Copycat McDonald's Pancakes

Learn how to make pancakes like McDonald's! These Copycat McDonald's Pancakes are just like the real thing, and you can make them in less time than it takes to go through the drive-thru.

Looking for more pancake recipes? Try my Classic Pancake Recipe or Ricotta Pancakes next!

About This Recipe

I LOVE McDonald's Pancakes!!! And yes, I know that may seem a little silly considering I make so many pancake recipes on my blog, but their pancakes are seriously so good. They are a little sweeter than homemade pancakes and definitely a little more cake-like. Some might even argue they taste a bit artificial, but to me, they are delicious. That's probably why I love their McGriddles so much as well. I just love anything cakey from them.

You cannot look at my picture of pancakes and tell me that it does not look exactly like McDonald's pancakes. Just look at how smooth the color is on top, and they have the perfect height. They look just like those mass-produced, factory-made pancakes, and the taste was similar too.

I experimented with different amounts of sugar, and based on their nutrition info and my own taste buds, I found you need a fair bit of sugar to get their signature flavor. I thought ⅓ cup of sugar came closest, but I've actually reduced the amount in the recipe because I always get complaints on sugar-heavy recipes that there is too much. I've left the decision to you. You can use either amount, but ⅓ will be closer to theirs.

Key Ingredients

All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour is all you need to make light and fluffy pancakes. However, you can also use cake flour in this recipe.

Sugar: McDonald's pancakes are very sweet. I recommend starting with ¼ cup to be healthier, and adding up to ⅓ cup if you want the real deal.

Baking powder: Two teaspoons give them the perfect amount of rise.

Salt: To enhance all the flavors.

Milk: For the richest flavor and the best texture, use whole milk.

Eggs: Act as a binder for all the ingredients.

Oil: Gives the pancakes a tender texture.

Vanilla extract: McDonald's pancakes are vanilla-forward, so we add two teaspoons.

Instructions

STEP 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

STEP 2: In a smaller bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract.

STEP 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and whisk until JUST combined.

STEP 4: Preheat a nonstick pan over medium-low heat until hot. Grease with a little butter or oil. Scoop ¼ cup of batter into the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and the edges dry out.

STEP 5: Flip and cook for another 2 minutes until golden brown.

📋 Recipe

Copycat McDonald's Pancakes

Learn how to make pancakes like McDonald's! Sweet, soft, and perfectly fluffy, these hotcakes are ready faster than a trip through the drive-thru. Perfect with a slab of salted butter and syrup.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ ¼ cup sugar (for sweeter pancakes, add up to ⅓ cup)
• ▢ 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 ½ cups milk
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 3 tablespoons oil
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• In a smaller bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and whisk until JUST combined.
• Preheat a nonstick pan over medium-low heat until hot. Grease with a little butter or oil. Scoop ¼ cup of batter into the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and the edges dry out.
• Flip and cook for another 2 minutes until golden brown.
• Serve with your favorite pancake toppings.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.

Did you make this?Let me know how it was!