12 Ways To Make Hungry Jack Pancakes Better

Hungry Jack is a ready-made pancake mix that requires nothing but water. Though the pancakes made without any additions work just fine, there isn’t a reason not to improve them. So, how to make Hungry Jack pancakes better? 

Sifting the mix will improve Hungry Jack pancakes’ texture and consistency. Taste-wise, adding apple and cinnamon, butter, peanut butter, milk or yogurt instead of water, more sugar or honey, dried fruit or chocolate chips in the batter will significantly improve Hungry Jack pancakes. 

Hungry Jack pancakes are an excellent solution for a simple yet delicious meal. Making them better isn’t a complicated job, but you need to know a few things to make this endeavor successful. Even though pancake-making is very straightforward, it is a form of baking, meaning you will need some additional information. 

How to improve Hungry Jack pancake mix?

Improving Hungry Jack pancake mix is easily doable just by adding some extra ingredients. Still, adding them randomly, without considering their quantities and how to combine them, won’t turn out well. 

1. Add grated apple and cinnamon 

Adding apple and cinnamon will add edge and flavor to the Hungry Jack pancakes, but you must be very careful how much to add, in what shape, and when. 

You should grate the apples and mix them with cinnamon before adding them to the batter. It is also a good idea to bake the apples and cinnamon, mash them, and then add them to the batter. 

Adjust the apple and cinnamon quantities depending on how many pancakes you will be making. The standard rule says one apple for six pancakes mixed with one teaspoon of cinnamon. 

Also, strain the apples before adding them to the batter, as they will add a substantial amount of liquid to it if you don’t. Don’t add them right before cooking the pancakes, but mix them with the wet ingredients before you add the dry ones. The downside of using apple and cinnamon is that you won’t be able to combine your pancakes with just anything because of the expressed apple freshness and clear cinnamon notes. 

Apple and cinnamon pancakes require pairing with sweet toppings, so you shouldn’t add them to the batter if you are looking for a savory topping.

2. Serve them with cream cheese and bacon

Serving your pancakes with cream cheese and bacon will make up for any mistakes you may have made with the batter. 

The cream cheese will add creaminess and fluffiness to the pancakes, even if they turn out a bit dry. The bacon will not only add a meaty and smoky flavor and aroma to your pancakes but will also amplify the flavors that are already there. 

If you plan on serving your Hungry Jack pancakes with bacon and cream cheese, you can also add some bacon bits and a spoonful of cream cheese to the batter to set the tone. 

3. Use milk instead of water

Using milk instead of water can do wonders for your Hungry Jack pancakes. Although the recipe doesn’t call for milk, adding some will significantly improve your pancakes’ taste and texture. 

The milk will add some extra fattiness to your pancakes which they will need for the cooking process. The extra fat from the milk will make the pancakes more elastic and easy to work with. It will also make them creamier and fluffier, and it won’t restrict your combination options.

Adjust the milk quantity according to the type of milk (dairy/non-dairy) and the number of pancakes you are making. Start with ¼ of a cup for six pancakes and slowly add more until you get the right consistency. 

4. Use yogurt instead of water

Using yogurt instead of water works similarly to using milk, but the effect isn’t identical. As yogurt contains lacto bacteria, it will promote the creation of air bubbles inside the batter, making your pancakes incredibly airy and soft. 

Another bonus is the increased nutritional value. Pancakes, in general, aren’t considered very nutritious, so adding yogurt will make them richer in protein and beneficial for gut and bone health. 

Taste-wise, your pancakes will be fresher and very mildly tangy, but that doesn’t mean that the yogurt will dominate their flavor. On the contrary, you can combine them with anything you like, but they will work best with fruity toppings. 

5. Add more sugar and honey

Usually, pancakes don’t call for much sugar, as they need to be neutral-tasting and non-restrictive. However, if you are planning on using sweet or fruity toppings, you can add some more sugar and honey to your Hungry Jack pancake batter. 

