How to Make Pancakes from Scratch

4.86 from 7 votes
11 Comments

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This is an easy guide that will teach you how to make pancakes from scratch. Pancakes are a delicious breakfast staple that anyone can master! 

A stack of pancakes from scratch on a black plate with butter.
Featured with this Recipe:
  1. Why Make Pancakes from Scratch?
  2. Ingredients in Homemade Pancakes
  3. Tips for Getting Fluffy Pancakes from Scratch Every Time
  4. Our Favorite Pancake Toppings
  5. Questions About Homemade Pancakes
  6. Other Breakfast Recipes You Will Love
  7. More Pancake Recipes
  8. Yummy Syrup Recipes
  9. How to Make Pancakes
  10. How to Make Homemade Pancakes from Scratch Recipe

Why Make Pancakes from Scratch?

I know you might be thinking, “Why would I make pancakes from scratch when I could just buy a pancake mix at the store?” But, let me tell you, these pancakes are WAY better than any store-bought mix. You probably already have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now and it comes together in five minutes or less. Plus, making pancakes from scratch is actually a lot cheaper than using a mix. Basically, what I am trying to say is, you need to add this easy pancake recipe to your collection!

Making your own pancakes comes in handy when you are looking for something hot, but still quick for breakfast. Once you have the basics down, you can add to it and flavor them any way you want. Blueberry pancakes, banana pancakes, and pumpkin pancakes are just a few of our favorite breakfasts for Saturday mornings at home.

Ingredients in Homemade Pancakes

  • All-purpose flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Buttermilk
  • Egg
  • Pure vanilla extract

Tips for Getting Fluffy Pancakes from Scratch Every Time

This truly is the best pancake recipe, but there’s a few things you need to know to get it perfect.

  • When you combine the dry and wet ingredients, don’t over-mix! It is normal to have some clumps in the batter. If you over-mix the batter, it will knock all the air out and your pancakes will be flatter than….well, a pancake!
  • Make sure to grease your griddle with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
  • Use a measuring cup to portion the pancake batter onto the griddle to ensure uniform-sized pancakes.
A stack of pancakes from scratch on a black plate with syrup pouring over them.


Our Favorite Pancake Toppings

Now that you’ve made your pancakes from scratch, they need toppings! Anyone can melt butter and pour maple syrup on a pancake, but have you tried these other toppings?

  • Strawberries or Blueberries and Whipped Cream
  • Cookie Butter and Bananas
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly
  • Honey and Chocolate Chips
  • Fried Egg and Bacon Bits
  • For Kids, chocolate chips and sprinkles are always a hit!

Tell us your favorite pancake topping in the comments below!

A stack of pancakes from scratch on a black plate with a pat of butter and syrup running down the sides.

Questions About Homemade Pancakes

What is the secret to good pancakes?

Making them from scratch always tastes best, but our secret ingredient is using buttermilk.

What is the trick to making fluffy pancakes?

Room temperature batter makes pancakes fluffy, be sure to not refrigerate your batter. Using buttermilk also helps!

How do you make sure pancakes cook evenly?

You want to make sure that your pan is not too hot. Be patient, cook the pancakes low and slow (never above medium-heat). Watch for popping bubbles before turning, and don’t rush it.

Do pancakes cook better in butter or oil?

I like using cooking spray best but you can use butter or oil. There is less chance of sticking with oil but butter has more flavor.

What should I serve with my pancakes?

We love to serve pancakes with fried bacon, breakfast sausage, or fresh fruit.

What do you cook pancakes on?

A griddle, non-stick pan, or cast-iron skillet.

Do you have nutritional information for this recipe?

Yes! Check the bottom of the recipe card for all the estimates on calories, vitamin info, fiber, protein, carbohydrate, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, and calcium.

Read Next: 35+ Easy Breakfast Ideas

Other Breakfast Recipes You Will Love

Now that you’ve mastered making pancakes from scratch, time to learn some other breakfast recipes! Try some of our other favorite morning meals:

More Pancake Recipes

Yummy Syrup Recipes

How to Make Pancakes

A stack of pancakes with syrup being poured on top

How to Make Homemade Pancakes from Scratch

4.86 from 7 votes
This is an easy guide that will teach you how to make pancakes from scratch. Pancakes are a delicious breakfast staple that anyone can master! 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Video

Equipment

  • Electric Griddle
  • Skillet
  • Whisk
  • Measuring Cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
  • Heat a griddle to medium-heat and spray with cooking spray.
  • Pour ¼ cup of pancake mixture onto the griddle.
  • Once the sides start to dry and the top is bubbling, flip the pancake using a large spatula.
  • Cook until both sides of the pancake are golden brown and the middle is cooked through (you can check by inserting a toothpick into the middle of the pancake, if it comes out dry it is done).
  • Remove from heat and serve with your favorite pancake toppings.

Notes

Recipe Tips

This truly is the best pancake recipe, but there’s a few things you need to know to get it perfect.
  • When you combine the dry and wet ingredients, don’t over mix! It is normal to have some clumps in the batter. If you over mix the batter, it will knock all the air out and your pancakes will be flatter than….well, a pancake!
  • Make sure to grease your griddle with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
  • Use a measuring cup to portion the pancake batter onto the griddle to ensure uniform-sized pancakes.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1gCalories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 353mgPotassium: 113mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 139IUCalcium: 76mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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Comments

    1. You can use milk and lemon juice mixed together to make buttermilk! So for this recipe add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to your measuring cup and then fill the rest up with milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes and then add it to the batter. Hope this helps!

    2. 4 stars
      I tried cooking my first pancake and I realized the temperature was too high and the first one burnt. The next one I turned the temp to low and it looked good on the outside but it was a bit raw on the inside. Although, both of them taste like overcooked pretzels. How do I fix it?

      1. It sounds like maybe the pancake was a little too thick? Try making a smaller pancake. It also sounds like you may have added too much baking soda, that would explain the over-browning and the pretzel taste.

  1. 5 stars
    Pancakes are a weekend staple for us and we are always on the lookout for new recipes to try. This is a winner! This is one we will make again and again!

  2. 5 stars
    Pancakes are our Saturday morning tradition. This recipe is so easy to follow and love that I have everything on hand to make them now. Never buying the box stuff again!