The Best Buttermilk Pancake Mixes, According to Our Taste Test

Lazy weekend mornings call for a stack of warm buttermilk pancakes. They’re easy to whip up in batches, cook quickly, and can feed a hangry crowd in a flash. But with so many pancake mixes out there, you might be wondering which brands are worthy of your breakfast table. We tasted several pancake mixes so you’ll know exactly which boxes (or bags) to grab at the store before your next breakfast or brunch bash. 

How we tested 

For our taste test, we selected 11 different buttermilk pancake brands from grocery stores and kitchenware stores, choosing brands based on their popularity and availability. We prepared and cooked each pancake batter according to package directions, mixing the dry ingredients with water, whole milk, buttermilk, or eggs, depending on each brand’s instructions. The taste test was masked; testers did not know which brands they were tasting. We tried each pancake plain, and then with syrup to test how the structure held up.

A perfect buttermilk pancake needs to check off a few boxes: It should have a subtle sweetness with a hint of vanilla and a mild tang. The texture should be lighter and fluffier than regular pancakes, due to the way buttermilk’s acidity interacts with the leavening agents in the mix. We evaluated each brand based on two general criteria: flavor and texture. Our testers judged every pancake’s sweetness and tanginess while also assessing its fluffiness, tenderness, and overall moisture.

Of the 11 brands we tasted, there were several that stood out, and a few that fell short of the stack — even with a heavy dose of syrup. But, the brands below were flipping phenomenal. 

Best overall: Dolly Parton’s Buttermilk Pancake Mix 

Substance and style — these are two words that define both the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton, and her pancake mix (in collaboration with Duncan Hines). These pancakes browned beautifully and were light, fluffy, and pleasantly bouncy. The inclusion of malt flour made them slightly sweet, with a nutty, toasted butter flavor that gave them a nostalgic diner breakfast feel. We’d happily eat these 9 to 5. 

$4 for one (26-ounce) box at walmart.com

Best tang: Robby’s 

This 50-year-old brand’s recipe is based on a secret family recipe, and comes in a generous two-pound canister. Our testers found these pancakes to be pleasantly tangy, and also praised its moist, melt-in-your mouth texture that was almost custard-like. These cooked up to be thinner pancakes, but because the batter spread well in the pan, it yielded delectably crisp edges with a toasty flavor.

$15 for one (two-pound) canister at williams-sonoma.com

Best grocery store brand: Good & Gather Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix

Our testers were impressed with the thick rise of Target’s in-house grocery brand, which outperformed all other supermarket brands we tried. Most mixes call for water or milk to bring the batter together, but this one offers more flexibility — it can be made with water, milk, or buttermilk for added tang. We opted for whole milk, which gave the pancakes an extra layer of richness. The final pancakes had a bread-like texture that would hold up well to toppings like sliced bananas, strawberries, and thick syrups without becoming soggy. Flavor-wise, these pancakes were reminiscent of vanilla wafer cookies. 

$4 for one (32-ounce) bag at target.com

Most versatile: Bob’s Red Mill Homestyle Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix

Bob’s Red Mill is a go-to brand for both home cooks and industry professionals. This was the Goldilocks of pancake mixes — tender but not crumbly, airy yet substantial, sweet without being cloying. A great way to satisfy everyone at the breakfast table, these pancakes would be delicious with a simple pat of softened butter, syrup, or even your favorite fruit jam.

$7 for one (20-ounce) bag at amazon.com