The Best Fluffy Pancake Recipe: Easy Homemade Breakfast

Start your day with the ultimate breakfast delight: a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes. This easy pancake recipe promises light, airy pancakes that melt in your mouth every time. You don’t need buttermilk for these beauties; just a few pantry staples transform into a golden, tender stack. Perfect for a lazy weekend or a quick weekday treat, this homemade breakfast will become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Pancake Recipe

You’ll adore this simple pancake recipe for many reasons. It makes breakfast a breeze and guarantees delicious results.

  • Achieve ultimate fluffiness and a tender crumb with minimal effort.
  • Uses simple, everyday ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
  • Preparation and cooking are quick, making it ideal for busy mornings.
  • Each pancake cooks to a beautiful golden brown with a perfectly soft texture.
  • This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that satisfies all ages.
  • No special culinary skills are required to make these perfect pancakes.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create the most delicious pancake recipe you’ve ever made. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that sought-after fluffy texture and rich flavor.

  • 2 cups all-purpose (or plain) flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (or your preferred sweetener)
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda*
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cups milk
  • ¼ cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg

Notes & Substitutions

The baking soda in this pancake recipe works with baking powder to create extra lift, resulting in even fluffier pancakes. Understanding the chemistry of baking soda and baking powder can further enhance your baking results. If you use self-raising flour, reduce the baking powder by half. For a dairy-free option, use almond milk or soy milk instead of regular milk. You can substitute the granulated sugar with maple syrup or honey, adjusting the liquid content slightly if needed. If you prefer, vegetable oil or coconut oil can replace butter for greasing or mixing into the batter.

Equipment

You won’t need anything fancy to whip up this delicious pancake recipe. Just a few basic kitchen tools will do the trick.

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wire whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Nonstick pan or griddle
  • Spatula
A close-up of a stack of golden-brown, fluffy pancakes on a white plate, illustrating a perfect pancake recipe.
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The Best Fluffy Pancake Recipe: Easy Homemade Breakfast

Start your day with the ultimate breakfast delight: a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes. This easy pancake recipe promises light, airy pancakes that melt in your mouth every time. You don’t need buttermilk — just simple pantry staples that create golden, tender perfection in minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 pancakes
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 156

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour or plain flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar or preferred sweetener
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda optional for extra lift
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 3/4 cups milk any kind
  • 1/4 cup butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract pure
  • 1 large egg

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wire Whisk
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Nonstick Pan or Griddle
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Create a well in the center.
  2. In another bowl, mix milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg until well combined.
  3. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Gently fold until just combined — small lumps are fine.
  4. Let the batter rest for 5–10 minutes to allow the leavening agents to activate.
  5. Heat a nonstick pan or griddle over low-medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil.
  6. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake. Cook for 2–3 minutes until bubbles form and pop.
  7. Flip and cook for 1–2 more minutes until golden brown on both sides.
  8. Serve warm with butter, maple syrup, or your favorite toppings.

Notes

For extra fluffiness, let the batter rest for 10–15 minutes before cooking. Don’t press pancakes with a spatula while cooking. Keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven. To freeze, cool completely and store in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months.

Instructions

Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to create the best fluffy pancake recipe for your breakfast table.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large-sized bowl. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly. Create a well in the center of the dry mixture.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, slightly cooled melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg until well combined. This forms your wet ingredient mixture.

Pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients. Use a wire whisk to gently fold them together. Mix until just combined; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and even desirable. Do not overmix the batter. The batter will be thick and creamy. If it feels too thick to pour smoothly, gradually whisk in a tablespoon or two of extra milk until it reaches a good pouring consistency.

Set the batter aside and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes while you heat your pan. Resting helps activate the leavening agents for extra fluffiness.

Heat a nonstick pan or griddle over low-medium heat. Lightly grease the pan by wiping it with a little butter or oil using a paper towel. This prevents sticking.

Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the heated pan for each pancake. You can gently spread the batter slightly with the back of your ladle or measuring cup to form a round shape.

Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the underside is golden brown and bubbles begin to appear and pop on the surface. This indicates it’s ready to flip.

Carefully slide a spatula under the pancake and flip it over. Cook for another 1-2 minutes on the second side, until it’s also golden brown and cooked through.

Repeat this process with the remaining batter, greasing the pan lightly between batches as needed.

Serve your homemade pancakes immediately with your favorite toppings.

Tips for Perfect Pancakes

  • Maintain a consistent low-medium heat for even cooking and golden results.
  • Ensure your batter has a pourable, creamy consistency, adjusting with milk if needed.
  • Never overmix the batter; a few lumps are fine and prevent tough pancakes.
  • Always wait for bubbles to form and pop on the surface before flipping.
  • Use a swift, confident wrist motion for a smooth and clean flip.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

For even fluffier results, allow your pancake batter to rest for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This gives the gluten a chance to relax and the baking powder to activate properly. When cooking, resist the urge to press down on the pancakes with your spatula; this will flatten them and remove their airy texture. To keep cooked pancakes warm, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 200°F (95°C) while you finish the rest. If your pancakes are burning on the outside but raw in the middle, your pan is too hot; reduce the heat. Flat pancakes often result from old baking powder or overmixing the batter. Always ensure your leavening agents are fresh. If pancakes stick, your pan might not be properly seasoned or greased; ensure a thin layer of butter or oil is applied before each batch.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

Serving Suggestions

This versatile pancake recipe pairs wonderfully with many toppings.

  • Drizzle with classic maple syrup and a dollop of butter.
  • Top with fresh berries, sliced bananas, or any seasonal fruit.
  • Add a generous swirl of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • Sprinkle with chocolate chips or drizzle with chocolate sauce.
  • Spread with Nutella or your favorite peanut butter for a rich treat.
  • Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a simple, elegant finish.

Storage

Enjoying your pancakes fresh is best, but leftovers are still delicious.

  • Allow any leftover pancakes to cool completely before storing.
  • Store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  • For longer storage, freeze cooled pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in a toaster, microwave, or oven.

Variations

Get creative with this basic pancake recipe base!

  • Add chocolate chips, fresh blueberries, or sliced bananas directly to the batter.
  • Incorporate warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of pumpkin spice.
  • Stir in some lemon zest for a bright and zesty flavor twist.
  • Make adorable mini pancakes by pouring smaller dollops of batter; perfect for “pancake cereal.”

Nutrition

Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving of this pancake recipe. Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.

NutrientAmount
Calories156 kcal
Carbohydrates22g
Protein4g
Fat6g
Saturated Fat3g
Cholesterol30mg
Sodium311mg
Fiber1g
Sugar6g

Disclaimer: Nutrition information is an approximation and can vary based on ingredients used.

FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions about making the perfect pancakes with this pancake recipe.

Why are my pancakes flat?

Flat pancakes often result from inactive baking powder or soda, or overmixing the batter. Ensure your leavening agents are fresh and mix until just combined.

Can I make pancake batter ahead?

You can prepare the dry ingredients ahead of time. For best results, mix the wet ingredients and combine with dry just before cooking for the fluffiest pancakes.

How do I keep pancakes warm?

Place cooked pancakes on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and keep them in a warm oven at 200°F (95°C) until ready to serve. This prevents them from getting soggy.

Can I freeze these pancakes?

Absolutely! Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to two months.

What’s the best pan to use?

A good quality nonstick pan or an electric griddle works best. This ensures even cooking and easy flipping without sticking.

Conclusion

This easy pancake recipe proves that creating the best fluffy pancakes at home is simpler than you think. With common ingredients and straightforward steps, you can achieve perfect golden-brown stacks every time, without needing buttermilk. We hope this guide helps you transform your breakfast routine into something truly special. Go ahead, gather your ingredients, and whip up a batch of these delightful pancakes this morning. Share your creations and feedback; we love hearing from you! Enjoy your ultimate homemade pancake breakfast!

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