The 4 Best Pancake Dispensers of 2024

 

Do you love the joy that comes from digging into a stack of fluffy, golden Homemade Pancakes on a lazy weekend morning? The only problem is when you return to the kitchen to find stacks of dirty dishes and sticky counters. Meggan understands the splatter struggle is real, so she compiled a list of the Best Pancake Dispensers you can buy to make cooking pancakes (and more!) less of a messy affair that delivers a perfectly even stack. 

To narrow down the best choices, Meggan tested popular models, noting features like efficiency, capacity, and ease of use. We then compared them side by side to come up with our list of the best pancake dispensers. Meggan’s favorite ended up being the Norpro Batter Dispenser, which worked perfectly when whipping up Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Healthy Pancakes in record time. 

Our top picks feature precision pouring, splatter reduction, and reduced cleanup time, so prepping pancakes — and cleaning up after — is fast and easy. Plus, it makes cooking pancakes with kids less chaotic. Check out our list of the best pancake mix dispensers below.

Our Top Picks 

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Norpro Batter Dispenser – $20.42 at Amazon
2. Also Great: KPKitchen Pancake Batter Dispenser – $23.99 at Amazon
3. Best for Kids: Chef Buddy No Drip Cake Batter Dispenser – $14.99 at Walmart
4. Best Bottle Dispenser: Whiskware Pancake Batter Bottle – $13.35 at Amazon

Reviews of The Best Pancake Dispensers

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Norpro Batter Dispenser

After testing multiple pancake mix dispensers, Meggan found that the Norpro Batter Dispenser was the best gadget for the job. Since you can mix your smooth batters right in the cup and use the convenient measurement markings on the side (cups, ounces, and milliliters), it cuts down on the number of dirty dishes in the sink. She also found the seal to be efficient, while the plastic dispenser was easy to clean. 

The Norpro is easy to load and operate. All you have to do is squeeze the comfortable handle to uncover the spout, portion out your perfect pour, and then release the squeeze handle to close up the spout again. The batter comes out perfectly without any dribbles or splatters. “I think the Norpro is a great device for eliminating mess and waste,” Meggan says. “It makes the job easier without adding chaos to your life.” 

The Norpro Batter Dispenser also works great for waffle, crepe, and funnel cake batters (also as a cupcake batter dispenser and for muffin mix). Meggan thinks you could even use it to mix up sauces but to start out, we recommend trying it with her famous Homemade Pancakes recipe.

The Specs:

• Dispensing Mechanism: Trigger operated
• Capacity: 4 cups of batter
• Dimensions: 6.5” D x 6.5” W x 7.25” H
• Material: Plastic
• Care: Hand wash 

The Pros:

• Mixes and dispenses
• Prevents dribbles 
• Spring-released trigger
• Soft grip handle

The Cons:

• Hand wash only

What Others are Saying:

Bustle named The Norpro Batter Dispenser the best overall in their roundup of the best pancake batter dispensers. It also has more than 6,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon.

Where to Buy: 

2. Also Great: KPKitchen Pancake Batter Dispenser

If you prefer to measure your batter in a separate bowl and then transfer it to a dispenser, (like Meggan does) she recommends the KPKitchen Pancake Batter Dispenser. It has a wide mouth opening at the top and a removable lid that makes it easy to pour the mixed batter without making a mess. 

Its spring-loaded and break-resistant handle is great for effortlessly releasing batter from the bottom, so you get perfectly round pancakes every time (ideal for Meggan’s Lemon Ricotta pancakes!). It’s also a good option for pancakes with mix-ins like blueberries because the wide opening spout allows for enough space for the fruit or chocolate chips to pass through. Meanwhile, the portion control markings and quick close valve are handy to control how much batter is dispensed so you can keep each pancake even in size. 

Just note that the first time you use it, you may need to get used to the batter coming out of the center of the bottom, but once you get going, it’ll be fast and easy to use.

The Specs:

• Dispensing Mechanism: Trigger operated
• Capacity: 4 cups
• Dimensions: 5” D x 8” W x 9” H
• Material: Plastic
• Care: Dishwasher safe

The Pros:

• Easy portion control
• Drip-free 
• Break-resistant handle
• Lightweight

The Cons:

• Awkward to use at first

What Others are Saying:

Food & Wine featured the KPKitchen Pancake Batter Dispenser as a must-have gadget for making the perfect pancakes. It also has nearly 14,000 ratings and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon. 