The honey, lemon zest, and sugar mixture are somewhat of a seasoning used for many baked goods and even roasted meat. It is best to mix the honey and sugar together and add some lemon zest to this mixture. Then, add it to the batter. 

Start with one tbsp. of sugar and two tbsps. of honey with a few drops of lemon zest for six pancakes, and adjust the quantity afterward if you need. 

The sugar will add a caramel flavor to the pancakes, the honey will make the consistency more stable, and the lemon zest will balance everything out and add freshness. 

This mixture calls for sweet toppings. It works best with maple syrup, jams, fruit, honey, and crushed nuts. 

6. Add dried fruit

Dried fruit is a beloved addition to many sweet and savory dishes, meaning that they won’t limit what you combine your pancakes with. You can add them to the batter or sprinkle them on your pancakes; once you pour them onto the pan, they are still in liquid form. 

Resins and dried cranberry work best, but feel free to use dried berries or cut dried figs; they work well too. Your pancakes will turn out like mini cakes and will be very, very tasty and rich. 

The quantity of dried fruits isn’t essential and depends only on how much you want to add. Don’t go too far, though, as if you add too much; your pancakes will stick due to the excess sugar. Start ½ a cup for six pancakes and adjust the quantity if you need to. 

You can combine these pancakes with sweet as well as savory toppings.

7. Add chocolate chips

Adding chocolate chips to your pancake batter will turn your Hungry Jack pancakes into fluffy chocolate chip cookies. Just like with the dried fruit, you can either add the chocolate chip cookies to the batter or when the pancake is on the pan. 

The chocolate chips will melt, but won’t become runny, so your pancakes will have delightful creamy chocolate surprises inside. Start with ½ a cup for six pancakes, and increase the quantity if you need to. Top them with some whipped cream and fresh fruit, and enjoy.

8. Include butter 

If you want your Hungry Jack pancakes to be creamy, soft, and airy, add some melted butter to the batter. The butter will make the pancakes fattier, meaning that they will be easier to work with and more elastic afterward. 

It will also give them a slightly milky taste, perfect to combine with either sweet f savory toppings. Don’t add too much, though, as the excess fat will make your pancakes burn. Start with ¼ of melted butter for six pancakes. 

9. Opt for peanut butter

The peanut butter will enrich your pancakes with protein, but also will change the flavor. I would describe the taste as similar to cookies. 

10. Sift the pancake mix

Sifting the mix is crucial when it comes to quality pancakes. This way, you will prevent lumps from forming, make more space for air bubbles to form, and get smoother and fluffier pancakes altogether.

11. Add vanilla flavoring 

Vanilla extract will add elegance and refinement to your Hungry Jack pancakes. It won’t overwhelm the pancakes or be the dominant flavor, but it will create an excellent base for flavor combinations. 

Vanilla flavoring goes excellent with chocolate and coconut-flavored toppings. You can also experiment with cream cheese or ricotta and fruit. 

12. Use sparkly water 

If you are using water, use sparkly water, and if you use milk, reduce the milk quantity and add sparkly water. The sparkly carbonated water already contains air bubbles, making your pancakes incredibly light and fluffy. 

How to make Hungry Jack pancakes fluffier?

To make your Hungry Jack pancakes fluffier, you, first and foremost, must sift the mix. Sifting the mix will produce smoother batter with no lumps. Another thing to do is to mix the batter while adding new ingredients to it. 

Add sparkly water instead of regular water, or mix regular water and baking soda to get the same effect. Don’t add and then mix, but mix the whole time continuously. Butter will also contribute to fluffy pancakes, but don’t add too much, as they may burn.

Yogurt or milk instead of water are also great ideas for fluffier pancakes and baking powder. 

Can you add egg to Hungry Jack pancake mix?

Although you don’t have to, you can definitely add eggs to your Hungry Jack pancake batter. Make sure you separate the egg white from the yolk, mix them separately until they become foamy, mix them together, and then add them to the rest of the wet ingredients. It will undoubtedly enrich the pancakes and make them creamy and smooth.