Easy Fluffy Pancakes Recipe
Updated Mar 15, 2025, Published Dec 18, 2024
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If you are looking for the perfect fluffy pancakes, you’ve landed on a tried-and-true family staple. This recipe delivers irresistibly fluffy, golden pancakes every time!
You’ll also love our Dutch Baby Pancakes and Swedish Pancakes.
Why you’ll love these pancakes…
With just the right balance of sweetness and buttery goodness, this homemade pancake recipe is perfect for weekend breakfasts or special brunches. Combining buttermilk and baking powder creates the perfect lift, giving you light and airy pancakes inside and crisp edges.
The versatile recipe allows for fun additions like fresh berries or chocolate chips. Say goodbye to the boxed pancake mix—you’ll never go back after trying these. It’s a no-fail, crowd-pleasing pancake recipe you’ll keep making! This is a recipe the whole family will love. These pancakes pair well with homemade blueberry sauce, homemade Nutella, strawberry coulis, and vanilla sauce.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This is the best pancake recipe. Made with only a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients, they couldn’t be easier to make.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the pancake provides structure and a soft, fluffy texture.
- Baking powder: This is the key leavening agent that gives the pancakes their airy, light fluff by creating bubbles as they react in the batter.
- Granulated Sugar: adds a touch of sweetness.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness, ensuring the pancakes don’t taste flat
- Buttermilk: Adds a tangy richness to the pancakes, and its acidity helps activate the baking powder for extra fluffiness. You can also use regular whole milk.
- Butter: Gives the pancakes a rich, buttery flavor and adds moisture for a tender bite.
- Pure vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet aroma that elevates the overall flavor of the pancakes.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together and provides structure while also contributing to the fluffy texture.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Fluffy Pancakes
These easy pancakes come together in one bowl! See the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for more instructions.
In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, add the wet ingredients.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients without overmixing.
Let the batter rest to get the best fluffy pancakes! The batter will be a little thick.
Place the batter on a hot griddle or large skillet on medium heat and cook until golden brown.
Top tip: you will know when to flip the pancakes when little bubbles form on the top of the pancake’s first side and the edges start to set.
Serve your fluffy pancake recipe warm with butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or your favorite toppings. The perfect pancakes for any occasion!
FAQ’s
If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. This will mimic the acidity of buttermilk. Alternatively, you can use whole milk and you’ll still achieve fluffy pancakes.
The secret to these ultimate fluffy pancakes is all about technique. A good amount of baking powder combined with the acidity of buttermilk gives these pancakes an incredible rise, making them light and airy. The key is to mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined, avoiding overmixing to prevent dense pancakes. Letting the batter rest for a few minutes allows the baking powder to activate, creating that perfect fluff. Using room temperature ingredients also ensures even cooking. Follow these tips, and you’ll have perfectly fluffy pancakes every time!
Substitutions and Variations
Substitutions:
- Whole Wheat Pancakes: Substitute half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier pancake. You may need to add a bit more liquid.
- Butter: Swap with an equal amount of coconut oil or vegetable oil for a dairy-free option.
- Sugar: Use honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar for a different flavor.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Pancakes: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter before cooking for a sweet treat.
- Blueberry Pancakes: Fold in ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries for bursts of fruity flavor.
- Banana Pancakes: Mash one ripe banana and mix it into the batter for added sweetness and moisture.
How to Store and Reheat
- Fridge: Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Reheat in a toaster or microwave.
- Reheat: Warm in a microwave for 20-30 seconds, or in a toaster for a crispier texture.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips for Best Results
- Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter just until combined to avoid tough, dense pancakes.
- Let the Batter Rest: Allowing the batter to sit for 5-10 minutes helps achieve maximum fluffiness.
- Preheat the Pan: Make sure your skillet or griddle is hot before adding the batter for even cooking and golden edges.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk for better texture and rise.
- Flip at the Right Time: Wait until bubbles form and the edges look set before flipping for perfectly cooked pancakes.
More Breakfast Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Fluffy Pancakes Recipe
Equipment
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, optional: sift the flour for extra light texture
- 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar, adjust sweetness to preference
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups buttermilk*, or whole milk**
- ¼ cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg , at room temperature
Instructions
Prepare Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour (optional: sift flour with a mesh strainer or sifter), sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg until light and fluffy. Add the buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry:
- Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently mix with a spatula or wooden spoon just until combined. Do not overmix; lumps in the batter are okay, as they will make your pancakes fluffier! The batter will be thick. If you like, add a little bit more buttermilk- 1/8-1/4 cup.
Let the Batter Rest:
- Let the pancake batter rest for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the baking powder to activate, making the pancakes extra fluffy.
Cook the Pancakes:
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease with a little butter or oil. Scoop ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the hot skillet.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to set. Flip the pancakes and cook for another 2 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve:
- Serve your fluffy pancakes warm with butter, maple syrup, fresh berries, or your favorite toppings.
- Enjoy these delicious pancakes with family and friends for the ultimate breakfast treat!
Notes
- Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter just until combined to avoid tough, dense pancakes.
- Let the Batter Rest: Allowing the batter to sit for 5-10 minutes helps achieve maximum fluffiness.
- Preheat the Pan: Make sure your skillet or griddle is hot before adding the batter for even cooking and golden edges.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk for better texture and rise.
- Flip at the Right Time: Wait until bubbles form and the edges look set before flipping for perfectly cooked pancakes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
substituting 2 cups of buttermilk with whole milk, I do 1 cup of whole milk and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Is this 1 cup of whole milk+lemon juice enough for the recipe? or should I do 2 cups of whole milk/ lemon juice for the recipe?
The two cups of whole milk and lemon juice is correct! Enjoy.