some mixes only require you to add water, while others take a bit more effort.
In either case, the best pancake mix for you will cater to your macronutrient and dietary needs. Keeping these things in mind, we’ve picked our favorite healthy pancake mixes, including our favorite, Bob's Red Mill Organic 7 Grain Pancake Mix! We've also compiled a handy buying guide with tips from nutritionist Kara Swanson if you want to choose your own mix.
Kara Swanson is a certified nutritionist and the founder of Life Well Lived. She is married to her best friend and the proud mother of three. Her passion is to make nutrition simple+easy+delicious!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Steer away, in particular, from added sweeteners like corn syrup, which is just unwanted calories that can lead to weight gain and health issues.
Likewise, you should only be getting 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day, so if your pancake mix is pushing 500 milligrams in of itself, that’s a red flag.
Also, make sure that the mix contains no hydrogenated oils. Hydrogenated oils have longer shelf-lives–they also contain trans fats that increase bad cholesterol (and, eventually, risk of heart disease).
Ingredients matter! I always feel a bit like a broken record when it comes to this, but ingredients really do matter. So that's the first thing you should check when you pick up a pancake mix. Look at the ingredients list and avoid artificial and processed ingredients whenever you can.
It’s also important to pay attention to the quality of the whole food ingredients used. For example, whole grain or whole oat flours have more fiber and protein than white wheat or bleached wheat, which have had much of their nutrients refined out of them.
You could also consider mixes that contain a whole host of grains for a broader nutrient profile: buckwheat, millet, brown rice, and nut flours are some popular, energy-boosting options.
There are so many options to choose from now which makes it easier to buy healthier swaps of the foods we love. Buying a pancake mix with whole food ingredients will help you reach your fiber intake and will keep you feeling fuller longer so you don't have a morning slump or lack of energy.
Some mixes only require you to add water, while others may require eggs, milk, or oil as well. For a quicker, simpler breakfast, look for mixes that require less added ingredients.
On the other hand, if you like to play around with the texture and consistency, having a mix that requires you to add your own eggs or other ingredients works better. Plus, you get some extra calcium from milk or protein from eggs.
Simple and easy always speaks to my heart, and there are so many pancake mixes that now only require water or just a few simple ingredients. This makes life easier when you're trying to make breakfast for hungry kids (or adults!). And don't be afraid to add more liquid if the batter seems too thick. If you do so, you'll get more pancakes out of the mix!
To prevent that, look for mixes that are higher in protein and fiber—particularly if you don’t tend to eat sides with your pancakes. Most mixes, by the way, contain only about three grams of protein and one or two grams of fiber. However, more filling products can offer anywhere from 15 to 30 grams of protein and over five grams of fiber.
The more nutrient the mix the better, especially if that's all you're eating. I do recommend at least adding some berries as a topping or as a side. This will add more fiber and antioxidants and keep your blood sugars from spiking too much. Read the labels to ensure that you're getting a mix with lots of fiber, or if the mix calls for eggs, make flax eggs instead to boost your fiber intake.
It's always a good idea to check labels if you follow any specific diet or have allergies. Make sure you look at the ingredients and labels to determine if it's something you can have.
It's good to note that some mixes may not be vegan because they call for eggs, but you can easily substitute that out with an egg substitute. Because some mixes call for milk, they might not be dairy-free, too. However, you can easily use a plant-based milk instead.
Although multigrain breads are defined usually as multiple grains in the batter, this pancake mix actually includes a plethora of whole grain flours, making it a healthier choice. For example, one of the ingredients, whole grain wheat, has protein, fiber, antioxidants, and trace minerals. which can help you stay fuller for longer and are heart-healthy.
Just add oil and milk or water to make the base for these delicious pancakes. The texture is a hit-or-miss—one reviewer found the pancakes to be too grainy for her liking, while most others liked it.
Here's a heart-healthy swap for you when you're making pancakes. Instead of using oil, swap it out for applesauce instead. Or do half of the oil and the other half applesauce! You'll cut down on extra calories, too.
Pancakes are not the only amazing dessert you can make at home. There are brownies, cookies, muffins, and more! But how do you determine which one has the best taste or which one is the best for you? Check out some of our other guides below for help!
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Bob’s Red Mill|Organic 7 Grain Pancake & Waffle Whole Grain Mix|2 pack, 24 oz. each
No. 2: Birch Benders|Organic Pancake and Waffle Mix, Classic Recipe|3 pack, 16 oz. each
No. 3: Simple Mills|Almond Flour Mix|3 pack, 10.7 oz each
No. 4: Kodiak Cakes|Protein Pancake Power Cakes|6 pack, 20 oz. each
No. 5: Bearpaw|Ancient Grain Pancake Mix|Heritage Blend (24 oz)
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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