18 Homemade Pantry Mixes for Cooking & Baking

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These 18 Homemade Pantry Mixes for Cooking & Baking are easy to prepare and come with the added bonus of knowing exactly what goes into your food. Let’s dive into these mixes, along with their ingredients and how to use them.

In the world of cooking and baking, convenience is a precious commodity. In this blog post, I am sharing 18 Homemade Pantry Mixes for Cooking & Baking. Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or just starting on your culinary journey, having a collection of homemade make-ahead mixes can save you time and money and ensure that you have quality ingredients at your fingertips. 

These are my favorite homemade mixes that can be prepared in advance and stored in airtight mason jars. To use them, simply follow the instructions for your desired recipe. Not only do they save you time and money, but they also allow you to customize the flavors to your liking, making your dishes truly homemade. So, stock your pantry with these essential pre-made mixes, and you’ll always be ready to whip up something delicious in a pinch!

Here are 18 Homemade Pantry Mixes for Cooking & Baking

1. Homemade Cornbread Mix:

• 2 cups of cornmeal
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup of sugar (adjust to your desired level of sweetness)
• 4 tablespoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt

Mix these ingredients thoroughly, and store the mixture in an airtight container. 

Directions

When you’re ready to make cornbread, use this mix as a base and add the wet ingredients as specified in your cornbread recipe. 

2. Homemade Baking Mix (Similar to Bisquick): 

• 6 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons of baking powder
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 cup of shortening

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Then, cut the shortening into the dry mixture using a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Once everything is well combined, transfer the baking mix to an airtight container for storage.

Additionally, you can use this homemade baking mix in various recipes, such as biscuits, pancakes, waffles, and more. To make biscuits or other recipes, simply add the wet ingredients as required by the specific recipe you’re following.

3. Homemade Brown Sugar Mix:

• 3 cups granulated white sugar
• 3 tablespoon molasses

Store in the jar as you would store-bought.• In a small mixing bowl, mix together sugar and molasses. Continue to mix until the molasses is completely incorporated into the sugar. This will take 2-3 minutes.• If you need dark brown sugar, add another tablespoon (2 total) to the sugar.• Use and store as you would the store-bought brown sugar.

4. Homemade Baking Powder Mix

• 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
• 2 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar
• 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch (or Arrowroot Powder)

Combine all the ingredients & store in an airtight jar until ready to use.

5. Homemade Pancake Mix

• 6 cup Flour
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 3 tbsp Baking Powder
• 2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Salt

Combine ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container.

Directions for making Pancakes

To use the ENTIRE jar of mix when you’re ready to make pancakes, Add the wet ingredients below. 

• 2 cups of milk
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

*Using 1 cup Pancake mix: combine pancake mix with 1 cup milk, 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract & 1 egg. 

Pour a small amount of mix (about ¼ cup) or enough to create 4-5 inch pancakes into the skillet. (you’ll probably get around 5-7 small pancakes from this amount of mix)

Note: Discard when the expiration date on the milk powder has passed.

6. Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

• One tablespoon of each: sea salt, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder & oregano
• 1-2 tbsp chili powder
• ½ tbsp black pepper

Tip: Want to add a bit of kick to your season? Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended. Store in a Mason jar until ready to use.

Directions

Add 3 tablespoons of the seasoning per pound of ground meat, and use about 2/3 cups of water per pound of meat. Stir together, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. 

7. Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup sugar (you can adjust the amount to your desired level of sweetness)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

Combine these ingredients thoroughly, and store the mixture in an airtight container. When you’re ready to prepare instant oatmeal, simply scoop out the desired amount of the mix, add hot water or milk, and let it sit for a minute or two. Customize your oatmeal by adding your favorite toppings such as fruits, nuts, and spices.

8. Homemade Gravy Mix

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Mix these ingredients in a bowl until well combined, and store the mixture in an airtight container. When you’re ready to make gravy, you can use this mix as a base to thicken and flavor your gravy. Just add it to the pan drippings or broth, whisking to achieve your desired consistency and taste. Adjust the seasonings to your liking, and enjoy delicious homemade gravy!

9. Homemade Cajun Seasoning Mix

• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder

Then, Add 1 Tablespoon of each:

• onion powder
• cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for desired spiciness)
• dried oregano
• dried thyme

Blend these spices in a bowl, mix them thoroughly, and store the mixture in an airtight container. This homemade Cajun seasoning is perfect for adding a burst of flavor and a bit of heat to your Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes. Adjust the cayenne pepper and salt to suit your taste preferences.

10. Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix

• 1/4 cup dried minced onions
•  tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules or beef bouillon powder

Combine these ingredients in a bowl, mixing them thoroughly. Furthermore, store the mixture in an airtight container, and it will be ready to use whenever you need to add a savory, oniony flavor to your dishes.

11. Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix

• 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine these spices in a bowl, mix them thoroughly, and then store the mixture in an airtight container. This homemade pumpkin pie spice blend is perfect for various fall recipes, especially for making delicious pumpkin pies and other seasonal treats.

12. Powdered Sugar

• 1 Cup Sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

1. Combine the two ingredients in a blender. 
2. Blend until the mixture is a powdery combination, depending on your liking.  
3. Store the final mixture in an airtight container.

13. Homemade Cornmeal

• Popcorn Kernels

Directions

1. Place kernels in a high-speed blender.
2. Process the kernels for a few minutes, scraping down the sides as necessary until they have a sand-like texture.
3. Sift the processed corn through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any large pieces of corn that do not pass through the sieve.
4. Process & sift until no more large pieces appear. Return the large pieces of corn to the blend and process again for another minute before sifting the cornmeal once more.
5. Store in an airtight jar until ready to use.

Note: If there are still any large pieces, return them to the blender and process them once again.

14. Dry Cream of Soup

• 2  cups powdered milk
• 3⁄4 cup cornstarch
• 2  tablespoons  dried onion, minced
• 1  teaspoon dried basil
• 1  teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper

Store in an airtight container

Directions to make cream of soup

1. Mix all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Shake well.
3. Store on the shelf until ready to use.

To Make Creamed Soup

Add stock & dry ingredients into pot & cook on medium heat until desired thickness.

15. Biscuit mix

• 4 cups All-Purpose Flour 
• 2 tbs Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1-2 tbs Sugar (Optional)

Store in an airtight mason jar til ready to use.

Directions to make biscuits

1. Add Dry Ingredients
2. 1/2 to 1 cup of Shortening or Butter
3. 1/ 1/4-1 1/2 cups of Milk

When you’re ready to make biscuits, add the milk and fat to the mix, stir until combined, roll out the dough, and cut your biscuits before baking. Bake at 450°F (232°C) for 10-15 minutes.

16. Hot Cocoa Mix

1. 2 cups of Cocoa Powder
2. 2 cups of Powdered Sugar
3. 2 cups of  Dry Milk Powder
4. 1/4 teaspoon of Sea Salt (a pinch)

Optional Add-Ins: You can also include optional add-ins to customize your hot cocoa mix, such as mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint candy, or even a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor.

Directions

Once you have all the ingredients, mix them thoroughly and store the hot cocoa mix in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, simply add a few tablespoons of the mix to a mug of hot milk or hot water, stir, and savor your homemade hot cocoa.

17. Brownie Mix

• 1 1/4 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
• 1 Cup of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 2 Cups of Granulated Sugar
• 1/2tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Baking Powder

Optional Add-Ins: You can also add ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, or even flavored extracts (e.g., vanilla or almond) to customize your brownie mix.

Combine these dry ingredients thoroughly, and you can store your homemade brownie mix in an airtight container until you’re ready to bake a batch of delicious brownies. 

To use the mix, add the wet ingredients

• 2 sticks (1 cup) Melted Butter
• 4 Large Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven at 350°F (175°C)
2. Combine the ingredients & mix well. 
3. Pour into a standard 9×13-inch baking pan.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes

Additionally, it’s essential to keep a close eye on your brownies as they bake because the exact time can vary based on factors such as your oven’s temperature accuracy and the thickness of the brownie batter. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or a knife into the center of the brownies; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it (but not wet batter), your brownies are ready.

Always refer to your specific brownie mix or recipe for precise baking instructions and adjustments based on your preferences (fudgy vs. cakey brownies) and your pan size.

