For a long time, pancake mix was one of those things I just kept buying at the grocery store without thinking twice. It felt convenient, until I started paying attention to how much pantry space it took up and how often I was buying the same ingredients twice.
Once I started building a more intentional pantry, especially in smaller kitchens and during seasons when grocery trips weren’t always convenient, boxed mixes stopped making sense. I already had flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt on hand. Buying a separate box just meant more clutter and more money spent on convenience I didn’t really need.
This homemade pancake mix is what I use instead. It’s simple, affordable, and designed to fit into a realistic pantry system. One that reduces grocery trips, saves space, and actually gets used.
Why I Make Pancake Mix at Home Instead of Buying It
This isn’t about being fancy or from-scratch for the sake of it. It’s about practicality.
Here’s why this mix stays in my pantry year-round:
- It replaces boxed pancake and waffle mixes completely
- It uses basic pantry ingredients I already stock
- It saves space by eliminating duplicate items
- It makes quick breakfasts possible without extra prep
I keep this mix ready so when we want pancakes or waffles, I don’t have to measure dry ingredients every time. I just add the wet ingredients and cook.
If you’re trying to simplify your pantry, this is one of those small swaps that makes a big difference.
Homemade Pancake Mix (Dry Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
How to Make the Dry Mix
- Add all dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk until fully combined.
- Transfer the mix to an airtight container such as a mason jar or mylar bag.
- Label with the date and basic cooking instructions if desired.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
How to Make Pancakes or Waffles Using the Mix
When you’re ready to cook.
Wet Ingredients to Add
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 ¼ cups milk
Instructions
- Add the dry mix and all wet ingredients to a bowl.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Let the batter rest for a minute or two, then cook pancakes or waffles as you normally would.
This same recipe works for both pancakes and waffles, which is another reason I keep it on hand.
Pantry Notes: Why This Mix Fits a Small, Realistic Pantry
One thing I focus on in my kitchen is avoiding ingredient overlap. If I can make multiple things from the same core ingredients, I don’t need as much space and I don’t waste food.
This pancake mix works because:
- Flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt are already pantry staples
- There’s no need to store a separate boxed product
- You only make as much as you need
I don’t take this version camping because it relies on milk and eggs, and we don’t travel with a cooler. Later on, I’ll be sharing a shelf-stable version designed specifically for camping and off-grid trips. But for everyday breakfasts at home, this is the mix I rely on.
How This Fits Into My DIY Pantry System
This pancake mix is part of a bigger shift I made toward replacing grocery store convenience items with simple homemade versions.
If you’re working toward the same goal, you may also find these helpful:
- DIY Pantry Staples That Replace the Grocery Store
- Homemade Baking Powder (another boxed item I no longer buy)
- Instant Oatmeal Mix for quick breakfasts
- Brown Sugar made fresh so it never dries out
All of these recipes work together to reduce pantry clutter and grocery trips.
Want a Simple Starting Point?
If building a pantry system feels overwhelming, I put together a free Off-Grid Pantry Starter Guide that walks through how I stock a functional pantry without extra space or expensive equipment.
And if you want everything in one place, I also created a Mix Replacement Pack with the pantry mixes I use most often, designed for small kitchens and real life.
Final Thoughts
This homemade pancake mix isn’t about doing more work. It’s about removing unnecessary steps from everyday life.
If you already stock the ingredients, there’s no reason to keep buying another box. This mix saves space, saves money, and makes quick breakfasts easy without sacrificing your pantry goals.
📌Pin For Later
Homemade Pancake Mix
This homemade pancake mix is what I use instead of Boxed Mixes. It’s simple, affordable, and designed to fit into a realistic pantry system. One that reduces grocery trips, saves space, and actually gets used.
Ingredients
Dry Mix
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
When Ready To Cook
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 ¼ cups milk
Instructions
Dry Mix
- Add all dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk until fully combined.
- Transfer the mix to an airtight container such as a mason jar or mylar bag.
- Label with the date and basic cooking instructions if desired.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
- Add the dry mix and all wet ingredients to a bowl.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Let the batter rest for a minute or two, then cook pancakes or waffles as you normally would.
When Ready to Cook
This same recipe works for both pancakes and waffles, which is another reason I keep it on hand.
Notes
- This Recipe Works for Pancakes and Waffles
- Other Recipes you may like: DIY Pantry Staples, Brown Sugar, Baking Powder, Instant Oatmeal.
- Free Download: Off-Grid Pantry Starter Guide
- All Recipes in One Place: Mix Replacement Pack
- All Recommended Products in One Place: Recommended Products
