Make It, Don’t Buy It: $1 Pancake Mix 🥞
This homemade pancake mix costs about $1 to make, takes 5 minutes, and makes three batches of the fluffiest pancakes. Honestly, it may be the most useful jar in my pantry. 🥞
For the dry mix:
4½ cups all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons + 1½ teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
6 Tablespoons sugar
Whisk everything together and store in an airtight 24-ounce container.
To make about 8 pancakes:
1½ cups dry pancake mix
1¼ cups milk
1 egg
3 Tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
Mix just until combined, then let the batter rest for 5–10 minutes. Cook ¼-cup portions on a greased skillet over medium heat, flipping when bubbles form on top.
The dry mix stores for months, so breakfast is halfway done before you even wake up. There’s also a free printable label with the mixing instructions in the full recipe!
Save this before your next grocery run—or send it to the person in your house who’s on pancake duty.
#pancakemix #homemadepancakes #pancakerecipe #makeitdontbuyit
Having tried various pancake mixes over the years, I can confidently say that making your own dry pancake mix at home is a game changer. Not only does it save money—this mix costs about $1 to prepare and yields enough for three batches—but it also ensures fresh, wholesome ingredients without any added preservatives or mysterious additives. One tip I’ve picked up is to avoid overmixing the batter after adding the wet ingredients. A few lumps are perfectly fine and help keep the pancakes light and airy. I usually let the batter rest for around 5 to 10 minutes, which allows the baking powder to activate fully and results in the fluffiest pancakes. Watching for bubbles to form on the surface before flipping is crucial, as flipping too early can make the pancakes dense. For those looking to customize, swapping regular milk for buttermilk with ¼ teaspoon baking soda is a fantastic way to add tang and extra fluffiness. Adding berries or chocolate chips is also an easy way to elevate the flavor without much hassle. If gluten-free is a concern, using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well in this mix. Storing the dry mix in an airtight 24-ounce jar keeps it fresh for months, turning pancake mornings into a simple step of mixing in milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. This recipe has quickly become a staple in my kitchen for busy weekday breakfasts or relaxed weekend brunches, and it’s also perfect for camping trips because of its long shelf life. Overall, making your own pancake mix is a useful pantry hack that combines convenience, cost savings, and delicious results—definitely worth trying if you want fluffy pancakes anytime with minimal effort.
Where did you get that container?