If you’ve ever found yourself craving cookies but didn’t want the hassle of gathering multiple baking ingredients, pancake mix cookies are your answer. With just a few pantry staples and less than 30 minutes, you can create soft, chewy, and customizable cookies that taste like a cross between a fluffy pancake and a classic cookie.
This recipe is perfect for busy mornings, last-minute desserts, or anyone who wants homemade cookies without the extra work. The best part? You can personalize them endlessly with chocolate chips, nuts, fruit, or even festive flavors.
⭐ Why You’ll Love Pancake Mix Cookies
- Quick & Easy → Ready in about 25 minutes start to finish.
- Foolproof → Perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
- Customizable → Add chocolate chips, sprinkles, dried fruit, or spices.
- Great for Leftover Mix → A smart way to use up extra pancake mix.
🥣 Ingredients for Pancake Mix Cookies
Here’s everything you’ll need (basic recipe yields about 18 cookies):
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pancake mix (buttermilk or plain) | 2 cups |
| Unsalted butter (melted) | ½ cup |
| Granulated sugar | ½ cup |
| Brown sugar (optional, for chewiness) | ¼ cup |
| Egg | 1 large |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Baking soda | ½ teaspoon |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon |
| Chocolate chips | 1 cup |
👉 Optional add-ins: chopped nuts, dried fruit, sprinkles, peanut butter chips, cinnamon, or lemon zest.
⏱ Quick Recipe Card
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 12 minutes
- Total time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Skill level: Beginner-friendly
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven → Set to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients → In a bowl, whisk pancake mix, baking soda, salt, and sugars.
- Combine wet ingredients → In another bowl, whisk melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Make the dough → Slowly add wet ingredients to dry. Stir gently until just combined. (Do not overmix—this keeps cookies soft.)
- Fold in add-ins → Mix in chocolate chips or your favorite extras.
- Scoop & bake → Drop tablespoon-sized portions onto prepared baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake → 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are slightly soft.
- Cool & enjoy → Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
🍪 Variations to Try
- Breakfast Style: Add mashed bananas and walnuts.
- Festive Cookies: Stir in red/green sprinkles for Christmas or pastel sprinkles for Easter.
- Chocolate Lovers: Replace some pancake mix with cocoa powder and use white chocolate chips.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pancake mix and dairy-free butter for an allergy-friendly version.
- Spiced Twist: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice for a cozy flavor.
🧪 Baking Science & Troubleshooting
- Why pancake mix works → It already has flour, leavening agents, and salt, making cookie prep faster.
- If cookies spread too much → Chill dough for 30 minutes.
- If cookies are dry → Add 1–2 tablespoons milk or an extra egg yolk.
- For chewier texture → Swap part of the sugar with brown sugar.
🧊 Storage & Freezing Tips
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer (baked cookies): Freeze in a zip bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or warm in the oven.
- Freezer (cookie dough): Scoop dough balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes.
🍽 Serving Ideas
- Serve warm with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.
- Sandwich with ice cream for a fun dessert.
- Drizzle with maple syrup or honey for a pancake-cookie fusion.
- Pack into lunchboxes for a sweet surprise.
📊 Nutrition (per cookie, approx.)
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 20g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 2g
(Values vary depending on mix-ins and pancake mix used.)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use any pancake mix?
Yes! Buttermilk mix adds flavor, while plain mix works fine. If using a sweetened mix, reduce added sugar slightly.
Q: Do I need baking soda?
Most mixes already contain leavening, but a little baking soda improves texture.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely—just scale the ingredients and bake in batches.
Q: Why are my cookies crumbly?
You may have added too much pancake mix. Level off cups when measuring.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Pancake mix cookies are proof that you don’t need a full pantry to bake something delicious. With only a few ingredients, you can have golden, chewy cookies in under half an hour—perfect for busy families, beginners, or anyone craving a quick homemade treat.
The real fun lies in experimenting: fold in fruits, nuts, or seasonal flavors to keep each batch exciting. Whether you’re enjoying them fresh from the oven or from the freezer stash, these cookies are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
So grab that box of pancake mix from your cupboard and let your creativity run wild—you’re only 30 minutes away from warm, sweet happiness.