Supermarket Standoff: Pancake Mixes

We have embarked on a taste test tour of your favorite supermarket foods. We nibble, we score, and we share the results with you to help you avoid the paralysis that can come with Brand Choice Overload. Today's topic: pancake mixes.

We strongly believe that pancakes made from homemade batter are almost always better than store-bought versions. Fluffy, filling, and topped with sweet maple syrup, pancakes are the ultimate comfort to an empty stomach on a cold winter morning. In a pinch, though, it's good to know how things stack up in the aisles of your local grocery store. So last week we filled our shopping carts with boxes, jugs, and a spray can (such a thing exists, when it comes to pancakes) of pre-made mixes. Then we cooked up a true pancake breakfast--11 brands strong--and scribbled away on our score sheets. At the same time, dietitian Sandra Frank pored over nutrition labels, calculating which brands are the best for you.

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Our Favorites for Flavor

#1 Hungry Jack Complete Extra Light & Fluffy Pancake & Waffle Mix

Directions: 1 cup mix, 1 cup water.

Nutrition (prepared): One serving (3 4-inch pancakes) = 150 calories, 2g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 600mg sodium, 30 carbohydrate, 5g sugars, 4g protein, 0% vitamin A, 0% vitamin C, 15% calcium, 10% iron.

Ingredients: Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), yellow corn flour, sugar, dextrose, baking powder (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate), partially hydrogenated soybean oil, contains 2% or less of: salt, calcium carbonate, corn starch, eggs, polysorbate 60, corn syrup solids, mono and diglycerides, sodium caseinate, niacin, mononitrate, folic acid, vitamin b12.

Cost: $2.50 from Key Food in New York City.

Blind Tasting Notes: "Nice and fluffy"; "Some sweet, some salt"; "Moist".

#2 Aunt Jemima Original Pancake & Waffle Mix

Directions: 1 cup mix, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 3/4 cup whole milk.

Nutrition (prepared): One serving (4 4-inch pancakes) = 249.3 calories; 8.6g fat, 68mg cholesterol, 809.3mg sodium, 36g carbohydrates, 10g sugar, 7.8g protein.

Ingredients: Enriched bleached flour (bleached wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), salt, calcium carbonate.

Cost: $3.49 from Gristede's in New York City.

Blind Tasting Notes: "Very fluffy"; "A little sweet, but nice thickness"; "Very light, sweeter--good fluffy pancake".

 

#3 Nature's Path Organic Buttermilk Pancake Mix

Directions: 1 cup of dry mix, 2/3 cup cold water, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.

Nutrition (prepared): One serving (4 5-inch pancakes) = 171.3 calories, 5.2g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate, 5g sugar, 8g protein.

Ingredients: Organic whole wheat flour, organic buttermilk powder, organic vital wheat gluten, organic evaporated cane juice, non-GMO baking soda, leavening agent (monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, non-GMO corn starch), sea salt, tocopherols (natural vitamin E) added to enhance freshness.

Cost: $5.19 from Whole Foods in New York City.

Blind Tasting Notes: "Thick and toasty"; "Surprisingly light"; "Nice nutty flavor".

 

Nutritionist Sandra Frank's Picks

"The nutrition information label can be difficult to understand here. Pancake mixes prepared with additional ingredients, such as eggs, milk, butter and/or oil are not required by law to state the nutritional information, but manufacturers are encouraged to include a second column called 'as prepared'. Even with that second column, the information may vary based on the use of whole or low fat milk, eggs or egg substitutes and butter or oil. Note: None of the pancake mixes is considered low sodium".

Please note that whole milk was used in all of the recipes that called for milk.

 

#1 Organic Batter Blaster Original Pancake & Waffle Batter

Nutrition: Serving size 1/4 cup (40g) = 80 calories, 0.5g fat, 15mg cholesterol, 300mg sodium, 17 carbohydrate, 5g sugars, 2g protein, 0% vitamin A, 0% vitamin C, 10% calcium, 4% iron.

Ingredients: Filtered water, organic wheat flour (unbleached), organic cane sugar, organic whole egg solids, organic soybean powder, sodium lactate (lactic acid from beet sugar), diCalcium phosphate (leavening agent), sea salt, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), organic rice bran extract.

Frank's Comments: "This is lowest in calories, sodium and fat per serving. It is considered a low fat food, but contains very little fiber."

Cost: $4.99 from Whole Foods in New York City.

Our Assessment: This came in dead last for flavor. Our notes: "Too salty"; "Tangy...kind of weird for a pancake to be tangy"; "Unappealing texture"; "Funky scent, fishy taste--yikes!"

 

#2 Baker Mills Kodiak Cakes 100% Whole Grains Frontier Flapjack and Waffle Mix

Directions: 1 cup mix, 1 cup cold water.

Nutrition: Serving size 1/3 cup (38g) = 130 calories, 1g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 395mg sodium, 27 carbohydrate, 2g sugars, 7g protein, 0% vitamin A, 0% vitamin C, 15% calcium, 8% iron.

Ingredients: 100% whole grain wheat flour, 100% whole grain oat flour, non-fat dry milk, dry honey (honey wheat starch), leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum phosphate monocalcium phosphate), egg whites, salt.

Frank's Comments: "Lowest in calories and tied for first place for low cholesterol, this is considered low fat and a good source of fiber. A great choice."

Cost: $5.75 online.

Our Assessment: No one failed to recognize that this was a whole wheat option. Some liked that, some didn't: "Dry--cardboard"; "Grainy, not enough fluff"; "Nutty flavor, nice grainy texture".

 

#3 Nature's Path Organic Buttermilk Pancake Mix

Directions: 1 cup of dry mix, 2/3 cup cold water, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.

Nutrition (prepared): One serving (4 5-inch panckes) = 171.3 calories, 5.2g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate, 5g sugar, 8g protein.

Ingredients: Organic whole wheat flour, organic buttermilk powder, organic vital wheat gluten, organic evaporated cane juice, non-GMO baking soda, leavening agent (monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, non-GMO corn starch), sea salt, tocopherols (natural vitamin E) added to enhance freshness.

Cost: $5.19 from Whole Foods in New York City.

Frank's Comments: "This tied for first place for its low cholesterol, second for low sodium and fourth for calories. This brand is considered a good source of fiber."

Our Assessment: Hooray! This was one of our favorites for flavor.

 

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