Every once in a while, I crave pancakes for breakfast. It’s usually on the weekends and after a more intense morning workout. I always find this craving to be somewhat odd because I was never too fond of pancakes growing up. (The sames holds true for bagels; while everyone else in my family looked forward to “Bagel Sundays”, I was never a fan … probably due to gluten sensitivity which wouldn’t be diagnosed until many years later.) These days, my diet is (mostly) Paleo and pretty clean. When I do get these random pancake cravings, finding quality pre-made Paleo pancake mixes with clean ingredients has always been always challenging.

Sure, I could always whip up some pancakes from scratch using gluten free flours, eggs, baking powder, salt, oil, almond milk, etc. And I’ve done that many times. Not all recipes or flours are created equal, though. And I often got mixed results. With all of the ingredients and preparation apparatus required, my kitchen was always left in disarray afterwards. (But hey, if you have time and don’t mind some clean up, check out my tasty pumpkin pancakes recipe here.)

I have also tried pre-made mixes before from some of the better known brands (Bob’s Red Mill, Kind Arthur, Stonewall Kitchen, etc.). Some required added ingredients like eggs or (dairy free) milk which really didn’t save much time (or mess) compared to making pancakes from scratch. While most of these mixes tasted great, I was not always thrilled with the less than stellar and sketchy ingredients in some – which include cane sugar, rice flour, potato starch, artificial additives, natural flavors, oils, etc.

Finally a Clean Paleo Pancake Mix!

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a video posted by FlavCity (who provide paleo and keto shopping tips and content on YouTube), which featured the Birch Benders Keto Pancake and Waffle Mix variety. I was impressed by the clean, simple ingredients. Although the Keto mix is not an option for me since I avoid dairy, I researched the brand and discovered that they also offer a paleo-friendly version.

As the name implies, the Paleo Birch Benders Pancake and Waffle Mix is grain free and contains no added sugar. The ingredients are clean and simple: cassava starch, organic coconut flour, almond flour, eggs, salt, monk fruit (a natural sweetener that does not impact blood sugar levels), and spices.

Preparation is Easy

In addition to the amazingly clean ingredients, what I love most about this pancake mix is that you only have to add water. That’s it! You simply mix 3/4 cup of the Birch Benders paleo pancake and waffle mix with 2/3 cup of water and it is ready to go.

I typically add two large spoonfuls of the mixture it to a large frying pan at a time with a tablespoon or two of avocado oil. I flip the pancakes after about 2 minutes and give it a good 2 minutes to cook evenly on the other side. The mixture is enough to make about four small to medium-sized pancakes.

How Does it Compare to Traditional Pancake Mixes?

I am impressed. The pancakes come out fluffy and cook just like regular pancake mixes (including those both with and without gluten). They are slightly lighter in color compared to other pancake mixes. The texture is identical to traditional pancakes, though.

In terms of taste, the pancakes are absolutely delicious. I promise that they will satisfy any pancake craving. I do find the pancakes to taste a bit sweeter than traditional pancakes, which is likely due to the cassava starch and monk fruit natural sweetener. So, your taste buds will notice a bit of a taste difference. In the future, I will likely experiment with adding some vanilla collagen powder and/or canned pumpkin to the mix.

Due to the heightened sweetness, I recommend limiting the amount of maple syrup that you pour on the pancakes and possibly pair it with a less sweet fruit like berries. To balance out the sweetness of the pancakes, consider adding a savory side like a piece of bacon.

My overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Where Can I Purchase Birch Benders Paleo & Waffle Mix?

Birch Benders is a bit pricier than most traditional pancake mixes, but many health minded people like myself are likely willing to pay more for top quality, clean ingredients. The cheapest options that I could find are at:

Amazon ($4.88)

Walmart ($4.88)

Target ($4.99)

Click on the links above to try some for yourself today!