Nothing beats a stack of fluffy pancakes, especially when they’re light, airy, and packed with flavor. Here’s a tried-and-true recipe for the best fluffy pancakes that will make your breakfast a winner every time:
Best Fluffy Pancakes Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cups milk (preferably whole milk for extra fluffiness)
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (plus more for cooking)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: ¼ tsp cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavor
Directions:
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. If you’re using cinnamon or nutmeg, add that too!
- Mix the wet ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a spatula or spoon until just combined. Do not overmix—lumps are okay! Overmixing will make the pancakes dense instead of fluffy.
- Let the batter rest:
- Let the batter sit for about 5-10 minutes. This helps the baking powder activate and gives you fluffier pancakes.
- Cook the pancakes:
- Heat a non-stick griddle or skillet over medium heat and melt a little butter on it. Once the butter is hot and bubbling but not browned, scoop about ¼ cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake.
- Cook the pancakes until bubbles form on the surface (about 2-3 minutes). Then, flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve:
- Serve the pancakes immediately with your favorite toppings—think maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, or even a dollop of butter.
Tips for the Best Pancakes:
- Don’t overmix: The key to fluffy pancakes is keeping the batter slightly lumpy. Overmixing will activate the gluten in the flour and make them tough.
- Rest the batter: Letting the batter rest allows the baking powder to work, making your pancakes fluffier.
- Right pan temperature: If your pan is too hot, the pancakes will burn on the outside and be raw inside. If it’s too cool, they won’t puff up properly. A medium heat is just right.
- Add-ins: Feel free to fold in chocolate chips, blueberries, or banana slices right before cooking for a tasty twist.
- Keep warm: If you’re making a large batch, keep your pancakes warm by placing them in a low oven (around 200°F) until ready to serve.
This recipe for fluffy pancakes gives you the perfect stack every time—light, airy, and delicious. Enjoy!