📝 Introduction.

My family usually starts Saturday with pancakes. The smell of pancakes wafting through the kitchen in the morning is so comforting to me. For our family, pancakes are not just a breakfast food; they are a weekend ritual.

What you may not know about these pancakes is that they are among the oldest foods known to man, and archeology shows that people were making them thousands of years ago.

Making pancakes may seem easy, but there are a few tricks to it. If you overmix the batter, it can turn out tough and chewy. If you don’t mix them enough, they can fall apart. But if you follow this recipe, you can get the best possible result.

💡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe.

• These pancakes are so soft – you get the best pancakes with air when you put these pancakes in.
• Simple ingredients — You probably already have all the ingredients you need to make this recipe in your kitchen.
• Great for beginners — you can easily make this recipe on your first try and end up with a great meal.
• Quick to make – You can have this recipe ready and served in about 30 minutes.
• You can add anything you like – I always add chocolate chips or blueberries when I make this,
  they go perfectly with the batter.

📊 Recipe Overview.

Prep Time: 10 minutes.

Cook Time: 15 minutes.

Servings: 8-10 pancakes.

Calories (Approx): 175 per pancake.

🧂 Ingredients & Substitutes.

1. All-purpose flour – works very well here. Please don’t put your cup directly into the bag when you measure it. That can pack the flour tightly. So, use a spoon to fill your measuring cup.
2. Buttermilk – This recipe requires buttermilk to make it soft. Mixing buttermilk with baking soda creates the small air bubbles we need. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute by adding one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk, stirring until combined, and letting it sit for about 5 minutes.
3. Baking powder and baking soda – You need both. They work together as a team. Baking soda reacts with acid, and baking powder helps food rise. If you skip either of these, you won’t get the best result.
4. Eggs – This helps to hold the eggs together. Warm eggs mix better than cold eggs. So take your eggs out of the fridge and let them sit for 10-15 minutes before you start cooking.
5. Melted butter – Melted butter adds a lovely richness to pancakes and keeps them moist inside. You can also use vegetable oil for this, but butter gives it a much better flavor.
6. Sugar – Sugar is used to give pancakes their desired brown color and to make them more delicious. You only need one tablespoon of sugar for that.
7. Vanilla extract – You can skip adding it, but it will add a pleasant, warm aroma.
8. Salt – Adding a little salt can make the flavors stand out.

🔪 Kitchen Tools Required.

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Non-stick skillet or griddle
• Wide spatula
• Ladle or ¼ cup measure

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Guide to Making Fluffy Pancakes.

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients.

Take a large bowl. Add 1½ cups of flour, 3½ teaspoons of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of sugar, and a pinch of salt, and mix well until everything is well combined.

Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients.

Crack an egg into a medium bowl. Add 1¼ cups buttermilk, three tablespoons melted butter, and one teaspoon vanilla. Let it cool slightly before adding the butter. Now beat until everything is well combined and foamy.

(Image Credit: iStock)

Step 3: Gently mix the batter.

This step is crucial. Pour the wet mixture you made into the dry flour mixture. Gently stir the batter with a spatula. Stop mixing when the ingredients are combined. There should be a few lumps in the batter. If you overmix it, the pancakes will be tough. So be careful with that.

Step 4: Let the batter sit.

Leave the mixture undisturbed for 5 minutes. This short period of time helps the flour absorb the liquid, and the leavening agents start working, giving your pancakes a nice, fluffy texture.

Step 5: Heat your pan.

Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.

To test if it’s ready, drop a few drops of water on the surface – they should quickly heat up and disappear.

Step 6: Cook the Pancakes.

Add a little butter or oil to your hot pan, then swirl it to coat the surface. Use about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Remember to leave space between the pancakes as they will expand as they cook.

Cook the first side for 2-3 minutes. Wait until bubbles appear on top and the edges look cooked. When the bubbles have burst, and small holes are left, use a spatula to flip them over and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes until they are a nice golden brown. Keep an eye on them as they cook quickly.

