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The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis
How often do you wake up wishing for a pile of piping hot waffles, ready to be topped with maple syrup or fresh fruit compote? Or maybe you're a fan of breakfast for dinner and like to pair a plate of scrambled eggs with fresh waffles. Although you can find some decent waffle options in the freezer aisle to satisfy your craving, a frozen waffle simply doesn't compare to the taste and texture of freshly made waffles.
Waffle mixes are a convenient solution for home cooks with busy schedules who don't always have enough time to whip up a batch of waffle batter from scratch, let alone enjoy a leisurely waffle breakfast. They're quick and easy to prepare so you can have more time to set up a waffle topping bar or kick back with the morning news. Most mixes just require the addition of water to the dry mix and either butter or oil to grease your waffle iron. Then, it's just a matter of ladling the batter and cooking according to your waffle maker directions. We've scoured the grocery aisles to find the best mixes.
Whether you want whole grain or gluten-free options, here are our picks for the best waffle mixes.
Best Overall
Krusteaz Light & Crispy Belgian Waffle Mix
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Amazon
Not overly sweet
Batter is mostly smooth
Only water required
No instructions for smaller servings
This Belgian waffle mix is popular in food service establishments, but is available in a realistic size for families who love waffles. It's super easy to prepare: All you need to do is measure the dry mix and add water, an egg, and a little bit of an oil of your choice. For a richer flavor, you can add extra oil or eggs and, of course, you can play with different flavors by mixing in fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts. The end result is a breakfast that tastes good enough to rival waffles from your favorite local diner, with a warm, fluffy center and crispy, crunchy edges. The large size is cost-effective per serving, but there are other options of this mix available if you want to stock up.
Price at time of publish: $3
Flavor: Classic Belgian | Package Volume: 28 ounces | Servings Per Container: 14
Best Budget
365 by Whole Foods Market 32-Ounce Organic Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix
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Amazon
Organic
Can be made without egg
Can be delivered via Amazon Fresh
Not in a resealable box
There’s no need to break the bank when it comes to buying a quality waffle mix. For your next breakfast or brunch (or breakfast for dinner—you do you!), Whole Foods 365 brand pancake and waffle mix is a great option if you’re looking for that classic buttermilk flavor and fluffy texture.
As an added bonus, this mix is also organic and kosher. Prep couldn’t be easier—all you need to add is water or milk, melted butter or oil, one egg, and a bit of honey. You can use this same mix to prepare pancakes if you want to switch up your breakfast routine. The large 32-ounce container is perfect for bigger families or if you happen to be hosting a large brunch, as you’ll get a solid 23 servings per bag. Either way, it's a great value that won’t have you needing to restock your pantry weekly. Don’t forget to check out the 365 By Whole Foods Market Organic Maple Syrup—you can’t have waffles/pancakes without it!
Price at time of publish: $3
Flavor: Buttermilk | Package Volume: 32 ounces | Servings Per Container: 23
Best Buttermilk
Stonewall Kitchen Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix
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Amazon
Makes crisp, flavorful waffles
Can make both pancakes and waffles
Kids love the flavor
Need to add several ingredients
This waffle mix requires a few more ingredients and prep work than the others on this list, so it might be good for an extra special brunch instead of everyday breakfast. You'll need to add eggs, milk or buttermilk, and melted butter to this mix, but the extra effort is worth the end result since these additions add richness, enhanced flavor, and create fluffy waffles that melt in your mouth.
This 16-ounce package contains approximately 3 cups of waffles mix. Each batch of waffles requires one cup of mix and makes three to four waffles so you'll get about a dozen waffles total out of one package so it may not be the best pick if you're making waffles for a crowd. Plus, this mix is a bit pricey. Still, reviewers love the flavor of these waffles and say they taste balanced—not too sweet and not too plain. Given the rave taste reviews, you'll probably want to keep a couple of packages of this mix on hand to treat your family.
Price at time of publish: $9
Flavor: Buttermilk | Package Volume: 16 ounces | Servings Per Container: 10
Best for Everyday Breakfasts
Hungry Jack Buttermilk Complete Pancake and Waffle Mix
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Amazon
Can make both pancakes and waffles
Makes light, fluffy pancakes
Easy to make
Some say texture is a bit dry
Hungry Jack is another familiar name on grocery store shelves. If this was one of the brands you had as a kid, it’s a sure bet you’ll love the comforting flavor.
This mix can be used to make both pancakes and waffles and preparation is super easy. For pancakes, you'll just need to add water, while waffles also require eggs and oil. This 32-ounce package is inexpensive enough for everyday breakfasts, whether you’re feeding the whole family or the neighbors are invited for brunch.
