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
Not ready to make these yet? Save them for later and be sure to follow my Delicious Pancake Recipe Board.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER
I made these today and my mom says it tastes just like McDonald’s pancakes and these are tastier and my dad says it tastes like cake.
Made these today and substituted 1 cup milk with buttermilk! My daughter said I should stop buying a mix!
Wowzer, cooking these at the moment and they’re the most perfect pancakes I’ve ever made! Awesome recipe, thanks so much for sharing :))
Omg yes definitely the best pancakes I added blueberries! !!!
I literally just made these for myself and my boys. Omg!!! I have tried a few pancake recipes and this recipe is definitely the best!! I rate it 5 stars and thank you soooooo much for sharing. It’s perfect and my boys enjoyed it.
So glad you and your boys enjoyed it, Archina!
I think of myself as a good home cook, but I had never mastered pancakes until I tried this recipe. Thank you so much for providing this fabulous recipe! The proportions are just right to make absolutely perfect fluffy pancakes. I followed the recipe exactly. Yum! Yum! Yum! I’ve been enjoying fixing this for breakfast over the weekends. Thanks to you I no longer fail at pancake making! 🙂
I have 3 kids here that say these are “the best pancakes ever!” Thank you!
Thanks so much tried this today and my kids loved it it was just awesome!
Made these tonight for dinner! Soooooooo good, we preferred them without syrup because they were so good and perfect! I have a big family so I tripled the recipe. I had to add a bit more milk and added vanilla. This will be my go to recipe from now on. Think I’ll try it with buttermilk next time, just to see how it tastes. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
So glad you and your family enjoyed them, Devan! We like them without syrup, too 🙂
If I wanted to substitute buttermilk for the whole milk would I need to make an adjustment to the amount? Or would it ruin the recipe?
Buttermilk should be fine, though I haven’t tried that myself.
These were like the best pancakes! For the milk portion I did half while milk and half buttermilk, added a little vanilla and lemon juice. I cooked them with butter. My daughter couldn’t help but ask for more. Definitely recommend trying these.
Oh my goodness! These pancakes were the best ever! My 15 year old loves pancakes for breakfast so much that I have to buy the box mix. It is too time consuming making homemade pancakes every morning. Today I ran out and had to google a pancake recipe. This was the 1st one I ran into and boy oh boy is this one a keeper! I did not have whole milk and used 2% milk instead. They were absolutely delicious and my son kept telling me how good they were the whole time he was eating them. I put cinnamon in the batter as he loves cinnamon in his waffles and pancakes. Amazing! Those who are using buttermilk and stating they are not that great is probably because of the buttermilk. I think that gives them a different taste. I use buttermilk in my homemade pancakes as well, but only if the recipe calls for it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. It is a keeper and going in my recipe book for brunches and such!
So glad you and your son enjoyed them, Stacie! 🙂
My daughter made these and I loved them.❤️❤️
Duuuude! These pancakes are unREAL. I make a lot of pancakes. Some really suck. Especially since I have become gluten free (trust me bread is my favorite all time food ever, and the fact that I am the GM of the pizza restaurant…well lets just say the irony is not lost on me). So I decided to try THIS recipe and swap out the flour for Bobs Red Mill 1 to 1 gluten free flour. They were very tasty and so friggin FAT my 5 year old thought I made biscuits. They were fluffy and light and yummy and I think I ate 5 of em, before I put the rest on the table. Thank you for our families new go to weekend breakfast. With bacon of course.
I used bobs red mill 1 to 1 too. They’re not fatties but taste great!
Hears a tip
just add lemon juice to your milk and you get buttermilk no store trip involved. And pancakes are purity good
That’s a great tip if you keep lemon on hand. I actually have a recipe that uses this: https://www.graceandgoodeats.com/blueberry-buttermilk-pancakes/
By FAR THE BEST PANCAKE RECIPE EVER! My husband made these for me this morning and I was shocked at how amazing they were. He even added a little honey and cinnamon to the batter after he poured it into the pan (not sure where he got the inspiration for that lol) and it was seriously the best thing I think I have ever put in my mouth and I am a picky eater! Thanks for sharing your talent and recipe with us! This will be our go to recipe for pancakes forever! =)
He sounds like a good man
Delish. Family loves them! I did find the batter to be a bit runny, so I added about a 1/4 cup more flour. Also mixed in some cinnamon at my daughter’s request, and that addition really put these right over the top.
HIGHLY recommend!
Feel free to sub in buttermilk instead of regular milk in this recipe. I’ve never tried it (because like you said, I hate the extra store trip!) but have had many readers have great success doing so.
Can you use water instead of milk
Hi Shaun, I’ve never tried this. It may work as far as texture, but I doubt it would taste the same.
First time making pancakes, but I must say they looked and tasted like I have been making them for years. Thanks for sharing this recipe. It’s simple and quick to make the best pancakes ever.
This really is the BEST pancake recipe. I originally came across it about 13 years ago and have since lost it. Looked for it today and here it is! Am so glad I came across it once again. Can’t wait to start making them again. Thank you, Emily Grace!
Are these really good? I wanted to make really great pancakes for my family.
These really are wonderful and very easy to make. Your family will love them, mine does.
Dear Emily,
These are the best pancakes I made so far! Thank you for the recipe . I will follow you Warm regards,
Ugh these things are so good, I can’t stop eating them. Batter is unusually thick, which is just makes them 100% better. I am in love with this recipe and will always use it!
OMG THESE ARE SOOO GOOD AS IT SAYS THE FIRST ONE IS AS GOOD AS THE LAST THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL