Simple, soft, fluffy pancakes, an essential that everyone should know. You’ve been good all week. Go on. You deserve freshly made homemade pancakes for breakfast tomorrow!
Pancakes recipe
Homemade pancakes shouldn’t be complicated. It doesn’t matter if they come out wonky or with a splotchy surface instead of being a beautiful, even golden brown – after all, they’ll get smothered in toppings.
But they should be soft and fluffy. And in my world, not too sweet. Because….you know. Toppings. Load up on toppings!
Any day starting with homemade pancakes is a GREAT day!
What goes in homemade pancakes
This is what you need:
flour
baking powder
sugar
egg
milk
vanilla extract – optional
No buttermilk, no baking soda / bi carb, no yoghurt. You only need baking soda for an extra fluff boost when you have add ins in pancakes, like Blueberry Pancakes, because it weighs the batter down.
And of course TOPPINGS! Why limit yourself to just butter and maple syrup? See below for all sorts of ideas!
Pancakes Toppings – what to put on pancakes
Butter and maple syrup – the classic!
Maple syrup alternatives – honey, golden syrup and other sweet syrups suitable for eating raw
Lemon and sugar – one of my favourites! Light sprinkle of sugar and a squeeze of lemon
Strawberries and cream! Pictured below – layer it up like a cake, sandwiching the pancakes with whipped cream and sliced strawberries, then finish with a dusting of icing sugar / powdered sugar;
Sinfully rich sauces – like caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, butterscotch sauce, peanut sauce, anything!
Lemon curd, fruit compotes and sauces – like blueberry sauce (try the one in this Blueberry Cheesecake), Strawberry Sauce (use the one in this Strawberry Cheesecake) or try the warm apple topping in this Apple French Toast
BACON and maple syrup – YES!
Sprinkle of nuts
Fresh fruit – chop it, pile over pancakes with cream!
Ice cream – add a scoop onto a stack and drizzle with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce. Don’t forget the whipped cream!
Dusting of cinnamon and sugar
Pro tip: Keep a STANDBY PANCAKE MIX!
Homemade pancakes aren’t complicated to make, but sometimes it’s that much more appealing if there’s a ready made mix in the cupboard, just like the ones you can buy at the store!
Just measure out the dry ingredients and pop them in a ziplock bag, jar or airtight container, then when you want to make fresh pancakes, just add the wet ingredients!
To make a handy shake ‘n pour bottle like pictured above, you’ll need a 1.5L/1.5Qt+ bottle to leave enough headroom for the required liquids + shaking. I mix the wet ingredients in a jug then pour it in then shake away!
Now, go forth and elevate your morning by making a big stack of these soft, fluffy, golden pancakes! TELL ME what you top YOURS with! – Nagi xx
Watch How To Make It
Simple Fluffy Pancakes recipe video!
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Simple, Fluffy Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain / all purpose flour (Note 1)
- 4 tsp baking powder NOT baking soda / bi-carb (Note 1)
- 1/4 cup white sugar (caster / super fine is best but not essential)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 large egg (~50g / 2oz in shell)
- 1 3/4 cups cups milk (any type, any fat %)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or essence
- 4 tsp butter , for cooking
Instructions
- Whisk dry – Place flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a bowl, whisk to combine.
- Add wet ingredients – Add egg, milk and vanilla. Whisk until lump free – no longer than 30 seconds.
- Melt then wipe off most butter – Heat a non-stick pan – use medium heat if you have a strong stove, medium high if you have a weak one. Add a tiny bit of butter (about 1/2 tsp) and swirl to melt. Use paper towel to mostly wipe the butter off (this is the trick to avoid a dodgy 1st pancake).
- Pour 1/4 cup batter into the middle of the fry pan (I use a slightly heaped ice cream scoop with lever, standard is 1/4 cup).
- Cook – Swirl pan lightly to spread or use the ice cream scoop edge to spread into 11cm / 4.5" circle (ruler is a must) (joking!). When bubbles rise to the surface (see video), flip and cook the other side until golden.
- Keep warm and repeat – Remove the pancake and keep warm in a low oven. Use more butter every 2 to 3 pancakes – depends how good your non stick coating is.
- Serve with toppings of choice!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More pancake recipes
Giant Pancakes – to share!
Pikelets – mini pancakes!
Life of Dozer
I’m surprised there isn’t a massive drool hanging from his mouth.
Oh wait. I don’t want to gross you out, but after I wrote this post, I almost slipped on a puddle of drool when I was cleaning that area. Ewwwwww!
Delicious pancakes!
Can I freeze them?
Sure can Seezal! N x
freeze em then pop in toaster
The only hard part was trying to save some for the others… straight from the pan into my mouth….yummo!
Spot on Nagi … yummy fluffy and a perfect snack for a chilly Saturday afternoon!
Can I sub coconut flour? If so what ratio please?
Hi Gramcrackergran, unfortunately not for this recipe – coconut flour has an entirely different, crumbly texture. N x
Made today. Delicious 😋
Can I keep these in the refrigerator after they’re made ?
Sure can Gia, I would simply microwave to warm them up before serving. N x
Just tried it on a Saturday morning for my husband and I, This was delicious!!!
Thank you! Definitely searching up more recipes from your page.
Love this recipe. Now this is my go to for pancakes. Thanks you Nagi
Oh Nagi, best pancakes EVER! Made them with half wholemeal and half white flour and added in some sourdough starter discard. The fluffiest pancakes we’ve enjoyed! Thank you 😀
Turned out great and I added cinnamon stewed apple as my topping 🤤
Wow! First pancakes I’ve made that are actually fluffy and come out beautifully! I used almond milk and my goodness the whole family love them! Thanks for the recipe!
Classic.
Bacon and maple syrup here today.
Lovely for shrove Tuesday
Perfect Karen, I hope you enjoyed them! N x
Hi Nagi
What also goes well with pancakes is mascarpone cheese.
Your recipes really saved my hide quite a few times! Can I sub baking soda for baking powder? The baking powder I get is usually 1:1 baking powder:baking soda
That’s awesome Sally! To make baking powder from baking soda for this recipe, you’ll need to mix 1 tsp baking soda with 2 tsp cream of tartar and 1 tsp cornstarch/cornflour. N x
I used 1 cup whole wheat flour/1 cup ap flour, a flax egg(dont eat eggs), whole milk, and added chocolate chips. It came out fluffy and delicious.
I also made this as whole wheat waffles adding 2 Tb coconut oil.
Great recipe!
As always a recipe i can rely on to work!! Question for you….if there is left over batter (my kids fill up!). How long would it last in the fridge? Thanks!
Hi Lauren, best to cook it all once made as you can’t store batter than has a raising agent like this – N x
Hi Nagi,
My dad in palliative care and requested pancakes with a blueberry syrup last night. He had some at a cafe in kings cross while undergoing treatment. Made these, this morning, he was so delighted! Made the blueberry syrup from no bake cheesecake.
Thankyou for always providing recipes that actually work!
Oh Irene, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. But it makes me so happy that he enjoyed the pancakes. Sending over virtual hugs – N x
Great recipe,the last one i tried were dense.
I’ll try the blueberry ones next.
My first time making American style pancakes….on my gosh SO GOOD came out perfect.