Best Ever Pancake Recipe
Pancake Recipe made with simple ingredients that takes only a few minutes time. Load these perfect homemade pancakes up with fresh fruit or drown them in your favorite maple syrup.
I’ve included tips below (with a video) to help answer any questions on how to make the best ever pancakes. This post contains affiliate links.
I know food bloggers have a bad rap for throwing around the phrase “best ever” a little too frequently. Friends. Look at my eyes… these easy pancakes are the real deal. I’ve been searching for the best pancake recipe ever, and I’ve finally perfected it. Thick and fluffy, with a hint of sweetness, but not too much so you can still drown them in syrup.
This is one of my favorite go-to recipes because I always have what I need to make it on hand. I love that it only requires a few simple ingredients, takes only a few minutes to make, and tastes a million times better than box mix. This recipe makes ten perfect pancakes every single time.
How to Cook Pancakes
- Make sure you have even heat (I like to use an electric griddle)
- Let the batter rest for a few minutes (to activate the baking powder)
- Use nonstick baking spray (yes, even on nonstick pans)
Make sure you have even heat, especially if you are using a skillet. Let your pan heat up while you make the batter; an easy way to test if your pan is ready is by flicking a tiny bit of water onto the pan. If it’s hot and ready to go the water will sizzle immediately.
Always spray your pan with a little bit of nonstick spray to keep your pancakes from sticking (Yes, even in non-stick pans. I’ve also tried butter, but it does change the surface of the pancake, so I prefer nonstick spray, like Pam.)
I received an Electric Griddle
How to Pour Pancake Batter
Another tip to use when making this recipe is to use a 1/4 cup measuring cup
Keep in mind that this pancake batter will be very thick. This is what you want! There is no need to thin it out with more milk or liquid. It will be thick! It won’t “pour” like boxed mix, it will scoop. Use a measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the griddle.
How to Flip the Perfect Pancake
- Wait until the underside is ready
- Shove the spatula all the way underneath
- Use your wrist instead of your whole arm
Don’t rush your pancakes- let that first side get gorgeously golden brown. You’ll know they’re ready when bubbles start to form and pop on the top (the uncooked side).
To get a perfect flip without batter sliding around, be sure to purposefully shove your spatula (I like silicone or plastic, not metal) all the way underneath and use your wrist to turn them over.
My husband taught me that. I was flipping them using my whole arm, instead of a gentle turn of the wrist, which was resulting in lopsided pancakes.
How to Make Pancakes Fluffy
I get comments all the time about the amount of baking powder in this recipe. This recipe calls for 3 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder. Teaspoons NOT tablespoons. Baking powder NOT baking soda.
No, using that much baking powder will not make the pancakes taste weird or metallic. I promise you I make this recipe weekly. This pancake recipe has been rigorously tested and duplicated by many. This recipe is solid.
That said, apparently some people are sensitive to the taste of some baking powders. (Much like how some people think cilantro tastes like soap and others love it.) If you are sensitive to baking powder, I would recommend buying an aluminum-free baking powder.
Learn more about the differences between baking powder and baking soda here, like how to test if your baking powder is still good. Baking powder should really be replaced every three months for best results.
Delicious Pancake Toppings
If maple syrup isn’t your thing, slather these homemade pancakes with Homemade Strawberry Butter! We also like to top them with this Homemade Blueberry Syrup.
My oldest loves when I add blueberries in the batter and my younger two love chocolate chips. Honestly, I usually end up eating mine plain, straight off the griddle, because they’re just that good!
Note: When I add blueberries, I mix them directly into the batter. Coating them in the batter helps prevent them from bursting (and making a huge mess on my griddle). When I add chocolate chips, I scoop the batter onto the griddle and then immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips directly on top.
Tips for the Best Homemade Pancakes
Can this pancake recipe be used to make waffles? Yes! The ratios need to be changed up slightly, but this recipe can be used to make homemade waffles. Get my Fluffy Waffle Recipe here.
Can this pancake recipe be made into mini pancakes or “silver dollar” pancakes? Yes! I have used this recipe to make miniature pancakes before. Mini pancakes are perfect for kids, a pancake breakfast bar, or to serve at brunch. Get tips on how much batter to use and more in this post: Strawberry Banana Pancake Skewers.
Can this pancake recipe be made with buttermilk? Yes! Just sub out the whole milk for buttermilk. You can really use whatever milk you have on hand (skim, 2%). I have not tried it with milk alternatives, like cashew or almond, but these should be okay also. In fact, I use buttermilk (or a “cheater” lemon/milk mixture) in these Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes.
Can this pancake batter be made ahead of time? No. Most baking powder sold today is double acting, which means that the first leavening occurs when the baking powder gets wet. (The second leavening occurs when the baking powder is heated.) You may notice that after you mix the dry ingredients with the wet, the batter may “puff up” some in the bowl. The longer is sets without being heated up, the more it will lose that initial rise.
Can these pancakes be frozen? Yes! Freeze them individually before combining in an airtight bag. We reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until warm.
Can this recipe be doubled? Yes. I have doubled this recipe and it works great.
