When I first spotted a bag of Birch Benders Paleo Pancake and Waffle Mix on the shelves of my local health food store I was elated. I seldom see a truly grain-free mix. One actually lacking dairy or long-winded names unfamiliar to man or some sort of crap hiding behind the BIG print and calling itself paleo or, for that matter, healthy. Have you ever wondered why the ingredient list is so tiny that no one can even read it!? There is nothing hiding in the Birch Benders Paleo Pancake and Waffle Mix. It is clear and boldly states that it contains 8 ingredients, all paleo and requires no eggs. Just add some water to make the recipe on the package; these pancakes (and waffles) are darn good!

Soon after my package arrived I started seeing these delicious pancake recipes using this same mix on my Instagram feed, shared by my friends. It was totally coincidental but I was elated and started trying a few more recipes. I got myself another bag and started having some more fun. I love cassava and coconut; and these happen to be the two main ingredients. After so many years of gluten-free and paleo I try and stave off “daily” baked goods due to it feeling like nut flours were becoming a daily ritual with all my kitchen testing of new recipes. Most of the baked goods shared in the paleo community do focus on almond flour or blanched almond flour and for good reason. This was a real nice change, plus I felt great about a new company I could support by purchasing their mix and by sharing good and honest words about how I feel about their paleo mix.

Fluffy paleo pancakes topped with fruit… so good.

Birch Benders has nine mixes to date and I can safely assume they will add more. Unfortunately only one is paleo. They do make a dedicated gluten-free mix for those who do well with or who do not mind gluten-free flours on occasion. They use brown rice, white rice, corn starch and some buttermilk in their gluten-free mix. I decided to taste the gluten-free mix and it was excellent. I prefer to avoid grains though as my body does NOT do well with grains as I am a non-responsive celiac which means I did not do well enough on the gluten-free diet.

I found the gluten-free mix to taste more like a true silver dollar pancake. Like one you would buy at The Pancake House, sweetened with cane juice and natural sweetener. I found the paleo mix to have a slightly different taste than most of us are accustomed to; not at all offensive but likeable indeed. This flavor difference is solely due to the monk fruit which is the only sweetener used in the paleo mix.

Birch Benders overall is a gourmet pancake and waffle mix that’s delicious, organic, and made by just adding water – the first natural and organic, just-add-water pancake & waffle mix. All of their products are organic, trans fat-free, non-GMO and so darn easy to make in a jiff.

I love the mix as-is, but any of you know me and how I love to play in the kitchen and offer recipe options. I did not need to reinvent the wheel as these guys offer so many terrific recipes on their site: http://birchbenders.com/recipes/. Keep in mind that some of the recipes on their site are not made with the paleo mix, but you can replace it in a number of their recipes. As I do like to try and create healthy options, I came up with an idea based on a comment made about the protein content by one of the guys that tested the pancakes. I decided to try a simple alteration to their basic instructions.

Below is what I did and it worked out beautifully. This is for anyone wanting to add a bit more protein and fats to their morning pancakes or waffles or to their post workout meal, or even a late night semi-carb load snack after a fast or leto day.

My delicious paleo waffle.

One third (1/3) cup (which makes two 4-inch pancakes) of the paleo mix offers 6 grams of protein, 16 grams of carbs and 5 grams of fiber. I decided to add a bit of protein by adding two eggs to their stated “on the bag” instructions of, ¾ cup mix with the 2/3 cup water (bags says makes 6-7 pancakes) , to see how this tasted as well as what the texture would be like. I had to add a couple tablespoons more of the mix ( due to the increase in liquid from the eggs) and mixed it all with my wire whisk to get any lumps out as anyone would do when making pancakes. I heated up my griddle with some ghee (and I tried coconut oil too), and cooked my 4-inch pancakes. These turned out to be delicious! We enjoyed knowing there was a tad more protein and good fat. They were a bit fluffier and it cut the monk fruit flavor a tad. As I said, I like monk fruit so that was not a problem though. The two eggs increased the protein by 12 grams and increased the healthy fats by an additional 10 grams total and made 3-4 more pancakes too. There is NO need to alter their “water only” instructions, but you know me, I like to play in the kitchen and this was a simple opportunity to see what happens in an attempt to up the protein a bit.

My delicious paleo pancakes. Yum!

I’m a believer and a supporting consumer in this mix, the company and what they are doing. They went out of their way to develop and include a TRUE paleo mix as well as a dedicated gluten-free mix into their repertoire. Yahoo for me and for us! Out of all the paleo products out there on the market, you definitely will want to have this one in your pantry amongst any others.

These guys are tops! I hope they come out with some different paleo flavor options in the future; in the meantime I will keep playing with options in my kitchen and sharing them.  Be sure to visit www.birchbenders.com and enjoy their delicious mixes!

From my kitchen to yours,

Tina Turbin

If you have any questions or suggestions just email me at Tina (at) Paleomazing.com.