Price at time of publish: $3
Flavor: Buttermilk | Package Volume: 32 ounces | Servings Per Container: 21
Best Organic
Bob's Red Mill Organic 7-Grain Pancake & Waffle Mix
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Amazon
High in fiber and whole grains
Makes flavorful pancakes and waffles
Includes additional recipes on packaging
Texture is unappealing to some
Known for its wide variety of flours, grains, and baking ingredients, Bob’s Red Mill also makes several pancake and waffle mixes. This mix is made from several whole grain flours, including wheat, rye, spelt, corn, oat, Kamut, quinoa, and brown rice, making each serving a good source of protein and fiber. Plus, it’s USDA-certified organic and kosher.
Both recipes on the back of this package call for one egg, though, so it isn't allergen-friendly, though one reviewer successfully used apple sauce as a substitute. But it is incredibly easy to make your meal, only needing water and a little bit of oil, in addition to the egg.
Price at time of publish: $4
Flavor: 7-grain | Package Volume: 24 ounces | Servings Per Container: 17
“When using a pancake/waffle mix to make waffles, add an additional tablespoon of oil or melted butter, and 1-2 more tablespoons of sugar for a nice and crispy exterior." — Sarah House, Food Innovation Chef at Bob’s Red Mill
Best Whole-Grain
Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix
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Amazon
High in protein and fiber
Quick and easy to prepare
Made from non-GMO grains
Texture is a bit gritty and dense
Kodiak Cakes first gained popularity when the company appeared on the TV show "Shark Tank." They didn’t land a deal, but it went on to exceed their projected earnings and it's added significantly to the product line since that introduction. This buttermilk mix can also be used to make waffles, pancakes, flapjacks, or other baked goods. Besides being a whole-grain product, the brand claims it is non-GMO and kosher.
Many reviewers love that this flapjack and waffle mix is made from 100 percent whole grains and packs 14 grams of protein per serving. You can up the protein content even more by preparing the mix with milk and/or eggs rather than just water (there are instructions for various methods of preparation on the box). Some customers say the texture is a bit grittier and denser in texture than regular pancakes, but they still have good flavor.
Price at time of publish: $6
Flavor: Buttermilk | Package Volume: 72 ounces | Servings Per Container: 39
Best Gluten-Free
Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Pancake Mix
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Amazon
Made of rice flour
Can be made dairy-free/vegan
Resealable packaging
Slightly pricey
Nowadays you can get gluten-free swaps for your favorite foods that usually require wheat, including waffle mix. We love this one from Bob’s Red Mill because it is made with a blend of rice flour, brown rice flour, potato starch, whole-grain sorghum flour, and tapioca flour. These—along with some sugar, baking powder, and salt—make fluffy, crispy-on-the-edges pancakes once the wet ingredients are incorporated and they are cooked in a waffle iron. Although the wet ingredients include butter, an egg, and milk, all of these can be substituted for dairy-free alternatives to make vegan waffles.
This bag is slightly more expensive than others on the market, but it contains over 1 pound of the mix. We do also like how it is resealable so it stays fresh in the pantry longer, so in the long run it is decently affordable.
Price at time of publish: $9
Flavor: Classic | Package Volume: 24 ounces | Servings Per Container: 17
Best Vegan
Partake Classic Pancake and Waffle Mix
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Target
Allergen-friendly
Vegan-friendly
Just add water
Few servings per container
Finding allergen-friendly foods is no easy feat, but Partake is here to save the day with its Classic Pancake and Waffle Mix. It’s not only free of the top nine allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, milk, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame; plus it’s also free of lupin, crustaceans, sulfites, mustard, casein), but it’s also certified vegan, plant-based, non-GMO, and gluten-free. The mix also contains no rice, gums, or emulsifiers. And, to make mornings a breeze, it couldn’t be easier to prepare–all you need to do is add water and oil–no hard-to-find or fussy ingredients required.
For those with kids or if you’re just looking for a more festive option, Partake also offers a Confetti Pancake and Waffle Mix, which provides all the same nutritional benefits as the classic variety, it just also happens to boast colorful sprinkles. And if you want to venture beyond breakfast, Partake also makes plenty of other allergen-friendly baking mixes, such as brownie mix, pizza crust mix, and birthday cake mix.
