Back to All Collections
Category

Better Pancakes & Waffles

Whole grain, lower sugar, clean ingredient mixes

37
Products
3.8
Avg. NOVA Score
Top Brands
Full Circle MarketBOBS RED MILLArrowhead Mills

✨ Editor's Picks

Our top recommendations for this category

37 products
Sort by:
Full Circle Market Pancake And Waffle Mix Gluten Free
Full Circle Market

Full Circle Market Pancake And Waffle Mix Gluten Free

📊 NOVA 4
Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix, 20 OZ
BOBS RED MILL

Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix, 20 OZ

$6.09📊 NOVA 3
Arrowhead Mills Organic Buckwheat Pancake & Waffle Mix
Arrowhead Mills

Arrowhead Mills Organic Buckwheat Pancake & Waffle Mix

📊 NOVA 3
Hungry Jack Pancake & Waffle Mix, Original
Hungry Jack

Hungry Jack Pancake & Waffle Mix, Original

📊 NOVA 4
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake Mix
Bobs Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake Mix

📊 NOVA 4
Simple Mills Almond Flour Pancake and Waffle Mix
Simple Mills

Simple Mills Almond Flour Pancake and Waffle Mix

📊 NOVA 3
Bob's Red Mill Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix
Bob's Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix

📊 NOVA 3
Hungry Jack Pancake & Waffle Mix, Extra Light & Fluffy
Hungry Jack

Hungry Jack Pancake & Waffle Mix, Extra Light & Fluffy

📊 NOVA 4
Bobs Red Mill Mix Pancake Waffle Buttermilk
Bob's Red Mill

Bobs Red Mill Mix Pancake Waffle Buttermilk

📊 NOVA 4
Flourish Mix Pancake & Waffle Buttermilk Protein
Flourish

Flourish Mix Pancake & Waffle Buttermilk Protein

📊 NOVA 4
Vans Waffles, Protein Chocolate Chip Pancake
Van's

Vans Waffles, Protein Chocolate Chip Pancake

📊 NOVA 4
Vans Waffles, Power Grains Chocolate chip Waffles
Van's

Vans Waffles, Power Grains Chocolate chip Waffles

📊 NOVA 4
De Wafelbakkers Chocolate Chip Pancakes
De Wafelbakkers

De Wafelbakkers Chocolate Chip Pancakes

📊 NOVA 4
Van's Waffles, Gluten Free, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Blueberry
Van's

Van's Waffles, Gluten Free, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Blueberry

📊 NOVA 4
Hungry Jack Pancake & Waffle Mix, Buttermilk
Hungry Jack

Hungry Jack Pancake & Waffle Mix, Buttermilk

📊 NOVA 4
Original Wheat Free Waffles, 9 OZ
VANS INTERNATIONAL FOODS

Original Wheat Free Waffles, 9 OZ

$3.79📊 NOVA 4
Wheat Free Blueberry Waffles, 9 OZ
VANS INTERNATIONAL FOODS

Wheat Free Blueberry Waffles, 9 OZ

$3.79📊 NOVA 4
Vans Waffles, Power Grains
Van's

Vans Waffles, Power Grains

📊 NOVA 4
Pearl Milling Pancake & Waffle Mix - The Original
Pearl Milling Company

Pearl Milling Pancake & Waffle Mix - The Original

📊 NOVA 4
365 by Whole Foods Market, Gluten Free Waffles, 8 Ounce
365 by Whole Foods Market

365 by Whole Foods Market, Gluten Free Waffles, 8 Ounce

$3.79📊 NOVA 4
Homestyle Protein Waffles, 7.4 OZ
Banza

Homestyle Protein Waffles, 7.4 OZ

$6.99📊 NOVA 4
Kodiak Waffles, Double Dark Chocolate
Kodiak

Kodiak Waffles, Double Dark Chocolate

📊 NOVA 4
Catalina Crunch Cereal, Maple Waffle - KETO Friendly
Catalina Crunch

Catalina Crunch Cereal, Maple Waffle - KETO Friendly

📊 NOVA 4
Kashi Organic Maple Waffle bite
Kashi

Kashi Organic Maple Waffle bite

📊 NOVA 4
Van's Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Waffles
Van's

Van's Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Waffles

📊 NOVA 4
365 by Whole Foods Market, Homestyle Waffles Family Pack, 31.9 Ounce
365 by Whole Foods Market

365 by Whole Foods Market, Homestyle Waffles Family Pack, 31.9 Ounce

$4.79📊 NOVA 4
Mixed Berry Cobbler Waffles, 9 OZ
Evergreen

Mixed Berry Cobbler Waffles, 9 OZ

$6.29📊 NOVA 4
Pearl Milling Company Pancake Mix
Pearl Milling Company

Pearl Milling Company Pancake Mix

📊 NOVA 4
King Arthur Pancake Mix
King Arthur Baking Company

King Arthur Pancake Mix

📊 NOVA 4
Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles, 7.4 OZ
Banza

Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles, 7.4 OZ

$6.99📊 NOVA 4
Pearl Milling Company Pancake & Waffle Mix, Original, Large Size 32 oz
Pearl Milling Company

Pearl Milling Company Pancake & Waffle Mix, Original, Large Size 32 oz

📊 NOVA 4
Pearl Milling Company Complete Pancake Mix
Pearl Milling Company

Pearl Milling Company Complete Pancake Mix

📊 NOVA 4
De Wafelbakkers Buttermilk Pancakes
De Wafelbakkers

De Wafelbakkers Buttermilk Pancakes

📊 NOVA 4
Zucchini Carrot Cake Waffles, 9 OZ
Evergreen

Zucchini Carrot Cake Waffles, 9 OZ

$6.29📊 NOVA 3
Peanut Butter Banana Bread Waffles, 9 OZ
Evergreen

Peanut Butter Banana Bread Waffles, 9 OZ

$6.29📊 NOVA 3
Arrowhead Mills Mix Pancake Buttermilk Org
Arrowhead Mills

Arrowhead Mills Mix Pancake Buttermilk Org

📊 NOVA 3
Kodiak Power Waffles, Frontiers Oat
Kodiak

Kodiak Power Waffles, Frontiers Oat

📊 NOVA 4

What is NOVA?