Can this pancake recipe be made dairy free? Yes. I have made these before using cashew milk and omitted the butter completely, the results were very similar. Others have used other dairy free milks, nut milks, and vegan butter alternatives with for dairy free pancakes with great success.
Can you make these pancakes with egg? Yes. Others have used an egg replacement, applesauce, and pumpkin successfully, though I personally have not tried this.
Can these pancakes be made using whole wheat flour, almond four, oat flour, arrow root flours, etc? I personally have not tried this, but read through the comments as others have done this with great results.
More Breakfast Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Melt the butter in microwave for 30 seconds, set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
- Stir milk and egg together.
- Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.
- Pour the butter, vanilla, and milk mixture into the well.
- Use a wire whisk to stir everything together until just combined. It will be slightly thick and lumpy, but should be well incorporated.
- Allow the batter to rest while heating a lightly oiled skillet or griddle to medium high heat.
- Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake.
- Cook each side for 3-6 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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These pancakes are amazing! I ended up adding an extra tbsp of butter, a little vanilla, and only 1 cup of milk. Pouring the wet ingredients into the dry made for a thick, clumpy batter with beautifully distributed flavors that turned out the perfect thickness and was air light – I’ll never make pancakes another way again! This was easy and delicious! Thank you so much for sharing it!
So glad you enjoyed them, Natalie!
I was feeling lazy so just dumped all the ingredients into an old well-washed catsup bottle (with a funnel) and shook it well. I only had 2% milk. I cut the baking powder and sugar down a bit. They turned out great! Very thick batter, and even with less baking powder they still fluffed up like crazy. I’ll be making these again. Yummy!
This is such a great pancake recipe!! I did thin mine out a bit because we aren’t a super fan of super thick pancakes, but so light, fluffy, and Tasty… my guys loved them and this has become my go-to pancake mix
Just made these for my hubby for breakfast. I’m not a big pancake fan and I had two and I’m looking forward to trying the leftovers. Super thick batter, but they turn out very fluffy and they have flavor, unlike the boxed mixes. I don’t have whole milk on hand so used 1 cup 2% and 1/4 cup half and half and mini chocolate chips mmmmmmm. They cook faster in a pan on the stove top than on an electric griddle since you can’t set an exact temperature.
Credit where credit is due, just tried this recipe as my mum made a rare request for them, and they came out absolutely perfect, even the first one which usually is a big lame, was fantastic. Thank you so much x
This is our favorite pancake recipe! These have become a staple in our home ? Thank you for the recipe!!
The batter should be very thick, doesn’t need any “doctoring”. Hope this helps.
That’s weird. I just made these for the first time this morning, as written, and mine came out great. Not biscuit-like at all. The batter looked a little thick in the bowl but cooked up normal.
These are indeed wonderful! I’ve tried it with both butter and Pam on the griddle and prefer butter. I also use cake flour occasionally, and they are delicious and light. They are now a staple in my house, thank you SO much for the recipe!
I’ve been using this recipe for a few years and the pancakes come out perfect every time. I love that I usually have the ingredients lying around, and can whip up a fluffy stack of pancakes whenever I want. I have a milk allergy, so the only adjustments to the recipe I make is using soy milk and Earth Balance vegan butter. My husband and I love to have these for breakfast with a pot of coffee on the weekend. This really is the best ever pancake recipe, and I will never look for another one!
I thought they tasted good and so did my mom and my brothers and sisters. see im 13 and my mom has back problems so I have to do most of the cooking. Oh and I forgot to mention that im the oldest so I do have to do most of the cooking. and my dad took off so its hard on me and my mom but this time instead of just me cooking I did like a little project on it and we all made our own things and they turned out good so thank you so much!!!
I meant pancakes, not things
I’ve been looking for a quick, easy, fluffy pancake recipe and this is it! Thank you!
AMAZING!! This recipe brought me back to my childhood.
Do you have to beat the egg whites ?
Beat the whole egg slightly. I crack it straight into the milk and mix in there before adding with the butter to the dry ingredients. Hope this helps.
Just wanted to say thank you! I randomly felt like eating pancakes for dinner tonight so it was the first time I ever made them. Your recipe was easy to follow and the result was great! Only thing is.. I definitely burnt the first one because I was waiting 3-6 min per side like you instructed but each side actually only took about a min!
These pancakes had perfect texture and taste. They were exactly as described and I was able to make them with ingredients on hand. Would definitely recommend and will use this recipe again :).
I tried this recipe this past weekend and added 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and it tasted amazing! My 3 boys devoured them. Thank you for such a delicious recipe.
These pancakes were amazing. They cooked very well using a cast iron skillet. Light, fluffy and full of flavor. I added cinnamon. Great recipe!
Thanks! Been looking for the most perfect pluffy pancake recipe (even tried those Japan-style but failed) and here it is. Sweetness just right and so pluffy! My kids love it!
amazing! I’ve tried quite a few recipes and yours is wonderful! Thank you ❤️
Delish! I’ve basically been make these pancakes every Saturday for a couple of weekends now and even added to my recipe binder! I added a banana today and it made them even better! Thank you! (: