How Can You Improve Boxed Waffle Mix? 11 Ideas

While commercial waffle mixes like Aunt Jemima, Hungry Jack, and Krusteaz need nothing more than water, there is always a way to make your waffles even more delicious. The waffle mixes have everything you need to make waffles, however they might be a little bland at times. So, how can you improve on packaged waffle mix?

Adding lemon zest, buttermilk, vanilla extract, eggs, melted butter, yeast, spices, a bit of salt, or mashed fruit to the boxed waffle mix improves the flavor of the waffles greatly. Sifting the ingredients and properly combining it will also make the waffles airy and tender.

Ready-made waffle mixes are good since they save time and need no additional skills other than basic cooking expertise. Even better, you may experiment by adding your favorite ingredients to your waffles.

In the following sections, I’ll offer some of the information I’ve gained from experimenting with boxed waffle mixes, as well as explain how to enhance them and what substitutions you may use.

How to Improve a Boxed Waffle Mix? Works With Hungry Jack, Krusteaz, Bisquick and Others

Enhancing a boxed waffle mix is simple, but you must first understand what is lacking in order to know what to add. I’d suggest testing the mix first since it will give you a good sense of what you can do to enhance it. The following suggestions are excellent, but avoid combining them all.

Lemon Zest

Lemon zest is a common ingredient in many baking recipes. The lemon zest will not only enhance the other flavors, but it will also work its magic in the batter. Also, the chemical reaction caused by the lemon zest will induce air bubbles to develop inside the batter, resulting in airier and fluffier waffles.

Buttermilk

Since waffles need more fat, adding buttermilk is a wonderful way to enhance them. The buttermilk will greatly boost the fat level of the waffles, making them creamy and juicy on the inside. It will also keep their surface from catching fire.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract can make even the most boring dishes shine. Add some vanilla essence to your waffles to enhance flavor and enjoy the results. It will not overpower or dominate the waffles.

Vanilla extract serves as a foundation for the addition of other tastes. As a result, everything you serve with your vanilla-flavored waffles will complement it perfectly.

Eggs

Eggs are another ubiquitous ingredient that is regularly used in desserts. They are a good bonding ingredient and will aid in the homogenization of your batter, resulting in fluffy waffles. Another advantage of eggs is that they enhance the amount of fat and protein in your waffles, making them both delectable and healthful.

Melted Butter 

Melted butter is always a safe bet. It will give your waffles flexibility and creaminess. Also, it will prevent them from burning and ensure that they are uniformly cooked on the inside. Moreover, butter lends a neutral richness and milkiness to the waffles, allowing you to pair them with anything you desire.

Yeast

With packaged waffle mix, a teaspoon of dried yeast goes a long way. As a leavening ingredient, dry yeast will let your batter to rise and become fluffy, airy, and light. Your batter will also become more elastic and easier to deal with.

A Pinch of Salt

Putting a little of salt to your boxed waffle mix will not make your waffles salty, but it will bring out all of the other tastes in the mix. It also provides flexibility to the waffle batter, reducing the likelihood of your waffles sticking.

Spices 

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, fennel, or a mixture of sweet spices can add flavor to your waffles and bring out the nuances already there. The disadvantage of incorporating spices in your batter is that they will limit your options for topping your waffles since they are fairly powerful.

Mashed Fruit

Adding mashed fruit to your boxed pancake mix is another fantastic way to improve it. The waffles will be fresh and fruity, with no need for toppings. But, be sure to mash the fruit to a cream-like consistency and perhaps add some butter or milk to the mash.

If your fruit mash is lumpy, it will burn throughout the cooking process.

Change Your Technique

Everything you add to your boxed waffle mix will be for nothing if you don’t use the appropriate procedures.

Sifting the mixture improves the texture of the waffles greatly. It will help you break up the lumps and contribute significantly to fluffy and light waffles.

Separately combine the dry and wet components. Always pour the dry components into the wet ones while mixing when combining them.

Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Separately, whisk them until they create a froth, then combine and add to the mix.

Stir the batter lightly without overworking it. If you over-mix the batter, it will become runny and sticky. If you do not thoroughly combine the ingredients, the batter will be lumpy and will most likely burn.

Take caution with the amount. The amounts of the components you wish to add to each mix are listed on the back of the box. Add one or half more to the given amounts.

Monitor the batter’s consistency and taste it periodically. Begin by incorporating lesser quantities of the ingredients and gradually adjusting the flavor and consistency. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in.

Try Different Combinations 

You should not combine all of the materials listed above in a single batch. Choose the aspect you wish to enhance and then add the components.

If you want extra flavor, add lemon zest, spices, mashed fruit, or salt. Add eggs, yeast, butter, or buttermilk for flexibility. To make your waffles fatter, use buttermilk, yeast, and eggs.

If you wish to work on many aspects, choose one from each area. For example, if you use buttermilk, don’t use butter, and if you use salt, use less spices.

Not all boxed mixes taste the same or need the same ingredients. Even if you have two of the same combination, they will not be identical. In essence, be mindful of how much of each item we covered, as well as why you do so.

Assess how long you’ve had the boxed mix in your cupboard. Has it been left open? As a result, I’d consider cooking a test waffle using the mix as is to see what’s lacking.

How to Make Waffles With Pancake Mix Without Egg?

Creating waffles without eggs is possible, but requires some effort. If you want eggless waffles, there are various egg alternatives you may try.

Mix in the avocado and vegetable oil; combine everything well and add it to your batter. The mash will work as a binding agent, and it will complement your waffles well. Eggs may be replaced with banana or avocado mash. The banana should be mashed.

Avocado mash will enhance the taste of the waffles. Moreover, the banana

Chia seeds or flaxseed may be used. Chia seeds produce a gel-like material that works well as a bonding agent. Soak a teaspoon of chia seeds in water; when they expand, they are ready to use.

If you use flaxseed, you may either cook it or combine it and boil it. They will produce a gel-like material that is excellent for egg doubling. If you boil them whole, you must strain them to separate the seeds from the gel; if you boil blended flaxseed, no straining is required.

A blend of baking soda and white vinegar works well as an egg replacement. Add one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of white vinegar to the batter.

A cornstarch and water combination is another excellent remedy. Be cautious, since cornstarch may not only bind the mixture but also thicken it. Begin with half a teaspoon of cornstarch in half a cup of water and increase the amount as needed.

The water and oil combo is also great for eggs. Combine the water and oil well before adding them to the pancake mix, and continue to mix until they are homogeneous with the rest of the ingredients.

• RELATED: How to Make Chocolate Waffles from a Box of Pancake Mix?

Can You Use Milk Instead of Water in a Waffle Mix?

It is not only OK, but also suggested, to use milk instead of water in your waffle mix. As previously said, the waffle mix requires a higher fat content, which sang milk will provide.

Milk also enhances the taste of the waffles by adding creaminess to the batter. Since it is not limiting, you may afterwards mix your waffles with anything you desire.

There are numerous vegan-friendly milk options that will add smoothness and taste to your waffles while without significantly increasing the fat level.