Today, I am taking care of breakfast with my traditional Buttermilk Pancakes recipe — prepared entirely from scratch (including tips for making them without buttermilk, if necessary)! I will demonstrate how to create thick, fluffy pancakes that can be ready in less than 15 minutes!
The Ultimate Pancake Recipe
Buttermilk pancakes are a quintessential American breakfast dish, yet despite their straightforward ingredient list, many individuals resort to using box mixes because it seems more convenient. Numerous home bakers have faced challenges with pancakes that are dense, flat, or rubbery, or those that have burnt outsides, uncooked centers, or simply lack flavor. Today, we will address these issues with my favorite, foolproof buttermilk pancake recipe.
While it is rare to find a truly complex buttermilk pancake recipe, many unfortunately omit crucial tips and techniques that can significantly impact your breakfast. Are you aware of the optimal moment to flip? The ideal heat setting for your stovetop? Which substitutions are permissible and which are not? How can you prepare buttermilk pancakes if you do not have buttermilk on hand?
My recipe has been meticulously refined to produce thick, fluffy, and exceptionally flavorful pancakes (akin to my delicate crepes), and I will also be addressing all of these inquiries while sharing my straightforward tips and techniques so that you will never need to reach for that box mix again.
Prepare your (preferably non-stick) skillet and get set for flawless, golden pancakes every time. Let’s get started.
Ingredients Required for Perfect Pancakes
This recipe is simple and utilizes pantry essentials, but let us discuss a few of the ingredients before we begin:
Buttermilk: When mixed with baking soda, this ingredient provides the pancakes with a delightful lift, resulting in a thick and fluffy texture. Its role is not solely chemical; it also imparts a wonderful flavor with a classic yet subtle tang. Refer to my FAQ section below for instructions on how to make this recipe if you do not have buttermilk.
Eggs. Ideally, these should be at room temperature. It is best for all your ingredients to be at this temperature so that the batter mixes easily; however, I understand that most individuals are unlikely to wake up two hours early to allow their buttermilk to reach room temperature, and I would never request you to do something I do not practice myself. Fortunately, this recipe is quite forgiving.
Butter. This should be melted. It is advisable to do this first so that it has time to cool slightly before being added to your buttermilk.
Baking powder and baking soda. The combination of these two leavening agents provides the pancakes with the ideal fluffiness and lift.
Flour. I suggest using all-purpose flour. You may experiment with replacing some of the flour with whole wheat flour; however, since whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture, you might need to add a little extra buttermilk to prevent the batter from becoming too thick. Self-rising flour is not recommended, as the baking powder and salt are already included.
This is merely an overview of the ingredients I utilized and their purposes. For the complete recipe, please scroll down to the end of the post!
How to Make Buttermilk Pancakes
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and vanilla, then drizzle the melted butter into this mixture while whisking. Add this to the dry ingredients.
Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together until they are nearly combined. Avoid overmixing, as this will result in pancakes that are flat and dense instead of fluffy.
Cook on medium heat until each side is golden brown. Avoid increasing the heat, as this will produce pancakes with burnt exteriors and raw centers, which is quite unfortunate 🙁
SAM’S TIP: You can determine when your buttermilk pancakes are ready to flip when the edges start to appear set and the bubbles in the batter begin to pop. At this stage, you should be able to easily slide a spatula underneath to gently lift an edge and check: look for a golden brown hue!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I halve the recipe?
Certainly! Zach and I frequently prepare a half batch of buttermilk pancakes for breakfast; it divides easily and the results remain consistent! For the buttermilk, you would require 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons.
What if I lack buttermilk?
You may utilize my buttermilk substitute recipe instead (which only requires milk and vinegar or lemon juice). Pour 2 tablespoons plus ¾ teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into a large measuring cup, then add milk until you reach the 2 ¼ cups specified. Stir well.
However, it is important to note that “homemade” buttermilk is thinner than the authentic version. You might not need to use the entire 2 ¼ cups called for, as it could render your batter runny and your pancakes too thin. If using the substitute, reserve about ½ cup of your buttermilk (thus only using 1 ½ cups) and follow the recipe as directed. If the batter appears too thick, gradually incorporate more of the buttermilk substitute as necessary.
Why did my buttermilk pancakes turn out flat/not fluffy?
This is most likely due to over-mixing the batter, which can result in flat, dense, or even rubbery pancakes. It is crucial not to over-mix your pancake batter — I cannot emphasize this enough. When combining your wet and dry ingredients, gently fold them together with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Leaving a few flour streaks in the batter is actually beneficial!
Can I incorporate blueberries/chocolate chips/etc. into my buttermilk pancakes?
Absolutely! You can add up to a cup of mix-ins to your buttermilk pancake batter. To avoid over-mixing, it is advisable to fold these in when your flour is about halfway incorporated, rather than waiting until you have mostly combined your wet and dry ingredients.
You may also choose to forgo the mix-ins and instead top your pancakes with whipped cream or blueberry sauce. Alternatively, you can use both mix-ins and elaborate toppings; I have no objections!
Can I use this pancake batter to prepare waffles?
Absolutely, you can! Although I possess a waffle recipe that I cherish and would highly recommend, my buttermilk pancake batter also produces delightful waffles.
What toppings complement buttermilk pancakes well?
These pancakes are excellent with just butter and syrup, but at times, I prefer to elevate the experience by adding whipped cream, strawberry sauce, blueberry sauce, caramel sauce, chocolate gravy, or hot fudge sauce!
Have you ever experienced a pancake sundae with ice cream and toppings? It may not be health food, but it is incredibly delicious!
Other Breakfast Recipes You May Enjoy:
- French Toast or French Toast Casserole
- Blueberry Muffins or Banana Muffins
- Scones
- Cinnamon Rolls
Notes
¹If you do not have buttermilk available, you can attempt to use my simple buttermilk substitute; however, several individuals have indicated that the batter becomes excessively thin for them (which is understandable since homemade buttermilk is less viscous than the authentic version). While I have successfully utilized the full amount specified with the buttermilk substitute, due to the experiences of others, I suggest gradually adding the milk until you achieve the desired consistency as demonstrated in the photos and video.
Pancake Recipe Ingredients
Pancake Recipe Instructions
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together buttermilk, milk, eggs and melted butter. Keep the two mixtures separate until you are ready to cook.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. You can flick water across the surface and if it beads up and sizzles, it's ready!
Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, using a wooden spoon or fork to blend. Stir until it's just blended together. Do not over stir! Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/2 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
Pancake Recipe Instructions
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together buttermilk, milk, eggs and melted butter. Keep the two mixtures separate until you are ready to cook.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. You can flick water across the surface and if it beads up and sizzles, it's ready!
Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, using a wooden spoon or fork to blend. Stir until it's just blended together. Do not over stir! Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/2 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
