Unboxed: 10 ‘clean’ baking mixes that combine convenience and taste

Bob's Red Mill Golden Cornbread Baking Mix

In a natural grocery landscape where nearly every new product seems to be grain-free this and gluten-free that, it’s refreshing to see Bob’s Red Mill launch a line of classic baking mixes with two simple value propositions: They’re made with great ingredients and they’re tasty!

Launched in April, Bob’s Red Mill’s Signature Blends feature classic goodies such as Fudgy Brownie Baking Mix, Decadent Chocolate Cake Mix, Classic Yellow Cake Mix and Golden Cornbread Baking Mix (pictured). Use them as is or fold in your favorite add-ins (such as walnuts, sprinkles or fruits) to add your culinary flair.

King Arthur Baking Company Soft & Chewy Pretzel Bites Mix Kit

If you’ve ever tackled making pretzel bites from scratch, you know it is a lengthy process involving finagling dough into a complex shape and a messy baking soda bath. King Arthur’s soon-to-launch Soft & Chewy Pretzel Bites Mix Kit streamlines the pretzel-crafting process by providing everything you need to whip up these delicious bar room snacks at home. We especially love the included glaze packet: Dip the dough in the glaze before baking and you’ve got highly dippable pretzel bites within the hour.

No Bull Kitchen Vanilla Beignet Mix

If you thought beignets—the light and fluffy donuts without a hole—were only for New Orleans, think again. With No Bull’s just-add-water mix, you can have fresh, delicious beignets ready at home in seven minutes. We particularly love that No Bull includes real vanilla bean in their mix. As for the chicory coffee? You might have to visit Café Du Monde for that.

Women’s Bean Project Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Mix

We didn’t see any beans on this cookie mix’s ingredient list, but the Women’s Bean Project—a Colorado-based nonprofit—isn’t about using beans; it supports women on their way to self-sufficiency. The mix includes old fashioned rolled oats, unbleached organic wheat flour, sugar, granulated brown sugar and chocolate chips. Just add 1 egg and 1 stick of softened butter and bake for 10 minutes. Make about 20 cookies.

Bake Me Healthy Oatmeal Pancake & Waffle Plant-Based Baking Mix

This gluten-free waffle and pancake blend by Bake Me Healthy makes a mean, crispy breakfast staple. But we love it because it boosts the protein up to 8 grams per serving by including upcycled sunflower protein flour made using the fiber-rich pulp leftover from sunflower oil production. Glyphosate-free organic whole oat flour, potato and tapioca starch, and unrefined coconut sugar round out the blend. Just add plant milk and oil.

Nowhere Bakery Sugar Cookie Baking Mix

Formulated by a holistic nutrition counselor with a sweet tooth, this cookie mix is made with just three simple ingredients: almond flour, organic tapioca flour and baking soda. All home chefs need to do is add maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract, and then bake for 8-10 minutes. This mix is also free from dairy, gluten, grains, sugar, soy, FODMAPS, corn, eggs and seed oils.

Naked Bake Protein Banana Bread Mix

Incorporating protein powder into baked goods has long been a nutritional hack popularized on social media. Naked Bake aims to simplify the protein powder baking trend with this just-add-water Banana Bread Mix. Made with a combination of whey, almond and egg white protein, this blend also contains green banana flour and banana juice powder for an extra fruity kick. Coconut sugar adds a touch of sweetness.

Arrowhead Mills Organic Gluten Free Oat Flour Pancake & Waffle Mix

USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and Certified Gluten Free, this pancake and waffle mix provides 4 grams of protein per serving. Add oil, water and a beaten egg—or an egg substitute to keep it vegan—and scoop this mix onto a hot griddle or a hot waffle iron for a quick and filling, tasty breakfast treat.

Birch Benders Brownie Mix Organic Ultimate Fudge

In 2011, University of Colorado students Matt LaCasse and Lizzi Ackerman started Birch Benders because they craved pancakes but couldn’t find a clean and easy mix. Since then, the brand has expanded to a variety of breakfast foods, baking mixes, cookies and more. The latest addition is this Organic Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix, which is USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. Just add water, oil and an egg and in an hour, you’ve got brownies!

Bob's Red Mill Decadent Chocolate Cake Mix

We shared the details of these new classic baking mixes in the first product slide, but we couldn't resist adding the photo of this mouth-watering chocolate cake mix.

Bob's Red Mill Decadent Chocolate Cake Mix

We shared the details of these new classic baking mixes in the first product slide, but we couldn't resist adding the photo of this mouth-watering chocolate cake mix.