No, a pancake mix is not just flour. Flour is an important ingredient in basic pancakes, but it is just one of many. A pancake mix is a pre-mixed combination of several different ingredients, typically flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, salt, and oil.
The flour provides structure and thickness to the pancakes (it could be standard all-purpose flour or even gluten-free), while the baking powder makes them fluffy and helps them to rise. Sugar and salt are added for flavor. The oil helps create a tender crumb in the pancakes and has the additional benefit of preventing them from sticking to the pan.
In addition to these dry ingredients, a proper pancake mix can also contain other rich ingredients to boost the flavor, smell, and color of the pancakes. This could include spice mixes, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, zest from citrus fruits, or even chocolate chips or dried fruit.
There are even pancake mixes that can be part of a vegan diet, as they contain plant-based proteins and other ingredients.
For a lot of people, a pre-made pancake mix is a convenient and fast way to make pancakes at home. As all the ingredients are already measured and pre-mixed, you only need to add water or milk and sometimes eggs or butter — depending on the brand you purchase.
Additionally, many pancake mixes now come in a variety of flavors, so you can easily find the one that best suits your preferences.