The Real Difference Between Pancake Mix And Waffle Mix

Team pancakes, or team waffles? You're likely passionate about one of the two sides of The Great Breakfast Debate, and we don't blame you – they're both tasty and a stack of either one is the perfect way to start a Sunday. And, chances are, you've spent many a weekend morning making waffles out of pancake mix without a second thought.

Believe it or not, the two mixes are not actually interchangeable. Sure, you can get a pretty average waffle out of a good box of pancake mix, but there are a few missing ingredients that could elevate your waffle game from a slightly crispy pancake to diner-level deliciousness.

According to Waffle Makers Hub, the main difference between a true waffle mix and pancake mix is the sugar and fat content. Waffle mixes include higher amounts of both since all of the sugar caramelizes and the fat cooks off to create a crispy, golden treat.

By contrast, pancakes are meant to be cake-like and not nearly as heavy, so most box mixes are lower in sugar and fat to keep them light (via Alton Brown). While they aren't exactly the healthiest breakfast choice, pancakes do clock in at 20 percent fewer calories than the average waffle, says My Tartelette.

Now that we've covered the basic ingredient differences between the two, let's be honest: Most of us stick to a store-bought box mix when making pancakes or waffles, and we likely won't whip up a batch from scratch anytime soon (as delicious as that sounds).

If you're on Team Waffle but the only thing in your pantry is pancake mix, then try adding some extra ingredients – it'll make all the difference in terms of flavor. Some waffle recipes require more eggs, while others require the egg whites to be beaten separately from the yolks to achieve the fluffy-yet-crispy consistency, notes My Tartelette. Another suggestion courtesy of Betty Crocker is to add some oil to the batter, which will help turn your waffles that perfect caramel color.

And if you are spending your Sunday morning turning your pancake recipe into a waffle batter, be sure to double the recommended amount of butter in order to beef up the fat content and use 2.5 times as much sugar as the recipe recommends (via Waffle Makers Hub).

If you now feel like your whole life has been a lie, we have one more truth for you: Whether you're stacking buttered pancakes or drowning your waffles in maple syrup, we're willing to bet that the inevitable sugar crash will be completely worth it.