NOVA isn't just about "good vs bad" but about understanding how food is made. Foods are grouped into 4 categories, from unprocessed or minimally processed (Group 1) to ultra-processed foods (Group 4).

📊 NOVA 1

Unprocessed or minimally processedRaw grains, nuts, seeds, fresh produce

📊 NOVA 2

Processed culinary ingredientsOils, butter, salt, sugar

📊 NOVA 3

Processed foodsSimple foods made by combining NOVA 1 + 2 with methods like baking, canning

📊 NOVA 4

Ultra-processedIndustrial formulations with additives

Daily Ritual

Can you Spot Ultraprocessed Foods? Play our Supermarket Game

Take a virtual shopping trip to learn more about what's on grocery store shelves.

Shopping in the supermarket oil aisle

What You Should Know About Better Pancakes & Waffles

This hub is for people who love pancakes and waffles but want options that lean whole grain, lower sugar, and fewer mystery ingredients. Think mixes made with whole wheat, oats, or almond/cassava blends, and frozen waffles that aren’t basically dessert. It’s not about moralizing breakfast; it’s about choosing mixes that keep you full longer and don’t spike and crash your morning. You’ll still get fluff and crisp—just with a bit more substance. Real talk: “clean” is a fuzzy word. We look for short, recognizable ingredient lists and skip the extras you don’t need (artificial flavors, dyes). Lower sugar doesn’t mean no fun—add fruit or a drizzle of maple and call it balanced. Price-wise, whole-grain and specialty mixes can run higher than classic box brands. Birch Benders and similar lines are usually mid-to-premium; Trader Joe’s frozen whole grain waffles are budget-friendlier. Protein mixes can cost more—and may use whey, egg, or added gluten—so weigh your goals against your wallet and preferences. Chocolate chip mixes? Delicious, but typically higher sugar; they can still fit, just treat them like a sweet breakfast rather than an everyday staple.

Key Benefits

  • More whole grains help with steady energy and longer-lasting breakfast satisfaction.
  • Lower sugar mixes leave room for fruit, yogurt, or maple without overload.
  • Shorter ingredient lists reduce additives and keep flavors clean and simple.
  • Protein-forward options support satiety on busy mornings or post-workout breakfasts.
  • Freezer-friendly waffles and batch mixes save time and reduce weekday stress.

Buying Guide: How to Choose Better Pancakes & Waffles

Start with the ingredient list. Look for “whole wheat flour,” “oat flour,” or nut/cassava blends near the top, and aim for short, pronouncable lists. For sugar, under roughly 5–7 grams per serving in the base mix is a decent rule unless you’re deliberately choosing a treat like chocolate chip. If protein matters, seek mixes hitting 10+ grams per serving and note the source (whey, egg, added gluten, or plant-based). Paleo-style blends can be great for grain-free eaters, but they’re pricier and more calorie-dense—portion accordingly. Specifics: Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Waffles are a solid frozen shortcut with minimal fuss and a good price. Birch Benders’ classic line is dependable for simple ingredients; the Protein mix bumps satiety and tends to crisp nicely in waffles. The Paleo mix is grain-free and almond-forward—lovely with berries, but handle gently and don’t overmix. Hungry Jack Chocolate Chip is fun for brunch with kids, but consider it an occasional, sweeter option. If you’re on a budget, check store brands with “100% whole wheat” on the front, compare unit prices, or DIY a jarred mix with whole wheat pastry flour and oat flour. Where to buy: big-box and grocery chains for classic and protein mixes; natural grocers and online for paleo/grain-free lines. Stock up during sales, use digital coupons, and freeze extra waffles to make premium mixes stretch further.

Quick Comparison

OptionGrain BaseAdded Sugar (per serving)Protein (g)Best For / Notes
Trader Joe’s Whole Grain WafflesWhole wheat blendLow (~2–5g)3–5gBudget-friendly freezer staple; toaster-ready convenience
Birch Benders Classic MixWheat/oat blendModerate (~4–7g)4–6gClean-ish ingredients, everyday pancakes and waffles
Birch Benders Protein MixWheat + added proteinLow–moderate (~3–6g)10–16gHigher satiety; great for waffle irons and grab-and-go
Birch Benders Paleo MixAlmond + cassavaLow (~2–5g)6–9gGrain-free, tender crumb; pricier and calorie-dense
Hungry Jack Chocolate Chip MixRefined wheatHigher (~9–12g)3–5gTreat vibes; best for occasional sweet breakfasts
DIY Whole-Grain Jar MixWhole wheat + oat flourYou control itDepends on add-insMost budget control; customize sweetness and fiber

Frequently Asked Questions

People also search for:

Last updated: December 13, 2025

Related Collections