Price at time of publish: $6
Flavor: Classic | Package Volume: 10 ounces | Servings Per Container: 7
“A good rule of thumb is to always ensure your waffle iron is fully preheated and thoroughly greased to make for even cooking, clean removal and great presentation. At my house, we serve fresh, warm waffles stacked high and overflowing with berries! No syrup needed." — Denise Woodard, Founder and CEO of Partake Foods
Best "Just Add Water"
Birch Benders Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mix
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Amazon
Sweetened with monk fruit
Thick batter
Cheap
Oil is also recommended for waffles
When making fresh waffles at home, you don’t want a mix that takes a lot of work with additional steps and extra ingredients. Birch Benders’ Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mix is made of a blend of gluten-free flours, leavening, and eggs, so all you need to do to create the thick batter is add some water and stir. The brand recommends you also add a bit of oil (it says coconut oil is the best option), but if you are truly in a hurry or don’t have any, you can go without and grease up your waffle maker diligently. Monk fruit makes this mix the perfect amount of sweet that allows for a little or a lot of your favorite syrup on top of fresh waffles before digging in. Even with all the ingredient substitutions that make this mix paleo and gluten-free, you won’t be able to tell any difference in a warm and crispy stack of waffles.
Price at time of publish: $5
Flavor: Classic | Package Volume: 12 ounces | Servings Per Container: 10
Our top pick is the Krusteaz Belgian Waffle Mix. The batter is smooth, and the waffles aren't too sweet. Plus, making them couldn't be easier—just add water. Looking for an impressive breakfast? You can't go wrong with the Stonewall Kitchen Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix.
What to Look for When Buying Waffle Mix
Ease of Prep
Many waffle mixes are dual or multipurpose, meaning they can make both pancakes and waffles. Often, the "only add water" blurb on many of these packages only applies to the pancake recipe. Check how many ingredients are required to make the waffle recipe (sometimes you only need to add oil; other times you may need two or more additional ingredients). Not having to search for multiple ingredients you may or may not already have in the kitchen will significantly cut into your prep time.
Texture and Flavor
The ideal waffle will have a crispy, golden exterior without being burned, and is a bit firm (not dense) when you bite into it. The inside, on the other hand, should be soft and fluffy without tasting undercooked. In terms of flavor, look for a balance of not too sweet and not too savory.
FAQs
Is waffle mix the same thing as pancake mix?
You may see packages labeled for both pancakes and waffles and wonder if waffle and pancake mix are the same. While they have the same essential ingredients (flour, leavening, dairy, and eggs), waffles tend to have more fat and sugar than pancakes. Many boxed mixes that advertise both products will often have different preparation instructions for each option.
How much waffle mix is needed for one waffle?
Every waffle maker is a little different in both size and style. For American-style waffles, start with 1/2-cup of prepared batter, and adjust up or down depending on how much your machine can handle. Belgian-style waffle makers tend to use a little more batter to fill the deeper pockets and generally larger rounds. For these machines, start with 3/4-cup of batter, and adjust accordingly. Most mixes will tell you how many cups of batter a specific recipe will yield.
What can you add to waffle mix?
You’ve found the waffle mix that’s got the perfect texture, but it needs a little something to make it special. One of the easiest ways to boost your waffles’ flavor is to add a touch of high-quality vanilla extract to the mix. Experiment with lemon, almond, or even maple and chocolate extracts to see what you enjoy.
If you’re craving a Waffle House-style chocolate chip waffle, pick up a bag of mini chocolate chips to sprinkle into your batter before making (but make sure to use a lot of cooking spray to prevent the chips from sticking). For a savory touch, feel free to stir in a firmer cheese like Gruyere or Parmesan. And you can never go wrong with a cup of fresh fruit or even a smear of your favorite jam on top in lieu of maple syrup.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best waffle mixes on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, ease of use, and price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is a product tester and the writer of this roundup for The Spruce Eats. She also loves cooking (she authored "Make Ahead Bread"), so you can trust she knows how to make a good waffle. While she loves cooking from scratch, she won't hesitate to use a good mix that's been tried and tested.
The Spruce Eats writer Alyssa Langer is a registered dietitian and foodie, always curious about the next food or ingredient craze and hungry to learn and try more. Having worked in cookbook publishing, CPG label data, nutrition writing, and meal kits, her diverse background and varied interests provide a unique perspective that fosters clear, well-researched, and trustworthy reviews. She updated this story.
Amanda McDonald is an editor at The Spruce Eats and has over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing about all things food — from what new products are at the grocery store to chef-approved hacks that keep tricky leftovers fresh for days. She also updated this article to include the most up-to-date information.
Sources
- Sarah House, Food Innovation Chef at Bob’s Red Mill
- Denise Woodard, Founder and CEO of Partake Foods
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