Clafoutis & 14 Other Crazy Pancake Mix Hacks

Pancake mix in bulk is a beautiful thing. It brings joy to weekend mornings with soft, fluffy pancakes and waffles that fill the house with the smell of home cooking. But here’s the thing: There’s more to pancake mix than pancakes. Case in point: these 15 sweet and savory (and crazy-delicious) recipes that think outside the box, like delightful French Clafoutis.

With Betty Crocker Pancake Mix in bulk, Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Pancake Mix in bulk, and even Birch Bender's Paleo Pancake Mix in bulk, there’s never been a better time to invite some friends over for brunch. Here are 15 pancake mix hacks that are total game-changers.

1. Clafoutis

Photo: French Revolution Food

Clafoutis is part-pancake, part-custard, and completely delicious. Make this French favorite in a flash using your favorite pancake mix and whichever seasonal fruit you have on hand. Cherries are traditional, but any berry or stone fruit works just as well. Get the recipe here.

Ingredients:

• 40 pitted cherries
• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 5 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Butter a pie dish. Place the cherries in an even layer all over the bottom of the dish.
3. Whisk together the other ingredients, and pour over the cherries. Allow clafoutis to rest for 20 minutes.
4. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a knife comes out clean. Let cool and garnish with sliced almonds and powdered sugar before serving.

2. Pancake Mix Corn Dogs

These would be really fun made with mini franks for a party. Inspired by Dinner With Julie.

Ingredients:

• 6 franks or 12 mini hot dogs
• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1 egg
• Vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Slide each dog lengthwise onto a wooden skewer. Combine pancake mix, egg and 1/2 cup water.
2. Pour vegetable oil into large saucepan to 1 1/2-inch depth; heat to 350 degrees.
3. Dip dogs in batter, then fry in oil until golden, about 1 minute.

3. Pancake Mix Pizza

This is kind of crazy and kind of genius. Makes about 12 small pizzas. Inspired by Noble Pig.

Ingredients:

1 cup pancake mix

1 1/3 cups of water

1 pound mozzarella, shredded

2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, or finely chopped parsley, basil and oregano

4 oz. sliced pepperoni

1 cup pizza or pasta sauce

Directions:

1. Heat and oil a griddle or pan to medium-high heat.
2. For the batter, mix together the pancake mix with the water. Add 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and seasoning. If the batter is really thick add another 1/4 cup water and stir.
3. Place one tablespoon of the remaining mozzarella on the griddle. Immediately pour 1/8 cup of batter on top of the cheese, then scatter over the pepperoni. Flip after 2-3 minutes, then cook for another 1-2 minutes. The bottom side with the cheese will be golden and crispy.
4. Serve with pizza or pasta sauce for dipping.

4. Pancake Mix Scallion Pancakes

Sure, these cost a buck at your fave Chinese takeout spot. But this cheat’s version is fun to make.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pancake mix
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 bunch scallions, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions:

1. Mix together all ingredients, then rest at room temperate for 30 minutes.
2. Heat a little vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter and move the pan around to spread the batter thin, like a crepe. Cook for 1 minute then flip and cook for another minute. Serve with Sriracha and soy sauce.



5. Fried Oreo Pancakes

Cancel your weekend plans and make a batch of these Instagram-worthy, Oreo-stuffed mini pancakes.

Ingredients:

• 10 Oreo cookies
• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix pancake mix, milk, and egg. Stir until combined with a few lumps remaining (makes them extra fluffy).
2. Add 1 inch of vegetable oil in a pan deep enough for frying. Heat to a medium high.
3. Once the oil is hot, dip an Oreo into the pancake batter, turning on both sides until the Oreo is fully coated. Place the Oreo into the hot oil and cook for about 30 seconds on each side until golden brown on both sides. Repeat with remaining Oreos. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving.

6. Pancake Mix Muffins

You can use any fruits in these almost-instant muffins – try banana slices and chocolate chips, or applesauce and granola. Inspired by Babble.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups pancake mix
• ½ cup almond meal
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¾ cup milk
• 1/8 cup cane sugar
• 1/8 cup agave
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ½ cups berries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a muffin pan. Whisk together the pancake mix, almond meal and sugar. Add the eggs, oil, milk, agave, and vanilla, and stir until smooth. Gently fold in the berries.
2. Pour into each cup until ¾ way to the top. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top bounces back. Let cool for 5 minutes then lift out and cool on a rack.

7. Grilled Cheese Wafflewiches

Don’t forget that pancake mix can also be used for waffles, and there’s no better reason to dust off the waffle maker than these grilled bacon and cheese wafflewiches.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pancake mix
• 1 1/3 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 egg

For the filling:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 4 slices cooked bacon
• 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Heat waffle iron. In medium bowl, mix first 4 ingredients ingredients until combined. Pour half of batter at a time into waffle iron, and cook according to manufacturer’s directions. Allow to cool slightly, then cut in 
2. In 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. In small bowl, mix mayonnaise and mustard; spread on 1 side of each waffle. Top 2 of the waffles with bacon and cheese. Top with other 2 waffles, and place in hot skillet. Cook about 5 minutes on each side or until golden.



