This fluffy pancakes recipe makes thick, soft American pancakes that rise tall in the pan and soak up butter and syrup. You only need pantry ingredients, one bowl and about 30 minutes.
The secret is a thick batter, a short rest and a pan that is hot but not too hot. After the recipe, you will also find fixes for flat, rubbery and burnt pancakes.
Fluffy Pancakes Recipe at a Glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Makes: about 10 pancakes
Ingredients
- 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 360 ml (1½ cups) milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 eggs
- 45 g (3 tablespoons) butter, melted, plus extra for the pan
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make This Fluffy Pancakes Recipe
- Sour the milk. First, stir the lemon juice into the milk and let it stand for 5 minutes. This quick “buttermilk” makes the pancakes lighter.
- Mix the dry ingredients. Next, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
- Mix the wet ingredients. Then whisk the soured milk, eggs, melted butter and vanilla in another bowl.
- Combine. After that, pour the wet mixture into the dry one and stir gently, just until no dry flour remains. Small lumps are fine.
- Rest. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes while the pan heats.
- Cook. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat and brush it lightly with butter. Pour 60 ml (¼ cup) batter per pancake, and cook until bubbles appear and the edges look dry, about 2 minutes.
- Flip. Finally, flip and cook for 1 minute more, until golden. Serve warm with butter and maple syrup.
Fluffy Pancakes Recipe: Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Why are my pancakes flat?
Cause: In most cases, this happens because the baking powder was old, or the batter was too thin.
Fix: Check that your baking powder fizzes in hot water. In addition, keep the batter thick enough to hold its shape in the pan.
Why are my pancakes rubbery?
Cause: The batter was overmixed, so the gluten became too strong.
Fix: Stir only until combined and leave small lumps. Also, let the batter rest, since resting relaxes the gluten.
Why are my pancakes burnt outside and raw inside?
Cause: The pan was too hot.
Fix: Cook on medium-low heat. Test the pan with a drop of water first: it should sizzle gently, not jump.
Why is the first pancake always bad?
Cause: The pan has not reached an even temperature yet.
Fix: Heat the pan for a full 3 minutes before cooking. Then wipe off extra butter, because too much fat leaves pale spots.
Tips for Success With This Fluffy Pancakes Recipe
- Flip each pancake only once; otherwise, it loses height.
- Keep cooked pancakes warm in a 90°C (200°F) oven while you finish the batch.
- Do not press the pancakes with the spatula, because that pushes the air out.
Fluffy Pancakes Recipe Variations
- Blueberry pancakes: drop a few berries onto each pancake right after pouring the batter.
- Chocolate chip pancakes: sprinkle chocolate chips on top before flipping.
- Banana pancakes: mash 1 ripe banana into the wet ingredients. For a frozen treat, see our banana ice cream recipe.
Storage Tips
Cool leftover pancakes, stack them with paper between them, and freeze them for up to 2 months. Then reheat them in a toaster or microwave. For more freezing tips, see how to freeze baked goods without losing moisture.
A Bit of History
Thin flat cakes cooked on hot stones are among the oldest foods in the world. Later, baking powder, which appeared in the 1800s, made the thick, fluffy American pancake possible. You can read more about the history of pancakes on Wikipedia.
Fluffy Pancakes Recipe FAQ
Can I use real buttermilk?
Yes. Simply replace the milk and lemon juice with 360 ml (1½ cups) buttermilk.
Can I make the batter the night before?
It is better fresh, because the baking powder loses strength. However, you can mix the dry ingredients ahead.
Why do bubbles appear on top?
Bubbles show that the leavening is working, and they also tell you when it is time to flip.
Ready for your next bake? If you enjoyed this fluffy pancakes recipe, our digital cookbook also includes 31 Eastern and Western dessert recipes with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions.
