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The best pancake mixes and maple syrup for a flipping good breakfast
Frying pans at the ready...
Tested by Callum BlackFood and Drink Testing Manager
Pancake Day really crêpes up on us every year! But, of course, pancakes aren't just meant to be eaten once a year; they make a tasty breakfast or weekend brunch any day of the week.
So, we got the Good Housekeeping Institute experts on the case. They’ve been busy trying all the ready-made pancake batter mixes on the market, so you can shake, bake, flip and serve in confidence throughout the year.
Whether you like your pancakes studded with blueberries, sprinkled with lemon and sugar or filled with ham and cheese, we’ve found the most delicious at-home solutions.
And if you prefer your stack drizzled with maple syrup, our experts also tried a range of brands to find the perfect pairing – you'll find their favourites below or pancake reviews.
Best pancake mixes
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When is Pancake Day 2025?
The history of Pancake Day (also known as Shrove Tuesday) is an interesting one. It always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date changes each year (this year it falls on 4 March 2025).
The tradition of having pancakes (or crêpes) on this date has been around since the 16th century – it started as a way to kickstart the Lent period by using up all the ingredients that traditionally weren’t allowed to be eaten during the season.
Of course, pancakes can (and should!) be enjoyed all year long, and while they're easy enough to whip up yourself, a pre-made mix will make them easier to whip one up at short notice.
How we test pancake mixes and maple syrup
Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute were looking for a faff-free mix that yielded tasty results. They wanted pancake batter that was easy to mix and combine (with no lumps!) that achieved light and fluffy, full-flavoured, balanced bakes. In short, the perfect base for adding your favourite condiments.
Meanwhile, for maple syrup, top marks were awarded to those that were sweet without any cloying or artificial taste, bearing in mind that the flavour can vary depending on the grading, from light, honeyed and caramel through to deeper woody, molasses notes.
These are the ones we're adding to basket.
Dr. Oetker American Style Pancake Mix 170g
Score: 89/100
Our panel raved about Dr. Oetker’s authentic, thick, American-style pancakes, which had a lovely, sweet aroma and buttermilk note (just like the real deal). Just add maple syrup and blueberry compote for a winning breakfast.
Score: 89/100
Perfect for busy mornings, this shaker-style bottle resulted in very little mess and created a perfectly uniform stack of six pancakes. Each one was light and fluffy and, due to the pleasingly sweet note, were likened to Scotch pancakes by our panel.
Score: 81/100
Morrisons’ simple mix wasn’t as sweet as our winning pancakes, which was seen as a positive, as you can go crazy with additional toppings! Texturally, there was a delicious contrast between the light and fluffy middle, and the slightly crispy, golden-brown exterior.
Score: 78/100
Prefer a more traditional crepe? Waitrose’s pancake mix proved best for this brief. The thinner batter also cooked quicker and raised faster than others we tested. And although they proved the trickiest to cook, they did create the most convincing crepes.
The versatile mix can also create Yorkshire puddings and American-style pancakes too.
Score: 78/100
With just a hint of sweetness, this branded mix comes in a mighty family sized pack for when one round of pancakes just isn’t enough. Easy to make and cook, this batter crisped up well in the pan, making a decent-sized pancake.
Score: 78/100
If you thought pancakes were off the cards as a coeliac, think again. This gluten-free buttermilk pancake mix is free from wheat, peanuts, soy, and is FODMAP-friendly to boot.
While they’re not the fluffiest, our panel was impressed with the crispy edges and soft middle – just like a classic pancake. Simply add water, shake and go.
Score: 72/100
Co-op's baking batter had a rich, buttery aroma and made the most savoury tasting pancakes on test. This makes them ideal for toppings such as bacon, smoked salmon or cheese.
The best maple syrup to drizzle on top
Score: 83/100
This Canadian maple syrup from Tesco is “Grade A Amber” classified for its rich taste, and was described as “rich and flavoursome”, by our panel. They also said you could taste the high quality, and detected a fresh pine note too.
Score: 78/100
This syrup has the same grading as the Tesco bottle (above). However, our testers felt its deep, well-rounded flavour and rich woody aftertaste would make it particularly delicious to bake with.
Score: 71/100
Lidl’s slightly smaller bottle is a great price, with a powerful golden syrup flavour profile. Our experts enjoyed it drizzled onto their pancakes, but they would have liked a more distinct maple note.
Score: 70/100
Interestingly Morrisons’ maple syrup had a distinctive caramel note, making it a more nutrient-dense alternative to some other sugary toppings. It’s also the smallest bottle on test, making it ideal for those who enjoy an infrequent drizzle here and there.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
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