18. Muffin Mix

1. Approximately 4 cups of All-Purpose Flour
2. About 1 cup Granulated Sugar (adjust to your desired level of sweetness).
3. 4 tablespoons Baking Powder
4. 1 teaspoon Salt

Directions

These ingredients can be mixed together thoroughly and stored in an airtight container for your muffin mix. When you’re ready to bake muffins, you’ll typically use the following wet ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of Milk.
• 1/2 cup of Vegetable Oil or Melted Butter
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

Instructions for mixing and baking muffins:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the muffin mix (dry ingredients) with the wet ingredients (milk, oil or butter, eggs, and vanilla extract). Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
3. Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease the muffin cups.
4. Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with the muffin batter.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
6. Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Optional Add-ins: Blueberries, chocolate chips, walnuts. The options are endless!

The exact baking time may vary based on your oven and the size of your muffins, so keep a close eye on them during the final minutes of baking. Adjust the time as needed to ensure your muffins are baked to perfection. Enjoy your homemade muffins!

Homemade Pantry Mixes Taste so much better than store-bought mixes 

Creating homemade pantry mixes for cooking and baking is a fantastic way to enhance your culinary experience. With this in mind, not only do these mixes save you time, but they also give you more control over the ingredients in your recipes. Now, let’s delve into some final thoughts on these 18 homemade pantry mixes.

1. Convenience and Time-Saving: Homemade pantry mixes make cooking and baking more convenient. They save you time on measuring and mixing ingredients when you’re in a hurry.
2. Customization: These mixes allow you to customize the flavors to your liking. You can adjust the level of sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to match your taste preferences.
3. Cost-Efficient: Preparing these mixes at home is often more cost-effective than buying pre-packaged versions. You can buy ingredients in bulk and make multiple batches.
4. Quality Control: By making your mixes, you have control over the quality of ingredients used, ensuring that you’re using fresh and high-quality components.
5. Versatility: Many of these mixes can be used in various recipes, making them versatile additions to your pantry.
6. Health Benefits: Homemade mixes can help you avoid artificial additives and preservatives that are often found in commercial products.
7. Reduced Food Waste: You can prepare these mixes in quantities that suit your needs, reducing the likelihood of ingredients going to waste.
8. Homemade Flavor: Nothing beats the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve prepared something from scratch. Homemade mixes can impart a distinct homemade flavor to your dishes.

Download the Pantry List Here!

Commonly Asked Questions About Homemade Pantry Mixes for Cooking & Baking

What are homemade pantry mixes, and why should I use them?

Homemade pantry mixes are pre-made blends of dry ingredients for recipes like pancakes, muffins, bread, or seasoning blends. The benefit of making your own is that you can control the ingredients, avoid preservatives and artificial additives, and customize the flavors to your liking.

They also save time by reducing prep work during cooking or baking, especially on busy days.

How do I store homemade pantry mixes for maximum freshness?

Store your homemade pantry mixes in airtight containers in a cool, dry place like your pantry or a cupboard to keep your homemade pantry mixes fresh. If the mix contains perishable ingredients like baking powder, it’s a good idea to use it within a few months.

Label each container with the date it was made and the ingredients to keep track of freshness.

Can I make my own seasoning blends, like a taco or Italian seasoning, as pantry mixes?

Absolutely! Making seasoning blends is one of the easiest and most customizable pantry mixes. Combine herbs and spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, or basil in the proportions you enjoy.

Not only can you adjust the heat or flavor, but you’ll also avoid the added salt and preservatives often found in store-bought versions.

Can I substitute a homemade pantry mix for a store-bought one in recipes?

Yes, homemade pantry mixes can often be substituted for store-bought versions in recipes. Just make sure the mix you’re using has similar proportions of ingredients. For example, if you’re substituting a homemade cake mix, ensure that your dry ingredients match the basic recipe of the store-bought mix.

You may need to adjust the wet ingredients or baking times slightly, so be sure to follow your original recipe’s directions for the best results.

What are some easy homemade pantry mixes to get started with?

Some great pantry mixes to begin with include pancake or waffle mix, muffin mix, brownie mix, or even biscuit mix. For savory recipes, you can create a basic breading mix or a pizza seasoning blend.

These pantry mixes require just a few basic ingredients and are perfect for quick meals or baking projects with little preparation. You can also experiment by adding dried fruits, nuts, or even chocolate chips to customize your mixes.

Final thoughts…

Homemade pantry mixes are a valuable addition to any kitchen. They empower you to cook and bake with confidence, knowing that you have essential ingredients ready at your disposal. Experiment with these mixes, adapt them to your preferences and enjoy the convenience and culinary freedom they offer.

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