10 Best Gluten-Free Pancake Mixes in 2022 (Betty Crocker, King Arthur, and More)

When it comes to ingredients, gluten-free pancake mixes have more wiggle room than traditional pancakes, with manufacturers using different blends of ingredients to recreate the right texture. In this guide, we'll walk you through the different wheat flour alternatives, as well as some other important things to consider before you buy.

To make pancakes, you need flour, but it doesn’t have to be wheat flour! Gluten-free pancake mixes usually contain a blend of non-wheat flours that have different properties to mimic the texture of traditional pancakes. 

Rice flour is a popular choice due to its neutral flavor and light texture. Like rice, it comes in white and brown varieties, with brown rice flour having a slightly nuttier flavor. 

Brown rice flour is a whole grain, which means it contains all parts of the grain, including the nutritious bran and germ and carb-rich endosperm. On the other hand, white rice flour is made from rice that has had the bran and germ removed, making it lower in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. 

Sorghum is an ancient whole grain that’s high in fiber, protein, and iron, and has a mildly sweet flavor that works well in pancakes. On its own, sorghum flour tends to be dense and heavy, so look for a mix that contains sorghum flour blended with other flours to lighten it up.

Almond flour is made from ground-up almonds, making it an excellent grain-free and gluten-free option. It has a nutty flavor and a dense texture, so it’s usually mixed with another flour or a starch. 

Its higher fat content means that it has more calories than grain-based flour, so it may not be a good choice for people who are trying to limit their calories. However, almond flour is high in minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium, as well as vitamin E and healthy fats.

Cassava flour is made from the cassava root, which is native to South America. It has a neutral flavor and fine texture, making it very similar to regular white flour.

It primarily contains carbohydrates, so it has fewer nutritional benefits than whole grain flour or almond flour. However, it’s easy to digest and can be a source of resistant starch, which feeds your good gut bacteria.

Coconut flour is made from dried coconut and has a slightly sweet flavor. It’s high in fiber and healthy saturated fat, which acts as a source of energy for your body. 

It’s highly absorbent, so pancake mixes that use coconut flour may need more liquid than other mixes. Look for a mix that contains coconut flour blended with another type to prevent dry pancakes. 

When baking with wheat flour, the gluten helps hold the ingredients together, creating structure and elasticity in the finished product. Products without gluten can sometimes end up dense and crumbly since they lack that gluten. So in addition to flour, gluten-free pancake mixes typically contain some type of starch.

Starches, like potato, tapioca, arrowroot, and corn starch, act as binding agents. They absorb liquid to help thicken the batter and create texture and moisture in the finished pancakes.

Starches tend to be high in carbohydrates and calories compared to their low nutritional value. If you're concerned about calories or getting enough protein, healthy fats, and fiber, make sure the pancake mix contains a blend of starch plus more nutritionally dense flours, like brown rice, oat, almond, or sorghum.

Making pancakes from a mix is easier than making them from scratch, but you still need to have a few ingredients on hand. Most pancake mixes call for eggs, fat, and liquid. The fat may take the form of oil or melted butter, while the liquid may be water or milk. 

If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, you can play around with egg and milk alternatives, although your results may vary. You can also try checking the reviews to see what substitutions other buyers used. If you don’t usually have those ingredients on hand, look for a mix that just requires you to add liquid.

If you have a household with both pancake and waffle lovers, look for a mix that can do both. Because pancakes and waffles are cooked differently, mixes will often require slightly different amounts of fat or liquid to be added. 

Therefore, it’s best not to assume that a gluten-free pancake mix will work for waffles. Instead, take a look at the box and see if there are directions for both. 

There are a couple of different ways to identify gluten-free foods. One is if the words “gluten-free,” “no gluten,” “free of gluten,” or “without gluten” appear on the packaging. These terms are regulated by the FDA and mean that the product contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten, a level that’s generally considered to be safe for celiacs.

Another way to identify gluten-free foods is to look for a certification from a third party. Organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), BRCGS, and the National Sanitation Foundation all provide gluten-free certifications for foods that meet their requirements. 

They often test for gluten below the level accepted by the FDA and may be a more reliable source for people with high gluten sensitivity. The requirements for each certification differ, so it’s best to check their website to determine exactly what their seal means.

If you have other food sensitivities aside from gluten, it’s important to check the ingredient list to make sure the product is safe. Some pancake mixes contain powdered milk or buttermilk, which may not be good for people with dairy intolerances. People with nut allergies should stay away from mixes that use almond flour. 

And if you have a wheat allergy, be aware that gluten-free doesn’t necessarily mean zero wheat; there can still be cross-contamination, especially with grains like sorghum and rice. With all allergies, the safest bet will be a product that’s manufactured in an allergen-free facility.

Here are the 10 best gluten-free pancake mixes for a breakfast that will fill you up without triggering your celiac or gluten intolerance. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.

Eating gluten-free doesn't have to feel like a chore. There are tons of gluten-free foods that are so good you won't even miss the wheat! Check out some more of our favorites below.

Author: Melissa Jong

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