Buy the KPKitchen Pancake Batter Dispenser: 

3. Best for Kids: Chef Buddy No Drip Cake Batter Dispenser

Meggan loves the Chef Buddy No Drip Cake Batter Dispenser when her kiddos are lending a helping hand in the kitchen who want to make pancakes, waffles, cakes, or muffins. Its break-resistant and spring-loaded handle is simple for kids to use, while the plastic construction is so lightweight you could use it with one hand.

Measuring marks are clearly indicated on the side, so you can easily monitor how much batter comes out. The nozzle is also wide enough for berries or other small mix-ins to fit through, plus it’s specifically designed to reduce drips as you open and close it to keep messes to a minimum. 

The Specs:

• Dispensing Mechanism: Squeeze bottle
• Capacity: 4 cups
• Dimensions: 6.75” L x 4.25” W x 7.5” H
• Material: Plastic
• Care: Hand wash recommended

The Pros:

• Lightweight
• Convenient dispensing
• Drip-free
• Easy to fill

The Cons:

• Not as durable as other options
• Not dishwasher safe

What Others are Saying:

The Chef Buddy No Drip Cake Batter Dispenser has a 3.9-star rating and nearly 7,000 reviews on Amazon. 

Buy the Best for Kids: Chef Buddy No Drip Cake Batter Dispenser:  

4. Best Bottle Dispenser: Whiskware Pancake Batter Bottle with BlenderBall

The Whiskware Pancake Batter mixer is a favorite because it’s so quick and easy to use. Just add your ingredients, drop in the BlenderBall wire whisk, and give it a shake. There’s no need for mixing bowls and spoons, meaning that it majorly cuts down on dirty dishes. When you’re finished cooking, cleaning is a breeze — all you have to do is pop in some soap, and warm water, and give it a few shakes, though all parts are top-rack dishwasher-safe, too.

The nozzle on the end makes it easy to control the batter, so you can draw some patterns and shapes if you’re feeling creative while still dispensing the right amount of batter. Because the base is flat, it doubles as a stand to keep the pancake dispenser upright on the counter, ensuring that dribbles of pancake batter don’t get all over your counter.

Pro tip: Make your batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge to make pancakes during the week.

The Specs:

• Dispensing Mechanism: Squeeze bottle
• Capacity: 4 cups
• Dimensions: 4.26” D x 4.29” W x 12.49” H
• Material: Plastic and stainless steel
• Care: Hand wash or dishwasher

The Pros:

• Base doubles as a stand
• Easy clean up in the sink or dishwasher

The Cons:

• Ingredients may not mix together as well

What Others are Saying:

The Whiskware Pancake Batter Bottle Dispenser has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon from more than 18,000 reviews.

Buy the Whiskware Pancake Batter Bottle with BlenderBall:  

Other Pancake Dispensers We Tested

MYFULLY Pancake Batter Dispenser

This model didn’t make the cut for Meggan because she didn’t like the handle. It ended up being too awkward since you had to slide it into a U-shaped slot on the side. To do it, she had to bend part of the stainless steel material of the slot, and then the handle didn’t feel secure and even fell off at one point. The dispensing hole is so small it took a long time to get the batter out, but she thinks this dispenser would work well for funnel cake batter because they’re a thinner consistency. The MYFULLY Pancake Batter Dispenser is available at Amazon for $17.79.

OXO Good Grips Precision Batter Dispenser

This OXO pancake dispenser has a comfortable handle, an easy-to-fill cup, made of BPA-free plastic, and a large capacity. Meggan has always loved OXO products and while this one looks like our winner, the batter has to dispense through a heat-resistant silicone spout that can make things feel slow, sluggish, and like a hassle. The OXO Good Grips Precision Batter Dispenser is available at Amazon for $20.99.

Lovical Pancake Batter Dispenser

With this model, you add your ingredients straight to the bottle, mix it up with the blender ball, and then dispense directly onto the pan. It’s similar to the Whiskware pancake dispenser on our list of favorites, but it’s hard to accurately add dry ingredients into it without spilling. The batter feeds slowly so you end up shaking, squeezing, or slamming it down on the counter trying to get the batter out. When the batter is near the tip, it does come out easily enough. The Lovical Pancake Batter Dispenser is available at Amazon at $12.55.

Why You Can Trust Us

I’m Belle, an award-winning content creator and an adjunct professor who works in restaurant PR in the Midwest. Over the course of 20 years, I’ve held almost every position imaginable in various restaurants, including ownership of a Korean-concept hot dog cart (that was named after my dog’s teeth). My writing and on-camera work can be seen on the Better Homes & Gardens website. 

