Classic fluffy pancakes are everyone's favourite, especially as a weekend breakfast or brunch. These American- style pancakes have wonderful, light and fluffy texture and can be served with your favourite toppings!
Hey, hello, hi! How was your week?
Mine wasn't too bad, I've learned how to, and baked my first sourdough bread from scratch! Yay! But more on that soon...
As January is slowly coming to an end (finally!), I cannot help but feel much more upbeat and awake. Also, seeing few snowdrops here and there tells me that spring (although it still feels a bit distant) is on its way! And that my friends, makes me very happy!
Classic fluffy pancakes- timeless recipe everyone needs
With Pancake Day around the corner (25th of Feb), I thought I would share this classic recipe with you today for timeless, American- style pancakes. Yes, it's probably true that the internet doesn't really need another pancake recipe, but this would be THE ONLY recipe you will ever need.
It's super easy, foolproof, and works every time. No complicated ingredients or equipment, and less than 20 minutes to make. I've been using this recipe for many years, and it's our favourite, especially for weekend breakfast or brunch.
What's so great about these pancakes?
- Super light, fluffy and airy texture
- They are made with only 7 simple ingredients
- It takes less than 20 minutes to make them!
- Recipe can be easily adapted and modified, for example you can add your favourite fruits/ berries or nuts to the batter
- It works every time!
Ingredients to make these pancakes
As mentioned above, the basic recipe is made with only 7 ingredients. Flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, egg and butter. I bet you have all of these in your kitchen cupboard already, if so, you are good to go!
Quick word about the flour. In this recipe, I'm using the self-rising flour, which already has some rising agent added to it. If you don't have an access to the self-rising flour, you can easily make your own. Simply mix one cup of plain flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
You can also use plain, all-purpose flour in this recipe. The pancakes may not be as fluffy as you see on the photos here, but will still have lovely rise and texture.
Fluffy pancakes- the method
I honestly don't think I need to explain in detail how to make the pancake batter, but there are just a couple of things to remember.
First and most important thing: make sure you use a good quality, non-stick frying pan. There are special pancakes pans out there, which are often thinner than regular frying pans so they conduct heat much quicker and more efficiently. You don't need a special pancake pan, but the one with non-stick coating is a must, in my opinion.
Start preparing your batter by sifting the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl mix together milk, egg and melted butter (olive oil can also be used). Then transfer the milk mixture into the bowl with flour mix and using fork, combine all together until you have smooth, thick batter.
Second tip to ensure the success: make sure your pan is hot before you pour the batter onto it. Heat the pan over a medium heat and brush it gently with melted butter or olive oil, then pour your batter. To ensure the even size and equal shape of your pancakes, you can use ice cream or cookie scoop to measure the batter and pancake ring for perfectly round pancakes.
Once you start seeing little bubbles forming on the surface of your pancake, it's time to flip it over on the other side. When both sides are golden brown in colour, your pancake is ready!
What to serve the pancakes with?
The possibilities are literally endless! I like to serve mine with a drizzle of good quality maple syrup, a dollop of Greek yogurt and some fresh fruit. But you can use any toppings that you find suitable and you like. Nuts, honey, chocolate spread, jam, whipped cream, berries.... anything goes!
If you enjoyed today's recipe, you may want to check out my other pancake recipes:
Thanks for tuning in this week and reading today's post. As always, feel free to leave me a comment and/ or a rating below! I would love to hear from you!
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Classic Fluffy Pancakes
Equipment
- Non- stick frying pan
Ingredients
- 135 g self-rising flour (see notes for the alternatives)
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 130 ml milk of choice
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled slightly (plus extra 1- 2 tbsp of butter for frying)
Instructions
- Sieve the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a large bowl.
- In a separate, medium bowl, mix together milk, egg and melted butter.
- Add milk mixture to the flour mix and using a fork, combine all of the ingredients until you have smooth, thick batter with no lumps remaining.
- Heat the non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add 1 tbsp of butter. Once the butter melted, pour a ladle of pancake batter into it. Once the bubbles start to appear on top of your pancake, it is ready to be flipped over. Cook until both sides are golden brown, serve with maple syrup and your favourite toppings.
Please note that all my recipes are developed and tested in metric grams. I recommend that you use digital scales for a more accurate results. I have provided a conversion to US customary in the recipe but please note that I haven’t tested using this method.
Notes
- You can use plain, all purpose flour instead of self- rising flour. The pancakes may be not as fluffy as the ones on the picture, but they will still be fluffy!
- Butter can be swapped for olive oil
- To ensure the even size of the pancakes you can use an ice- cream or cookie scoop
- To ensure the even shape of the pancakes you can use pancake ring
- The quantity of the pancakes may vary, depending on how big is your measuring spoon/ scoop
Valerie Varhaug
My mouth dropped open when I saw these fluffed up wonders! I scheduled a test run of this recipe yesterday and oh my goodness, I couldn't stop grabbing my phone to take pictures. They are seriously the most perfect pancake I've ever had (including those from my favorite restaurants). Thank you, Anna! I'll be flipping these pancakes again.
Anna
Thanks so much for trying this recipe Valerie, I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed these pancakes so much! And thanks for tagging me on your Instagram, your version of them looked just perfect!
Bri
Made these is afternoon for a nice brunch! Added a little almond and homemade (bourbon) vanilla. They were UNREAL! topped with fresh strawberries and creme fresh. A huge hit and now our official pancake recipe!