To keep them warm while you cook the rest, keep them warm in a 200°F oven.

(Photo by Philippe Murray-Pietsch on Unsplash)

Step 7: Serve the pancakes hot.

Place your pancakes on top. Add butter, maple syrup, berries, bananas, or any toppings you like. Eat them immediately. They taste even better when you eat them fresh and hot.

(Photo by RDNE Stock project: Pexels)

Watch the video below to see precisely how the sauce should look when it’s perfect!

💡 Pro Cooking Tips.

Tip 1: If you have time – let your pancake batter sit for about 5 minutes after mixing. This short period of time allows the flour to absorb the liquid, and the baking powder to start working. This short wait will make your pancakes even fluffier.

Tip 2: Flip only once – Flip your pancake only once. When you flip it multiple times, you push the air out. This can cause the pancake to become flat and dense.

Tip 3: Check your leavening agents – Check your baking powder before you start cooking. Baking powder loses its leavening power as it ages. If your baking powder is old, buy a new one. Fresh baking powder will help your pancakes rise and become fluffy.

🔄️ Healthier Swap.

Swap 1: Use half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour – Using this type of flour gives the dish a nice flavor and adds extra fiber. Using whole wheat flour in pancake batter makes the pancakes heavier and fluffier. Many people don’t like it.

Swap 2: Use low-fat milk or unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk – There may be a slight difference in taste. But once you add the butter and syrup, you won’t notice the difference.

Swap 3: Use applesauce for a healthier recipe – Mix two tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce with two tablespoons of butter. The pancakes will still taste great, but the texture will be slightly different.

🥡 Storage & Reheating.

Refrigerate: Let your pancakes cool completely first. Store them in an airtight container, separating each layer with parchment paper. They will keep fresh for up to 4 days.

Freeze: Place your pancakes on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour. Then place them in freezer bags. You can store them this way for up to 1 month.

Reheating options:

Toaster—Quick and keeps them fluffy

Microwave—30-45 seconds per pancake

Oven—350°F for 5-10 minutes

📌 Conclusion.

These pancakes will turn an ordinary breakfast into a special moment. Your whole family will put their phones away and enjoy the meal together. This recipe is so simple that even a beginner can make it easily.

Grab a pot and heat your pan. A delicious aroma will fill your kitchen in no time. In about 30 minutes, you will be cooking fluffy pancakes that are tastier than any boxed mix. Once you try this recipe, you will never go back to store-bought mixes.

Try this recipe and leave a comment below, and share your pancake photos. I would love to see your creations!

(Some images in this article were generated using AI.)

❓ FAQs.

1. Question: What is the best way to keep warm when they are out of the steamer?
   Answer: Preheat your oven to 200°F, then place the finished pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Cover with foil to prevent sticking. This way, they will stay warm and fluffy for about 30 minutes.
2. Question: Why are the ones I make flat?
   Answer: There are a few reasons for this. Your baking powder may be old. You may be overmixing the batter. Your food may be too hot or too cold for now. These could be the reasons why your pancakes are flat.
   Use fresh baking powder. Mix gently, leaving a few lumps. This will solve the problem.
3. Question: Can I make the batter in advance?
   Answer: You can mix the dry ingredients the night before. But it is best to mix the entire batter just before cooking. Baking powder starts working quickly when it is wet. So if you let the batter sit for too long, your pancakes will not be as fluffy. If you want to make the batter in advance, you can do so about 30 minutes beforehand.
4. Question: Why are my pancakes flat and heavy?
   Answer: The reason your pancakes are flat and heavy is that you are over-mixing the batter. Whenever you mix the batter, stop when the ingredients are just barely mixed. The more you mix, the harder and flatter your pancakes will be. Also, check your baking powder. If it is old, it will not work as well as we want. So always try to use fresh baking powder.
5. Question: Can I add blueberries, chocolate chips, or other toppings to this recipe?
   Answer: Yes, you can! Once you have mixed your wet and dry ingredients, you can add whatever you like.