How To Make Good Crispy Waffles with Pancake Mix: The Best Way

Author: Tosh Lubek Published: 13th December 2021

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There might be times when you have run out of waffle mix or do not have the ingredients for waffle batter, but you do have some pancake mix. Are pancake and waffle batter the same? And can you make waffles with pancake mix?

The batter for pancakes and waffles is not the same. Pancake mixes are often lower in fat and sugar than waffle mixes. This is what makes pancakes floppy and cake-like in the middle, whereas waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

If you’re still craving waffles don’t run out to the supermarket just yet. Pancake mix can be used to make waffles with a few modifications to the recipe. This article will show you how to make the best crispy waffles with pancake mix and some basic kitchen staples.

What Is the Difference Between Pancake Mix and Waffle Mix?

A good waffle has a crispy surface and a fluffy interior. They are more like a fried pastry than a cake. But what is it about the mix that makes waffles and pancakes so different?

Waffle mixtures, for example, have more fat and sugar than a standard pancake mix. Extra sugar in the waffle batter aids in the caramelization process, resulting in brown and crispy waffles on the outside. The increased fat percentage of waffle batter vs pancake batter also contributes to the waffles’ wonderful crispy exterior.

Another significant difference is the consistency of the batter. A thicker consistency of waffle batter yields significantly better waffles. Pancake batter is often thinner and runnier. That consistency is preferred for pancakes since the pan will hold the batter, but a runny waffle batter can easily run right out of the waffle maker.

Pancakes are soft and floppy, but waffles have a wonderful crispy surface with a soft center. If you’re using pancake mix to make waffles, you’ll need to add some more fat and sugar, which we’ll explain later.

Can Pancake Mix Be Used to Make Waffles?

You might be disappointed if you put pancake mix directly onto a waffle maker. First and foremost, the thin pancake batter will almost certainly overflow out of the edges of the waffle maker, so be prepared for a mess. 

However, this doesn’t mean you should give up. Most pancake recipes or mixes may be used as a base for waffles. This is because the dry ingredients for pancakes and waffles are nearly identical. Most of the modifications you’ll make will be different measurements of wet ingredients.

What To Add to Pancake Mix for the Best Crispy Waffles

Sugar, oil, the number of eggs, and the amount of milk in most waffle and pancake recipes are really all that sets them apart. As a result, most pancake mixes will provide a recipe for both on the back.

It’s one thing to add a bit of oil to some thickened pancake mix and call it a day. However, if you want the best waffles with golden, crispy edges you need to know what to add and how much. Below are a few modifications and additions you and make to your pancake mix for the BEST fluffy waffles.

Add More Fat

Whatever the amount of fat in your pancake recipe is, you’ll want to double it.  The greatest waffles include more than one tablespoon of fat per waffle.

When it comes to fat, choose oil over butter every time. When comparing the two, oil does a better job of crisping up the waffles and giving them a golden crust. This is due, in part, to thinner batters producing crispier waffles. Butter also adds moisture and prevents a crust from developing. Though butter is more flavorful, and you can always put some on top to enhance flavor.

Don’t Skimp on the Sugar

As we mentioned earlier, waffle mix benefits from a bit of extra sugar. Adding more sugar to the waffle batter promotes caramelization, resulting in brown and crispy waffles on the outside. Use two to three times the amount of sugar in the pancake batter recipe to make waffle batter. Many pancake mixes don’t even use sugar, so adding in two tablespoons is a good place to start.

Add Whipped Egg Whites for More Fluff

When it comes to sugar, if you want your waffles to be fluffy on the inside, consider whipping the egg white and sugar into stiff peaks. This is a common method used to make Belgian waffles.

There are three reasons why you should do it this way. Not only does the sugar work as a stabilizer, slowing the whites’ breakdown, but it also causes friction, softening them and making them easier to fold in later. Furthermore, all the air you’re whipping in will be incorporated into the final waffle batter, creating a soft fluffiness beneath the crisp.

When using beaten egg whites, carefully fold them into the batter once all the other ingredients have been mixed.

Swap Half the Milk for Buttermilk

While this isn’t a necessity, it does help create the perfect waffle. When creating your batter, you want a thin consistency, but not so thin that it runs off the waffle maker.

Milk helps make a thinner waffle batter, which in turn makes lighter and crispier waffles. However, swapping out half the regular milk for buttermilk gives you this lighter texture without sacrificing the rich flavor of the buttermilk.

You can make waffles with all buttermilk, or all milk. But really, the best results come from a combination of the two.

Final Thoughts

The next time you crave waffles but only have pancake mix on hand, don’t hesitate to pull out the waffle iron. You can create delicious waffles with pre-packaged pancake mix or any from-scratch pancake recipe.

Not to mention, on the back of many pre-mixed batters, there is a recipe for both waffles and pancakes you can use these as a fast reference whenever you need it. However, make sure to implement the tips in this article for the ultimate crispy outside and fluffy middle.

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