To create this guide for the very best pancake mix dispensers out there, Meggan tested popular brands and reported back with her findings. I also researched highly recommended models and read hundreds of online reviews and feedback to find the best options on the market. Together, we then compared them side by side and rated them on capacity, ease of use, and overall value to come up with our list of the best pancake dispensers.

Everything to Know Before Buying a Pancake Dispenser

What to Consider Before Buying a Pancake Dispenser

According to Meggan, a good batter dispenser eliminates mess and waste, is compact and easy to store, and makes a job easier without adding chaos to your life. She says you should consider the following when purchasing this baking tool:

Capacity: Determine the volume of pancakes you want to make at once. Pancake dispensers come in various sizes, so you can choose a dispenser that can make enough pancakes without constantly needing to refill it. Measuring labels also help ensure consistent pancake size.

Material: Look for a dispenser that’s made from durable and, most importantly, food-grade materials like aluminum, stainless steel, or high-quality food-grade plastic. These high-quality materials are also easy to clean and maintain and resist corrosion. 

Ease of use: Check if the dispenser is easy to operate and clean. It should dispense pancake batter smoothly without clogging or dripping. Wide openings ensure a mess-free filling of batter dispenser. Removable parts and dishwasher-safe components can make cleaning easier, too.

Recipe compatibility: There are different types of dispensing mechanisms including squeeze bottles, trigger-operated dispensers, and lever-operated models. Some dispensers are better suited for thin batter, while others work well with thicker, chunkier mixes. Choose the one that’s best compatible with the type of pancake batter you plan to use. 

Mix-ins: If your dispenser isn’t large enough for large mix-ins like blueberries, chocolate chips, or apple chunks, Meggan suggests still using the batter dispenser and adding the mix-ins directly on each pancake when it’s on the skillet. It’s still an easy way to add your toppings, and you can make sure the mix-ins are evenly distributed.

Do You Need a Pancake Dispenser?

A pancake batter dispenser is a handy — but not necessary — device that can make your pancake-making process easier, faster, and more enjoyable. Because they allow you to pour the exact amount of batter needed for each pancake, you get uniform pancakes. They also minimize batter spills and drips, keeping your cooking area cleaner and saving cleanup time.

How Do You Use a Pancake Dispenser? 

Using a pancake dispenser is a straightforward process that can help you pour pancake batter neatly and consistently. Directions may differ slightly depending on the model you choose, but here are the basic steps:

1. Depending on your pancake dispenser, you can either mix up your favorite batter recipe right in the container or mix it in a bowl and carefully pour it into the pancake dispenser. Be careful not to overfill it, leaving a little space at the top to prevent overflow.
2. Hold the pancake dispenser over a preheated griddle or pan, with the nozzle or opening hovering slightly above the cooking surface.
3. Squeeze the handle or press the trigger (depending on the dispenser type) gently to release the pancake batter onto the hot griddle.

You can always refer to Meggan’s how-to on making Homemade Pancakes to get you started.

How Do You Dispense Pancake Batter Without a Dispenser?

If you don’t have a pancake mix dispenser on hand, you can use a ladle or measuring cups with spouts. Choose one that matches your desired pancake size and pour it onto your griddle or pan.

You can also pour directly from a mixing bowl in a circular motion using a spoon or spatula to gently shape the batter into the correct shape and size.  

How Do You Clean a Pancake Dispenser?

Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for specific cleaning recommendations, since some pancake dispensers may have unique features or materials that require special care. 

If your dispenser is dishwasher-safe, just rinse out any remaining batter, disassemble it, and throw it on the top rack. If it’s hand wash-only, a quick rinse with warm water and soap should do the trick. If the batter is stuck, you can soak it in the sink with a few drops of dish soap and use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub it.   

The Best Pancake Recipes

Pancake dispensers are incredibly versatile to make anything from Healthy Pancakes to Pulled Pork Pancakes with Whiskey Maple Syrup. (Don’t knock it before you try it!) Here are some of Meggan’s favorite recipes to use with your new batter dispenser:

Breakfast Recipes

Healthy Pancake Recipe

Breakfast Recipes

Homemade Pancakes

Breakfast Recipes

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Vegan Recipes

Vegan Pancakes

Breakfast Recipes

Chocolate Chip Pancake Recipe

Breakfast Recipes

Chocolate Pancakes

Breakfast Recipes

Oatmeal Pancakes

Breakfast Recipes

Pumpkin Pancakes

Breakfast Recipes

Crepes Recipe

Cake Recipes

Funnel Cakes

Breakfast Recipes

Strawberry Crepes

Prices were accurate at the time of publication.