8. Pancake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

Can you imagine how many brownie points you’d score if you made these for weekend brunch? Inspired by Imma Eat That.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1/4 cup Almond Breeze
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, chopped into smaller cubes
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a bowl, combine pancake mix and Almond Breeze until a dough forms. If the dough is dry, add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon additional almond milk.
2. Dump dough out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a long rectangle and top with butter, sugar and cinnamon. Roll up and slice into 6 cinnamon rolls.
3. Place on a greased baking dish and bake for 10 minutes. Drizzle with your favorite frosting.

9. Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix Mug Cake

Two of our favorite things – mug cakes and pancake mix – come together in one delicious late-night treat. Recipe from Hungry at Midnight.

Ingredients

1/4 cup pancake mix

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon of sugar

3 tablespoons broken chocolate pieces

Directions

1. In a large mug, stir together the pancake mix, milk, sugar and chocolate.
2. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 1 to 1:20 min.

10. Funfetti Pancakes

Everyday’s your birthday when you whip up a stack of funfetti pancakes!

Ingredients

• 1 cup pancake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sprinkles

Directions

1. Mix together pancake mix, water and egg. Gently stir through sprinkles.
2. Heat griddle and spray with cooking spray. Pour ¼ cup of batter on hot griddle. Flip when bubbles start to appear on top, about 2 minutes, then cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other wise. Serve with whipped cream, powdered sugar or maple syrup.

11. Pancake Mix Donut Holes

Fluffy donut holes ready in about 30 minutes – what’s better than that? Inspired by Macheesmo.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pancake mix
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 quarts vegetable oil, for frying

Maple glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Directions

1. Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the milk, egg, vanilla and butter. Carefully stir the liquid ingredients through the dry ingredients.
2. Meanwhile mix the maple glaze in a large bowl.
3. Place the dough on a floured surface and pat out to 1/4 inch thick.
4. Flour a shot glass and press out holes (push the glass down and up, don’t twist and turn). Place the holes on a floured baking tray while you heat the oil.
5. Heat the oil to 350 degree F. Carefully place the donut holes in the hot oil and cook for 3-4 minutes until light golden brown. Drain on paper towel for 5 minutes, then dredge through the maple glaze. Allow to cool on a baking rack.

12. Maple Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Pancake and waffle mix also doubles as a cheat’s cookie mix. These crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside cookies from Stonewall Kitchen are studded with raisins and oats, or you can stir through chocolate chunks, nuts or butterscotch chips.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups Stonewall Kitchen Maple Pancake and Waffle Mix
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups Old Fashioned Oats
• 1 cup raisins

Directions

1. With a mixer, cream butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy.
2. Add eggs and vanilla, beat until evenly incorporated.
3. Add remaining ingredients and mix until uniform. Using a heaping tablespoon, drop batter 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet (or lined with parchment paper)
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool on rack.

13. Asian Corncakes

These are a riff off the popular corncakes served for brunch at Brooklyn’s impossible-to-get-into Talde restaurant.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup corn kernels
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup milk
• 1 3/4 cups pancake mix
• Handful cilantro, most finely chopped, some whole leaves to serve
• Shake or two of fish sauce and soy sauce
• Lettuce leaves, to serve

Directions

1. Melt butter in a small pan. Add corn and cook for 2 minutes until cooked but still crunchy. Season with salt and allow to cool lightly.
2. Gently whisk together eggs, milk and pancake mix. Stir through corn, chopped cilantro and fish and soy sauces. Let batter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Melt a drop of butter in a pan or griddle over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter into circles and allow to cooked for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form all over, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes. Serve in lettuce cups with cilantro.

14. Personalized Pancake Mix in a Jar

Photo: Good Life Eats

Wouldn’t this make a lovely gift? Take a milk bottle or mason jar and layer pancake and waffle mix with chocolate chips, chopped nuts, oats and other toppings for an almost-instant weekend wafflepalooza.

Ingredients

• Pancake mix
• Old-Fashioned oats
• Chocolate chips
• Chopped nuts

Directions

1. Open lid and pour the ingredients above layer by layer into the jar, parfait-style.
2. Seal and paste ingredient list or recipe on the front of the jar.

15. Fried Chicken

Photo: Daily Meal

Pancake mix and… fried chicken? Yessir, and here’s why: the baking powder in pancake mix (which makes pancakes and waffles fluffy) also makes fried chicken extra crispy.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 3-pound cut-up chicken (about 8 pieces)
• 1 cup pancake and waffle mix
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 to 5 cups vegetable oil or vegetable shortening

Directions

1. Rinse chicken pieces and pat them dry.
2. Combine pancake mix, salt, and pepper in large bowl.
3. Coat chicken well with dry mixture.
4. Heat oil in a large, deep skillet to 375 degrees F.
5. Fry 3–4 pieces at a time in hot oil about 10–15 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
6. Drain chicken on wire cooling rack or paper towel and serve.