The best pancakes are easy to make and super fluffy! I grew up making this recipe every weekend and I'm excited to finally share it. I've also included some notes on how I make the strawberry sauce, which is one of the best pairings in my opinion.
Looking for my breakfast ideas? Try my French Toast next!
About This Recipe
Is there a more popular recipe in the world than pancakes? Pancakes are one of the first recipes that I learned to make. I started making pancakes when I was only 7 years old. My dad and I would make breakfast every weekend, and we would always make either French toast or pancakes!
I wanted to keep this recipe as simple as possible. There are many methods to make pancakes, but a lot of them are very complicated. For example, some recipes will have you whip the egg whites separately. Yes, this would make the pancakes fluffier because you're incorporating more air into the batter, but it's also a huge hassle.
My recipe has only four steps. Combine the dry ingredients. Combine the wet ingredients. Combine them together. And then pan-fry.
The key to getting them fluffy is simply not overmixing the batter. The batter should be very lumpy. If you've never made pancakes before, this will almost seem wrong. But trust me, this is how it's done. The lumps will hydrate as they cook, and because you don't overmix the batter, the texture will be very soft and tender.
Key Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
I also like to make a strawberry sauce, and for that, you will need frozen strawberries, sugar, and two tablespoons of water.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt).
STEP 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract).
STEP 3: Make a well in the dry ingredients then pour in the wet ingredients. Use a rubber spatula and fold the ingredients together until JUST combined. There should be plenty of lumps in the batter.
STEP 4: Heat a greased skillet over medium heat. Add ¼ cup of the batter and cook for 2 minutes until the edges firm up and bubbles start rising on top. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
If you find the pancakes are getting brown before the inside has cooked, simply turn down the heat. You can splash some water on the pan to remove some of the heat quickly.
📋 Recipe
Fluffy Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, combine the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to mix until JUST combined (there should still be plenty of lumps). Be careful not to overmix, otherwise the pancakes will not be as fluffy.
- Heat a greased skillet over medium heat. Pour ¼ cup of batter into the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until the edges look dry and bubbles start forming on top. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
- Served with maple syrup, whipped cream, and strawberry sauce (see notes on how to make)!
Kathy
These were delicious! I didn't have milk on hand so I used a vanilla protein shake from fairlife. Will definitely be making these again!
Grump
Thanks Kathy! I've never tried protein shake in pancakes before, but sounds tasty lol. Glad it worked out 🙂
Maria
Can I store the leftover batter??
Ravinder Arceo
Added some mini chocolate chips for my kiddos and these were a hit !
Nuria
I had to add a bit more milk to make the batter smoother. Otherwise this is a keeper and they were delicious!
Grump
Thanks, Nuria! A little more milk is totally fine
Lynn Jones
I've never made pancakes before!!! 😅im going to attempr to make them tomorrow (being pancake Tuesday)for yhe ladies at my craft afternoon at Church! Im lOving the sound of 'FLUFFY' Pancakes😋will let you know how i get on🤗💗Xxx
Ps Thankyou and maybe attempt the Strawberry Sauce toooo🍓🍓🍓😄
Grump
Hope it goes well 🙂
I think the two most important things to remember:
- dont overmix the batter, it will have many lumps (check the blog post picture for a reference)
- temperature control. i find the first few pancakes usually come out good, but as the pan heats up over the coarse of making them, you may need to turn down the heat at some point. Otherwise, the outside will get burnt, while the inside is still uncooked
Again, hope it goes well!
lynn jones
Hi! Ive taken on your advise and tips🙂Thankyou😋
Will let you know how i get on!! 🤗
Maria
Hello
Can I store leftover batter?
Grump
Yes you can store it in the fridge for 2 days, but just keep in mind that the bubbles would naturally dissipate a bit.
Rebecca
Made these this morning and they were perfect.
Grump
Awesome Rebecca!
Kari
A friend of mine gave me this recipe because she made them for my kids and they all loved them! I’m excited to make them myself. I am curious though, do you think the batter would still work well if you mixed it the night before and refrigerated it? Thanks for any help!!
Grump
I think the texture might not be as fluffy but I haven't tried it myself so I cant say for sure. What I would recommend is to just mix the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls, refrigerate them, and then mix them together in the morning. Saves time in the morning and much lower risk for anything to go wrong 🙂
Kari
Perfect! I’ll do that. Thank you so much!
:D
they were so fluffy, totally recommend
Ella
I made these the other day and loved them! I have company coming over this weekend. If I make the batter the day before and stick it in the fridge, will it still turn out?
Grump
I would suggest preparing the dry and wet ingredients separately (stick the wet in the fridge), then on the day of, you can combine them.
Robin
can you make the batter up and use next day?
Grump
I would just prepare the wet ingredients and dry ingredients in seperate bowls and combine the day of. The reason being some of the bubbles in the batter would naturally dissipate over time.
Sarah
Easy and delicious! Will be using this recipe again!
Lori
Oh my gosh.... My husband wanted pancakes and he was going to the store to get a box of mix. No let me try and make them from scratch.. First time ever making these.. They were great!! no more boxes for us..
Jen
Made these for the first time for my kiddo's birthday breakfast today and OMG! They are delicious and my kid was impressed with how fluffy they were. These are now my go-to pancakes forever. Thank you!!
Laurie
So good and turned out fluffy. Will definitely make again.