Kodiak Pancake Recipe (Light & Fluffy!)

I’m not joking when I say these Kodiak pancakes are literally the best “out of the box” pancakes you’ll ever eat!  With a few tweaks and a couple of additions (namely, whole milk, an egg, and cinnamon), these will be the absolute best box pancake recipe you’ll ever make! They’re light, fluffy, and will make your weekend or weekday even more delicious!!

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I’m still in shock that this remains the #1 recipe on my website!

It thrills me to no end how many of you are making these pancakes.  And not only making them, but loving them!  Who doesn’t love breakfast recipes, right? 

In full transparency, I’m not usually a fan of boxed pancake mixes. I’d much rather make my own pancake mix from scratch.  I’ve always thought homemade pancakes tasted better, in my humble opinion.  

When my kids were little, I usually reserved all pancake making for the weekend. They’d wake to the smell of pancakes on the griddle, bacon in the oven, and we’d all sit around the table, lingering over breakfast and pouring a ridiculous amount of warm maple syrup over our pancakes.

These days, breakfast is typically this homemade maple granola (which, if you’re a granola lover, is the absolute best!!).  But one day, I was strolling the baking aisle at the market, and saw a Kodiak Cakes box.  The box said Power Cakes Pancake and Waffle Mix, and I was intrigued.

Partly because the box has a massive bear on it, but mostly because of the protein.  Now that I’m over 50, the news and social media constantly bombard me with the idea that I need more protein. When I saw the Kodiak box, I instantly thought it could be a tasty way to get more protein. So, of course, I immediately added a box to my cart.  

Why not, right? I’m always up for trying something new! 

Of course, I pretty much ignored the directions on the back of the box.  If you know me, this should come as no surprise. I rarely follow a recipe on the back of a box.  I’m always substituting ingredients like milk for water, or adding an extra spice or two. It’s all about dialing up the flavor for me.  

My tweaks are what take this pantry staple and turn it into a recipe you’ll want to put in your weekly rotation!  Hopefully, this recipe also inspires you to never “just add water” to any box mix again!

These are the perfect weekend breakfast, or make them to celebrate the big days (birthdays, holidays, anniversaries….) or enjoy a giant plate on any random day of the week! 

Why This Recipe Works!

The addition of egg, milk, and cinnamon creates light, fluffy pancakes with a hint of cozy flavor. Don’t get me wrong, using a box mix is a great shortcut.  It can be a big timesaver!  And who doesn’t love a timesaver, right?  But I like to think of box mixes as a jumping off point.  They’re great to start with, but usually benefit from adding some extra ingredients to level up the flavor. 

TL;DR (Cliff’s Notes for Kodiak Pancakes)

Why you’ll love it: This Kodiak recipe is crazy easy!!  From start to finish, you can have fluffy pancakes on your plate in 15 minutes…..20 if you like to linger over your coffee.

What is it: Incredibly fluffy pancakes leveled up with the addition of whole milk, egg, cinnamon, and vanilla

How to make it: Add all the ingredients — box mix, egg, vanilla, whole milk, and cinnamon — to a bowl, whisk, and cook on a griddle. 

Star Ingredients for Kodiak Pancakes

Kodiak pancake mix: As far as mixes go, this one has the most wholesome ingredients (for the most part). The whole grains add a nutty, hearty quality to each pancake. 

Whole Milk: When it comes to boxed mixes, I always substitute whole milk for water. Milk will add a richer flavor to your pancakes. 

Egg: Because they’re protein pancakes, they can taste a bit…..how do I say this politely?…..like a bbq’d hockey puck. Adding an egg lightens the batter and creates a fluffier texture. 

Cinnamon: Adds a tiny bit of warming heat, which adds to the cozy flavor of the pancakes

Let’s Make Light and Fluffy Kodiak Pancakes!

How to Guarantee Light and Fluffy Pancakes

Whisk until the ingredients just barely come together.  There shouldn’t be lumps of the pancake mix, but it also doesn’t need to be completely smooth and blended.  The more you mix, the more likely you are to have dense pancakes.  

For even lighter pancakes, whisk 1 or 2 egg whites into the mix in addition to the whole egg.

If you make this recipe, I’d love if you’d leave a comment and let me know how it turned out! Your comments are super helpful to other guests who swing by looking for tasty recipes.