Anna
Hi Bri, thanks so much for this positive feedback! I'm so happy to read that you enjoyed this recipe. The addition of creme fresh and some strawberries sound utterly delicious!
Careese
This recipe does make really fluffy pancakes but the amount of baking powder from the self rising flour and the additional 1 tsp in the recipe makes it taste too strong of baking powder. That sour salty taste was too much for us.
Anna
Hi Careese, sorry to hear they're not to your liking, I've been making this recipe for years, and never experienced it being sour or salty. Wishing you best of luck in finding the pancake recipe just right for you!
Atika
Love this recipe! Soft and fluffy and just the pefect American pancakes! I’m awful at making pancakes but this recipe turns out perfect every time! Thank you for sharing this!
Anna
Hey Atika, thank you for your so much for leaving a rating and this lovely comment, that is so great to hear that you've tried and enjoyed this recipe! I hope it will become your go-to for fluffy pancakes!
Kelly
I’ve just made these pancakes and everyone in my house loved them. It’s the best recipe I’ve ever used. Thank you so much for sharing. They will now be a staple in my house
Anna
Hey Kelly! Thank you SO much for this lovely comment, I'm soo happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed these! Happy Pancake Day!
Clara
Best pancake recipe I’ve ever tried. The recipe is really simple and they came out super fluffy. I tried not to over mix the batter and they came out perfect! Thanks Kelly!
Anna
Hi Clara, thanks so much for this positive feedback, I'm so happy to hear that you tried and enjoyed this recipe!
Cheyenne
Made these this morning in prep for pancake day and was so impressed! All other pancakes we enjoyed up to this point we sometime a bit dense and flat, but these were fluffy and cloud like and airy. We added vanilla extract to make them more fragrant.
They're also forgiving - we overcooked one and it was still soft, and we added the butter a little too hot but they were still gorgeous.
As think as my thumb and delightful. Thank you!
Anna
Hi Cheyenne, thanks so much for taking time to leave this lovely comment and a review! I'm so happy to hear that you've tried and enjoyed this recipe! These pancakes are the favourite in our house, and we make them almost every weekend, hope they will become a staple at yours too!
Jo
Those are the fluffiest pancakes I've seen fara very long time. I looks absolutely perfect and delicious! My kids would love this without a doubt!
annabanana
Hi Jo, hank you very much for your ind comment! They are favourite in our house, and I hope that your kids will love them as much as I do!
Marilyn
These were not my favorite. The taste was not what I expected. I will keep looking for a new recipe.
annabanana
Hi Marilyn, sorry to hear this recipe was not to your liking. Good luck with your future search for pancakes!
Natalie
Wow these pancakes look really REALLY fluffy. And so delicious. I must give this recipe a try. Never used self-rising flour to make pancakes before. Sounds like great idea to get the butter to fluff! Thanks!
annabanana
Hi Natalie, thanks so much for kind words! You can stick to AP flour, they will still be fluffy, bu SR flour takes the fluffiness to the next level! Hope you will enjoy them!
Jess
Wow! These pancakes look and sound so fluffy! There is no better way to start your day! I can't wait to try these cakes out!
annabanana
Hi Jess, I agree, having these in the morning sets you up for a great day ahead! Thanks for stopping by and Let me know if you try them!
Amanda
Pancakes don't get fluffier than these! Perfect texture and they're super simple to make. I can't wait to make them again.
annabanana
Thanks Amanda, glad you tried and enjoyed the recipe, it's on the repeat in our house over the weekends!
Marisa F. Stewart
I tried out these classic pancakes for breakfast this morning, and they were so light and fluffy I couldn't believe it. They soaked up my maple syrup without becoming soggy. I'll be making them more often.
annabanana
Thank you so much Marisa, I'm over the moon to hear that! So glad that you've tried and enjoyed this recipe!
Paula Montenegro
OMG, these are fluffy pancakes, indeed! I can't wait to whip a batch this weekend! Thanks for sharing such beauties.
annabanana
Thank you Paula, I hope you will enjoy the recipe as much as I do! Have a great weekend!
Danielle
I would eat these pancakes every day all day! Great texture, fantastic size and just perfect add-ons. Can't wait to make these over the weekend and enjoy them like it's nobody's business! 🙂
annabanana
I love your approach Danielle! 😀 thanks so much, I hope you will enjoy these pancakes as much as I do! Have a great weekend!
Çitra's Home Diary
Wow... what a pretty looking breakfast plate. My kid will love me more if I serve this for her 🙂 Admire your photographic skill as well. Thumb up!!
annabanana
Thank you so much! That is so lovely of you to say! I hope you will give the recipe a go, kids will love it for sure!
Paige
These pancakes look amazing and I love how creative you are with the fruit garnishes! YUM! I'm a major fan of pancakes, so I'll give this a try
annabanana
Thank you so much Paige, so happy to hear that you like this recipe! And yes, I love all sorts of toppings for my pancakes, fruit and berries are my fave!
Chef Dennis
Hmm yum! These Classic fluffy pancakes are making me super hungry! i wish it's breakfast soon so I could fill my plate with this.
annabanana
Heh, thank you Dennis, I always think about breakfast, even during dinner! 🙂 Glad to hear that you like the recipe!
Kelly Anthony
These look like the perfect fluffy pancakes and are sure to start any ones day off right.
annabanana
Thanks so much Kelly! They're such a staple in our house, can't imagine my weekend breakfast without these!