Fluffy Banana Pancakes with Pancake Mix

Did you know you can make delicious banana pancakes that are this thick, this fluffy, and full of banana flavor from a box of pancake mix? 

With just a couple of easy tricks, you can impress your whole family (and yourself!) with this delicious banana pancake recipe topped with cinnamon maple bananas. 

It's such a yummy and easy pancake recipe, it'll be your new favorite thing to make with overripe bananas (sorry, banana bread). 

Be sure to try Pumpkin Pancakes from Pancake Mix and Pumpkin Syrup for Pancakes next! 

Why You're Going to Love This Recipe

• Best banana pancakes from a pancake mix
• The recipe is full of easy tips for thick, fluffy, tender pancakes 
• Great recipe to make ahead -- banana pancakes freeze beautifully!
• Best way to use over-ripe bananas 

How to Make Fluffy Pancakes from Pancake Mix

You don't have to make homemade pancakes to get thick and fluffy pancakes. These are my tricks for making thick and puffy pancakes from a mix. 

• Add baking powder. A little bit of extra leavening lifts up the batter.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Mix pancake batter just until the ingredients are combined and there are still some lumps. 
• Separate the egg and whip the whites. Mix the yolk into the batter for rich flavor. Then beat the egg white into soft peaks and fold them separately into the batter. The whipped egg whites will help the pancakes puff up. 
• Let the batter rest. Letting the pancake batter mixture rest gives the liquid time to hydrate the flour and the leavening agents time to distribute evenly through the batter. 

Ingredients

These easy banana pancakes come together with simple ingredients. 

Pancake mix. This recipe has been tested with regular Bisquick, Heart Smart Bisquick, and a complete "just add water" pancake mix. All worked equally well. 

Bananas. You'll need about two medium bananas to get one cup of mashed banana for the pancakes.

If you're using frozen and thawed bananas, you may need more than 2. And be sure to strain off the excess liquid or it will thin the batter. 

Butter or oil. You'll need a little butter or vegetable oil to lightly coat the pan for the pancakes and the banana topping. 

Variations

Extracts. Add a splash of maple, almond, coconut, or vanilla extract. 

Spices. Nutmeg, cloves, allspice, cardamom, or any of your favorite warm baking spices would be delicious! 

Nuts. Add walnuts, pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts for crunchy nuttiness. 

Chocolate chips. A handful of chocolate chips is always a welcome addition to banana pancakes. 

Blueberries. Add fresh blueberries to the batter or sprinkle a few frozen blueberries on top of the pancakes before you flip them. 

How to Make Banana Pancakes with Pancake Mix

1. Combine the dry ingredients. 

Whisk the pancake mix, baking powder, and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Push the mixture to the sides of the bowl making a well in the center. 

2. Separate the eggs and whip the egg whites. 

Separate the eggs, letting the whites fall into a small bowl. Place the yolks in the center of the well in the dry ingredients. 

Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Set aside.

3. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients. 

Add the mashed banana and milk to the well. Whisk the wet ingredients together in the center of the bowl, then whisk the banana mixture into the dry mixture until just combined. Do not overmix, it's okay if there are lumps. 

Use a spatula to gently fold the beaten egg whites into the pancake batter until just incorporated. 

Let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes. 

4. Make the delicious pancakes. 

Heat a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan over medium-low to medium heat until a sprinkle of water sizzles across the surface of the pan. 

Use a folded paper towel or pastry brush to coat the pan with a thin layer of butter or oil. Repeat this step between batches, wiping out any residue from the previous batch to keep it from burning. 

Using a measuring cup, drop ⅓ cup of batter into the frying pan.

Cook the first side until the edges are dry and small bubbles start to form and pop on the surface of the pancake, 2-4 minutes. Flip and cook the second side for another minute or two. 

5. Make caramelized bananas. 

Warm a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place the butter into the pan. 

Slice the bananas into ½" to ¾" slices. Add the slices of bananas, maple syrup, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a dash of salt to the pan.  

Cook for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. 

6. Serve and enjoy!

Serve pancakes with warm caramelized bananas and a drizzle of maple syrup. 

We also like to smear a little peanut butter in between layers of pancakes :). 

Freezing Instructions

Leftover pancakes freeze beautifully. Place them on a wire rack to cool completely, then stack them in an airtight container or zip-top bag in between layers of paper towels or parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. 

To thaw, place frozen pancakes on a plate, uncovered, and heat in the microwave for a minute or two until hot. 

Success Tips

• To ensure the center of the pancake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, it's done. 
• If your pancakes are too brown before it's time to flip, the pan is too hot. Turn down the heat. 
• Keep pancakes warm until ready to serve on a baking sheet or platter in a 200-degree oven. 

FAQs