Trader Joe's Ube Mochi Pancake and Waffle Mix is one of those quirky, colorful products that catches your eye and makes you wonder: will this taste as good as it looks?
Made with rice flour and purple yam (ube), this mix promises a chewy, mochi-like texture and just the right amount of sweetness. At $3.99 per box, it's gluten-free and made to be different.
Review
Let me start with this: if you're expecting traditional pancakes, this mix will surprise you, in a good way.
The batter comes together easily with just eggs, milk, and butter. As it cooks, it smells subtly sweet and nutty, and the purple color really pops (yes, they stay purple after cooking). But the real surprise comes when you take a bite: the texture is chewy, slightly bouncy, and dense in the best mochi-inspired way. It's not fluffy like a diner pancake, and it's not supposed to be.
The flavor is mellow. You get a hint of vanilla and a little nuttiness from the ube, but it's not overly sugary or artificial-tasting. That gives you room to play, whether you top it with syrup, fruit, or even use it as a base for dessert pancakes with ice cream and coconut flakes.
I also made waffles with this mix, and the results were just as chewy and crispy around the edges. They held their shape well and felt like a more indulgent version of breakfast.
Bottom line: if you love mochi, boba, or chewy textures in your food, this is a fun twist on pancakes and waffles. If you're more of a "fluffy stack with whipped cream" person, it may not be your thing, but I think it's worth trying at least once. Otherwise, stick with Trader Joe's Buttermilk Pancake Mix for a more traditional flavor.
The nutritional information and ingredients
- Cane sugar
- Sweet rice flour
- Tapioca starch
- Ube puree
- Leavening (baking soda)
- Natural flavors
- Salt
Contains: None of the top 8 allergens
Gluten-free and vegetarian
How to Prepare
For Pancakes (makes about 6):
- In a bowl, combine 1 cup mix, 1 egg, ¾ cup milk, and 1 tablespoon melted butter.
- Stir until just combined.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease.
- Pour ¼ cup batter per pancake and cook until bubbles form, then flip and cook until done.
For Waffles:
- Prepare the same batter.
- Pour into a preheated, greased waffle maker.
- Cook according to your waffle maker's directions.
Tip: Batter will be thicker than traditional pancake mix. Don't overmix.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with coconut whipped cream and toasted coconut
- Drizzle with condensed milk and sprinkle with crushed ube cookies
- Add banana slices and a light honey drizzle
- Serve with fried eggs and bacon for sweet-salty contrast
- Make a dessert waffle topped with vanilla ice cream and purple yam jam
FAQs about Trader Joe's Ube Mochi Pancake & Waffle Mix
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
Ube is a purple yam commonly used in Filipino desserts. It has a mild, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor.
Yes! The rice flour gives them a mochi-like texture-chewy and slightly dense.
Yes, it's made with sweet rice flour and tapioca starch, not wheat.
This is a seasonal product at Trader Joe's and is sold during the early summer months. If you can't find it you can look on Amazon through third-party sellers.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Ube Mochi Pancake and Waffle Mix is one of those playful, offbeat products that makes Trader Joe's…well, Trader Joe's. It's not your everyday pancake mix, and that's exactly the point. If you enjoy chewy textures, mildly sweet flavors, and want something a little different to serve at brunch or dessert, this mix is worth picking up.
It's fun, unique, and totally Insta-worthy as long as you don't expect it to behave like Bisquick.
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