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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Just made this batter but the consistency is that of like cookie dough? Is that correct or did I mess smthing up?? Please help
Hi Elsie, hmmm… that sounds a little thick. You can watch my video to see the consistency I use. It should be thick, maybe between cake batter and cookie dough. I use a measuring cup to pour it on the griddle- it should definitely still pour, but with a little force.
The first time I made these I thought they were much, much too sweet. Now I use slightly less than an 1/8 of a cup of sugar and they’re perfect!
You are a genius! Thank u for this because i’ve just made the best pancakes ever!!!
these are seriously amazing. every time I make them, my husband is like, seriously….why are these so good?? my only complaint is that there’s no way this serves 10 in our house. my hubby and two kids can eat a whole batch 🙂
i should say, my hubby and I and two kids 🙂
Lol. It says it makes 10 servings but also that it makes 10 pancakes. It’s written that way because it gives the nutrition information for one pancake so you can calculate how many calories and such per serving, not because it expects each person to eat only one pancake. I just means you’ll have to do the math on how much to make yourself based on how much your family will eat.
Thanks for a great recipe. They turned out beautifully! I topped these very tasty pancakes with Paul’s maple syrup from Williamsburg, MA and it was a perfect match of the best ingredients around! My husband really like them! Your recipe will be a keeper in my recipe box!
Can you sub oil for butter? No butter in the
Hi Teresa, I’ve never tried that. I’m not sure what the conversion would be but I don’t think it’s a 1:1
Made these this morning for breakfast very good easy to make and have everything in the kitchen. Thank you for sharing.
They were really great ! But they were super thick so I just added some water, and they turned out much better.
Landed on your page searching for Pancakes.. Simply super and perfect these pancakes are..
just reading the reviews of these pancakes makes my mouth water!! i haven’t even made these yet but i’m 100% positive i will absolutely adore them!! so excited to get into my kitchen later & start baking! i do have to ask tho, the serving size says 10 pancakes but i was wondering what typical size pancake should i make them to be able to get 10 ?
Hi Bryanna, I use a 1/4 cup measuring scoop for each pancake. (Also, if you add blueberries it will thin the batter some and you can get more pancakes.)
The best pancakes ever. Thank you for sharing…..no more box pancake mix for me….
I am somewhat of a pancake snob and these are tops bananas! I changed it some to four tablespoons of melted butter which you did mention in another comment gets added to the other wet ingredients once cool. The purpose of the butter is to create additional pockets of air once melted and an over all awesome tasting pancake. I also added a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the milk/egg/butter mixture and allowed it to curdle, sounds complicated but isn’t. This creates buttermilk style. The resulting batter is so stiff you almost have to spread it rather than pour, so the heat gets cut back a bit to allow these skyscraper tall pancakes to cook! Thanks so much! My new favorite!
Is that tablespoon or teaspoon on the Baking Soda?
3 1/2 teaspoons
These are the absolute best pancakes! They came out so incredibly fluffy – exactly how they look in the pictures! Thank you for such an amazing recipe:)
Made breakfast for dinner last minute tonight and made these…they are seriously amazing!! I never comment on anything but these were well deserving of a post!! They were so fluffy almost like cake..Just absolutely amazing!!
I’ve been trying a few recipes here and there when I crave pancakes and I haven’t had luck until now. They’re wonderfully fluffy and just about melt in your mouth. The last recipe I tried the pancakes turned out a little chewy. These though are what it’s all about! It’s hands down the best I’ve tried so far. I can’t wait to add blueberries or chocolate chips to the mix. Thank you Emily. (^_^)
Amazing pancakes! Just made them for my girls, were delish!
Tried a lot of pancake recipes and they don’t look much different but these were amazing. Add some fruit (blueberries, raspberries or strawberries) on top just after pouring batter onto griddle and it’s over the top good!
Yes, my daughter loves to add blueberries (or blackberries!) to hers!
Oh my goodness, this recipe is perfect! This was also my first attempt at making homemade pancakes, and they turned out awesome, thank you so much! : )
A cast iron skillet and a little Crisco shortening to grease the pan and you have a winning pancake! Cast iron and Crisco gives you that little crispy edge like your grandma’s pancakes!
Thank you for the recipe
It is really yumy my kids loved the pancakes and did I ❤❤